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Studies from the Scriptures

Sin

Sin is a dark and ugly subject so it is most unpleasant to consider; however, we cannot ignore it or look the other way and expect it to disappear, for it will not. Sin presently exists in this world and in our lives, and its presence will remain in this world until Jesus comes again. We must therefore endeavor to understand sin in order to discover how we may best deal with this awful problem.

It is not sufficient for us simply to accept the fact that sin exists; we must also understand its nature if we are to deal with it effectively. I think at this point it is essential for us to define sin. There are three New Testament Scriptures which spotlight the problem for us. Paul said to the church at Rome, " .. .for whatsoever is not of faith is sin:" (Rom. 14:23). Based upon this statement, any action that is not accompanied or motivated by faith in God is sin. Those who are born again possess faith as the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:23) and are therefore to exercise their faith with every act of service. Where this simple formula is ignored, sin emerges. The just are to live by faith (Heb. 10:38), and failure to do so constitutes sin in their lives.

The second spotlight verse is 1 John 3:4. John wrote, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." God's laws are clearly defined for us in the Bible. If we ignore God's laws and violate them, such transgressions become sin. It matters not whether His Word states a positive or negative commandment; if we act contrary to God's expressed will, we commit sin. God makes the laws, and when we break the laws we sin against Him (Ps.51:4).

The third spotlight Scripture is also found in the Book of First John. He said, "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death" (l John 5:17).Righteousness means being just or right, so that which is not just or right in the sight of God is unrighteousness and therefore sin. If we fail to live as God has ordained for man, then every deviation from His divine plan must be considered sin.

Let us now consider the different kinds of sins which beset us. Basically, sins may be divided into two groups: sins of omission and sins of commission. There are times when we omit or neglect to do what God has commanded of us; this is the sin of omission. There are other times when we do what God has forbidden and that constitutes the sin of commission. Paul struggled with both kinds of sins. The good he should have done was often neglected and omitted. The bad which he should not have done was often the very thing of which he was guilty (Rom. 7:19).What person has not faced these same struggles at times? If we do that which is wrong, obviously it is sin; but it is just as much sin to leave undone that which is right and good (Mt. 23:23 and James 4:17). We must exercise great care in our obedience to God. Let us be equally careful with regard to both kinds of sin, for all sin displeases God.

Having considered a brief explanation of the two kinds of sin, let us move on to recognize the universality of it. Because of the original sin of Adam, it has touched all families of the earth; its presence is found in every individual that has ever lived, with the exception of Jesus Christ. David declared that all mankind has become filthy before God (Ps. 53:3), and Isaiah echoed this truth in Isaiah 64:6, saying, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." He also described us as sheep that have all gone astray (Is. 53:6). God is our Shepherd in the person of Jesus, and when we depart from His precepts, we have wandered down the forbidden path of sin. In the New Testament Paul emphatically states that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). The Apostle John declared that those who deny they are sinners in reality are calling God a liar (l John 1:8-10). Such individuals have either deceived themselves or allowed Satan to do so. The Bible repeatedly reminds us of the fact that none of us live apart from sin. Although that which is born of God abides within, the flesh continues to offend God and violate His holy laws. Obviously not one of us is free from sin.

Next we must consider the penalty or consequences of sin. As forcibly as the Bible declares our guilt of sin, it also announces the penalty for sin - death. This truth reinforces the universality of sin. Since the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23) and all humans die, infants included, then the evidence is indisputable and the conclusion becomes a simple deduction - that we all die because we have all sinned. In the beginning Adam sinned and had to die (Gen. 2:17). Paul said, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned ..." (Rom. 5:12). The death penalty is still prescribed for sin. James wrote, "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death" Games 1:15). While death is the most serious penalty of sin, it is by no means the only consequence. Sinful actions affect us daily as the chastening hand of God touches our lives. When Adam's son Cain killed his brother Abel, he was punished by God (Gen. 4:13).When King Saul disobeyed God, His kingdom was taken from him (l Sam. 15:28). When Israel sinned as a nation, they lost fellowship with God and He refused to answer their prayer (Is. 59:1-2).In the New Testament when Ananias and Sapphira sinned, it cost them their lives (Acts 5:5, 10).Time and time again the Bible points a holy finger at the guilty sinner and pronounces judgment upon him by announcing the price to be paid for his sins. Sometimes the penalty affected more than the offender. When Achan sinned all Israel suffered defeat Goshua 7:5, 20), and when David sinned all his house suffered with him (2 Sam. 12:10). These Scripture references should leave no doubt concerning the seriousness of sin and the fact of its consequence. We can no more elude the consequences of sin than did they, for sin will surely find us out (Num. 32:23). Let us not delude ourselves into believing that somehow we will be the exception. We need to turn from the willful pursuit of sin and repent of those sins which we have already committed (Acts 3: 19).

Though sin is serious, do not despair; God has provided a remedy for it. His gracious provision is manifested in the wonderful person we know as Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent by God the Father for the expressed purpose of saving His people from their sins (Mt. 1:21).Paul reminds us that the wages of sin is death but then adds this glorious declaration, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:20-21). Jesus saved all the elect from the eternal penalty of sin (which is death) and gave that most generous gift of eternal life. This our Savior accomplished as He suffered for our sins (l Peter 3: 18) and by His death paid our debt in full (l Cor. 15:3). Being now justified by His precious blood, we shall later be saved from the outpouring of divine wrath (Rom. 5:9). Oh, what a wonderful Savior we have! I have no hope in self, only in Him (Acts 4: 12).

Because of His suffering and death, we should recognize how horrible sin really is. It should not be taken lightly, for it necessitates our physical death and is responsible for untold miseries which mortals suffer. If we can discern the seriousness with which God regarded sin, requiring the death of His only begotten Son, then surely we shall begin to take the problem seriously ourselves. Having confronted the biblical truths that have been outlined in this study, I hope you now feel a repentant attitude with regard to your personal sins. The presence of daily sins demands repentance, but remember that repenting is more than merely saying, "I'm sorry." It involves a turning from the sin, that you may remove it from your life. If you truly repent you are assured forgiveness. John wrote, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (l John 1:9). How long has it been since you confessed a sin to God and asked for His forgiveness? Perhaps it has been far too long. Please take sin seriously, for God certainly does. Sin is a problem of undetermined magnitude from which you should genuinely desire to be free. Take each sin and deal with it individually. One by one you will rid your life of sin, and little by little you will become a better person. Do this for the glory of Jesus, your eternal remedy, and ask His help daily, for He can give you grace to overcome.




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This page last updated on November 1, 2015