Sin gets a bad rap. I’m not advocating you go out and sin. Sin informs us when we’ve crossed a dangerous boundary. It’s to our benefit to be aware of risky behaviors and their consequences. Absent this moral standard, anything goes. It would be utter chaos.
At one time, Christian broadcaster Steve Brown hosted Steve Brown Etc., an Orlando-based morning radio talk show. A core group of three would gather in the studio to discuss issues of the day with seriousness and serious humor. Think of it as being a Christian version The Howard Stern Show. Like a few others, Steve offered me an open invitation to drop into the studio to participate anytime I wanted.
When a listener would call in with a great contribution, Steve would reward them with, “Thanks for the great call. You get three free sins today. Use them wisely.” Of course, Steve’s tongue-in-cheek comment drew the ire of many a listener thinking he was promoting sin. Hardly! Perhaps it is a sin to not have enough sense to appreciate a great joke even when DoorDash drops it in your lap.
None of us, nada, zip, zero like having our sins exposed. Extortion is a business built on this fact. And churches are built on the confession and absolution of sin.
Oswald Chambers writing in The Philosophy of Sin said, “The Bible is the only Book that gives us an indication of the true nature of sin, and where it came from.” Ponder that.
Sin is separation from God. What’s its opposite? Many years ago, that’s a question I posed to Leighton Ford while driving with him around Orlando. He thought for a moment and then said, “Shalom. That’s the Hebrew word and toast for peace that comes from being one with God.” Can I get an amen?
Without developing an appreciation for sin, the pure goodness of your 2-word purpose is an unnecessary contrast. Your purpose shines a light on your pathway to reconcile your wrongs and raises your sights on what’s right.
You can tell yourself “Don’t sin,” and you will anyway. Instead, tell yourself to “Be on-purpose.” Here’s a proactively positive alternative pointing you to the path of peace, service, and goodwill.
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
