By Dwiyanto Fadjaray

Have you ever broken something at home, like a drinking glass, a ceramic plate, or your favorite vase? When you see the pieces scattered, what do you think about?

If it’s not very valuable, you might feel it’s easier to just throw it away and buy a new one. But if it holds sentimental value, you’re more likely to want to fix it. Even after repairs, though, the cracks often serve as a reminder that it was once broken. No matter how well it’s mended, the scars remain.

However, what if being broken is not the end of beauty? In the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi, broken ceramics are repaired in an extraordinary way. Instead of simply gluing the pieces back together, artisans use lacquer mixed with gold powder. What were once seen as flaws or cracks are now transformed into golden lines that enhance the object’s value. Rather than hiding the scars, kintsugi embraces them as part of the journey, showing that something broken can still become something beautiful.

The philosophy behind kintsugi reveals that brokenness, cracks, and the need for repair are not flaws to be concealed. On the contrary, the marks of brokenness can hold deep value, becoming an important part of the story. In kintsugi, what may look like flaws or imperfections aren’t things to cover up, but rather to embrace and celebrate as elements of a renewed beauty.

This philosophy invites us to reflect more deeply on ourselves. How do we handle our shortcomings and failures? Do we try to hide them, push them aside, and create an image of perfection? And what about sin? Do we believe we can bury it deeply, only to dig it up later, indulge in it again, and repeat the cycle endlessly? How often do we feel compelled to showcase a false sense of righteousness to others, while inside, our hearts remain in turmoil?

However, God does not call us to live a life of pretense. Instead, He calls us to rise from the ruins, not by hiding our wounds, but by displaying them as a testimony of His healing. Just like the golden lines in kintsugi, a life once shattered by sin can be reshaped into something even more valuable—not through our strength, but through the restoring grace of God.

David and His Sin

David, the great king of Israel in the Old Testament, was no stranger to sin. His sins and wrongdoings are documented in detail, especially in the account of his actions, schemes, losses, and their effect on Uriah’s family, as recorded in 2 Samuel 11–12.

Now, imagine being in David’s place. Would we feel ashamed to have our deepest faults laid bare for all to see, read, and remember throughout generations? Yet, it is here that God’s grace becomes evident—not only for David but for all of us. By recognizing how grievous sin is in God’s eyes, we also come to realize the immense gift of forgiveness and the new life He offers to those who choose to follow His ways.

In Psalm 32:5, David expresses the courage to admit his sins to the All-Knowing, Merciful God: “I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” This heartfelt confession reflects David’s deep reliance on God’s forgiveness. Similarly, in 2 Samuel 24:14, after his sin of pride in counting his nation’s strength, David repents, saying, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” These moments highlight the profound depth of God’s love and grace. Even as David faced consequences for his sins, God’s discipline was a sign of His faithfulness and unending love for him.

What the Bible Says about Sin

The Bible explains that the most profound consequence of sin is humanity’s separation from the Source of life—God Himself. This separation is vividly illustrated in the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, where they had once dwelled in perfect communion with God (Genesis 3:23-24). Moreover, the Bible portrays the relationship between humanity and God as one of enmity, a result of humanity’s willful rebellion against the Supreme Authority of the universe. Adam and Eve, in their desire to “be like God” (Genesis 3:5), disobeyed Him, leading to the loss of the eternal life they were meant to enjoy before sin entered the world.

When Adam and Eve sinned, everything in the universe was altered. Not only were they separated from God, but they also became estranged from the goodness of creation, requiring effort and toil to reap its benefits. Furthermore, sin disrupted the purity of their relationship, affecting all human relationships that followed. Division, accusations, mistrust, hatred, adultery, deceit, murder, and countless other evils began to plague humanity and nations alike. Truly, the human condition became wretched, described in Scripture as being “without hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).

The Bible highlights two aspects of sin: the sin of action and the sin of omission. The sin of action occurs when we commit acts that are forbidden, while the sin of omission happens when we neglect our responsibilities or fail to do what is right. In other words, sin has both active and passive dimensions. While the sin of action may be easier to recognize and comprehend, the sin of omission is equally significant and should not be ignored. As James 4:17 reminds us, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

Theologians describe sin as having two key aspects. First, sin is the absence, lack, or corruption of goodness. It is not a physical substance or thing, but rather the condition of losing goodness. Sinners are devoid of holiness and righteousness. Second, sin is active in its destructive power. It enslaves and corrupts those under its influence. People under the sway of sin turn away from God and move toward destruction. Although they retain their human functions and nature, they no longer use them to glorify God, the Source of life. Instead, they seek self-glory, follow evil paths to satisfy themselves, and twist their understanding of truth, goodness, and freedom. Sin causes humanity to see lies as truth, embrace evil as good, and accept slavery as freedom. Moreover, sin distorts the image of God within us, leaving humanity morally unable to fulfill God’s desires.

The Answer to the Problem of Sin

Sin is far from being a trivial matter; it is a deliberate violation of God’s commandments and reflects a rebellious heart. James vividly describes how human desire draws us in, leading to sin: “After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (1:15). Death is the ultimate consequence of sin, and humanity cannot resolve this on its own because we lack holiness and the ability to produce righteousness that can erase sin. Born into the sinfulness inherited from Adam and Eve, all aspects of life have been tainted. Only the grace of God through His gospel can purify the human heart, and only the Holy Spirit has the power to cleanse us from the stain of sin.

The Spirit of God, through His Word, shines light into our hearts, revealing the darkness of the sin that binds and enslaves us. We are reminded of the younger son in the parable, who, after losing everything in a distant land, “came to his senses” (Luke 15:17), leading him to return to his father. This awareness of sin is the work of the Holy Spirit. He must come to renew and transform sinful humanity, breaking sin’s grip and setting us free (Romans 6:18; John 8:36). Only Jesus Christ, through His holy and sacrificial blood shed on the cross, can redeem us from the mire of sin and the depths of the grave.

Kintsugi reminds us that imperfections can become a testament to beauty, as broken ceramics are repaired with golden seams, turning flaws into highlights. In much the same way, humanity destroys itself through rebellion and sin against our holy God. Yet, humans are incapable of mending themselves. Thankfully, God, in His boundless love and power, continues to see us as precious in His sight. He longs to redeem and restore what is broken—not “with perishable things such as silver or gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Now is the time for us to demonstrate to the world the transformative work Christ has accomplished, through the sincerity of our lives and dedication to His ministry. 

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
(Wesley, 1738)

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Our Daily Bread Ministries in Indonesia is supported by the freewill offering of individuals in Indonesia, who through their gifts enable us to continue to bring the life-changing wisdom of the Bible to many here. We are not funded by any church or organisation.

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