Every once in a while dictionaries get updated. Some words get taken out, others get put in, and the meaning of words can change.

Someone once said to me that the writers of dictionaries have a disproportionate influence on history. After all, words powerfully impact how we think.

Well, the Oxford Junior Dictionary made an update. Do you want to know what word they took out?

Sin.

What does it mean when the word sin is erased? More broadly, what does it mean when we downplay its significance?

Let me zero-in on one of many concerns. When we downplay the reality of sin, might we not also downplay the need for a Saviour?

Sin is a problem. Are there any bigger problems? 1 John 3:4 says: “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” John is talking about breaking God’s laws. And there are consequences to breaking them.

The good news, however, is that Jesus has taken the punishment that we deserve for breaking God’s laws. He has paid our consequence. As a result, we are forgiven and restored. We are reconciled to God and given peace with him—forever!

Deleting sin doesn’t delete sin; it just downplays it. Jesus didn’t downplay it. In fact, he took it so seriously that he went to the cross specifically for you me so that we wouldn’t have to be separated from God and his love—forever.

Friends, the greater you know your sin to be, the greater you know your Saviour to be.

The best way to navigate reality is to think clearly, biblically.

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–Bible quotes are from the NIV.