Christian Evangelicalism is flooded with so much pseudointellectual and academic terminology that it is often hard to get a clear answer from a pastor on a subject. Often, clever terminology is used to avoid taking clear stands on hot-button issues in our culture that are clearly sinful according to the Bible. By doing this one can leave a conversation without affirming or condemning sinful behavior. Sin has been relegated to categories that seem to lessen what sin truly is and how grievous it is in the sight of a holy God.
What is Sin?
Sin is trespassing against the law of God. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Now as Christians, our sin has been forgiven and paid in full by what Christ did on the cross, but this doesn't mean we should take sin lightly. In fact, in light of Christ’s sacrifice we should take sin all the more seriously.
When it comes to sins today that culture no longer sees as wrong—some of which it even celebrates—some within the church believe the lie that if we plainly call sin what the Bible calls sin, we will not have the opportunity to minister Christ. But the truth is what we are doing is creating larger and larger spaces for sin to exist within the church. The longer we do this the more we normalize it, the more we get used to it, and the less it bothers us.
Many within the church are less likely to take bold and clear stands on sins that culture celebrates, and sins the culture dislikes the church will yell loudly against. The problem with this is that it has the opposite effect. The very sin the world needs to know, sin that God calls detestable, is the sin that they love.
Preaching Sin Clearly
It is here that the sinner comes into conflict with the holiness of God and their own goodness. We see this time and again in the Bible. It is here that we began to see our need for a Savior. Often people will say, “You don’t have to tell people that they are sinners, they already know it.” But this is simply untrue! People often know that they are broken, that they have problems, that they need to improve in some way or another, but remember sin is trespassing against God. Realizing that you don’t measure up in some way or that you lack hope isn’t the same thing.
People must see that they have sinned against a holy God and deserve hell, and from this vantage point they will see the love and grace of God in the gospel for the amazing gift that it truly is. The glory of Jesus Christ the Savior is the cross and the joy of the Savior are those people who will repent and put their trust in him by faith.
The minimization and deconstruction of what sin is, biblically, is a work of the enemy to undermine the necessity of the Savior. Clear biblical preaching on sin is a necessary component of the gospel. It is awareness of our sinful condition that drives us to Jesus. Without clearly understanding sin we are not compelled to repent and be saved.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20)
Wisdom, Sin and Salvation
We must be very clear about sin, not because we are judgmental or mean, but to communicate the love of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember that we are witness testimonies of the saving power of God in our own lives and we preach the truth of God’s word because like Paul tells Timothy, it can make us wise unto salvation.
“and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15)
One reason it is tempting to minimize sin is the fact that we are all sinners. Since we know that we have sinned, do sin, and will sin, it tempts us to make light of sin. But we must remember we set the standard in obedience to Christ’s word. A standard we must daily submit ourselves to—a standard that draws the lost to Christ and causes the believer in weakness to cling to Christ all the more.