Thinking through sin; It gets worse before it gets better
‘Sin’ is not the most popular word. Having spent the last decade or so studying and writing about sin, you won’t be surprised to hear that it’s not the best conversation starter at a party. The very mention of the word often breeds feelings of guilt and shame, or reenergises past experiences of judgement that trigger our own defences. Images of street ‘preachers’ holding signs, and proclaiming hell and damnation, or memories of sitting in a confessional booth, can all come to mind.
I think it’s fair to say that the idea of ‘sin’ carries a lot of baggage. But, what does it mean? Is it a way of pointing the finger at others to make ourselves feel better? Is it a means to explain why bad things happen to bad people? Is it an ancient term reserved for the worst of society? This word, ‘sin,’ is central to our understanding of the gospel, yet, we don’t often have a clear idea of what we mean. It usually boils down to people doing things they shouldn’t. People who know better, but who rebel against God, and do things their own way. This is certainly true, but it’s only a part of the story. When we begin to understand the true scope of sin, I’m afraid that it gets worse before it gets better.
Our slave master, sin
In the book of Romans, Paul declares that all are ‘under sin’ (Rom 3:9). He then goes on to describe Sin as that which ‘reigned’ (5:21), ‘enslaves’ (6:15), ‘deceived’ (7:11), ‘killed’ (7:11), and which ‘dwells’ in the person (7:17, 20). What we have here, is a picture of Sin which acts. In fact, in Romans 6, Paul presents Sin as a slave master which enslaves humans. Sin’s victims lose their independence, their ability to choose, and even their status as a person. These slaves are trapped and incapable of anything but to serve their master, Sin.
This scenario is not about someone who repeatedly chooses to sin. In fact, when someone is enslaved to Sin, they can’t help but serve their master by sinning. Yet, the more that they serve Sin, the stronger Sin becomes. The frustration of the one enslaved to Sin is expressed in the climactic question later in Romans: “Who will rescue me…?” (7:24).
Does this mean that the slave of sin is let off the hook? That they can’t be held responsible for what they’ve done? Not quite. The slaves that Paul portrays are not captured against their will. Instead, by acting in a sinful way, they submit to Sin as their master, and in doing so enter Sin’s service.
Our liberator, Jesus
What we have, then, is an understanding of sin that holds together the oppressive and dominant reign of Sin over a person, alongside a person’s own sinful behaviour. So, what will rescue someone from this hopeless reality?
The problem is far deeper than individual choice. As church leaders, we must approach the problem of sin with this awareness; it must infuse our preaching, our pastoral care, and our discipleship. It is critical that we recognise the power of Sin which lies beneath. But there is good news. In fact, whilst the problem of sin is far worse than we thought, the gospel is far better. Our liberation does not come by hard work and grit, but by the work of Jesus, that we might also exclaim: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (7:25). By sharing in the death of Jesus, we are set free from our former slave master, Sin, and called to life with Jesus. Whilst we are warned not to return to our former master through sinful behaviour (6:13), the Spirit of Christ now dwells in us to empower us in our service to God (8:10).
Prayer
Thank you Jesus, that by sharing in your death, we are set free from Sin. Help me to walk in the way of the cross, to flee from sinful temptations, and to live a life worthy of your liberative death. Give me wisdom to support others, confidence to declare the truth, and courage to stand against the works of the enemy. Fill me with your Spirit. Amen.
You can connect with Ben on X @bm_leighton and Bluesky @benjaminleighton.bsky.social