Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Christspeak Word of the Day
Sin. Why is this the word of the day? It occurs to me that sin, as a Biblical term, is grossly misunderstood.
It is used, or rather misused, in song, poetry, jokes, politics, debates practically every day. I suppose it has become one of those words whose meaning has morphed its way into all types of subcultures. For that very reason, it is important to understand the meaning of sin, in order to prevent misunderstandings.
I am going to explain what it means in my own words. Remember, I am speaking about its Biblical and theological meaning. I'll start by telling you what it is not.
Sin is not about how God relates to man. Sin is never soley based on a person's relationship with other people, it always refers to man's relationship with God. Sin is not limited to behavior. All sins are not equal. Sin is not determined by man. Sin is not limited to just believers in God.
One of the two most common misuses of the term is to use it in order to alienate a person from others and to misinterpret its true meaning. For example, a close friend might, using 'sin' correctly, point out, "I fear what you are doing is sinful." To which his friend incorrectly responds, "So now you hate me because you think I am sinning? Alot of people would disagree with you."
Sin is how man relates to God. Sin is rebellion against God.
Many misuses and misunderstandings come from our lack of understanding that sin is how man relates to God. Going back to the example above, the person who's action was challenged as sinful, if he understood the meaning of sin, could reply, "You really think God cares about what I'm doing?" Or, "I disagree that it is a sin to..."
What is sinful? It is not open to interpretation, as some would have you believe. Sin is revealed by the law of God. What is open to interpretation is our understanding of the law. In a very real since, our understanding of God's law involves a spiritual, or supernatural relationship between us and God. It involves our conscience.
Regarding the degree of sins, CS Lewis warns us that "the sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all sins." He believed the worst sins are spiritual, "the pleasure of putting other people wrong, of bossing and patronising and spoiling sport, and backbiting; the pleasures of power and hatred. That is why the cold, self righteous prig who goes to church regularly may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute." Mere Christianity, chapter 5
It is used, or rather misused, in song, poetry, jokes, politics, debates practically every day. I suppose it has become one of those words whose meaning has morphed its way into all types of subcultures. For that very reason, it is important to understand the meaning of sin, in order to prevent misunderstandings.
I am going to explain what it means in my own words. Remember, I am speaking about its Biblical and theological meaning. I'll start by telling you what it is not.
Sin is not about how God relates to man. Sin is never soley based on a person's relationship with other people, it always refers to man's relationship with God. Sin is not limited to behavior. All sins are not equal. Sin is not determined by man. Sin is not limited to just believers in God.
One of the two most common misuses of the term is to use it in order to alienate a person from others and to misinterpret its true meaning. For example, a close friend might, using 'sin' correctly, point out, "I fear what you are doing is sinful." To which his friend incorrectly responds, "So now you hate me because you think I am sinning? Alot of people would disagree with you."
Sin is how man relates to God. Sin is rebellion against God.
Many misuses and misunderstandings come from our lack of understanding that sin is how man relates to God. Going back to the example above, the person who's action was challenged as sinful, if he understood the meaning of sin, could reply, "You really think God cares about what I'm doing?" Or, "I disagree that it is a sin to..."
What is sinful? It is not open to interpretation, as some would have you believe. Sin is revealed by the law of God. What is open to interpretation is our understanding of the law. In a very real since, our understanding of God's law involves a spiritual, or supernatural relationship between us and God. It involves our conscience.
Regarding the degree of sins, CS Lewis warns us that "the sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all sins." He believed the worst sins are spiritual, "the pleasure of putting other people wrong, of bossing and patronising and spoiling sport, and backbiting; the pleasures of power and hatred. That is why the cold, self righteous prig who goes to church regularly may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute." Mere Christianity, chapter 5
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