We want to reflect upon a certain relation between death and sin. First, it should be obvious to everyone that death is a highly likely, if not necessary, end of life as we experience it everyday. Second, and more important, all we can ever really say is that: everyone we have ever known, or heard about; has died, is dying, or will die. But what if these two points were not the case? What if we never died? How would we think, act, and live? The particular relation between death and sin that we want to observe is better understood if we assume for a moment how we would function in a world in which no one dies.
In a world where death never occurs, everything is perceived from a different point of view than we are commonly accustomed to. This is especially the case with the common human act of striving. When we strive, we are attempting to obtain some perceived and desired good. Of course what we are striving for may not actually be good at all, but it may still be perceived as something “good.” And when obstacles inhibit or prevent our obtaining such a perceived good, the opportunity for sin arises.
Consider what the epistle of James has to say, “But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived my beloved.” And “These conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts.” So when our striving for some perceived good is obstructed we are tempted to commit sin in order to obtain it.
But what would be the situation in a world in which we never died? I suppose we could act in the same way given the same circumstances, but why? Why would one steal money or food, if she never died? Would she strive at all? What would she strive for? Certainly she would not strive for material goods, as if her lack of them would bring about her demise. Certainly there would be no need in stockpiling goods, or in depriving others of goods so that she might be comfortable until her death.
In a world in which one never dies, what use would there be in deceiving others? What could be gained that would not come her way? Should she lie out of fear? What is there to fear? I suppose she might lie, but it is difficult to understand one’s motives for doing so. What truth could bring her harm, ultimately? Maybe she would lie out of shame for some act. But is it not the case that shameful acts arise out of a desire to obtain now what I may not obtain later? I am certain there are shameful acts which should never occur regardless of how long one lives, even if forever. Nonetheless, a large majority of shameful acts might be eliminated if one knew that she would be around forever.
Of course we are not attempting to put forth the argument that all sinful acts would be eliminated if death was not so inevitable. Sometimes people sin for the sake of sin, because that is what they love. So even if some sin would still remain in such a world, it seems clear that the elimination of that striving, which is related to one’s finiteness, would certainly be eliminated. This being the case we can begin to see a certain relation between death and sin.
Because we know we are going to die, we tend to strive for things we perceive as good, before our death arrives. We want material goods to sustain us in comfort until death. We want as much pleasure as possible, even if it is sought within reason, before our death arrives. We want the most attractive spouse, the best relationships, the best degrees, the greatest possible achievements and acclamations. We want to do something great so that we might be remembered…because one day we will die.
Maybe we want to be left alone to contemplate and understand the great questions of humanity, before we die. Maybe we want to be isolated from all superfluous relationships, and all temptation, so that we can achieve holiness in hopes of being well received by God…when we die. Of course this is not to say that all striving leads to sin, just as a guaranteed everlasting life does not eliminate sin. Nevertheless, our certain death does open the door for striving that does end in sin. So we can see a particular relation between sin and death. And we can see that death brings about the possibility of a certain striving that leads to sin…so what.
Well…is it not the assertion of Christian teaching, “Listen I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye…For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’”
Essentially Christians are taught that they will not perish, but live forever. This is the case even if we leave this world in death. If this is the case, then why do we, as Christians, still strive as if we will die? As if we have only a limited time to obtain all we strive for? It may be the case that we, as Christians, do not actually believe that we will live forever. For if we did, it seems that all sin related to such striving would end. Or, maybe we do believe it, except during those times in which we strive in the manner that gives birth to sin. Either way it seems that someone who really believes that she will not die (in such a way that she does not strive as if she will end) is less apt to commit certain sins against God and her neighbor.
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