Sin Is More Than A Choice

Sin ruled . . .   Romans 5:21

Most Christians embrace the idea that sin is a choice. We make choices every day, and we like to think that most of them are reasonably good ones. We might also have the humility to admit that we occasionally make bad choices, and we may even be willing to call these bad choices sin.

But the Bible makes it clear that sin is a bigger problem than a few stupid mistakes. Sin is more than a choice; it’s a power. That’s why Paul talks about sin ruling.

Rule is a power word. Imagine that you and a large group of your friends are heading off for the vacation of a lifetime on one of the Pacific islands. You gather at the airport and board the plane. Many of your friends are traveling in economy class, some are traveling business class, and a few are in first-class seats.

The journey begins with a smooth takeoff. You enjoy the food and the in-flight entertainment, until suddenly an alarm sounds. Smoke fills the cabin, and then, to your absolute horror, three masked gunmen appear. You quickly realize that the unthinkable has happened: the plane has been hijacked, and you’re all hostages.

Most of your friends are economy hostages, some are business-class hostages, and a few have the distinction of being first-class hostages, but you’re all in the same position. The hijackers are in control, determining the destiny of the plane. That’s what ruling means. When the Bible says that “sin ruled,” it means sin invaded our world. Sin took charge of our ultimate destiny—it was in control.

The problem is that most of us see sin not as a dangerous hijacker, but as a harmless pest. In the book Gulliver’s Travels, Gulliver comes to a town where the people are so tiny that he seems like a giant. During his visit, Gulliver becomes tired, and while he sleeps, the little people climb all over him, tying him with thousands of tiny threads. The individual threads have very little strength, but together they have great power, so that when Gulliver wakes up, he can’t move.

Sin is not simply a choice; it’s a power that has taken over your world. It may seem innocuous at times, but its many threads are too strong for you to break on your own.

For further reading, see Romans 7