Sin, Denial, Repentance and Punishment

Actually, this should be entitled, “The Denial of Sin, Repentance and Punishment.”  In reading and thinking about the subject of sin in the modern world, I am amazed at the widespread denial of original sin, punishment for sins committed during our lifetimes and the need for reconciliation and repentance.

In the contemporary Western world, there are so many people who are caught up in a mythical god who they believe is so all-loving that he could not have condemned more than Adam and Eve to original sin and who will not punish us mere mortals for sin.  There is no Satan and evil that would condemn us to eternal punishment, they say.  In these beliefs, how can they proclaim themselves to be Christian?  During His life, Jesus told us about Satan and his evil ways and temptations.  Satan even tempted Him.  Jesus told us about eternal punishment and referred to the place of eternal fire as “Gehenna” which He mentioned 11 times.  He offered us a solution by instituting the sacrament of reconciliation and he authorized the Apostles and their successors the power to forgive us our sins with prescribed repentance.

But, as humans, we can talk ourselves into rationalizing the teachings of Jesus away by creating a new theology of an all-loving god.  We are very good at denial. However, this is so self-deluding it is amazing that intelligent people can even think it.  The Trinity which, obviously, consists of Jesus, teaches, through Jesus, his Apostles and their successors, about sin, repentance and punishment.  Not only is the Trinity all loving, but it is all just.  Being all just, there are consequences to sin and that can include eternal punishment in the fires of Gehenna.  But, no, these new age deluders say, an all-loving god would not do such a thing.  They ignore the fact that an all-just God would.  He did not give us His Commandments as suggestions but as commands.  He, also, gave us free will which is manifested by our actions. He did not send Jesus here to endure His sufferings and painful death by crucifixion for no reason. He and His disciples taught us that there will be consequences for our actions.

Jesus said:  Not every one who says to me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers." (Matt. 7:21-23)

What are your thoughts about this?

Let the light of our Lord shine upon you!

REM (Ray Makowski) Co-Founder, Director and Secretary-Treasurer