What causes us to sin?

The Bible says that we all “sin and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Sin is any time we disobey God, or don’t do something he asks us to do. Generally, I think that sin is simply a deep down dissatisfaction with our lives or the way we feel in the moment. A person may be mad about the way his marriage is going, so he grabs another beer. After a while he may succumb to a full blown addiction. Another person uses food for the same purposes. Some may put down others or live in conflict in order to make their own life seem more significant. Others may misuse power or authority in order to mask their dissatisfaction.

The dissatisfaction, however, isn’t one’s deepest motivation. Behind it is doubt. We doubt that the world is really the way God says it is. We doubt that he really loves us. When we sin, we doubt that his grace really covers us—we doubt we are truly forgiven. This doubt causes us to feel dissatisfied and that causes us to sin. It’s a vicious cycle.

It’s also why the Bible makes such a big deal about faith. It’s why faith is at the heart of Christianity. It’s why the Bible says that “without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Heb. 11:6). If you are struggling with sin, check your motivation. Do you feel dissatisfied? What are you unhappy about? Do you trust that God has your life in his hands? Do you believe that he created this world and is sovereign over it all? Do you believe that he deeply loves you and forgives you for all of your sin?  Once you begin to truly believe these things you will be amazed at how life begins to change.  You begin to have the kind of freedom only Jesus can bring.

Heavy

Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa

Saturday I was climbing up a mountain in Addis Ababa when I was reminded of something profound. We were in a van, which was good, since the air was very thin due to the altitude, and I think I would have died trying to climb it. All along the steep incline, we saw women carrying huge bundles on their backs. We were told that the women do much of the heavy labor here. Some of these women were clearly grandmothers, and had shoes that were falling apart. Their face expressions betrayed the weight of their cargo as they trudged along the hill. We were told that they did this every single day of their lives, starting from a very young age. We saw little girls as well, smaller packs on their back, verifying this.

Two different thoughts crossed my mind when I saw them:

1. The next time I have work that I am not enjoying, I will remember these women, and not complain about it.
2. But more importantly: I wonder if this is what we can look like spiritually to God? Trudging up and down our mountain of life, all the while carrying this huge burden on our back. We start young and continue on until we are very old--not sure of how to go about liberating ourselves from the weight.

Herein lies a profound spiritual truth. We are all under the weight of sin until Christ comes and liberates us from it. We all can choose to live life carrying around our burdens, or we can choose a life of freedom and liberty from them.

The women in Ethiopia, of course, have no choice. They must carry these burdens around all of their days. But inwardly, many of them know true freedom, and utter peace because of Christ. They no longer carry the heavier spiritual weight of guilt and despair.

How does your journey feel?

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (Mt. 11:29)