On sin and redemption

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

those he redeemed from trouble

and gathered in from the lands,

from the east and from the west,

from the north and from the south.

Some were sick [or: fools] through their sinful ways,

and because of their iniquities endured affliction;

they loathed any kind of food,

and they drew near to the gates of death.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress;

he sent out his word and healed them,

and delivered them from destruction.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

for his wonderful works to humankind.

And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,

and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 (NRSV)

Sin is not disobedience to some arbitrary rule imposed on us from without. It is disobedience to what we know to be true in the innermost folds of our Being.

Hence, for many of us, redemption is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Sometimes the way there leads through sin, at other times through righteousness. 

Note: both sin and righteousness can be obstacles to redemption. Discerning the difference between way and obstacle is very difficult, hence we are told not to judge.