Sin and forgiveness are the focus for this week and the coming weeks. They are repeated even out of season – that is outside of Lent which stresses their importance. Lent, however, has a particular focus than any other season. As Lent prepares us for the Life, Death and Resurrection of Christ, the focus on sin and forgiveness is paramount because it is connected to precisely death and life.
Forgiveness gives us the opportunity for life. How people understand sin and forgiveness is another matter. The focus this season is about perception – more about how God sees sin and people in the past and even in the present sees it.
One of the ways sin is viewed is in terms of violation of certain laws. When it comes to laws, it can be seen as hard and fast, black and white, while the sense of the personal relationship is taken out. As with violation of laws there are consequences. To view in such a way is too legalistic. Such laws create a belief that mistakes must be dealt with and should be dealt in the form of punishment.
The belief that if something bad happens to someone it is the result of their misdeeds. They are carrying this punishment because of their sinfulness. The punishment must come from someone and connecting the belief that God punishes the sinner creates a greater misconception of God.
Sin is a separation from God. God who is life breathes life into us. Sin is depriving ourselves of oxygen – without oxygen there is no life. Forgiveness is a kind of resuscitation to bring us back.
The second stanza of the psalm for this Sunday captures what God is doing to give us life rather than denying us of it.
It is he who forgives all your guilt,
who heals every one of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave,
who crowns you with love and compassion.
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