What's all this about sin?

Sin is an attitude of rebellion or indifference towards God. It results in doing wrong or failing to do right. At mm it means falling short of God's standard. The consequence is that we cut ourselves off from God and heaven.

Many would argue, "but surely God will excuse me if I have tried my best? And anyway, I'm not as had as others. I'm OK."

Jesus would have not agreed.

While Jesus demonstrated love to people who had failed, he was nevertheless uncompromising about sin. He said that sin includes the way we think, not just what we do. "Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride and foolishness. All these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God." (Mark 7 v 20-23) No one is innocent.

Our attitude to God is crucial. Whether we have achieved it or not, our aim is to have life the way we want it. We've gone our way rather than God's way. For many of us God is an irrelevance- We live as if he didn't exist. For others, he plays a part, but he does not have the place he deserves.

This attitude of rebellion or indifference is serious. It cannot be brushed aside. The rift between us and God cannot be solved by any amount of good behaviour.

Is there a way for sinful people to experience God's love and forgiveness?