The COST of the Cross


Sin is not a topic that comes up in the typical conversation. It’s more a topic we avoid than one we embrace. And yet the reality of sin and the negative effects of sin constantly weigh us down. Our sin has put us in a hole that we can’t get out of.

This past Sunday we took a look at sin by first looking at what sin is not: If we are following God’s rules, we’re probably not sinning. Jesus condensed all of God’s Law down into two commands: Love God with all that we are and love people in the same ways we care for ourselves.

By understanding what sin is not, we get a clearer picture of what sin is and how often we sin. How much of a typical day are we loving God and other people correctly in our thoughts, our words, and our actions? We probably can’t go more than four or five minutes without being selfish, jealous, greedy, prideful, angry, or lustful… just to name a few!

The other thing we discussed is how God’s Law is pro-relationships, while sin is anti-relationships. We’ve all been hurt by others’ sin, but we’re also all guilty of hurting others by our sin. Sin always damages relationships and brings separation between us and others and between us and God.

The Bible even says that sin leads to death, which is the ultimate separation. The Good News, of course, is that God chose not to leave us in that hole, but from the very beginning was putting into motion his plan to spring us free.

An innocent sacrifice is the required cost to cover over a person’s sin. Jesus, being the perfect man, fit the bill. And being God, the effects of Jesus’s sacrificial death were limitless and boundless.

His blood extends to the entire human race, to all those who have ever lived or are yet to be born. It covers every sin ever committed and those not yet committed. The blood of Jesus brings us forgiveness, cleansing, and new life.

As a family discuss these questions:

1) Why is it so hard to talk about sin? Even when we know that we’re all in the same boat, why is it so hard to admit to another person that we struggle with sin?

2) In the video, several people came and tried to give the man advice on how to save himself. Why do we constantly try to fix ourselves rather than initially turning to God for help?

3) Is it a sin to not turn to God for help?

4) Another tendency we have as Christians is to obsess about our sins. What if, as a family, we challenge ourselves this week to focus on loving God and loving each other and work on what we can do rather than what we shouldn’t do?

5) A third tendency we have is to constantly feel anxious or ashamed about our sins. Do you think this stems from not really believing that we’re forgiveable? If so, why is it so hard to accept that Jesus died for me? How can we work on that this week?