The Unnatural Quality of Sin

All that is was created good (Cf. Genesis 1). From that goodness, we were designed to love and be loved.[1] Goodness is naturally self-diffusing. What is good does not remain contained within itself but brightens, gives meaning, and brings greater life to things. Love is a natural derivative of goodness and goodness of love. “Gloria Dei homo vivens” This statement from St. Irenaeus demonstrates/proves God's goodness. God is glorified only in the flourishing of His creation since it demonstrates his goodness. Sin corrupts nature and feeds off of goodness. Sin then is opposed to nature.

We were made for goodness. We are most fulfilled in the authenticity and beauty of loving well. In sin, we collapse into ourselves.[2] Satan tirelessly tries us in temptation insofar as God sees a great good for us, in the end, permits this much. Life becomes a battle to avoid evil and do good. When we give into sin, we come to regret it and instead of moving on from it, Satan uses it to haunt us, he asserts, “we ruined our lives so what is left but destruction for us?”(cf. Isaiah 38: 10-20). This is the enemy using our own sense of justice against us. I have done or not done this therefore I am a bad person: unworthy of love, undeserving of forgiveness, and forsaken by all things good(cf Luke 15:18-19). Thus, sin works against nature.

In conclusion, goodness holds nothing back. God is the source of all goodness, the creator of all beauty, and the author of all truth. It is not that our sin disappears in forgiveness, but rather its decay is replaced with healing, its meaninglessness with meaning, its emptiness with meaning, etc. What was once an act against man’s nature and justice becomes a data point that reveals God’s honesty, goodness, and the beauty he created[3]. From such depths God calls the weak, His glory is revealed in their life and healing. It reveals something the nature of God’s goodness via forgiveness: He does not destroy his corrupted creation for the sake of the rest of creation like our human concept of justice would assert; rather He transforms the brokenness that remains and brings the negativeness to at least a neutral value and glorifies the good that remains. All the rest of creation was created for man’s good, therefore destroying man by his own power would undermine His nature. It is only the sustaining of the forces at play that does this since sin is its own punishment and in grasping after something the vanity of that good reveals itself since it was not for those things that man is created.[4] If God is for us what may oppose us and if God was against us what would be for us?

FN:

1. cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 387.
2. cf.  Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1850
3. cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 389. 
4. cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 407.

It is true. I stand at the door of your heart, day, night. 

Even when you were not listening, even when you doubt it could be me, I am there. 

I weighed even the small sign of your response, even the least whispered invitation that will allow Me to enter.

What I want you to know that whenever you invite me, I do come always, without fail. 

Silent and unseen, 

I come with infinite power and love and bringing the many gifts of My spirit.

I come with My mercy, with my desire to forgive and heal you, and with the love for you beyond your comprehension with a love every bit as great as the love I have received from the Father. 

I come longing to console you and give you strength, to lift you up and to bind all your rules. I’ll bring you My light did you spell your darkness and all your doubts.

I come with My power that I might carry you and all of your burdens; with My Grace to touch your heart and transform your life in my peace I give you to still your soul.