The Bible is very open and honest about the brokenness of humanity.
The Bible uses a few words to describe this condition: SIN, TRANSGRESSION, INIQUITY
“Sin” is the English translation for the hebrew word “Khata” and it means “to fail” or “miss the mark”
- Like a lot or religious words, it didn’t start out as one
- Judges 20 says the tribe of Benjamin could sling a stone and not Khata (miss the mark)
- Prof 19 says not to make hasty decisions or you will “Khata” your destination
If sin is missing the mark, then what is the mark that we’re supposed to hit?!
[Mark 12:30-31]
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
[1 John 4:20]
“If someone says, ‘I love God’, but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love pole we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”
[Matthew 25:42- 45]
“42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me. 44 Then they will reply, Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not help you? 45 And he will answer, I tell you the truth, when you refuse to help the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you are refusing to help me.”
The truth is that we are bad at discerning moral failure from success. Sometimes right feels wrong and wrong can sometimes feel right
[James 1:13-14]
“13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.”
[James 4:1]
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?”
[Romans 7:20]
“But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.”
[1 Peter 2:22-24]
“He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.”
[Hebrews 12:1-2]
“1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…”