Understanding Our Sin and the Transforming Power of God's Grace

Understanding Our Sin and the Transforming Power of God's Grace
The book of Romans begins with a sobering truth: we must recognize where we stand before God to truly understand where He wants to take us. If we fail to grasp the depth of our sin, we will never fully appreciate the heights of His grace. As we prepare to shift our focus to Lent and the Holy Spirit, and ultimately toward Easter, let’s pause and reflect on why this understanding is so crucial to our spiritual journey.
Before moving on from this topic, we must ask an important question: why does it matter? A pastor once put it simply: “So what? Now what?” If we know we are sinful, if we’ve acknowledged our brokenness, what do we do next? Here are three key applications that stem from this understanding.

1. The Reality of Sin Should Lead Us to Worship
Take a moment to think about this: God could have walked away. He could have brought judgment upon us at any time. But He didn’t. Instead, He extends love, patience, and grace. When we truly recognize the weight of our sin, our natural response should be to worship Him.
A powerful example of God’s patience is found in the story of Jonah. God called Jonah to preach to Nineveh, a city known for its cruelty and oppression. Yet Jonah resisted, unwilling to extend God’s mercy to such a wicked people. Despite Jonah’s defiance, God pursued him, and in the end, Nineveh repented. This account highlights God's enduring love and His desire to save even those we might deem unworthy.

Psalm 103 beautifully captures this reality:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” (Psalm 103:2-4)

When we grasp how much God has done for us, it changes everything. We find freedom from sin, fulfillment in Him, and a renewed sense of purpose. We are not only saved but also invited into a relationship with Him, gaining wisdom, knowledge, and eternal hope. Recognizing this should drive us to our knees in gratitude and praise.

2. The Reality of Sin Should Drive Us to Share the Gospel
If we truly understand how lost we once were, we should be moved to share the good news with others. Yet, many of us hesitate. Fear of rejection, lack of time, or feelings of inadequacy often hold us back. However, the call to spread the gospel remains clear:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Israel was meant to be a light to the nations but failed in its mission. As followers of Christ, that responsibility now falls to us. Jesus calls us the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16), meant to shine brightly in a world of darkness. If we don’t share the gospel, who will?
A simple yet powerful illustration of this truth occurred one stormy night. As I was painting late at night, a sudden power outage plunged my home into darkness. The only light came from my flashlight, illuminating the room and breaking through the shadows. This is the same impact we are called to have in the world. Even a single light in the darkness can make a difference.

3. The Reality of Sin Should Inspire Us to Seek Righteousness
Understanding our sin doesn’t just lead us to worship and evangelism—it should also transform the way we live. Jesus didn’t just save us from something; He saved us for something. He calls us to a life of righteousness.
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
We are justified in Christ, yet we continue to grow in righteousness through sanctification. This means striving to become more like Christ—not out of obligation, but out of gratitude for what He has done. Paul reminds us that grace is not an excuse to continue in sin. Instead, it is the very reason we should seek holiness.
James 1:17 tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above.” As believers, we are called to reflect God’s goodness in the world. Instead of hatred, we show love. Instead of pride, we choose humility. Instead of greed, we serve others selflessly. Ministries like the Haven Food Pantry demonstrate this principle in action—where believers come together to serve, reflecting Christ’s love in tangible ways.

Conclusion: A Life Transformed
When we fully grasp the depths of our sin, it transforms our response to God. It compels us to worship Him, to share the gospel with others, and to pursue righteousness in our daily lives.
Ultimately, it all comes down to one thing: Jesus. It is because of His sacrifice on the cross that we are made new. Because of His blood, we are forgiven. Because of His resurrection, we have eternal hope. As we prepare our hearts for Easter, let us remember the incredible gift we’ve received and live in a way that reflects our gratitude.
So, let us worship. Let us share the gospel. Let us seek righteousness. And let us praise the One who has redeemed us.
Amen.