Graham Downs on Nostr: Years ago (more than 20, maybe more than 25), I remember a conversation with my ...
Years ago (more than 20, maybe more than 25), I remember a conversation with my minister at the time, where we were trying to come up with a neat definition of sin. We came to the conclusion that sin is anything that damages your relationship with God or His Creation. This was in the context of the idea that different specific things could be sinful for one person, but perfectly fine for another, depending on their spiritual maturity level and where they were in their journey, etc.
Anyway, in recent years, I've decided that I can actually narrow that definition down a bit, because when Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, He gave two: love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself. (Of course, he was then asked, "Who is my neighbour", at which point he responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan, indicating that your neighbour is everyone, up to and including your most hated enemy, and even beyond)
He also told people to love their enemies, amongst other radical, extremist things. And Paul later wrote about the definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. James also wrote on the subject, particularly when he spoke about the distinction between faith and good works.
With all that in mind, and also based on the fact that we know that God is love, I put it to you that sin is nothing more than a failure to love.
So any time you have the opportunity to love -- God, yourself, or your fellow human being -- and you don't take it, that is sin.
#Christianity #sin #theology
Anyway, in recent years, I've decided that I can actually narrow that definition down a bit, because when Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, He gave two: love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself. (Of course, he was then asked, "Who is my neighbour", at which point he responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan, indicating that your neighbour is everyone, up to and including your most hated enemy, and even beyond)
He also told people to love their enemies, amongst other radical, extremist things. And Paul later wrote about the definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. James also wrote on the subject, particularly when he spoke about the distinction between faith and good works.
With all that in mind, and also based on the fact that we know that God is love, I put it to you that sin is nothing more than a failure to love.
So any time you have the opportunity to love -- God, yourself, or your fellow human being -- and you don't take it, that is sin.
#Christianity #sin #theology