I’m just going to say it. I have sinned! I have sinned repeatedly. Sometimes, it was even intentional. I should also tell you, I LIKE sin. I really do! I am a sinner.
Before you click away from this blog, let me explain. I like the word “sin.” When I found myself in a real bind because of a choice I made which led down a wrong road, I began to realize I like the word “sin.”
As modern day Christians, we seem to shy away from this word. We make “mistakes.” We make “poor choices.” We may even make “unfortunate decisions.” But we do not “sin!” Oh, but wait… Hmmm… I think the Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 NIV) I’m not hanging out here alone. Everybody sins, but we do not want to call it sin. We want to call it something less offensive. Mistake, poor choice, bad decision, bad habit, indiscretion, etc. All are words we use to… What? Save face? Pretty up reality? Protect ourselves? Look like we are in control?
I think we like to make “sin” sound better by calling it something else. I also think we like to feel that we can fix it ourselves. If it is not sin, then we can change it, redeem it, not need God for it. We feel less helpless.
When I say, “I like sin,” what I mean is, I like the concept. When I call the mistake (intentional decision or not) a sin, I have options. There is a solution. I do not have to fix it all by myself. I do not have to be entirely responsible for cleaning up my mess alone. And there is forgiveness for sin! It can be wiped away.
Forgiveness is the best part of sin. Think about it. Jesus already paid the price for every sin I have committed and every sin I will commit in the future in addition to every sin you have or will commit. He literally died for us to ask forgiveness. He knew we would sin. He wants to give us the gift of forgiveness.
So what I really like about sin is — it is fixable! I do not have to pay penance for it. I don’t have to beat myself up about it. I do not have to prove myself out of it. God can fix it with forgiveness. Not only that, but if there is a mess to clean up, He is going to hold my hand lovingly and help me with it. Imagine it. God in there cleaning up the muck with you. Best of all, He takes away the guilt. Calling sin, sin is actually very empowering to Christians.
Why do we think it is better to call it something else?
Do you like “sin”?
