In the early 1970s, psychiatrist Karl Menninger wrote a book entitled "Whatever Became of Sin?" Years after Dr. Menninger's death, his question still remains. 

I had to go all the way back to 2008 to find a major survey dealing with the question of how many Americans believe in sin. This survey defined sin as "something that is almost always considered wrong, particularly from a religious or moral perspective." This survey found that 87% of Americans believed in sin. Some actions previously viewed as sin such as gambling and premarital sex no longer carry much of a stigma. Although adultery is still looked down upon, there is a move to accept and even legitimize multiple partners (polyamory) as something allowed between consenting adults "as long as no one is hurt." 

Yet, deep in the heart of each human being is a sense that we don't measure up and that we continually fall short (of even our own ideals, not to mention God's standard). I used to joke that part of my job as a lawyer was to help people give themselves permission to do what they thought was wrong. Sometimes our ethical decisions are not black and white; there are gray areas. That's why an informed moral conscience is so important and not just a conscience that is seared. 

Although there are not easily decided moral decisions in life, no amount of sophistry can ever rid us of that deep-seated notion that we ourselves are sinners. The Confession of Sin in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer describes us quite well: "But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent. . ." Now that's a confession of sin you can sink your teeth into. 

The Gospel is bad news before it is good news. We are miserable offenders, and we know it. But God, Ephesians 2:4 tells us, is rich in mercy. The church, at its best, deals with sin and guilt really well, because we are all sinners before God. None of us is any higher on the goodness ladder than anyone else. 

On his deathbed, John Newton said to a friend, "My memory is nearly gone. But I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour." 

Yes, Jesus Christ even forgives sins.