Five Things I Love About Sin

Sin startled the pastor. My sin.

“So what brought you to our church?” the genial pastor asked. “We’ll go around the circle and tell us who you are and why you want to become a member.”

Many new members mentioned the terrific music, the friendly people  and the wise pastors.

All true, but I had another answer: “I really appreciate how I can confess sin every Sunday during the service.”

His jaw dropped. “No one has ever said that before.”

It’s true. Every week I stand with a group of like-minded people before God and confess that I am sinful and unclean.

I make that confession because I am sinful. I can’t help myself–sort of–and confessing makes me feel better. It also enables God to hear my prayers.

What is sin?

Sin means falling short of the mark–failing to live up to God’s will or his design for my life. It’s violating the Ten Commandments set out by God through Moses.

The Bible has many examples, but the one I’m frequently guilty of–almost a “besetting sin“– is the attitude of my heart.

If God looks at the attitude of my heart and it does not line up with His desire for me–to live full of love, joy, peace, gentleness, faithfulness, patience and longsuffering–I’m sinning.

Unfortunately, that happens often.

When I realize my behavior is wrong, I have a choice: I can pretend I’m not sinning or I can deal with.

I prefer to deal with the issue, because by so doing, I get my relationship with God in the right order.

Jesus is the key, of course.

5 things I love about sin: Click to Tweet

 1. Everyone does it, so I’m not alone in my personal failures. Click to Tweet

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Being sinful unites me with humanity. When I remember I’m sinful, I can’t harshly judge others because “there but for the grace of God go I.”

“For we do not have a high priest [Jesus] who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus did not sin, but he knew temptation. My failures don’t surprise Him.  🙁

2. Sin’s easy to recognize once I  bother to look for it. Click to Tweet

Once I’m willing to admit that I fall short of what God has designed my life to be, it becomes easier to recognize when I make mistakes that insult God.

The best way for me to do this is to reflect on Bible passages.

I like my Life Application Bible because the bottom notes often ask me questions about my soul-full reaction to verses like “be angry but sin not.” (Ephesians 4:26)

3. It’s simple to confess and be forgiven. Click to Tweet

1 John explains,

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sin, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

All I have to do is tell God I’ve sinned against him–by thought, word and deed–and I’m sorry. Jesus’ death on the cross deliberately happened so my sins could be forgiven.

I’m often embarrassed my more petty sins required Christ’s atonement, but he gave it freely and I’m redeemed.

4. There is no sin too big to be forgiven. Click to Tweet

God will forgive any sin–no matter what it is, no matter how many people are affected, no matter how heinous.

Some will point out the problem with “the sin against the Holy Spirit,” but if you’re worried about committing that one, chances are very good you have not done so.

The point is, abortion is forgivable. Murder is forgivable. Theft is forgivable. Adultery is forgivable. Gossip is forgivable. Gluttony is forgivable.

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:38)

5. Confession and accepting forgiveness makes me feel better. 

It’s an awful, gut-wrenching, hand sweating, feeling to realize the depths of your sinful actions–particularly against another person.

It’s humiliating and miserable to gather up your courage to face someone you have harmed and ask for forgiveness.

Mortifying, dangerous and heart palpitating to say the words, “I have sinned against you in this way ____________. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I ask for it anyway.”

And what bliss when, said even in sorrow, the person forgives.

I’m often weeping with gratitude–the undeserved favor known as grace–bestowed by someone I have wronged.

That includes God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Peace at last

So I guess the five things I love about sin are about the release that comes from

1. Recognizing I’m a sinner

2. Understanding that while sinning my choice, I still can confess it to God and ask for forgiveness.

3. Accepting I’m forgiven despite what I’ve done.

4. Realizing that once forgiven, God doesn’t remember my sin.

5. Knowing that while I might miss the mark anytime,  forgiveness is always available.

Thanks be to God.

Is this list complete? How have you dealt constructively with sin?