It's a word rarely uttered by non-Christians and one that is grossly misunderstood by many Christians.
Would it surprise anyone that this unmentionable S-Word is mentioned less in America than the F-word...or even the N-word?
No, it's not a four-letter word, it's a three-letter word. And, while it is all but absent from the vocabulary of secular society and deemed by some as provincial or even archaic when uttered from the lips or flowing from the pens of Christians, it is prolific in the Bible; indeed, it is a major doctrine of the Bible.
The word is "sin."
"Sin!" I can imagine some Christians might exclaim. "Who wants to talk about sin? Let's just sing praises to the Lord and talk about how wonderful Jesus is!"
The rationalization of sin
Traditionally, behavioral sin, in its many manifestations, was taboo in America's mainline, largely Christian-influenced culture. But not today. Most obviously, behaviors such as adultery, lying, covetousness, and pridefulness are rarely recognized as "sin." Instead, kinder, gentler words are used, among them: mistake, poor judgement, gaffe, over-sight, and even the past-tense of the F-word in antecedent to "up."
But it goes beyond behavioral manifestation: Today, the S-Word itself is taboo—or, should I say, "politically incorrect."
The objective of rendering sin a non-word is to replace biblical concepts of personal morality, responsibility and accountability to God with the humanist philosophies of: "I'm just doing what comes naturally"; "I'm simply acting out the 'free will' I was born with"; "boys will be boys" (and girls will be girls); and, "I'm enjoying what the Declaration of Independence states is the God/nature-endowed 'unalienable right' to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Of course, it's up to the individual's free will to set his own boundaries, if any, of personal responsibility and morality. Likewise, he freely conjures up his own definitions of those God/nature-endowed, unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—even if it is in contradiction of God's Word.
Consequently, the world's lists of sins are getting shorter and shorter—and one-by-one the Ten Commandments and others in the Bible are being scratched from lists. Some beliefs and behaviors that once were considered sins—affronts to God—are now seen as God-given, Constitutionally-protected "rights"—pagan religions, homosexuality, murder by abortion...and the list goes on and on, ad infinitum.
Denial among Christians
Some Christians simply ignore the subject of sin. Some believe that since they have been saved from sins past, present, and future, sin and sinning have become non-issues to them. With others it is a matter of intellectual avoidance (but not necessarily behavioral avoidance). You know: out of sight, out of mind. But they continue to sin and deny it. That is a vain attempt to keep sin at a far and safe distance so as not to get dangerously too close to conscience or public disclosure for comfort. Of course, I'm talking about personal sin here. When it comes to the sins of others it's amazing how the spiritually farsighted can see a tiny speck in a distant other's eye but lack the nearsightedness to see the log in their own!
The Apostle John commented on that: "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).
Why do Christians sin?
I've been asked in so many words: "If Jesus set me free from sin, then why do I continue to sin?"
Some Christians believe they still possess a "sin-nature." So why even try to overcome their sinfulness?
Among them are those who believe they are presently "sinners saved by grace" who see themselves as innocent victims of a spiritual war between God and Satan that is being fought within them. Like pawns in a chess game. Or the Dark Side of the Force versus the Light Side of the Force in Star Wars™. Consequently, they see life as a constant struggle between their sin-nature and righteous nature.
But does the Christian really have two natures? Does that perception address the real reasons why Christians sin?
There are other "answers" to why Christians sin that are also bewildering:
"You've already been forgiven, so just shake it off."
"You don't have enough faith."
"You need to pray more and try harder to repent."
"Maybe you're not really saved."
"You're addicted to sin—it's in your genes, in your DNA."
"The devil made you do it."
"You're not the one sinning—it's the power of indwelling sin in your body that's the culprit."
Do those "answers" leave you still baffled over sin in your life?
Victory over sin
Well, I have some good news for you. As a Christian you have victory over sin. And you can take God's Word on it.
Yes, yes—I know you've heard that before. But have you personally learned from the Bible how you can presently experience your victory over sin?
God is not a God of confusion. And everything you need to know about sin and your victory over it is in the Bible. Of course, there is no single book or chapter in the Bible that presents the complete doctrine of sin. To learn all the Bible has to say on the subject means studying the Scriptures from beginning to end—and assembling all the pieces of the puzzle into a complete picture ("systematic doctrine") of sin. Believe me, I know. I've been at it for years! And I still have not taken in all the Bible has to say. But I've learned enough to see the big picture.
Further study
I recommend that you take the same approach I did—study the Bible. There is no better way, and there is no substitute—certainly not my writings. At best, my writings can complement your Bible studies, and you can read a somewhat systematic presentation of the biblical doctrine of the heart on this web site, as well as in my available books and booklets. Other than my own published works, I've never found a single book on the doctrine of the heart.
In my Advanced Study No. 1, The Christian's New Heart, you will learn who you are in Christ—what it means to be a new-hearted, new creation in Christ, and how God dealt with sin in making you an ontologically new person in Christ. In Advanced Study No. 2, The Ways of the Heart—especially Chapter 6, "The Ways of Sin vs. The Ways of Love"—you will learn how sinful behavior functionally divides the heart, and how godly love unites the heart—makes it whole.
My writing is not the last word on sin and it's not infallible, but I do analyze some teachings on sin that don't hold up to Scriptural scrutiny, and I offer an overview of the biblical doctrine of sin that includes Paul's teaching on the duality of sin and love.
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Christian Living and Current Events Commentaries from a Biblical Perspective
by Frank Allnutt, August 21, AD 2010, Frankly Speaking Copyright AD2010 Frank Allnutt. All rights reserved.
http://www.frankallnutt.com/
