Sin

I was in a Bible study recently and sin was brought up.  Somehow the question was asked of how much we sin.  I explained that I’m still trying to figure that out since I’m only 27 + (ok, if I don’t correct this to 61, I’ll have another sin to add to my list). Anyway, my devotion this morning was also on sin.  This excerpt sums it up: “Sometimes God expresses His laws in negative terms (do not . . .) and sometimes in positive terms (do . . .). The Ten Commandments contain both forms (do not steal; honor your father and mother). Both sins of omission and sins of commission are real sins. They incur real guilt. When we do what God forbids, we are guilty of a sin of commission; when we fail to do what God commands, we are guilty of a sin of omission. In both cases the law of God is violated.”

My mom, who was the person I knew with the best morals, believed a person should never tell a lie. But (and this was a big but), failing to disclose everything you knew was not. For example, in her mind, if she was pulled over for speeding and the officer asked her if she knew how fast she was going, it was perfectly ok to say that she didn’t know for sure because she was watching traffic. That answer was technically correct as long as she wasn’t looking at her speedometer exactly when the officer’s lights went on. I believe we call that a loophole today.  The most famous one I can remember was when a former President during his impeachment hearing asked for the definition of “sex” in the congressional hearing.  We seem to be more willing to do that today than I remember as a kid.  Sometimes winning at all costs isn’t worth the sin price paid.

“…the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” - Romans 3:22-24 ESV

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” - James 1:14

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” - Colossians 3:5-11

I’m even more convinced that part of my faith walk is finding all those areas of sin and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, working to eliminate them.