Bible versions
The Holy Bible comes in multiple versions, each with different translations of the original Hebrew and Greek texts. A majority of the Texas State Board of Education has signaled its support for an elementary school curriculum that uses mainly Christian Bible stories. (Lightstock Photo)
Special to United Methodist Insight
In the faith journey, sin can often hinder our spiritual growth and create separation from God. However, Christ's sacrifice on the Cross transformative power, as Paul highlights in Romans 6.1-14, offers hope and redemption. This blog post delves into the significance of sin, the role of communal and individual sin, and the ways in which faith can help us overcome sin and rediscover spiritual renewal.
Sin is a spiritual separation from God, not societal or legal transgressions. It is unique to each individual and should be seen as a personal offense against God. Societal norms are not sin. They may have consequences for breaking them, but God isn't in them.
Right now, the United States is in the throes of communal sin. It is tearing us apart. How can we differentiate communal sin from individual sin? When communities and countries collectively fail to protect marginalized individuals or seek justice for those wronged by society, they lose the collective soul of the country or community.
Many popular political and business policies may lead to communal sin, compromising the soul of a nation. Consider how we treat LGBTQ+ people, women, children, and migrants. Blowhards in politics and media make callous comments perform cruel acts and put the false veneer of Christ on them. Christ isn't in any of it.
For the individual, sin is not doing, saying, or acting in a way that makes God happy. This creates a spiritual gap between us and God. Indicators of spiritual separation include a sense of wrongness, de-creation, manifestations of stress, and strained relationships. Ineffective prayer, difficulty worshipping God, and internal struggles may signify a need for spiritual renewal.
We defeat Sin through faith in Christ. Jesus teaches us to love God and our neighbors. Jesus' death for our sin means that God has forgotten your worst days! Poof – Gone! But what keeps us from walking in victory and confidence that when we screw up, is there a way back? We can keep sin at bay. We can never eliminate it. We're human, but we can keep sin from hampering us.
Stop cultivating a faith based on doubting and wavering. Trusting God, especially when our inner selves say otherwise, is crucial.
Believing in the power of the cross to cover all sin is vital; there is no sin beyond God's ability to forgive. Embracing our abilities, dreams, and potential leads to personal growth, even in challenging times.
Trusting in the abilities, integrity, and commitment of others fosters collaboration and empowers our relationships. You can't be a Christian alone! Christianity occurs in a community.
We need to overcome Fear and cultivate a Positive Mindset. Accepting our imperfections and failures is essential to living a fulfilling life. God understands and forgives our shortcomings, bringing comfort and reassurance. Overcoming fear allows us to embrace positive thoughts, beliefs, and expectations, leading to greater possibilities.
Faith becomes a guiding force to overcome sin and experience renewal in pursuing spiritual growth. We can embark on a transformative journey by holding onto faith, believing in the power of the cross, and cultivating a positive mindset. Trusting in God's forgiveness and embracing the teachings of Jesus, we become alive to God and experience the blessings of spiritual renewal.
Eric Pone
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Eric Pone serves as a licensed local pastor at Bloomington Hillcrest UMC in the Minnesota Annual Conference and is a master of divinity candidate at St. Paul School of Theology in Leawood, Kansas.