The present moment, so irreparably and unconditionally given, brings the full weight of life to bear upon us.  givenness gives without consulting us, without condition, without recourse.  We suffer the imposition of its grace with an unavoidable passivity.  In opening our hands to receive what it offers and give what it requires, we must confess our dependence, our insufficiency, our lack of autonomy.  but we grit our teeth at the shame of it, refuse to suffer the grace of it, and seek refuge from the present moment in the conditional character of sequence.  we cower before the absolute, failing to recognize its image in our countenances, and hide behind a fragile veil of fantasies, memories, and projected improvements.  we withdraw from the present, abandon life, give ourselves wholly to the past or future, and die.

Sin: a refusal of life.

Sin: a refusal of givenness

Sin: a refusal of grace

Sin: a refusal of the present moment

Sin: death.

Adam S. Miller, Rube Goldberg Machines, pg. 10-11