One of the most taboo words of the 21st century

The Cross.

It’s one of the most recognizable images in the world.

So much so that many of us have become desensitized to it.

But what if the Cross is more than a piece of tacky jewelry or graveyard furnishing? 

What if it’s the symbol for the single most important event in human history?

That’s what we’ll cover in this week’s series.

To do so, we must address an unattractive elephant in the room…

…I’m talking about a word that’s become dirty to modern ears.

Sin

Evangelical Christians often celebrate that Jesus “saved” them.

Saved them from what?

From sin.

So what is it?

Sin, simply put, is a failure to embody the “shalom” or peace of God.

Theologian Cornelius Plantigna Jr. describes God’s peace as “the way things ought to be,” and I like that.

By that definition, sin is when things aren’t how they’re meant to be, when things don’t align with the goodness God spoke over creation.

Sin is the political differences that tear a nation apart or the hate one man has for another or why it’s dangerous for a woman to walk alone at night.

These things are wrong and, deep down, we know it.

Why?

Because they’re a deviation from God’s loving peace.

The Human Problem

I often talk about something called the “Human Problem.”

The problem is that something is wrong in the world and ourselves.

The world is messed up. We are imperfect.

Nearly everyone believes it because everyone sees it. 

There is a problem, and sin is the fuel to its fire.

That’s what the story of the Fall in Genesis 3 shows us. Everything’s going well in Eden until Adam and Eve decide God’s vision of peace isn’t good enough and opt for their own.

From there, the human story unravels and the Human Problem rears its ugly head.

So God initiates a long, meticulously planned healing process.

A process for which the Cross acts as a central turning point.

But to properly understand that, it’s important to first understand sin’s severity and its effect on the human soul.

That’s what we’ll cover tomorrow.

For now, be blessed.

Jon,

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