As the divine story of God and His love is unfolded, it becomes quickly apparent that it is a story about Jesus Christ. Man is presented as the sinner but God's Son is the redeemer, the forgiver, and the peace maker. Behind these beautiful words that speak of God and His love, is the ugly story of sin.
Man is a sinner. He needs salvation from sin, not "personal enrichment." And yet, many have no fear of sin or what it does. The punishment of sin, is something reserved for "the really mean people." What all must see is that sin results in a loss of fellowship with God. Alienated from a righteous and holy Creator, man steeped in sin, cannot be a friend to God.
One emotion however, that has yet to escape man, is guilt! It is obvious by the actions of many in seeking to escape the consequences of a guilty conscience, that it is still a problem for them. Men will sometimes rationalize away their guilt by saying that God really isn't concerned. Some turn the other way and drown themselves further in the pursuit of sin. Paul spoke of this in Ephesians 4:19 : "who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." Some try to find a coin of good works, and extend help to those in need. Even some Christians feel secure because of their respectable association with a "local congregation." It doesn't matter that they seldom attend and lend support to the work being done. As long as their names "are on the roll" then all is well. The conscience can be soothed and the guilt is washed away.
The story of Jesus demands the kind of relationship wherein man seeks to know and do heaven's will. It is a close, intimate relationship. Jesus said: "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, (even) Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son (Luke 15) teach that sin is not some vague concept that cannot be defined. Consider the actions in each case. Sheep are creatures of instinct and appetite. They will go where the food is. Men often operate upon this basis too. "Whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and (whose) glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things" (Philippians 3:19). The coin was lost, seemingly through carelessness. There are many today who simply do not believe the spiritual life demanded by the Lord is important. The son was lost because he did not exercise self-control. Again, the philosophy of today is "go for it." "Whatever happened to sin" is the cry of many! The lust of the flesh becomes the prevailing, controlling force for many (1 John 2:15-17; Ephesians 2:1ff). Sin becomes the principle of life that controls one who turned from the story of Jesus. The sinner is a law breaker (1 John 3:4). The person who violates God's law is one who seeks to live without restraint.
To rebel against God is a negative reaction to a positive divine law. Man is a moral creature and always has been. The choice Adam and Eve made was essentially a moral one. As men continue to make wrong choices, the story of Jesus becomes more meaningful. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1)
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 3/14/99.