Sin = Missing the Mark

Human history empirically validates the fact of original sin, but this doctrine has fallen on hard times lately.

People would rather believe that insanity drives the behavior of those who would massacre people who would do them no harm.  Or that the rights of individuals to do what they want with their bodies justifies providing the service of killing the defenseless baby in the womb.  Or that the violence and unruly actions of our youth is just a product of our society.

The truth is these and more are SIN and are an abomination before God.

But whatever became of sin?  It is a word that we rarely hear these days.  Karl Messinger asked this question in his book of the same title:

“[Sin] was once a word on everyone’s mind, but now rarely if ever heard. Does that mean that no sin involved in all our troubles - sin with an “I” in the middle? Is no one any longer guilty of any thing? Guilty perhaps of a sin that could be repented and repaired and atoned for?... Anxiety and depression we all acknowledge, and even vague guilt feelings; but has no one committed any sins? Where, indeed, did sin go? What became of it?” 

Romans 3:23 expresses the severity of our dilemma... "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Sin is a problem we each face; it is a issue of the will and desire.  We are known by our actions, and defined by our nature.  Jesus taught that people do sinful things because they are tainted.  

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.   All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”  Mark 7:21-23

R.C. Sproul put it this way: “We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.” 

The heart or mind of a person is already polluted with something that is opposed to the authority of God or the idea of surrender - something that sets itself up against the life of purity and discipline. This what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, 

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Romans 8:5

Dogs bark. Birds fly. Bees sting. Sinners sin. Each one is done for the same reason: it is their nature to do so.

When the will is changed; however, the power of sin is broken.  This is the miracle of conversion.  To find a change, true repentance must take place.

For the full message shared on 05-19-13 at First Church of God, Racine, WI; go to:
Sin = Missing the Mark