What Is Sin?

By Rev Kenneth Mtata 

Readings of the day

Psalm 106:1-12; Judges 5:12-21; 1 John 5:13-21

Verse of the day

"Blessed are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times" (Psalm 106:3).

SIN is one word that is used to express the broken relationship between God and God's people. But this word has over time been abused and limited by confining it only to sexual matters in religious spaces. 

Sin in its complete sense is a big issue which followers of Christ must be clear about.  

While some acts we call sin seem to change here and there in the bible and in society, there are elements that never change. These are idolatry,  injustice and unrighteousness. 

For this reason, today's readings make an  emphatic pronouncement: "Blessed are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times" (Psalm 106:3) and "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21). 

There is an assumption in these texts that sin is

(a) acting and living in disregard of God as the only God (unbelief and idolatry)

(b) treating people unjustly, and

(c) living unrighteousness.

Idolatry is total fear, love and trust for something other than God.

Justice (mishpat) is right standing before all people based on treating all people according to just laws that are applied equally to all without fear or favor. 

Righteousness is right standing before God on the basis of promotion, protection and advancement of God's image in all people. This means seeking the dignity of all people who were created in God’s image.

If you truly know God, you will praise him and worship him. You will see God's image in all people. You will burn inside with holy anger when you see the dignity of some people being undermined. Like God you will always identify with the downtrodden aiming at helping them regain their dignity. Anything against this is sin.

*Prayer*

Help me today God not to sin against you. Open my eyes to see you exalted high above and worthy to be praised and worshipped. Open my eyes to see your image in all people and the courage to fight for their dignity. 

AMEN

Daily Disciples