Someone recently used the term “sin management system” in a video to describe how many institutional churches function. I’ve thought about that idea a lot since then. The Bible tells us Jesus came to set us free from sin, not to be enslaved to a New Testament version of the Old Covenant temple system.

There is something about hitting midlife that can make you willing to ask questions about your faith. Not in a negative, doubting way but in a reflective way. There is a freedom to examine your faith, especially what you’ve passively accepted as true in the busyness of life. Is it really of Jesus Christ and the Bible? Or did I pick this idea up somewhere along the way without thinking of the implications?

Leaders Using Sin to Shame and Control

If we reflect on the faith landscape of today, much of “institutional church life” revolves around “sin management systems” rather than living a life of freedom, peace, and joy in our Lord Jesus.

Sometimes the pressure is subtle. A pastor or Bible study leader will speak of sin in such a way that it’s clear he (or she) is trying to shame the listeners. There is no love behind what he says. It’s a subtle manipulation to make you feel condemned. When you feel condemned, you are more easily controlled.

Other times it isn’t subtle at all. Fear is a great motivator and many institutional church leaders are more than willing to use it to their advantage. Think of the list of things church leaders will tell you to do or else you are “in sin.”

• Tithing ten percent of your income? Not taught in the New Testament, but church leaders control people with the fear of this “sin.” Many institutional churches will go so far as to require your giving be tracked so they know who is “faithful” and who is “sinning” by “robbing” God them.
• Being in church whenever the doors are open? Also not taught in the New Testament, but weaponized against the Lord’s children.
• Expected volunteering for multiple ministries and outreaches? Again, not taught in the New Testament but a burden added to the life of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Demonstrating some kind of spiritual “performance” to prove that you are the “right kind” of Christian and sin isn’t blocking your ability to do the “thing” expected by your particular church or denomination? Again, not of Jesus or the Bible.

None of these have anything to do with being set free from sin by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But they are important parts of the “sin management systems” in place throughout churches, denominations, and movements.

We Are a New Creation

What did Jesus have to say about this? Yes, He called people to repentance. He exhorted them to turn from their sin and follow Him. Sin is a real problem and Jesus came to deal with it.

Likewise the disciples spread the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ.

But if we read the Bible today and it becomes a blueprint for “sin management systems” then I think we have missed the point.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (Berean Standard Bible)

What Does God See?

When God looks at you, what does He see?

Your sin?

Or a new creation in Jesus?

If Jesus came to reconcile us to God, why should we spend our time focused on sin?

Did Jesus die to give us a new “sin management system” or something much better?

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