The Problem
God calls this kind of behaviour 'sin' - it means that we have fallen short of His standard. Like a contagious terminal disease, sin has infected the whole human race, resulting in alienation from God and our fellow human beings, and breaking down our bodies until we eventually die. We see the power and effects of sin on the world and people every day:
Our
world is dying:
there is evidence of decay, breakdown, overheating, and chaos - one day
the whole solar system will burn out.
We are
dying:
there is disease, deterioration, malfunction and breakdown. Globally,
over one hundred people die every minute of every day!
There is hatred, violence, greed and selfishness in all of us. We all possess the potential to do wrong and evil things; towards each other and towards God. Sinning has become a part of our very nature as humans.
That is not to say that we have all achieved our full potential in sinning. However, if we are honest with ourselves, even we can trace elements of sin in our lives - living just to please ourselves, having the attitude, "It's my life, I'll live it as I please," telling little 'white' lies, turning a blind eye to injustices, or harbouring unkind or malicious thoughts.
In fact, the apex of sin and something of which every individual is guilty, is failing to: “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
