The second element about "Self-Identity" that we need to understand is that we are human beings who have sinned and need God's forgiveness. Let's read Genesis 3:6 - “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." As a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience, all humans who are born in the world carry the seeds of sin within themselves. That is, babies who are born carry sinful traits which when they grow up, the sinful nature becomes more visible. The concept that babies are born carrying the seeds of sin in theology is called "original sin." This hereditary sin becomes a reality when the person concerned grows older and the sin becomes his personal sin.
I give you an example. This video is about a little girl who is maybe 2-3 years old. Her parents never taught her to lie. But somehow, out of fear of being scolded, she desperately denied that she had been playing with the dog food. It's funny seeing her behavior in this video. But if her parents cannot train and discipline her, she will grow up to be an adult who has a habit of lying. We never taught our children to lie. We also never teach our children to be selfish, jealous, hateful, arrogant, violent, and so on. Then how could they have those kinds of characters? The answer is because they were born with the seed of sin in them. That is what David says in Psalm 51:5 - “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
So, by nature, humans tend to do what is not good because of the sinful nature that is in everyone. This is why humans need to get good parenting, moral teachings, etc. that teach them to do good, be humble, caring, stay away from jealousy, and not commit sins. However, no matter how good a person is, because he/she may receive good education and guidance from his parents or obey his/her religious teachings, they cannot possibly be free from sin. From the time the first human was created until now, there is no one who has not sinned. Romans 3:23 says: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." God's Word says "all," so everyone, including the prophet and the founders of religions, has sinned. But there is a Person who is without sin, that is Jesus. Why? Because He was not born from the seed of His parents but from the Spirit of God, therefore, He did not inherit a sinful nature. More than that during His life, He also never sinned. That is why Jesus dared to challenge the Jewish leaders who were jealous, hated, and tried to get rid of Him: "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?" (John 8:46). No one can dare to speak like Jesus because everyone has sinned.
The problem is that many people do not realize that they are sinners. In evangelism, several times when I say that everyone has sinned, the person I was evangelizing says that he is a good person or something like this: "I am an honest businessman," "I have never wronged people," "I am loyal to my wife," "I go to church every Sunday and pray every day," and so on. Because they see themselves as good, they do not feel the need to ask God for forgiveness and need the Lord Jesus as their Savior. Someone said: “People who are the most difficult to repent are not those who know they are the worst people but those who think they are the most righteous people.” I think the statement is correct.
Many people do not understand what sin is so by their standards, they are righteous and good. They do not know that in God's eyes, they are sinners. In the New Testament we find five different words translated with sin:
1. HAMARTIA. This means to miss the mark or it does not hit the target. For example, a person who is shooting an arrow where the arrow is released does not reach the point it was intended for. So, sin means failure to become human as they should. Another meaning of “hamartia” is to do wrong. In Matt 18:15, for example, Jesus says, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
2. PARABASIS. This means that sin is stepping across the line that separates right from wrong or a going aside or transgression. In 1 Timothy 2:14, apostle Paul says, “And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.”
3. PARAPTOMA. It means a false step, a trespass, slipping when passing. For example, because the road is slippery, it slips left or right. "Paraptoma" does not contain intentionality as strong as “parabasis.” This slip of sin can be due to revenge or other things that temporarily control us so that we lose control of ourselves. In Matt 6:14-15 Jesus warns: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
4. ANOMIA. It means breaking the law or practice lawlessness. This is a sin committed by people who know things that are right but do things that are wrong (people who know the law but actually do things that are against the law). This is a serious sin. In Matt 7:23 Jesus says, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (or ‘you who practice lawlessness.’).”
5. OPHEILEMA. It means debt. Or failure to pay what should be paid/failure in the duties and obligations. This word is used in Matt 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” We owe God in many ways: lack of faith, less priority to Him, etc. We ask forgiveness for our failures to live doing His will.
With such an understanding of sin, it is very clear that no one is sinless. To have a true "self-identity" we must realize that we are sinners. Without this awareness, we cannot identify ourselves properly. We feel good and right. But in the eyes of God, we are arrogant and sinful. The Lord Jesus once gave a parable about two people who came to the temple to pray. Let's read Luke 18:9-14 - “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Do you realize that you are a sinner? The Apostle John said: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9). If you have never confessed your sins and asked God for forgiveness, do so now. Jesus died on the cross to bear your sin. Ask for His forgiveness and receive His love. Illustration: Several years ago, during an examination, my dentist said that my teeth were eroded, and some were broken partly because I grind my teeth a lot while sleeping. He suggested I wear a 'night guard' while sleeping. I bought a 'night guard' but I only used it for a few days because it felt uncomfortable. As a result of me not wearing the 'night guard' my teeth were getting eroded and some broke even last night when I was 'flossing my molar broke in half. Besides, lately, I often feel toothache. This forced me to wear the 'night guard' since ten days ago, even though it felt uncomfortable. If I had worn the 'night guard' long ago, my teeth would still be in better condition now. Don't let sin stay in your life. He will gradually disturb you and even to a certain point will destroy your life. James 1:15 warns: "Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Don't procrastinate to repent and confess your sin because opportunities don't always exist. Illustration: Some time ago, I heard a story about Doctor Sun Yat-Sen from a preacher. Yat-Sen is referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in the Republic of China, and as the "Forerunner of the Revolution" in the People's Republic of China for his instrumental role in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty during the Xinhai Revolution. The story said one day he invited his friend, a military general, to attend a revival meeting. At the end of the sermon, the preacher invited those who were willing to confess their sins to come forward. Yat-Sen encouraged his friend to come forward. But his friend said, "Not now!" On the way home, his friend was shot dead by his political opponent. He was too late to ask for the forgiveness of his sins and accept Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
Brothers and Sisters, if you have not really invited Christ into your life, do not put it off. Receive Him now. If you need guidance, after this service, please contact me.
