Relationship Goals Ep. 1: “Sin, Grace, and Forgiveness: Building a Church Family Rooted in Love”

January 6, 2025 Brian Jones

When we think of church messages, we often imagine something light and uplifting—maybe a story about love, hope, or encouragement. But sometimes, what we need isn’t easy to hear. Sometimes, we need a wake-up call. The truth is, we’re in a spiritual war, and at the heart of this battle is one thing: sin. While it’s uncomfortable to talk about, ignoring its impact can be spiritually fatal. Thankfully, the story doesn’t end with sin; it ends with grace. But to fully appreciate the beauty of grace, we first need to confront the reality of sin.

What is Sin?

At its core, sin is rebellion against God. It’s more than just breaking a rule; it’s a heart posture that says, “I know better than God.” When we trace sin back to its origin in the Garden of Eden, we see this rebellion clearly. God gave Adam and Eve one command: “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…” (Genesis 2:17, NIV). But they chose to disobey, essentially telling God that they could run their lives better than He could.

Sin is ultimately rooted in pride. It’s the belief that we make better decisions about right and wrong than God does. While our culture often downplays sin, labeling it as harmless or subjective, Jesus takes it seriously. In Luke 17:1-2, He says, “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” (NIV). That’s heavy. Jesus isn’t playing around when it comes to sin.

Why is Sin Such a Big Deal?

Sin isn’t just about breaking a rule; it’s about separating ourselves from God, the source of life. Imagine a tree that decides it wants to uproot itself to gain more freedom. It might survive for a short time, but without its connection to the soil, it will inevitably wither and die. That’s what sin does to us—it severs our connection to God, leading to spiritual death.

Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death…” (NIV). Sin’s consequence isn’t just physical death; it’s the death of our souls. It separates us from God, leaving us spiritually lifeless. And while it may seem harmless in the moment, every sin erodes the soul little by little, leading us further from life and closer to destruction.

The Enemy’s Strategy: Lull Us to Sleep

One of the greatest tactics of the enemy is convincing us that sin isn’t a big deal. We live in a world that encourages us to “follow our hearts” and “do what makes us happy.” But Jesus warns that this path, while seemingly calm and pleasant, leads to destruction. In Luke 9:25, He says, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” (NIV).

Imagine drifting peacefully down a river in a canoe, enjoying the scenery, when a stranger on the riverbank yells at you to stop because there’s a deadly waterfall ahead. At first, you might think they’re overreacting. But if the danger is real, who’s truly loving—the one who warns you or the one who tells you to keep going? True love warns. True love calls us back when we’re heading toward danger.

What Should We Do About Sin?

Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t just leave us with a warning—He gives us a plan. In Luke 17:3-4, He says, “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” (NIV). From this passage, we can draw three key actions: rebuke, repent, and forgive.

1. Rebuke in Love

Rebuking isn’t about judging or condemning—it’s about lovingly calling someone back from danger. Galatians 6:1 offers a helpful guide: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” (NIV). The goal of rebuke is restoration, not punishment. It’s an act of love that seeks to bring someone back into right relationship with God.

2. Repent Quickly

Repentance means turning away from sin and back toward God. It’s not about feeling guilty forever; it’s about changing direction. True repentance isn’t just stopping sinful behavior—it’s aligning our hearts with God’s will. When we sin, we don’t have to live in shame, but we do need to turn back to God immediately.

3. Forgive Always

Perhaps the hardest command in this passage is Jesus’ call to forgive—over and over again. Forgiveness isn’t about excusing sin or pretending it didn’t happen. It’s about releasing the debt owed to us because God has already forgiven our debt.

Isaiah 1:18 says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (NIV). When we forgive others, we’re reflecting the grace that God has given us.

Living Out Grace in the Church Family

As a church family, our mission is to fight for each other. This means rebuking in love, repenting quickly, and forgiving freely. Imagine what it would look like if our reputation was one of radical grace and genuine love—a family that sacrifices comfort for the sake of each other’s souls. This is what Jesus calls us to.

Grace isn’t just something we receive from God; it’s something we extend to others. And when we do, we become a reflection of Christ to the world. Our love, our forgiveness, our willingness to fight for each other—these are the marks of a family that truly follows Jesus.

The Hills Community Church