If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
During all the Easter services and festivities recently, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are quick to say that “Jesus died for our sins” or that “Jesus took on the sins of the whole world when he died on a cross”. While both of those statements are true, sometimes I think we gloss over the word “sin”.
In today’s culture, we make light of the word “sin”. In the news and in pop culture, when someone is caught in wrongdoing, they often do not admit they’ve done anything wrong and chalk their behavior up to a misjudgment, a mistake, or an unfortunate situation.
Do we as Christ followers do the same? The word “sin” is not popular and probably not part of our everyday vocabulary. What do we really mean by the word “sin”? Sin is anything that separates us from God. Certainly breaking the Ten Commandments is considered sin – lying, stealing, murder, and the like. (See Exodus 20.) We consider those to be the “big sins”. But what about the little everyday sorts of crimes we commit against God, ourselves, and others?
Sin can be in our thoughts, attitudes, and words, not just our actions. Sin is not just telling an out and out lie: it is stretching the truth, even a little bit, perhaps to make ourselves look good. We may not commit murder, but we do “kill” others with our words, wounding them deeply in a split second with a sharp and spiteful tongue.
Perhaps our sins are thoughts that judge others. Even when we don’t voice these thoughts, they creep into our relationships and destroy. Our selfishness and pride can also be a source of sin when we think more of ourselves than we ought to and treat others accordingly. Perhaps we use our words and actions to shame and blame others as we seek to control and manipulate. Sometimes our sin is harboring resentments and past hurts as we refuse to forgive. The person we hurt the most when we are unforgiving is ourselves. Sin can also be in the “keeping up with the Jones” mentality that pervades our society. It’s all too easy to literally buy into a culture that promotes materialism and living beyond our means - to focus on what we can get rather than what we can give.
Sins come in all shapes and sizes. Thankfully, we don’t have to carry around this burden of sin that weighs us down and isolates us. Celebrating Easter is coming to terms with Christ’s work on the cross – taking all of our sins, whether big or small, and nailing them to the cross forever, so we can live in peace with God and with others.
When was the last time you confessed your sins? It’s not too late to start now. As our key verse says, all you need to do is to stop and reflect, asking the Holy Spirit to show you where you’ve sinned against God, others, and yourself. Confess and turn from those sinful behaviors into the light of God’s love, grace, mercy, and peace. Jesus’ death on a cross makes it all possible. Thanks be to God!
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for me, for my sins, even before I’ve confessed them. Help me be quick to confess and turn from my sinful thoughts, attitudes, words, and behaviors. Thank You that You are ready to cleanse me and restore me into a right relationship with You, by Your mercy and grace. Amen.
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Copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
During all the Easter services and festivities recently, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are quick to say that “Jesus died for our sins” or that “Jesus took on the sins of the whole world when he died on a cross”. While both of those statements are true, sometimes I think we gloss over the word “sin”.
In today’s culture, we make light of the word “sin”. In the news and in pop culture, when someone is caught in wrongdoing, they often do not admit they’ve done anything wrong and chalk their behavior up to a misjudgment, a mistake, or an unfortunate situation.
Do we as Christ followers do the same? The word “sin” is not popular and probably not part of our everyday vocabulary. What do we really mean by the word “sin”? Sin is anything that separates us from God. Certainly breaking the Ten Commandments is considered sin – lying, stealing, murder, and the like. (See Exodus 20.) We consider those to be the “big sins”. But what about the little everyday sorts of crimes we commit against God, ourselves, and others?
Sin can be in our thoughts, attitudes, and words, not just our actions. Sin is not just telling an out and out lie: it is stretching the truth, even a little bit, perhaps to make ourselves look good. We may not commit murder, but we do “kill” others with our words, wounding them deeply in a split second with a sharp and spiteful tongue.
Perhaps our sins are thoughts that judge others. Even when we don’t voice these thoughts, they creep into our relationships and destroy. Our selfishness and pride can also be a source of sin when we think more of ourselves than we ought to and treat others accordingly. Perhaps we use our words and actions to shame and blame others as we seek to control and manipulate. Sometimes our sin is harboring resentments and past hurts as we refuse to forgive. The person we hurt the most when we are unforgiving is ourselves. Sin can also be in the “keeping up with the Jones” mentality that pervades our society. It’s all too easy to literally buy into a culture that promotes materialism and living beyond our means - to focus on what we can get rather than what we can give.
Sins come in all shapes and sizes. Thankfully, we don’t have to carry around this burden of sin that weighs us down and isolates us. Celebrating Easter is coming to terms with Christ’s work on the cross – taking all of our sins, whether big or small, and nailing them to the cross forever, so we can live in peace with God and with others.
When was the last time you confessed your sins? It’s not too late to start now. As our key verse says, all you need to do is to stop and reflect, asking the Holy Spirit to show you where you’ve sinned against God, others, and yourself. Confess and turn from those sinful behaviors into the light of God’s love, grace, mercy, and peace. Jesus’ death on a cross makes it all possible. Thanks be to God!
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for me, for my sins, even before I’ve confessed them. Help me be quick to confess and turn from my sinful thoughts, attitudes, words, and behaviors. Thank You that You are ready to cleanse me and restore me into a right relationship with You, by Your mercy and grace. Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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