Oh, Paul!

"The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). How’s this for fire and brimstone? Taken literally, such sentiment seems fundamentally simplistic. But if the phrase is subjected to even elementary examination and interpretation it reveals that kernel of universal Truth for which Scripture is consulted. As I have attempted to develop a justification for thinking of Jesus as quintessentially moral, several operational definitions have emerged which help to make more sense of Paul’s words to the churches in Rome. If understood in the context of Paul Tillich’s definition, sin represents anything that stands in the way of the human consciousness of being in relationship with its Creator. This “separation” has then been defined as “immoral” as opposed to “moral” communion with God. When Jesus speaks of the new life—of being born from above—that results from authentic communion, then it stands to reason that ignorance of, or failure to accept, this redeeming relationship leads to spiritual death. Our human preoccupation with immortality has misdirected our attention from eternity, a confusion which we make at our own spiritual peril. Sin (i.e. immorality) is that which denies or severs the relationship with our Creator, and the consequence is the death or abortion of the new and abundant life offered through Christ. We do a great injustice to Jesus of Nazareth, as well as a fatal disservice to ourselves, when we fail to comprehend that Life eternal is contingent not upon whether we profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but depends instead upon the authenticity of the relationship we establish and maintain with God.