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Some people see sin as a poison...
some people see sin as a prison...
some people see sin as a party...
some people see sin as a person...
and some people see sin as a part of themselves. I know at one point in time or another I've had almost all of these view points myself. I've gotta say the last one is the most scary.

In truth however, sin is simply to act apart from God... it causes damage simply because we weren't meant to be apart from God. God doesn't have to throw lightning bolts at when we misbehave... we do a pretty good job at that ourselves, I know I do.

When we act apart from God, forsaking him, forgetting him we are sinning. We hurt ourselves, we hurt others, and I believe we hurt God. The gift of grace is when every time we do this, God picks us up, dusts us off, embraces us and walks beside us. Sometimes there is a lot of chastening... we need that... and sometimes there is just a loving embrace. God wants to see us grow in his love.

The saying "God is Love" might sound a little worn or cliche', but truly it is WHO he is. To embrace us after we have committed spiritual adultery over and over and over again (as in Hosea) is a kind of self sufficient love that we are all incapable of, and yet we are called towards it.

What distorts and jades the truth about sin is not only introversion but (ironically) introspection. The only One who can search and change you is the Holy Spirit.

In the end it really has little to do with you. The Holy Spirit (truly GRACE) is a gift from God, just like forgiveness. It cannot be earned so nobody can boast about good works or lack of evil. That is why sin is all equal in God's eye, because it really doesn't matter who sinned more and who sinned less. Because forgiveness and grace are gifts.

Despite what the world would say, gifts are not earned. That old fable of "in order to get Christmas presents you have to be good" isn't true. I know, I got presents and I wasn't that good.

A gift can only be given, it cannot be earned. It if could be it wouldn't be a gift would it? It would be a reward. And there are rewards in heaven... but salvation, love, relationship are not commodities, they are gifts freely given. -and in my opinion, far better than any crown or scepter.-

To boast about receiving a gift is fine... just make sure you are boasting about the one who gave to you, not because you've been good. If you are going to boast make sure you boast about the amazing wonderful savior who not only died for you but when you walked away or forgot about him he didn't forget about you. If you're going to boast then boast about what an amazing friend you have in Christ... nobody else would stand by me if I treated them like I have treated God... not even my family. God is sufficient in himself, that is why he can love us the way he does... but it IS a gift... and I am very thankful for it.

Christ died for sin. He had every right to condemn you and me for our sins. The size of the debt doesn't matter, what matters IS the debt. Every debt holds both the same consequences and the same opportunity- the same chance- the same gift of grace. I'm really glad for that, because I don't know about you... but personally, my debt is pretty big.