In a recent USA today poll, 87% of U.S. adults believe in the existence of sin. The paper defined sin as “something that is almost always considered wrong, particularly from a religious or moral perspective.” The top two sins mentioned? 81% of the people said adultery followed up by 74% condemning racism. What surprised me was the decline in other things once considered sin... only 45% said that sex before marriage was one... and just 30% said the love of money was a problem.
What were once clear issues seem a bit clouded. What used to be considered by most to be wrong is now much more accepted as “normal” behavior. Problem with a poll like this... Fundamentally, we don’t get to decide what’s sin and what isn’t. Scripture tells us in 1 John 3:4... “Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.” Sin is when we miss the mark... but not a mark drawn by us, society, or man-made law. It’s missing God’s standard. Regardless of what the world says is right and wrong... the only real measuring stick is the truth of God’s Word. It’s one thing to believe in the existence of sin... it’s something else to remember Who defines it and why avoiding it is important.
