Defining sin
What if the concept of SIN is meant to be understood differently than what we usually associate sin with? What if sin is not how God intended it to be? (Mark my play with words here.) Traditionally, sin has been defined as all the bad things that people do and the evil thoughts and desires people entertain. Murder is a sin, but so is hate. Adultery is sin, but so are lustful thoughts. Stealing is a sin, but so is cheating and envy. Idolatry is sin, but so is blasphemy and slander.
But what if this is not the whole definition of sin?
Take, for example, the emotional response of ANXIETY. Some go as far as to say that anxiety is a sin, and so one must not be anxious. However, if an anxious person hears such claims, they may become even more anxious since now they feel that even God is against them. Tell an emotionally or physically abused person not to be angry about what happened, because it is a sin, and the person will either get confused, bitter, or will even give up on God. It just feels wrong to let injustice go unpunished.
The Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:23 that sin is “falling short of God's glorious standards.” What if sin is more than just having evil thoughts and doing bad things? If I understand this verse correctly, then God has a certain standard. An expectation of how life was meant to be when he first created the world. And at its core, the highest standard is for humans to live a life that is fulfilling, pleases Him, and gives Him glory. And of course, anything bad or evil being done by humans is not according to God‘s standard. However, I think there is more to it.
But what if sin is anything and everything that is not according to God’s standard - in other words, not how God designed it to be? How life is meant to be. What if sin’s definition is “not how God intended it to be”?!?
Then, an anxious person could be reassured that God never intended for them to be anxious. God wants to step in and help them find peace, strength, and comfort in every situation. The same goes for someone who is depressed. Telling a depressed person not to be depressed does not work, nor does it make sense. The person will most likely even fall into a deeper depression. I recently watched a short video in which Jim Carrey said that a person who is depressed basically is in need of deep-rest. A depressed person needs a break, not more pressure. Psalm 23 tells us that God wants to lead us to green pastures and let us rest beside quiet waters. Even when we must navigate dark valleys and low points in life that feel like destruction and death, God wants to be there, right beside us, to shield us and offer us his support. If sin is defined as not how it was intended to be, an anxious person can find peace, strength, and protection in God’s provision. A depressed person can find deep rest in God’s presence.
Let’s play this out for a few more scenarios:
God intended for people to have peace of mind; therefore, we should not be anxious, but be calm in the midst of the storm.
God intended for life to be valuable; therefore, we should not take a life or devalue it in any way, but appreciate the value He gives it.
God intended for people to be self-controlled; therefore, we should not give in to temptations and selfish desires, but expect His Spirit to fill us.
God intended for marriages to be intimate and permanent; therefore, we should not selfishly lust or commit adultery, but enjoy true intimacy within the marriage bond.
Here come a few controversial ones:
God intended for husband and wife to be physically different; therefore, the union of two equal genders cannot work, only the fruitful relationship of two distinctly different people complementing each other.
God intended for us to know that we are wonderfully made; therefore, gender confusion and identity crisis are to be met with the design that God has individually assigned to each one of us.
God intended for us to be content in life; therefore, we should not envy others or strive for riches and fame, but enjoy the little things of everyday life and everything He has given us.
God intended for us to live at peace with one another; therefore, we should not side with one group and be against the other, but learn what true acceptance and sometimes even forgiveness mean.
It is simple: God intended for people to have a fulfilled life according to God’s design.
But is it really that simple? Is sin just a matter of doing life better so it aligns with God’s standards? Doesn’t the Bible say that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23)? I heard that one interpretation suggests that one must pay for sin with death. In ancient times, this was taken quite literally, but nowadays we only hear of the punishment of deserving the deadly punishment of hell. But, I would argue that we have it all wrong if we define this verse in that way. I would argue that humans who act sinfully are already paying for their sins with death in this life.
Sexual sin leads to distrust, broken hearts, breakups, and the death of the nucleus called the family. Hatred and strife can quite literally lead to murder, at the very least the death of a relationship. Anxious people face social and emotional stress, eventually becoming more and more anxious and dead to the world. Depression can take a person so far that some even contemplate suicide. And even if the depression is not that severe, the results of depression can manifest themselves in apathy or isolation. Ultimately, any person who doesn’t live up to what God intended life to be will live a life that will end in destruction and death - socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. And, yes, eventually there is the eternal death in what is known as hell.
Interestingly, the biblical word repentance is meant to be a call back to God. Repentance was never meant to be a mere confession of sin, but a return to the living God. To repent is to stop doing what one is doing, to stand still and contemplate options. To repent means to turn towards God and find peace, fulfillment, direction, and a deep sense of identity in God. In other words, when we are called to repent from our sins, we are asked to turn towards God and away from the destructive ways and thoughts.
I struggle a lot with people rejecting what I say, do, and ultimately who I am. I have been rejected a lot, officially by leaders and within personal relationships. And to be quite honest, this hurts. However, I recognize that my life is not how God intended it to be. Sometimes it feels like I am even rejected by God. God intended for me to be perfect. But I am not. God intended for me to live in harmony with others. But I am not. God intended for me to be more self-controlled. But I fail. God intended for me to feel no shame. But I do. To say it bluntly, God intended for me to be perfect and live in a perfect world. But I don’t and I am not.
Yet, I know that God has a perfect plan for my life. Where others see imperfection, He sees a chance for Him to interact with me and help me improve. Where I hear and feel rejection from individuals and leaders, He shouts, “I know you. I love you. And you are mine.” Where I struggle with shame over my mistakes and willfully wrong sinful behavior, He cleanses my conscience and invites me to try again. God lifts me out of the dirt, brushes the ugliness off, and invites me to do it again, and again, and again. So, if God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)
When God calls you to repent, he is saying, “Stop your destructive behavior. Don’t be anxious. No need to be depressed. Turn to me and let me show you how I intended life for you to be.” I don’t know about you, but if sin is actually Not how God intended it to be, then I am anxious to learn how God intended my life to be. I imagine that the plans that he has for me are pretty remarkable, and He wants me to have an eternally fulfilled and wonderful life. All it takes for me is to be fully committed to Him. To be all in.
What about you? Are you all in, to living a life as God intended it to be?
