Sin - a new look at old vices

Often I read in Christian books and get told from the pulpit that sin is doing things wrong, that it is missing the mark. I think this is a useful, but only to a limited extent. I have found a way of looking at sin that make much more sense and is a more helpful way to look at it. I have learnt to see sin in relational terms. Sin is the breakdown in relationship. The breakdown in relationship between us and other people or between us and God. If you look at the Ten Commandments, for example, all of these can be seen in terms of relationship between us and God and us and other people. If ,for example ,you steal from your neighbour it will create difficulty in your relationship with your neighbour. If you use God’s name incorrectly it will put a barrier between you and God.

If we see the Christian life in relational terms it helps us see more clearly how God would have us live. Many things that we do have an effect on those around us, but is that effect positive or negative. Seeing our decisions in terms of how they will effect others will help us make good and right decisions. Are our decisions, our actions, building people up or breaking them down? Are our decisions bringing us closer to people and to God or taking us further away?

There are many areas in our modern lives that the Bible does not speak directly about. However, if we have a relational look at the things we do we can more easily see whether they would be the kind of things that God would have us do. Let us take an obvious example, that of taking drugs. Now it does not specifically say in the Bible “Thou shalt not take LSD” so should we or should we not take drugs? Well how would taking drugs effect our relationship with others? Is it likely to draw us nearer to others or push us further away? When honestly looking at it in this context it is clear to see whether it is something God would desire of us or not.　
　
This way of looking at sin has another helpful aspect. If sin is something that hurts our relationship with God and with other the opposite of sin, and what God wants from us, is the building up of relationship both with Him and with those around us. So, we now know to avoid doing anything to that breaks down our relationships we can focus on doing things that build up our relationships with others. We are not always too good at this aspect. We are good at being polite and civil but sometimes neglect to do things that actively build up our relationships with one another inside and outside of the church. So, which of the following could we consider doing for the first time or on a more regular basis?

Having someone over for a meal

Organising a day out with people from Church

Having Bring and share meals at church

Organising a church weekend away

Having a themed evening at your house (games, film, whisky tasting, discussion evening, quiz, party)

Hosting something like a Virgin V or Phoenix Cards evening

Discipling a younger Christian

Getting alongside someone in need