If we only define sin as law-breaking, then we may view ourselves as pretty good persons. Jesus said that all of the law and prophets could be summed up in the Great Commandment. All of the law is really meant to express itself in loving God and others. When I fail to love, that is sin. When I fail to love, I am breaking God’s highest ideal for humans. We should be asking ourselves searching questions. How does my love for God express itself? Have any idols crept into my life? How does my love for my neighbor show? What are its positive manifestations? If we were asked if we stole something from our neighbor, our answer would be a strong “No”. But have we denied our neighbor the same kind of love that God has given us? All of this will cast sin in a new light.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” Mark 12:30-31 NRSV).
