Guy Mason February 2010
In a study of 35 countries, Australians come up as the most likely to commit one of the biblical seven deadly sins. An article in Focus, a UK magazine produced by the BBC, states Australians rank first for envy and third for lust and gluttony.
The authors used a points system to determine which countries most committed the seven deadly sins – lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride.
The response to the research has been varied. Political and religious leaders have sought to call the research into question, arguing Aussies are not sinful but instead a generous and humble people.
For others, the finding is a badge of honor that we should hold up like the Ashes trophy. I was tuned into a Melbourne radio station where listener after listener phoned in to declare their love of sin and how proud they were to be in a nation of sinners.
Personally, I love this country. I was born in Melbourne and choose to live in Australia because I see an amazing land filled with diversity, culture and opportunity. I am however not proud of our “sinfulness”. I am not saying I don’t sin, far from it, but I think we’re so immersed in it we have lost sight of its devastating reality. Sin impacts us at social, global, relational, physiological, emotional and spiritual level.
But what is sin? Sin at its heart is a turning away from God. Its more than a fleeting pleasure, or self-seeking moment, it’s giving our Heavenly Father the bird and saying I don’t need or want you.
That being said, I believe Jesus loves us Aussies. I say that because when he lived on earth he was known as a “friend of sinners”. Jesus was often criticised for spending time with people who drank, slept around and dodged their taxes.
Jesus’s love for sinners however goes far beyond the social connection and friendship he offered. History records that in his early thirties he was arrested and executed on a Roman cross. Brutal and bloody as it was, Scripture reveals his death was all part of God’s work in rescuing our world.
One of Jesus’ followers puts it like this: “Christ died, the righteous for the unrighteous that we might be brought home to God.” What he means is that on the cross Jesus, the perfect God-man, died in our place – as a substitute for our sin and rebellion against each other, this world and our God. Jesus did this so that through faith we might be forgiven and reconciled to our father in heaven forever.
Martin Luther, the 16th century reformer called this the great exchange – where Jesus was given death, and we received life – a life received when we entrust ourselves to Jesus. It’s not something you earn, or are born into – it’s a gift.
A gift he proved he had the power to give by rising to new life.
I encourage you to investigate his claims further by getting your hands on one of the gospel accounts of Jesus, which we’d love to give you free of charge. You can also visit one of our services at City on a Hill.
For more info visit – http://www.cityonahill.com.au
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