Rejoicing in sin

[AlanFromWichita]

The wages of sin is death. Sin causes death of a part (anywhere from imperceivably slight to total) of one component of us human beings. The components are: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, sexual, and social.

Physically and mentally, we are each separated pretty much into individuals, each responsible to some degree for our own behavior. We contrast “self” from environment, which some like to think of as “other” than self" but I like to think of as “that which defines/compliments the self.” That’s fancy jargon for “not me” as in “not me” did it.

Spiritually, we are all part of the same body so we all suffer loss and grief if any part dies. Therefore every sin brings grief to the entire body of Christ.

And so it goes with the other human components.

The death may be only partial, and even unknown, to the person or persons involved. For example, gluttony with salt can beget high blood pressure, which could be a sin in an informed, physically and mentally sound indvidual.
random rant:

But what if they are not emotionally sound, and that’s the reason they pour on the salt? Does that make them less culpable? If you think they are ignorant, then it is an act of mercy to teach them. If they are informed and willingly do “self-destructive” things than what do you do? Start altering their perception or limiting their choices with chemical, physical, and psychological offerings of the world? – whew i feel better now.

As long as one keeps the dead part attached, it is deadweight: a stone around his neck, a governor, a barnacle, an impediment, etc. One could also view it as a mess in which to wallow.

When one expresses willingness to let the part go, then Christ can prune us and the rest of us bears more fruit. This is through forgiveness and the sacrament of Penance (especially if sin is mortal).

Hence we rejoice not in the sin itself but in the way God can convert sin into joy through His healing forgiveness.

Alan

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Hmmm. Over 12 hours without any comments.

I wonder whether it’s because my original post left nothing to be said, or maybe it just wasn’t interesting or worth reading or commenting on, or none of the above? Could it be it has inspired others to write and they are all trying to prepare so they can post with excellence, or perhaps am I just an old fool looking for validation of my wild theories?

Alan

 

[FightingFat]

I’ll have a crack Alan.

I think it’s about trying. We all fail and it probably doesn’t do to investigate that ad nauseam. We must desire forgiveness and recognise that we all sin.

I think we do have a habit of trying to seperate ourselves from the sin, but this is the same as seperating ourselves from God.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

FightingFat:

I’ll have a crack Alan.

I think it’s about trying. We all fail and it probably doesn’t do to investigate that ad nauseam. We must desire forgiveness and recognise that we all sin.

I think we do have a habit of trying to seperate ourselves from the sin, but this is the same as seperating ourselves from God.

Dear FightingFat,

I’m fascinated by your comment about separating ourselves from the sin being the same as separating ourselves from God. I’d like to hear more of your thoughts on that.

Alan

 

[davidv]

AlanFromWichita:

Dear FightingFat,

I’m fascinated by your comment about separating ourselves from the sin being the same as separating ourselves from God. I’d like to hear more of your thoughts on that.

Alan

Our pastor often asks us to fill ourselves with God so there is no room for sin.

 

[demolitionman65]

Just shooting from the hip, I would say that “separating ourselves from the sin” is to “take the sin out of sin” or in this sense a means of disowning the impact it has on our lives. A classic case is the de-emphasis on the perils of pre-marital sex. If you take the sin out of sin, it literally does separate us from God, here allowing us to engage in fornication/adultery with impunity.

Now, I have no idea what FightingFat really meant, but this is the first wisdom capsule that pops into my head as I consider what he/she said.

 

[FightingFat]

Well, when we do something wrong, or change our minds about something important it is because our mind has justified that action based on a variety of possible reasons- information and/or stimuli we have been subjected to. Sometimes, people can completely alter their perception based on one key piece of information. Sometimes it is like water building behind a damn and eventually the pressure of built up water overcomes old objections. Sin is like a seperation of yourself and the act. Your mind justifies the act, once justified, it no longer becomes difficult to cross the mental line you have drawn. God invites us to be one with him, when we sin, we pull away from that union.

 

[wcknight]

The topic sounds like an oxymoron…

we are rejoicing that sin no longer has a hold on us, that with the grace of God we can conquer sin (maybe eventually for folks who are still striving to get better.)

‘rejoicing in sin’ sounds like we’re happy to be sinning, sort of like wallowing in mud, we are not. Our desire is to get out from the mud and be clensed of our affliction.

wc