Sin and Forgiveness

Sin is the moral and spiritual problem that every person has, no-one can hid from it. Its the universal tendency to mess up each and every part of life. When people think of sin they typically focus on external and observable behaviours not also the internal sin. 

Jesus went much deeper, locating the source of sin in the human heart. The corrupt inner being contaminates us morally and spiritually. Mark 7:21-13 says that 'it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come- sexual immortality, adultery, murder, theft, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.' 

The Bible says that all human sins are ultimately a result of our first and fundamental sin. It begins with our rejection of God. Romans 1:21 says that ' for although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.'

 Jesus taught his disciples to ask for forgiveness far more freely than was customary and comfortable. He clashed with some Pharisees over their strict rules about forgiveness, exposing their tragically narrow view of God's mercy. He also told people that their sins were forgiven- something only God is able to do.

One of the best things about being a Christian is knowing that we don't have to live with the guilt and shame of past sins. Once we confess our sins, we can be confident of God's forgiveness because of Jesus's death on the cross. It's like we've been washed completely clean and can move forward with joy and thankfulness.