Question 16


What is sin?

Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, not being or doing what he requires in his law.

1 John 3:4

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

Prayer

Lord, we have sinned in mind and thought,
         in word and deed.
Lord, our hearts are darkened by evil.
Lord, in your loving kindness forgive us.
Lord, please do not leave us.
Lord, lead us not into temptation.
Lord, help us to be humble, charitable,
         and obedient.
Lord, teach us to love you with all our hearts.
         Amen.

Derived and adapted from John Chrysostom’s prayer in “A Prayer by John Chrysostom: According to the Number of the Hours of the Day and Night” in A Manual of Eastern Orthodox Prayers (New York: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1983), 14–15.

What is sin?

Published on