Sin not equal to a Bad Person
By Erik Farstad
February 6, 1998
"There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:22-24
Not only the "bad" people sin, we all do. If you’re alive and reading this today, you are a sinner. This is not a popular message today, especially in light of the tolerance movement that is going on in society. Christianity has, is and will continue to get a bad rap for being the religion that "seems to" condemn people for their lives. I can’t count how many conversations I’ve had where people ask me why Christians are trying to convert people to their viewpoints. I respond to them, "It’s not mine or Christianity, it’s God’s viewpoints!"
This world is caught up in the attitude that sin equates to "bad person." That is not the case. Again, from the moment we are born we are all sinners. What is sin? Sin is not living up to the high standards of God. Because we can never live up to God’s standards, He sent His son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and die for us. We lie, cheat, steal, have immoral thoughts, are selfish, the list goes on and on. What God wants these traits and qualities in Heaven with Him? That is why Jesus was sent to earth. And for those who believe in His life are forgiven of their sins. Think of Jesus as your advocate to God, He tells God to forgive your sins because you belief in Him.
Are all Christians good people? No. Are all non-Christians bad people? No. Through the years, there has been a stigma, dogma if you’d like, that if you’re not a Christian you’re a bad person. Perhaps you’ve had an encounter with a Christian that made you feel that way. Well, they were wrong and I apologize for them. Christians are not perfect, they’re forgiven. You’ve heard that saying before and it’s true (even though it’s very cliché). Christians still sin, just like non-Christians. No one is perfect and ever will be except for Jesus Christ.
What do most people view sin as? Websters says sin is, ‘a wicket act, an offense, a misdeed, a fault.’ Who of you out there wants to think you have fault? None of you, I’d think. But we do. Herein lies the problem. When someone hears someone say, "You are a sinner and have fallen short of the glory of God." Most immediately think, oh great. So I’m this terrible person and further you don’t like me...because I’m not like you! Remember this if you remember anything: Sin does not equate to the character or quality of a person, sin determines where that person’s eternity lies.
Gosh, this is such a difficult subject to cover in a one page devotional. But here are the basics. First, all have sinned and are sinners. Second, if you believe in Jesus Christ, He has removed God’s punishment for your sin. This allows you entrance into Heaven’s gates. Third, if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, YOU’RE NOT A BAD PERSON! God never labeled you that, taught this or will ever teach it. Through the years, we human’s have taken God’s message of love and salvation and turned it into one of "only the good can enter." This angers me greatly. He loves you and wants you to enter His kingdom. You can be forgiven of your sins, but first must admit to yourself and God that you do sin. Now, this admission is not admission of a bad person seeking to be a good one. It is admission that you seek the removal of your sins, past, present and future, through Jesus Christ.
I plead with you, beg you, if you have any questions about what I’ve just said, PLEASE contact me. I could never say everything here. Perhaps I left you wondering, good then contact me. I desire to share, discuss and hear what you have to say about this most difficult subject. In closing, sin is a separator between you and God, and Jesus Christ is the bridge. The good, the bad and the ugly can cross this bridge...it’s for everybody.
In Him, "E"