Sin is Worse than You Think

Part Three of the Salvation Series

In part one of the salvation series, we explored the need to embrace a God-centered view of salvation, rather than a human-centered view. The key point was, “You are not the main character.” In part two, we explored the idea that salvation is the restoration of God’s creation. The reason creation needs restoration is, of course, sin. And sin is what we are going to talk about today.

What is Sin?

With most theological topics we have a tendency to over-simplify and over-personalize the issue. The topic of sin is no different. We tend to think about sin solely as an individual and isolated act of moral failure. Once again, we make ourselves the main character. We think sin is simply, “I did something bad and I need God to forgive me.” However, in reality, our personal sin is part of a much bigger story.

Sin is moral failure, but it is almost never isolated or merely individual. When we sin—or when someone harms us through their sin—it is part of a dark swirling cloud of human and demonic rebellion that goes back all the way to the beginning. Every time a person chooses to sin (even in a “tiny” or “ordinary” way), the storm cloud grows and the world becomes more chaotic.

We were all born in the midst of this sin storm. From the moment we entered the world, we experienced the lightning, thunder, and toxic rain. That doesn’t mean we were born participating in sin, but we were certainly born experiencing the consequences of sin. Before we were conscious of it, our thoughts, emotions, and desires were being influenced by this corrupting force all around us. Sadly, at some point, our own warped desires, “lured and enticed” us into joining the rebellion against God (see James 1:12-15).

That’s what sin is, a monstrous and growing cloud of human and demonic rebellion against the reign of God. It destroys and corrupts whatever it touches. We are all victims of it, but we are also participants in it. We’ve all obeyed the siren song of sin, getting swept away by it. This is why the apostle Paul refers to people as, “slaves of sin” (see Romans 6).

How Did This Rebellion Begin?

The narratives of Adam, Eve, and their children (Genesis 1-11), not only paint the picture of how the rebellion began, but also seem to serve as archetypes for all the rebellion that followed. Humans allowed themselves to be deceived. They were “lured and enticed” by the desire to know and experience good and evil for themselves. Demonic powers were clearly present and humans aligned themselves with this evil, rather than remaining loyal to God.

The result was death. Death is always the result of sin.

Prior to humanity’s rebellion and subsequent exile, they could have eaten from the tree of life and lived forever. However, like disobedient children, they said, “We don’t want to be sheltered by God, we want to know (experience) all the good and all the evil for ourselves.” Like small children, who sneak a “taste” of a forbidden movie, magazine, or website, their innocence was instantly destroyed. There was no going back. They got exactly what they wanted, but were immediately covered in shame.

Throughout the Bible, we see this same story play out in the lives of individuals, families, tribes, nations, and empires. Personally and collectively, they desire and they take. They kill, enslave, rape, steal, and destroy. Meanwhile, the swirling cloud of human and demonic rebellion grows and grows. It touches and affects everyone. Because everyone participates in it, it brings death to everyone (see Romans 5:12).

How Are We Saved from Sin?

Because this series is about salvation, I have to say a word about how we are saved from sin. Though we will say much more about all of this in future posts.

Throughout Scripture, we can see the mercy and grace of God; these are his defining characteristics. Pay attention to the way God covers the nakedness of Adam and Eve, shows mercy to Cain, swears never to destroy the earth with a flood again, and continually forgives Israel for their rebellion. Though God always has a right to destroy his creatures who rebel against him, he desires to restore humanity to faithful stewardship over the earth.

So, if sin is a monstrous swirling cloud of human and demonic rebellion against the reign of God, then what does it mean to be “saved” from sin? It means that, through Jesus, we are:

• Forgiven for our participation in the rebellion.

• Declared innocent and righteous on the basis of faith in Christ.

• Cleansed from the defilement of what the sins of others have done to us.

• Filled with the Spirit of holiness, so that as we live in this wicked world, we remain holy and uncorrupted by the world’s sin.

• Taught by grace to live cruciform lives, marked by self-giving love and humility.

We often think about salvation simply in terms of being forgiven of our personal sins. It is that, for sure, but it is so much more. Though we will not be perfect until we are raised from the dead and transformed, our rescue from the storm of sin has already begun. Though we are all victims and participants in the rebellion, these are no longer our identity. Because of Jesus, we are forgiven, holy, and children of God.

I love you and God loves you,

Wes McAdams