I Sin

Sin is the great equalizer.

In our world of iThis and iThat, people of all walks of life have virtually equal access to the new commodity of our age: information. Businessinsider.com points out that the technologies we carry around in our pockets (or purses) would have been unthinkable and unspeakably costly for most people only a few years ago. The first cell phone was huge and could not be put into a purse, let alone a pocket. Now we see 8-year-olds with their own cell...
phones who Google to find a clue for their video game played through an app. Like technology, sin is another “great equalizer”. Only unlike the newest iThing or Galaxy-this, we already have it, we were born with it. According to Tim Keller, “The Christian doctrine of original sin is that we are hardwired for selfishness.” From the beginning, we, as humans, want to blame anyone else for our innate sinfulness. According to the late Chuck Colson, author, speaker and convicted felon, “We take our cues from Adam: ‘The woman gave it to me,’ he says: ‘it’s her fault.’ It’s always someone or something else’s fault.”

We are ALL sinful. We are ALL hardwired for sinfulness, men and women, young and old, all races, all cultures, the entire human race. We cannot look down our noses at the murderer, or thief or adulterer. The doctrine of original sin says that the seeds of all of those sins are in our own hearts. We are all guilty – we are all those people.

READ and THINK… What does the Bible say?

The creation account in Genesis 1 and 2 shows how everything God created was “very good”, but then in chapter 3, a dramatic change occurs and the earth, God’s creation, goes from “very good” to “very bad”. Man goes from having direct and intimate communication with God to hiding from the One who created him.

Question: How do Adam and Eve now respond to God? How does He respond to them?

Genesis 3:8-9 (New International Version)

⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Answer:

Once Adam and Eve sinned, their eyes were opened. They experienced shame and fear — new emotions to them. They knew they had disobeyed God and were afraid of Him. Their once intimate fellowship with their Creator was broken.

Question: Who replied to God’s question? Why did Adam and Eve hide from God? 

Genesis 3:10-11 (New Living Translation)

¹⁰ He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked. “Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”

 Answer:

LIVE… What will you do now?

Today we discussed how sin is a “great equalizer”. We explored the idea that we, as humans, are all capable of any and all sins. How does that make you feel?

Chuck Colson wrote, “It’s always someone or something else’s fault.” It makes our first, and sometimes lasting, reaction to be “it’s not my fault”. In what area do you find yourself saying this, or feeling this, for what may be the sin in your life?

What is the significance of God calling, “where are you?” Are there hidden sins in your heart that cause you fear and shame, making you want to hide? Is God calling to you, “where are you?” How are you responding?

PRAY… God, what do you want me to know and do?

This weekend we learned we are all sinners and are capable of any sin. Take some time to confess your sins to God. Tell Him where you are and that you want Him to have access to all areas of your heart. Ask for the courage to stop blaming others for your sin and to take ownership of your own sinfulness, turn away and walk toward Him.