BIG Sin!
Okay, two posts in one day. But, something is bothering me. I have referenced sin several times recently as 'big' or 'great'. I feel that I should take a few moments here to clear that up. Because there is not really any such thing. At least not in God's eyes.
First, let's define sin. Sin is coming short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. It's common to us all, the Bible says. The dictionary definition is "an immoral act considered to be a transgression against God's divine law". That just means anything we do wrong.
Sin is what makes us different from God. We were created in His image. But He is without sin. Sin separates us from Him. 1 John 1:8 tells us that "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Romans 6:23 reminds us that "the wages of sin is death". That's what we get paid back for our sin. Death. Separation from God.
Sin is not just what we do wrong. It's what we are supposed to do that we do NOT do! James 4:17 says, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Wow! Okay, that makes it pretty clear. There is no escaping it. We are all sinners.
God hates sin! I don't use the word 'hate' lightly. When my kids were little, they thought the word hate was a cuss word. I didn't want them to use it on each other, lol. So, if they overheard me say, for example, "I hate stewed tomatoes!", then they'd go around telling anyone who would listen, "Mommy cussed today! We heard Mommy curse!". It caused me to be very careful with it's use. :)
But God does hate sin! And all sin is the same to God. All equally horrifying. No big and no little to God. All sin separates us from Him. Murder or a proud look. Adultery or lusting in our heart. All the same to God. He cannot even look upon it. And sin MUST be paid for. Always.
But there are different consequences for different sins here on this earth. Walking away with someone's Bic pen, and then realizing it and not bothering to go back and return it does NOT have the same consequence that robbing a bank does. They are both sin, though. Telling someone that they look lovely in a dress when you were just wondering who their tentmaker was does NOT carry the same consequence as the lying and slander that sometimes goes on when someone is trying to cover themselves at someone else's expense. Both are sin and God sees both as sin, but the consequences here on earth are different.
The reference to 'big' or 'great' sin is speaking to consequence. Big consequences in our lives. Some sins will destroy families. Some will cause us to go to prison. Still others could kill us or someone else. Bigger, deeper scars.
ALL forgiven by the Blood of Christ if it's been applied. The price paid for my sin was very high. Unthinkable. Jesus died on the cross to pay for it. And God the Father turned His head! God can't even look upon sin, remember? Jesus bore my sin for me! But I couldn't pay for it myself, and I am grateful beyond words.
If you've never trusted Christ like that, today is the best day ever! Go to the 'home' page of this site. You'll find it at the top of this page that you are reading, right hand side. Click on that 'home' page button, and then scroll to the bottom. You'll find a blog post pinned there entitled, 'Redeemed'. It will tell you what to do about your sin and how to get to heaven. Trust Jesus today!
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