Reclaiming Sin: Healing Relationships Through Love

Devotional

Day 1: Righteousness is Right Relationship, Not Perfection

Righteousness is not about always getting things right or following a list of rules perfectly; rather, it is about seeking right relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves. The people God calls righteous in scripture are not those who never make mistakes, but those who pursue love, justice, and community, continually returning to God and one another even after falling short. This understanding frees us from the anxiety of needing to be flawless and invites us into a journey of connection, humility, and growth, where our mistakes become opportunities for deeper relationship and healing. [38:58]

Romans 3:21-24 (ESV)
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Where in your life have you been striving for perfection instead of seeking deeper relationship—with God, with others, or with yourself—and how might you shift your focus toward connection and grace today?

Day 2: The Heart of the Law: Love God, Love Neighbor, Love Self

At the core of all scripture and every commandment is the call to love: to love God, to love our neighbor, and to love ourselves. Jesus himself summarized the entire law in these two commandments, teaching that every other law or practice should be measured by whether it draws us closer in love and mends the fabric of our relationships. When we encounter rules or traditions, we are invited to ask whether they help us love more deeply and heal the wounds in our communities, or whether they create further division and harm. [52:03]

Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

Reflection: Is there a law, rule, or tradition you’ve struggled with—can you ask God today to show you how it might help you love more deeply, or if it’s time to let it go for the sake of healing?

Day 3: Impact Matters: Focus on Healing, Not Punishment

Sin is not simply a list of forbidden actions, but the wounds and tears in the fabric of our relationships and communities; what matters most is the impact of our actions, not the fear of punishment. God’s desire is not to punish us for our mistakes, but to invite us into the work of healing and mending what has been broken, both in ourselves and in the world around us. When we focus on the fruit and impact of our choices—what brings wholeness, justice, and love—we align ourselves with God’s heart and participate in the restoration of creation. [55:48]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Think of a recent action or decision—what was its impact on your relationships or community, and how might you choose healing and restoration in a similar situation today?

Day 4: Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

No matter how badly we have missed the mark or how deep the wounds we have caused or experienced, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. There is no sin too great, no mistake too final, that can keep us from God’s healing, transforming embrace; God’s love is always reaching out to mend us and draw us back into wholeness. Even when we are uncertain or afraid, we can trust that God’s grace is bigger than our failures and that we are always invited to return, to heal, and to participate in the work of love. [01:00:43]

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: When you feel unworthy or afraid you’ve gone too far, can you pause and let yourself rest in the truth that nothing can separate you from God’s love?

Day 5: Join God in the Work of Healing

God invites us to participate in the ongoing work of healing the wounds of the world, to recognize where harm has been done, and to join in mending the fabric of our communities through love and justice. This means not only seeking our own healing, but also standing with the vulnerable, naming and addressing real wounds, and refusing to call evil what is actually holy and healing. We are called to look for the fruit of God’s Spirit, to honor every place where God is bringing wholeness, and to trust that, together, we can be part of the restoration of all things. [01:05:48]

Isaiah 58:6-9 (ESV)
"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’"

Reflection: Where do you see wounds in your community or relationships, and what is one concrete way you can join God in the work of healing and mending this week?

Sermon Summary

Sin is a topic that has caused deep wounds for many, often weaponized in ways that harm rather than heal. Yet, the call of Jesus and the witness of scripture invite us not to abandon the concept, but to reclaim it in a way that leads to freedom and wholeness. Rather than viewing sin through the lens of crime and punishment—a mindset shaped by our carceral culture—we are invited to see sin as anything that tears the fabric of relationship, whether between individuals, communities, or the cosmos itself. The law, in its scriptural context, was never meant to be a rigid checklist, but a gift to guide us toward right relationship: with God, with neighbor, and with ourselves.

Lists like the Ten Commandments or the so-called “seven deadly sins” are not the heart of the matter. These lists, often constructed outside of scripture or misunderstood within it, can distract us from the deeper truth: righteousness is not about perfection or getting everything right, but about seeking right relationship and healing where there has been harm. The impact of our actions—what scripture calls “fruit”—is what matters most. Some wounds are deeper than others, and some actions cause more harm, but nothing can separate us from the love of God. There is no sin so great that it cannot be healed by God’s love.

Jesus himself summarized the law: love God, love your neighbor as yourself. This is the foundation for discerning what is truly harmful and what is truly healing. When we focus on the impact of our actions, we see that some things the church has labeled as sin—like queer love—are actually sources of healing and holiness, while other things it has ignored—like abuse—are deeply wounding. The call is to examine the fruit, to look for what mends or tears the fabric of our shared life.

Even when we get it wrong, we are not cast out. The only thing Jesus warns against is calling the work of healing and love “evil”—to resist the Spirit’s work of mending. Our task is to join God in the ongoing work of healing, to participate in the mending of the universe, and to trust that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Communion, the shared meal, is a reminder that all are welcome at the table, and that together, in love, we are being made whole.

Key Takeaways

1. Sin is not fundamentally about breaking rules or deserving punishment, but about the wounds and tears in the fabric of relationship—between ourselves, others, and God. The law is a guide for healing, not a weapon for exclusion. When we focus on the impact of our actions, we can discern what truly harms and what truly heals. [46:48]
2. Righteousness is not about perfection or always being right; it is about seeking right relationship and participating in the work of mending what is broken. God calls us to humility, to self-reflection, and to the ongoing pursuit of justice and love, even when the path is messy and unclear. [38:58]
3. The lists we cling to—whether the Ten Commandments, the seven deadly sins, or other checklists—often distract us from the deeper call to love. Jesus summarized the law as loving God and neighbor, and any law or tradition that does not serve this purpose should be reexamined. The fruit of our actions is the true measure. [52:03]
4. Some wounds are deeper than others, and some actions cause more harm, but nothing can separate us from the love of God. There is no sin so great that it cannot be healed by God’s love. Our fear of being cast out is unfounded; God’s grace is always sufficient, and our participation in healing is always welcomed. [60:43]
5. The only “unforgivable” sin is to look at the work of healing and love and call it evil—to resist the Spirit’s work of mending. Our calling is to join God in the work of healing, to look for the fruit of love and justice, and to welcome all to the table of grace. In doing so, we honor the heart of the law and participate in the mending of the universe. [62:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:20] - Introduction and Community Connection
[32:34] - The Harmful Legacy of Sin Talk
[33:14] - Why We Still Talk About Sin
[34:30] - Moving Beyond Crime and Punishment
[35:56] - Navigating Scripture and Culture
[37:12] - The Complexity of the Bible
[38:45] - Righteousness as Relationship
[39:59] - The Problem with Lists
[42:46] - The Torah and the Law’s Purpose
[44:21] - Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?
[46:48] - Sin as Tearing the Fabric of the Universe
[49:05] - Repentance and Healing
[52:03] - Jesus’ Summary of the Law
[55:48] - Impact, Fruit, and Prioritizing Healing
[57:07] - Rethinking Sexual Sin and Holiness
[59:34] - Assurance of God’s Unbreakable Love
[61:27] - The “Unforgivable” Sin and Healing
[64:14] - The Heart of the Law: Love and Justice
[65:48] - Participating in God’s Healing Work
[72:14] - Communion: All Are Welcome
[91:54] - Blessing and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV) — > “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

2. Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
> For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. Mark 3:28-30 (ESV)
> “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Matthew 22, what are the two commandments that summarize the entire law? How does he say these relate to all the other commandments?
In Romans 8, what does Paul say can separate us from the love of God? Is there anything left out of his list? [59:57]
In the sermon, what metaphor is used to describe sin and its impact on the world and relationships? [46:48]
What does Jesus say is the only “unforgivable” sin, and what was happening in the story when he said this? [01:02:26]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon suggests that sin is not about breaking rules, but about tearing the fabric of relationship. How does this change the way someone might think about their own mistakes or the mistakes of others? [46:48]
If righteousness is about seeking right relationship rather than perfection, what does that mean for how people approach their spiritual lives and their relationships? [38:58]
The sermon challenges the use of lists like the Ten Commandments or “seven deadly sins” as the main way to understand sin. Why might focusing on the “fruit” or impact of actions be a better guide? [52:03]
When Jesus warns against calling the work of healing and love “evil,” what might that look like in today’s church or community? [01:02:26]

Application Questions

The sermon says that some things the church has labeled as sin—like queer love—are actually sources of healing, while other things it has ignored—like abuse—are deeply wounding. Are there beliefs or traditions you’ve inherited that you now see differently in light of this teaching? How have you seen the “fruit” of these beliefs in your life or community? [57:07]
Think about a time when you focused on following a rule or checklist, but missed the deeper call to love or heal. What happened, and what would you do differently now? [39:59]
The idea that “nothing can separate us from the love of God” is powerful, especially for those who fear being cast out. How does this truth challenge or comfort you personally? Are there areas where you still fear rejection from God or community? [59:57]
The sermon calls us to join God in the work of healing and mending. What is one relationship, community, or situation where you see a “tear in the fabric” that you could help mend? What practical step could you take this week? [49:05]
When have you seen someone (or yourself) call something healing “evil” or dismiss the work of love and justice? What would it look like to resist that impulse and instead affirm the Spirit’s work? [01:02:26]
Communion is described as a reminder that all are welcome at the table. Are there people or groups you struggle to welcome? What would it take to make space for them in your life or community? [01:12:14]
The sermon says that repentance is about turning back toward healing and right relationship, not just feeling bad or being punished. Is there an area in your life where you sense a need to “turn back” and participate in mending? What would that look like for you? [49:05]

Sermon Clips

We are so concerned with getting it right. We are so concerned because we have internalized this fear that if we get it wrong, we're dead. Those are the deadly sins. They're not just like the oops sins or the really bad sins. They are the deadly sins. And the mythology we've created outside of scripture in our culture is all the various ways that God's going to torture us for eternity if we make these mistakes. That is not the God of the gospel. That is not the God of Jesus Christ. That is our shame and our fear compounding in community around these ideas and myths and that we then think are in the Bible and we try and use to shortcut our way into righteousness because we've lost track that righteousness isn't rightness, it's right relationship. Righteousness is right relationship. [00:43:22] (59 seconds) #ShameNotGospelTruth

The big reveal at the ending is that actually there's no sin that's any worse than others in terms of repair. There's nothing you can do that can prevent you from receiving the fully healing, transforming love of God. There is no sin that's too bad. And that's what we're really worried about, right? That there's a line that we're going to cross someday that we can't come back from. That there's something that we can do that is so bad that God will never love us again. And like that sin that's not real, that doesn't exist. [00:45:06] (31 seconds) #NoSinBeyondGodsLove

``I want you to think about it in a way that's a little bit more in line with the Eastern fathers, where the whole of creation, the cosmos, the universe, the earth, creation, is woven together in relationship and love. And that the substance of that fabric is God and is love. That all things are made for one another in love. All things are in relationship. And the goal of the universe, the longing of the universe, is right relationship, which is wholeness. [00:46:48] (39 seconds) #UniverseWovenInLove

There are times, there are incidents, there are moments when something creates a tear, something creates a tear in the fabric of the universe. Now, that could be small, a little micro tear, or that could be large, a rift, or that could be huge, a gash ripped through the cosmos. These things are sins. That's just the name we have for what happens when we are wounded. When we are wounded as individuals, in our relationships, in our communities, and in the whole universe, those wounds are called sins. And focusing on that impact, not on fear of reprisal, because a punishment would just create more tears in the universe. Our universe feels like it's in tatters. And our God is not here to beat us for it. Our God is here to weave us back together in love. [00:47:59] (59 seconds) #RepentanceIsTurningBack

Jesus did do this for us. Jesus was like, I get it. It's really long. I get it. It's really complicated. I get it. It's overwhelming. Here's what you need to know. You need to love God. You need to love your neighbor as you love yourself. This is what the whole law is about. This is the logic of the law. This is the foundation of that healing. Love God, love neighbor, love self. That love is what binds us all together. [00:51:53] (31 seconds) #LawServesHealing

Be concerned about the camel. Impact matters. Be concerned about the huge gashes in the universe. Impact matters. And so when we want to know where to start with sin, when we want to know where to start with sin, we need to start with impact. One of the churchy ways we talk about this is fruit. What is the fruit of this behavior? What is the fruit of this culture? What is the fruit of this institution? And I think that when we start there, we get a lot clearer, a lot faster about what hurts God's heart and about what hurts the cosmos and about what hurts us. [00:55:53] (43 seconds) #FruitOfLoveAndCommunity

Nothing can separate you. You will never be cast out of the cosmos. God's goal, the goal of creation is to mend itself back together in love. And anytime we do something, healing, anytime we confront those systems of evil, anytime we confront ourselves for our participation in wounding or harm, we are stitching that back together. We are healing ourselves into wholeness through the love of God. [01:00:43] (31 seconds) #UnforgivableIsRejectingHealing

We should talk about it because we want to be on the lookout for the wounds in the universe. We want to be on the lookout for the ways that we have contributed to harm in our communities. We want to heal that. And we trust that we can do that, that God is doing that, is always doing that. And we honor the Holy Spirit by naming every place that God is healing the world. And that we have the honor and privilege of participating with God in that healing, recognizing sin for what it is. Those impacts, those tears in the universe, and joining with the love of God, the love of community, and the love that keeps you breathing every day, coming together and mending that into wholeness, we can do this. [01:05:37] (47 seconds)

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