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Exploding the myths of sin... |
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Home... |
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Thoughtfaith... |
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We hear a lot of rubbish about sin these days. It's not because there's more of it about, as it's always been fairly rife in this crazy mixed-up world we live in. But a lot of people seem to have a preconception of what sin is and what its consequences are, without stopping to think about it. Here, then, we'll be getting rid of any preconceptions you may have with our handy, keep-it-in-your-pocket, all-singing, all-dancing, Guide to Sin! |
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Myth 1 - If you enjoy it, it must be a sin... |
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Rubbish, absolute rubbish from beginning to end. For years, people have associated Christianity and sin with withholding natural instincts which would cause pleasure if acted upon. Well, sometimes, this is true. But it also suggests that resisting sin and temptation is unnatural and causes pain and emotional torment. Rubbish. Helping your fellow man, for example, is most definitely not a sin, and it is natural for us to do so. We feel happy that we have helped them, and God is pleased with us. Worshipping God wholly and fully is one of the most enjoyable things I can think of, and I don't think that's a sin...
I think the problem is that non-Christians don't know what it's like to fully commit to worship and following God. I know sometimes I don't, and that's when I almost start believing this tosh myself. But when we can do this, there is pleasure and contentment there that is unparallelled elsewhere in our lives. |
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Myth 2 - If you sin, you go to hell... |
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Do I really need to explain this one? The whole basis of Christianity, the whole reason Jesus died for us, is forgiveness. Jesus died so that we didn't have to go to hell for our sins (and we certainly don't deserve much more) purely because of his grace, not because of anything we've done.
When we sin, there's no point sitting around feeling sorry for yourself. That is an insult to Jesus' great act of sacrifice, it says you don't accept His love. Ask God for forgiveness, and He will grant it. He's that cool.
But this doesn't mean that you can take advantage of God's mercy. You can't think "oh, I'll do this, then ask for forgiveness, and it'll be alright". Well, if you're truly sorry, it will. But if you're using God's forgiveness as a get-out clause, a guilt-removing mantra rather than an honest prayer, you may well be in trouble... |
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Myth 3 - I'm the only person who feels this way/commits this sin... |
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This is one of the biggest causes of depression among Christians (and yes, Christians do get depressed, and yes, it's allowed), but it needn't be. If you are tempted by something, no matter how bad it seems, someone else will have been. And you're not the only person to have acted on that temptation, believe me. You will probably even find someone quite close to you who has gone down the same road.
Coupled with this is the idea of the Unforgiveable Sin*. Apparently, whatever this sin might be, God can't, or won't forgive it. Well, sorry, but that's rubbish. Any sin can be forgiven because God is all-powerful (hey, He's God) and all-forgiving. So forget that idea right away. (Mark 3:28)
You're human (well, I hope you are, anyway), so you're bound to sin. God forgives. That's why I believe my faith is the best way to be. |
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* All right, calm down, theologians, there is one, but luckily only demons can commit it - check out Mark 3:29... |
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Myth 4 - Getting angry with God is a sin... |
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It's just not. Simple as that. The book of Job in the Bible is God's answer to people being angry with Him. I recommend you read it (it's a bit heavy going, but it is quite beautiful), but the general gist is:
1. He doesn't mind,
2. Whatever the reasoning behind you anger, He's got a better explanation which He'll show you one day.
So, rant and rave all you want to God, He honestly doesn't mind. He knows what the injustices of the world are all about, having experienced them first hand. Just don't lose faith... |
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So, there we go, the indispensable Guide to Sin! Actually, you might try the Bible, it's a better and more indispensable guide. Oh well... |
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