How do you know if you’re a sinner? To answer that, you have to know what sin is. Is it stealing? Lying? Cheating? Is it thinking about stealing, lying, or cheating? Is it killing someone who doesn’t deserve it? Is it killing someone who does deserve it? Does it include killing an intruder who is stealing from you? How about killing an enemy soldier in a war zone when they are about to kill you?

It’s a tough question. Or is it?

Jesus said it’s not tough at all. Practically everything we humans do in our fallen state is sinful. My thoughts run rampant with judgment and jealousy. My body, as well as the devil, constantly cajole me to seek my comfort and satisfaction, disregarding the needs of others. Often this happens subconsciously.

In fact, God gave us His Law, over 600 rules including the “Ten Commandments”, to point out just how bad we are at meeting God’s standard.

So how am I to avoid sin!? It happens without me necessarily even being aware of it. I can’t control every thought I have. And I definitely can’t remember, obey, or even understand all of those ancient commandments. I can’t even obey those vaunted ten.

Fortunately, because of Jesus’s sacrifice, I don’t have to. He did it for me. Although, I will always be a sinner, I am saved through Him from the punishment I have earned.

Not only that, He made it simpler for me to combat sin every day. He summarized God’s Law for me in an easy to digest, understand, and remember way. When asked what the greatest command was, He quoted this verse:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭5,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

And then He quoted this verse:

“…love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭18,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

And He said all of the Law is summarized here. If I focus on this, all my questions about what sin is will be easier to answer, thus sin will be easier to avoid. It’s no longer a shadowy moving target.

I will never succeed in being sinless in this life. I am grateful that I don’t have to be. God doesn’t expect that, but He does expect me to focus all my attention and priorities on loving Him by loving others.

Dear God, I’m sorry for how dreadfully sinful I am. I am so grateful that you love me anyway — enough to die for me. Thank you so much for simplifying your law so I only have to focus on how best to love today.