I just wanted to weigh in here on the issue of sin and sins. Easter is always a time of concentration on the reason Jesus came, what he accomplished and why we trust him as our savior. Reflecting on Christ redemptive work on the cross, it occured to me that we get mixed up in our theology and don't realize the scope of what He did.

We talk a lot about Christ dying for our sins (both past and present) making his redemption a very personal thing. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this as long as it is in context. But let's make one thing clear . . . Christ came to die for Adam's SIN. And because he did, each individual IN ADAM has the good fortune to have their sins forgiven.

Well, you might say, what's the difference? Sin or sins, isn't that just semantics? No. There is a huge difference and one which I think most people don't understand. Because of this misunderstanding, we have divisions in the body of Christ.

I'm going to point out the difference with an illustration. When I lived in Washington (state), we had a terrible time keeping the wild blackberry bushes from taking over our yard. Every year I would pull out the new sprouts, cut back the canes and try to keep them from growing back. Alas, it was a losing battle and after five years of constant vigilance, I called a nursery and asked how to het rid of them. The gentleman I spoke to informed me I must kill the main root or crown. He explained it was most difficult because the crown was located deep in the soil and had to be poisoned at it's very source. He also informed me that it could take up to three years to kill one crown, especially if it was a large and established plant (as they all are there).

Now, let's apply this to the sin/sins issue. Sins are the fruit of sin. Each little sprout originates from the main root and though they can be stopped from growing, they cannot be eradicated unless the root is is killed. See where I'm going? Christ died for our sin, the root, the originator of all the sins we commit. If you once grasp this fact, it can change the way you view sin, sinning, and redemption. A whole new possibility of holiness arises. The redemption of Christ takes on a whole new meaning and the cross a point of death to the source of sin, not just sins. Hope expands, grace is greater, freedom a bigger possibility.

Romans 5:18-19
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Yes, Christ died for my sins but more than that, he died for humanity's sin, the root, the core problem.