It's National Sin Boldly Day

One of the most misunderstood quotes of Martin Luther is, "Sin boldly." When most people hear it they understand, "Boldly sin." and assume that Luther has just given them permission to do whatever they want because Christ will forgive it anyway. Not only is this interpretation completely unscriptural (see Romans 6), it has nothing to do with Luther's admonition.

Rather, Luther's comment was said with the understanding that, in this life, we will not be able to avoid sinning entirely so, rather than attempting to avoid sin by hiding in a cave where nobody else is around (which would actually be a sin of omission because it's failing to love the people God has called you to love), go do your best in the world and "sin boldly but trust in Christ more boldly." In other words, do your best to do the right thing trusting that Christ will forgive the sin that occurs along the way.

That brings us to today, National Sin Boldly Day (aka Election Day).

That's right, it's that day where we fulfill our vocation as citizens and head to the polls so we can elect someone to office who will undoubtedly do things that are completely contrary to the will of God. Of course, by voting for them, we aid to put such sinners into office and therefore are accomplices in their sin. At the same time, if we don't vote, we're not fulfilling our Christian duty as citizens, which is also sin. In other words, no matter what you do you're going to sin.

So go to the polls, sin boldly, and trust in Christ more boldly!