Passion Week Devo - Why is sin such a big deal? [Friday]
Sin, by definition, is “an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law” or in more simple terms “doing something wrong”. And we all have done it. Sinned. Done something wrong. If we say we haven’t, we are lying and there you go – we did something wrong!
So, if we all do it, why is it such a big deal?
The answer is very beautiful and very painful.
God’s plan for us and for the whole world was that we would live sinless lives – in perfect harmony and relationship with him and others. But you know the story - Adam and Eve messed up and ate the fruit. The one thing they were not supposed to do and they just went ahead and did it.
It cost them their close relationship with God. There was a separation between them that happened at that point.
Not only that. Because of sin, all sorts of evil entered the world. Sickness came. Hate came. Unkindness and evil of all flavors is here because of sin.
And it’s not God’s fault!
People often blame God for everything that happens in the world, but the bad things were never his intention.
The bad things in this world are a result of sin. Each of us contributes in some way. That’s the painful part.
But TAKE HEART! The beautiful part is that even though we are the ones who messed things up in our world, God loves us SO much that He made a way for the awful power of sin to be broken.
He sent Jesus.
Sinless Jesus made a way.
Romans 5:18 says, “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.”
And then, 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.”
New life happens when we join with Jesus. Just like we joined with Adam and participated in sin, now we can join with Jesus, die to our old selves, and live a new life in him - with him through him.
Today, as we remember Jesus' death, we see the painful cost of rebuilding relationship paid through sinless Jesus choosing to die in our place and offering us new life in him.
Prayer: God, forgive us for blaming the awful parts of our world on you and wondering why you don’t just step in and save us when you already did. Help us, God, to live in Jesus – to actively seek to bring life and light to the world around us. THANK YOU JESUS for living the life of a servant here on the earth you created and then choosing to pay for our sins. You amaze us and we are grateful.
Activate: Ask God to remind you of the new life you now live and to show you how to actively live the Jesus way!
Want more: Read your way through the Romans Road, acknowledging God’s good plan for us.
Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13, Romans 5:1, Romans 8:1, Romans 8:38-39