Sin

The Bible’s teaching about sin leaves us with action steps:

• Recognize. Recognize that sin is not just making a mistake; mistakes are what we make on a geometry quiz.  Nor is sin just breaking arbitrary rules.  The essence of sin is our inborn tendency to want to rule our own lives instead of letting God rule our lives.  When we disobey God’s commands, we are acting as if we know better than God what is right for us.  No wonder we make such a mess of things!  Recognize also that, ultimately, sin separates us from God and one another.
• Repent. Acknowledge your sin honestly to God—no excuses, no rationalizations— and then take the crucial next step.  Do a spiritual U-turn, resolving firmly not to repeat the sin and formulating a specific for how you will resist those temptations in the future.  What changes will you need to make in your values or priorities, in your attitudes, activities or associations?
• Receive. God has good news for you!  “We have redemption through Christ’s blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God’s grace that God lavished on us” (Ephesians 1:7-8).  Don’t stay in the grip of guilt and sin.  Receive God’s free gift of forgiveness and open your life to God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, who can give you the power to live in God’s way.   
• Repeat. For optimal spiritual health, make this a regular practice as well as using it when you are aware that you have committed a specific sin.