I've often wondered what sin really is. Some of us see it as obvious outside behaviors, things we do or do not do. Some of us see it as emotions that are uncomfortable or hurtful or "wayward", strong desires that may lead us to the front door of hell itself. And some of us grow up with the unfortunate impression that sin is a part of who we are- mixed in with the actual stuff of "us."
I've waded through most of these understandings throughout my life. I think I'm coming to different ones. Yes, we've been born into sin, even conceived in it. But is the sin we're born into really a part of who we are? Or is it more of a bending to the system of this world that we become temporary citizens of? Not so much a definition as a tendency? I think sin is really a pilgrim's tendency to gain life apart from the simple and all-sufficient love of a Creator-God; a tendency to add up our value according to humanmade formulas and outward, measurable acts or "virtues"; a tendency to somehow try and make ourselves worth more than the effortless stuff we were born into the world as, already completely loved and invaluable; a tendency which places us in a most dire need of purging and repentence.
Ultimately I think sin is a dangerous lack of imagination. It's our fearful and fragile human hands desperate for the unconditional, and grasping at what is seen rather than unseen. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Blessed are those who come simply and completely as they are, hungry to be filled, unhindered by this world's vast array of measuring sticks, for they will see God as He is- always pursuing, eager to heal, unrelenting Love. This is our salvation.
I've waded through most of these understandings throughout my life. I think I'm coming to different ones. Yes, we've been born into sin, even conceived in it. But is the sin we're born into really a part of who we are? Or is it more of a bending to the system of this world that we become temporary citizens of? Not so much a definition as a tendency? I think sin is really a pilgrim's tendency to gain life apart from the simple and all-sufficient love of a Creator-God; a tendency to add up our value according to humanmade formulas and outward, measurable acts or "virtues"; a tendency to somehow try and make ourselves worth more than the effortless stuff we were born into the world as, already completely loved and invaluable; a tendency which places us in a most dire need of purging and repentence.
Ultimately I think sin is a dangerous lack of imagination. It's our fearful and fragile human hands desperate for the unconditional, and grasping at what is seen rather than unseen. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Blessed are those who come simply and completely as they are, hungry to be filled, unhindered by this world's vast array of measuring sticks, for they will see God as He is- always pursuing, eager to heal, unrelenting Love. This is our salvation.
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5 comments:
Carla,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're saying sin is much more subtle than what we have traditionally assumed (in the Church). I think you're right.
It seems to me that sin is the blurring of the lines between that which is trivial and that which is sacred. In this world we find ourselves left with the daunting task of separating the two (which can only be done with guidance from God). It saddens me when the Church misinterprets the trivial as sacred and vice-versa.
On a lighter note... Sorry, for stealing your thunder by finding Bono in "The Million Dollar Hotel."
On Andrew... thank you for the 'heads-up' on your history... and for the idea of scrapbooking. I'm not much of a scrapbooker, but maybe I could continue to blog about it... ;)
later
Sin is something that I spent much time talkign with people about last month at the emergent church gathering I attended. As one would expect there were many people with a vast spectrum of back grounds at such an event so each person brought there own thoughts and baggage to the topic.
Much of the conversation reminded me of Brian McLaren speaking of the seven Jesus' he has know in the begining of his book a Generous Orthodoxy.
He speaks of remeeting Jesus in new ways as he has traveled through life and how they are all the same but differnt in thier own way. If you have read the book then make sure to put it on your list.
In the same way brian talks about the differnt Jesus' he has met I would say that I have met many differnt ideas of sin. I dont think I would say any are wrong or less accurate then the others. They have each come from differnt places and cultures. I know my conservative view of an angry God from my youth was valid for me at that time but its far from my view of an open minded God that would rather laugh at me that smash me with a piano from the sky. I have come to the point that I embrace the wide range of what maybe right or wrong. I would stop before I would say if its right for you then its ok but I think in the way of sin then if its wrong for you its wrong.
I guess I can some my thoughts up in this...
I have always known whats wrong in life. It's the truly knowing whats right that is the struggle.
Carla I will tag my comments as andrewman so you dont think its from the other guy anymore. Hhhhmmmm or you can just tell him to change is name to frank to make it easyer.
Hey Lee!
Oh no worries for "stealing my thunder"- it was also cool to know that someone else had eyes to notice that as well. And I'll try to send along any other ideas I have about re: Drew. You know what he hates? At one point our group of friends started calling each other by our intials (CD, BR, AD, AS etc.) And he absolutely hated that. So you might find it useful if you feel the need to inflict some torture once in awhile. :)
Hmmm, yeah I think I am saying that sin is more subtle. At the least, it's not always measurable by the human eye. I totally agree about it requiring guidance from God- I was thinking today about how part of Christ's death and resurrection and dealing with our sin involved us receiving the very presence of God in us. So somehow sin became something discernable on a subjective scale rather than the external ways of measuring B.C.... And dealing with it became a much more relational thing. If that makes any sense (I'm not so sure that I even really understand my thoughts here).
Andrewman! Nice name. I can't see Andrew changing his name to Frank, but he's never left a comment on here anyways. :)
I hear what you're saying too, and can testify that I've had the same experience in my evolving understandings (thank God...) I would have to say that I think some understandings along the way are better than others. Like Paul (I think it was him) wanting people to move on from "milk
to "real food." Or like the Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance dude and his theories on what is valuable. Not that we shouldn't honor the processes of it all. Apart from that, I wonder if there is a point that you can say, "This is sin for everyone?" I think my thoughts were in a sense trying to explore that, the "stuff" of sin at its core, even though it shows its faces is scads of ways. I like your thought on it's "knowing what's right that is the struggle". I think a lot of us simply try to side-step "sin" and what is wrong (maybe more of a fear based thing?) in an attempt to be "good" instead of living out of a sense of love for what is good? Interesting...
Carla
Carla,
This is the first time I have logged onto your Blog. Very interesting stuff. I have been musing on this topic of sin alot lately as well. In my youth I was convinced that, contrary to the conservative church's definition of "good" and "bad" being defined in black and white terminology, I saw the world and our interaction with as being much more "gray" in nature. Over the course of the last 2 months, I think that the "world of gray" is a myth that we tell ourselves inorder to justify our lack of imagination - our denial of our intrinsic spiritual nature. I believe you are right when you say that sin is subtle. I think it is defined in the deep motive of our hearts. On this deep, subtle, often ignored level of our being, everything becomes black and white. Is the motivating force behind the thought, action, word, or deed to honor God, or to honor ourselves? Pride or humility? At the deepest heart level, sin is subtle, like you said, and also very simple. I love the way you state things. You say that sin becomes discernable under the revealing light of the Holy Spirit. This make so much sense. It is easy to justify so many things when the Holy Spirit's interaction in our deepest parts is kept at an arms length.
Keep up the blogging. I'm reading and thinking!
Annasoprana
Annasoprana!
Thanks for your thoughts! Yes, I hear what you're saying about the "deepest level of our being". It's such a relational thing, hey? Perhaps sin is something that's only known between our self and God, in communication with Him. We're also encouraged to confess our sins to each other too, which is good for healthy community and relationships as well, as long as it's done with love and loving intentions etc. So amazing how interconnected we are. This Sunday my pastor is preaching on "Broken Pots and Connective Tissue" regarding our brokenness and how we connect with each other in the midst of it and within God's grace and love etc. If you feel like coming, I'll be there! :)
Thanks for reading my blog! It's good to hear from you.
Carla
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