RE: Only two-thirds of U.S. Christians believe all have sinned
Barna’s poll that only 66 percent of U.S. Christians believe all have sinned shows a sad lack of the gospel in many churches. Verses like Romans 3:23 and 5:12, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Galatians 3:22 and 1 John 1:10 teach this doctrine.
Those who deny universal sin don’t understand what sin is. It isn’t just theft and murder. It’s anything short of God’s perfect law.
When a scribe asked Jesus what the greatest commandment is, Jesus started with who God is. There is one God; therefore, we must love him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:30). To fall short of this is to sin.
The gospel begins with one God, who is perfect in all attributes. God is three co-equal, co-eternal persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son who took on a human nature (Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:10-18).
He is one person who is fully God and fully man. He was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary, born, lived a perfect life, performed miracles, died, was buried, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will return to judge the living and the dead.
In his death on the cross, he bore the penalty of the sins of those who would be redeemed.
To understand sin is to know who Jesus is and why he came. It’s to realize his death and what it did. It’s to know the power of his resurrection.
Sin isn’t a “social justice” problem. The church isn’t a therapy club for social miscreants. The gospel isn’t an Alcoholics Anonymous plan only some people need.
The gospel is an essential doctrine for all. We must live it and preach it to all. Churches need to stop letting the world dictate what Christianity is.
Daniel Mynyk
Castle Rock, Colo.
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