“A lot of liberal, progressive people are afraid of the word sin,”
Rachel Held Evans
i was taught all my life about sins.
not so much sin.
sins were something you did wrong.
sins were what sent you to hell
and we were born in sin
the most common and accurate definition of biblical sin is missing the mark, straying from the path.
early followers of jesus were not called christians. they were called followers of the way. they were people trying to live the kingdom of heaven as jesus taught.
sin is what keeps us from the way; it is what keeps us from the kingdom of heaven that is now, not in some distant and unknown place.
just as jesus showed us the way,
we must show our children.
it is true that we are born in sin because children must learn to be kind and caring... some are more naturally inclined, but it is a learned skill.
it is also true that sin can be taught.
if a child grows up being told he is more important than others, that is the way he will follow. this will not lead to the kingdom of heaven.
if a child grows up thinking there are good and bad people, then she will consider herself good or bad, both of which will keep her off the path to the kingdom or heaven.
we are not good people or bad people.
god does not distinguish where you got lost.
our job as followers of the way is simply that. follow the way.
all else is sin.
and sin is and is not a permanent place.
we are just following the path or gone astray.
