"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NIV)

I know that sin isn’t a popular topic. Many don’t even believe in it. Lately, though, it has been hard to miss the evil around us. Drawing on examples like school shootings or misguided riots may seem opportunistic, but they are simply the most evident source of example. Given these blatant targets, it is easy to point to actions within our society and label them sinful. An action is sinful to the extent that it deviates from God’s order. I think most would agree that God hates school shootings and would label it as sin. What is harder to agree upon is that we are all sinners.

It’s hard to admit our faults. We like to compare ourselves to others to determine how good we are. Of course, most of us will never love the world like Mother Theresa did, but at least we’re not actively contributing to it’s downfall. We pay our taxes, mow our lawns, vote when we remember. Maybe we even go to church. Unlike others. If God compared us to others, maybe that would work, but He doesn’t.

God’s standard is perfection. Jesus said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mat 5:48 NIV) We’re a prideful people, but I think that all of us realize that we aren’t perfect. I don’t know where your imperfection lies, but I know that God does. He measures all of us, and all of us fall short. Except for one man - Jesus Christ.

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