The Good News About Sin

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:13 NIV)

I don’t remember if a certain person pointed out my sin or if I realized I was a sinner myself after attending church and my first small group. Either way, I’m sure I went through a period of denial—disbelief that I was anything but a good person. Now I know better. No such person exists.

Romans 3:23 tells us we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. He is perfect; we are not. We do and think things that separate us from our Creator and make us imperfect.

Why is this so hard for us to identify and accept? Maybe because the word sin seems so derogatory? I admit, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth, especially when I know I’m guilty of willful disobedience to God when I’m a Christian now and have identified as one for many years. Why, after so many years of practice, do I still act in ways that take me away from God?

I believe being imperfect is a result of being human in this fallen world. I also believe that the more we seek Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, the more we become like Christ. We start to live a life that’s full of the kind of sacrifices he made for us.

I don’t have to keep calling myself a sinner, though. That’s because of what Jesus did on the cross and through his resurrection. He conquered sin and death. Once I believed in my heart that these things are true, I could be called saved, redeemed, renewed. The caveat is that I need the power of the Holy Spirit to walk in that new life. I have to not only recognize my sin but see my constant need for help. I have to turn away from my sin and toward something life-giving, but I can’t do that in my own strength.

God provides the Holy Spirit, who is not only always with me, but if I’m open, provides me with the intuition to notice all the people and circumstances God works through to make me wiser and stronger. All it takes is an acknowledgment that I sin but that I believe in him who came to save me. Then I say a prayer for him to be with me, holding my hand through this life and a prayer for the Holy Spirit to be inside me, guiding the decisions of my head and heart. Sometimes God provides the help I need in tangible ways, through people and circumstances that lead me closer to him.

At first, identifying our sin might not feel like a big change. Yet if we watch, we’ll see it changing our lives. We’ll start to feel strong enough to say no to unhealthy things or seek out the help we need to be strong enough to make better choices. Doing hard things is what makes us more like Jesus. He did all the hard things, which is good news for us. He dined with sinners, ran with the “wrong” crowd, so that the brokenhearted, the naughty, and the physically broken would know he came for them. He called out the people who thought they had it right when really they had it all wrong. He bore physical punishment, shed his own blood, so that we wouldn’t have to pay for our sins. None of this was the popular thing to do.

Do you believe this today? If so, how will you let it begin or continue to change your life?

Lord, help us to see our sin and that identifying how we fall short of you leads us closer to becoming more like you. Help us to let go of what we know is sin and continually search our hearts for what leads us away from you instead of toward you. Help us strive to love you, others, and ourselves the way you love us, with a sacrificial love. Help us to see the good news of your love and sacrifice in our own lives and to share it with others who need you. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:20 NIV)

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (Hebrews 10:26–27 NIV)

Reach for More

Have you been able to admit that sin is in your life? If you’ve never thought about it, I encourage you to. It might be the first step in starting or growing your knowledge of and relationship with God. Then you don’t have to continue calling yourself a sinner, either. You can live in the light of Christ’s sacrifice for you and begin letting his example lead you toward a life that feels free and gives love into the lives of others.

What is one step you can take like those of Jesus? If you have a challenging time identifying what that might be, finding someone to talk with about that can be a gift to you at the start of a relationship with Jesus.

Carla Clemens enjoys a crazy, beautiful life with her military husband, four sons, and one daughter. She is always attempting to live with mindfulness of each moment, hoping to look at the world and each person in it in light of our amazing Creator and therefore, to see each moment presented as an opportunity to love and serve him more. Carla relishes time to ponder God’s Word and have quiet moments with him and her coffee. She loves doing life with other mamas and encouraging them to simply be who God has made them to be.

Photograph © Jake Melara, used with permission