Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Sin is the human problem. It’s the problem under all other problems. It’s the God-sized problem. You can’t fix it with a doctor’s prescription. You can’t order a solution on Amazon. You can’t elect someone to remedy it. Paul says we’ve been delivered from sin to righteousness. You need to figure out where your sins are so you can be set free from them into the new life Jesus has for you.

There are two categories of sin. The first is religious sin. Common religious sins include:

1. Self-righteousness. “I’m better than you. I was reading the Bible and found all the things you’re not doing. And I highlighted them for you.”

2. Meddling. “If something is happening, then somebody should be involved. I’m sure God would want me to do it. I get myself into other people’s business and tell them what to do. And I tell the Holy Spirit to stay home because I got this.”

3. Gossip. “Pray for Tony. He’s just a mean, nasty drunk. And his children are terrible.” Religious people pack gossip into prayer requests. It’s their Trojan horse for delivery.

4. Judgment. “I was reading the Bible. It says God judges people, so I can do that too.”

5. Pride. “I’m better than you. I’m smarter than you; I’m holier than you. If you were like me, I would like you.”

The second category of sin is rebellious sins. Common rebellious sins include:

1. Sex outside of marriage

2. Gambling

3. Drunkenness

If you’re in a church where the pastor preaches against rebellion, then what do you get? A bunch of religious people. If you are in a church where the pastor preaches against religion, you get a bunch of rebellious people. Righteousness is not being rebellious, and it’s not being religious. Righteousness is having a relationship with Jesus. It’s obedience from the heart.

There’s a very famous story of sin in the Bible: the story of the Prodigal Son. A father has two sons. The younger son is rebellious. He runs away from home and spends all his money on wasteful and sinful spending. His life is a wreck, so he comes home. The father responds with grace, love, forgiveness, mercy, generosity, etc. The older brother is religious and is offended by the father’s response to the rebellious brother. Outwardly, the younger brother looks unrighteous, and the older brother looks righteous. However, they are both unrighteous. The problem with the older brother is not so much what is in his life but rather what is in his heart. He doesn’t love his father, and he doesn’t love his brother. He is offended by grace. (Continued on Day 129 ...)

Today’s Reflection

Have you ever been offended by grace?