SIN

The whole concept of sin is pretty challenging for most people. Opinions on what sin is are pretty varied, but one thing is for sure:

The word “sin” usually has strong negative connotations for almost everyone.

What does the word sin make you think of?

• Another name for forbidden fun?
• Maybe heinous crimes like murder or rape?
• How about some crazy preacher ranting and raving about hell?

Maybe to you the whole idea of sin is simply ridiculous, outdated and at best irrelevant.

No matter what you might think, here is the real truth:

What we know and understand about sin comes directly from the Bible.

As a matter of fact, the Bible has a lot to say about what sin really is. It describes it as the reason that we are separated from God. The word sin literally means missing the mark or taking the wrong direction.

The Bible really describes sin as any thought or activity that goes against the direction of God, or more precisely against His will and the path that He has made for us to follow.

Obviously that covers really bad crimes like murder, but did you know we can go against God’s path in the little ways we hurt each other in our every day lives.

Things like:

• Lying
• Gossip
• Greed
• Jealousy

When we think about how the Bible describes sin:

The real truth is that when you take into account the small injustices that we all do to each other not a single one of us can say we haven’t sinned.

The Bible says sin is much broader than just bad behavior. It is the unfortunate backdrop against which we live our lives. The Bible teaches that sin is so ingrained in mankind that it taints everything we do and see.

Sin is the culprit behind:

• All the pain that exists in the world
• The reason people continue to cause suffering for others
• Why bad things happen to good people

Maybe the worst part of sin is that it keeps us from connecting to God. You see God is so perfect that He simply can’t allow sin to come near Him. That’s really bad news, because it means that people who have sinned, like us, can’t get near Him either.

Keep this in mind when it comes to God and sin:

Even the smallest of mistakes, makes you too sinful to meet with God!

The Good News is that the sin story doesn’t end here. In spite of your mistakes, God loves you! He wants to connect deeply with you, but in order for that to happen the sin issue must be dealt with.

The matter of sin and separation from God is the central focus on which Christianity is based. On a spiritual level it’s the greatest challenge we will ever face.

Here’s the real issue:

No matter how hard you try, you cannot live a life free of sin.

That’s why it’s called the “sin problem.”

There is no way you can:

• Go back in time to erase the mistakes you have made in the past.

• Wash away the guilt of sin by yourself.

• Stop yourself from the pain of future mistakes.

Is there a solution to the “sin problem?”

Yes there is! There is a reason the message of Jesus Christ is called the Good News.

Please study the following links to learn more: Jesus, Gospel, Evil, and Death. Do visit us at our Church in Irvine and join us for our regular "Discovery" meetings.

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