Studying education at University was a valuable and very enjoyable experience. At University, I met my wife, learnt how to be a teacher and made some good friends. Most of the units I studied centred on the philosophy of Post-Modernism. Within that philosophy was the belief that the human race is inherently good and that people do bad things as a result of the influence from the culture (ecology) they exist in i.e. people, living situation etc. It is a huge topic, one which I might leave for another day. Generally, the people who adopt the Post-Modern view would argue that the human race is not sinful and that sin is determined by culture and / or the dominant norms of a society. For example, what was a sin 20 years ago may not be considered a sin today. In this article, I would like to wrestle with this belief and delve into what the bible has to say about sin and the human race.
Firstly, how does the bible define sin? As discussed in a previous article, God created and sustains the universe. He made the world to operate a certain way, namely, in submission to him. This may sound rather tough or authoritarian but you must consider that he created us. Like a father with a son, he knows what works best in his world and what doesn’t and has passed on to us the most efficient and safe way to exist in his world. However, we rebelled against God.
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:15-17).
As I have stated previously, God placed us in the world to live in and enjoy it under him, but is that the state of the world currently? God, in the passage above, commanded our first parents not eat from a particular tree as this act would kill them. In the unfolding events, Adam and Eve went on to eat from the very tree they were commanded not too. They rebelled or disobeyed God and decided how they would run their own lives. This is sin- going against what God has set in place.
Ok you might say, but I haven’t eaten from some tree in a garden that God forbade me from eating! The fruit itself was not the reason for death or sin, but it was Adam and Eve’s intentions or the actual act of eating the fruit; the disobedience of God’s command, which was the sin. We, through our thoughts, motives and actions are all guilty of sin. God gave his people a list of commandments or expectations to obey and follow. You would know these as the 10 Commandments. Breaking these is sin- how do you fair?
You will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
You will not worship any false gods
You will not use God / Jesus as a curse work or an expression as frustration
You will not murder - Jesus said “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” - basically, if you have hated someone and slandered them, as a result you have murdered them in your heart.
You will not commit adultery - Jesus said in Matthew’s Gospel (5:27-28) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
You will not steal.
You will not bear false witness against your neighbour - this is ‘have you ever told a lie’?
You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbour’s house, or his workers, his tractor, or his car, or anything that is your neighbour’s.' - I have translated but basically wanted something that someone else owns.
(Deuteronomy 5).
It is pretty confronting if you are true to yourself.
Jesus said, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone (Mark 10:18). For there is no distinction for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The fact, according to the scriptures, is that we, the entire human race, have all sinned against God. We are all guilty as charged. The Post-Modern view that the human race is truly good deep down is totally blown out of the water by the scriptures. The bible also states emphatically that sin is sin. Rebellion against God does not change over time and is not determined by culture but rather by God, the creator and ruler of the universe!
The bible goes onto say that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), our sin and rebellion leads us to eternal separation from God in hell. We are justifiably guilty and should be sentenced to hell.
Sin is rebellion from God. Sin leads us to death and then what is the point of life if we are all destined for hell? The scriptures continue to explain that:
But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law (10 Commandments), although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it; the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins (Romans 3:21-25).
Sin is rebellion according to the scriptures, and does most certainly lead to death, but life, forgiveness and reconciliation with God comes through Jesus. He gave his life on the cross so that we may have eternal life.
I ask you today, are you convicted by this article? Have you sinned? Then why not come to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. Put your trust in him and follow him.
In my next few postings, we will consider:
Who was Jesus really? A prophet, or a good teacher, or even a great example? How can he pay for sin? Why should I trust him and not the other big religious leaders of our time?
I’ll also post some links to a few useful and reliable Christian resources where you can learn more about Jesus.
I am also considering starting a movie review section. Any suggestions for movies? Email suggestions to vintagejc@hotmail.com
If this has had an impact on you, I encourage you to make a comment on the blog- or email vintagejc@hotmail.com if you would like to ask a question or make a suggestion for future articles.
The video (top of article) is from Mars Hill Church and the preachers name is Mark Driscoll. Here is a link for more video and audio resources from Mars Hill Church.
