What is my definition of sin?

What is my definition of sin?


I’m thinking today of  an exam I took in grade ten French class.  First let me tell you about the night before.  I had been struggling with French all term.  The night before the exam I buckled down and focused my attention for twenty minutes of studying.  It seemed like a nice round number—twenty!   Into the exam, I went and when I flipped the page over—the guess work began.  Here’s the problem—you can’t guess on a French exam.  It is either right or wrong—there is really no guess work involved.  My opinion didn’t matter.  I flunked!  Oh really?  Yes, hard to believe.

Interesting that when it comes to many issues—society does what I did in my French exam—we guess.  There is no absolute right or wrong—we guess.  We take opinion polls. We ask: ‘well, does this issue affect society?’ If it affects only me—then who cares—it’s my decision, my opinion.  While all that may be true about what brand of vehicle we choose to drive—it is not true about truth, morals, or ethics.

As a follower of Christ, my opinion actually doesn’t matter.  There is right—there is wrong—and that is based on a standard of absolute truth.  Absolute truth is in the persona of God Himself.  My opinion, love, appreciation, or for that matter—understanding of that truth—has no effect on the objectivity of truth.  Truth is simply truth.  As a follower of Christ, I need to toss aside my opinions, and learn truth from my Master.  

Which brings me to my definition of sin.  Who cares!  Correct answer!   My definition of sin simply has to mirror God’s definition of sin.  My appreciation of that definition is irrelevant and has no effect what so ever on God or God’s objective otherness.  

Truth is truth—whether I like it or not.  God is not taking an opinion poll.  

The Gloria in excelsis in prayer books reads:

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.


—

What does Jesus do?  He takes away sins.  Now we are back where we started.  God takes away sin—by His definition of sin—not by mine!


Lord have mercy on me

Christ have mercy on me


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