Is Sin a Failure to Let God Be God?

I agree that sin is indeed a failure to let God be God. Sinners struggle with believing, living, and submitting to the fact that all things were created by Christ and for Christ (Col. 1:16-17). This includes humanity. All things therefore were created for God's glory alone. He therefore is supreme. All the goodness He provides humanity therefore is not so they will enjoy these things alone, but so they will enjoy Him through His provision.

It must be noted that this is the purpose for heaven as well. It bothers me that there are many songs that emphasize all that we're going to get in heaven, as if this is what is important about heaven. Do we really think that God is going to give us heaven so that we will enjoy it instead of Him? Based on many Southern Gospel songs, it seems like our mansions, not growing old, tears being wiped away, etc. are the ultimate value of heaven. Christ is the glory of heaven; Christ is the goodness of heaven; Christ is the best thing about both heaven and earth; and the rest of creation as well. In Him alone is found the abundant life. This is what we struggle with believing, even as Christians. If I was to ask you to finish this sentence... my life would be complete, if blank . What would you put in the blank? Think for a moment.

If anything or any other person is in the blank other than Jesus, then you have an idol in your life. There are only 2 correct answers: 1) "I cannot fill this blank with anything else, because Christ is already there"; 2) I must put Christ in the blank because I have not trusted in Him alone for my salvation, for the abundant life". If you put something in the blank other than Jesus, then even if you get what you thought would complete your life, the reality is that it cannot provide you with who you desperately need. Having been created for Christ, nothing on this earth can provide us with what can only be found in Him. In Him alone, the abundant life is found. So, let us see all of God's provisions, not as avenues for us to enjoy His provisions, but as avenues for us to enjoy Him. As sinners saved by grace, we can make idols out of even the good things God has given us. So, as we seek to enjoy Him alone, let us continue enjoying Him whether we're healthy or sick, wealthy or poor, etc. for Christ does not change, or His love for us, or our inheritance. He is worthy apart from His blessings.

The sin concept is difficult to discuss in our nation largely because people have to admit that they are wrong. We live in a nation that exalts thinking highly of one self. The reality is that man's value comes from God; and His opinion of us is the only One that matters. My son for example, who is 2 years of age, has many toys that tell him how awesome he is. He literally has toys that say, "You're wonderful". Now, I'm not saying that his toys should say he's a sinner, but you know, this would actually be refreshing. Furthermore, we're all taught in school how we can do anything we want to do. This simply is not true. We cannot do things that God has not gifted us to accomplish. From the time we're young, we're taught how awesome we are, how we can accomplish anything, and then we're to believe we have sinned and fallen short of God's glory? How can we possibly fall short? Our worldview, often from birth, even in Christian homes, is the opposite of a constant emphasis upon our need for Jesus. In every other area of life we're taught that we can pick ourselves up by our boot straps, to "never stop dreaming", etc. Sin flies in the face of all of this; so, we seek to deny this; not to mention the fact that our flesh rises up demanding our own goodness apart from God. We deny sin because we deny our need for Christ.