The Power of Sin (3:9-30)

Note the universality of sin as described by Paul. All of humanity stands guilty before God, not wanting Him, seeking Him, obeying Him, or doing good. That description includes me too. This is tough to swallow for the proud. Note the effect of this universal condition of sin (3:9)-“Are we better than they? Not at all.” Our sin has created an equal playing field, where I can never righteously judge someone else’s sin. If anything, I can more likely relate to it. The arrogance and self-righteousness that is often found in believer’s attitudes toward those “sinners” who have not yet believed is not easy for me to explain. I wonder, “Do they not sense their own brokenness?” Awareness of the universality of sense checks my self-righteousness and causes me to feel compassion on other sinners like me.

Note that we are all under “sin” not “sins.” In other words, scripture describes sin as a living, active, powerful force, not merely an individual action. It is like a tyrant that rules us internally before we come to believe. Being under Sin’s reign, we commit sins. This tyrant, Sin, starts with the suppression of God in order to establish its own will as the autonomous ruler of our lives. Our self-will dominates us and our truly sinful nature then proceeds from inside out; it takes on a life of its own and gains in power, leading to shameful things and addiction.

This sounds rather depressing. In reality, however, the study of the nature of sin has really helped me as a Christ-follower, as I consider the power of the gospel to root out our sinful nature, God performing a heart surgery upon us when we believe. Consider each of these words in thinking about sin’s nature;

Alluring

Deceiving

Tranquilizing

Hardening

Defiant

Infectious

De-humanizing

Polluting

Familial

Parasitic

Subtle

Addictive

We were deceived...hardened…numb…rebellious…infected…spiritually sick…
de-humanized…defiled…dead.

It is in that state that God moved toward us to surgically operate on our hearts and make them whole again. A good understanding of Sin’s power & universality creates something frequently and sadly lacking in believer’s lives…a humble faith.

Our pride is crushed under the weight of the cross.