It certainly seems that sin is not a popular word.  Unfortunately, the church has done the word a disservice.  While we can’t deny that we are sinners in need of redemption, we shouldn’t feel too bad about changing what those words mean.

Here’s how I see it: The image of God in which we were created is buried within us; the desire for community and care, to love and be loved.  I would say it’s been buried for us by broken relationships and coercive systems (often in the name of God) that have helped to raise us, mostly in shame and fear.  It seems to me that Jesus’ redemption is calling us back to a loving Father.  The Holy Spirit whispers this confidence into our hearts and reminds us of what Jesus said, burning away all of the crap in our lives and helping us to trust.  Trusting in God’s love (faith) we can love one another.  Not in a sentimental fashion, but in real sacrifice and generosity; subversive qualities that challenge the systems of coercion and destruction.  That’s living in God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

I don’t want this to sound like a therapeutic gospel.  I don’t think it’s about postivie thinking.  But relationship goes to the heart of what it means to be human.  When relationships break, so do we.  In defense, we sin.  That’s not meant to be an excuse, but it is a reason.  Jesus has reconciled the one relationship that transcends the rest so that we can reconcile with others.

I also know that many on this site will want to talk about redemption and justification as dealing with Israel as a political nation and historical people.  I don’t disagree with all of it, I just want to say that at the root of it all is a desire for trust, love and hope in the true and living God.