What is sin?

Sin is lawlessness, a state of rebellion against God. Since the time that sin came into the world through Adam and Eve, man has been under the yoke of sin - a yoke that can only be removed by God's grace through Jesus Christ. The sinful condition of mankind shows itself in the tendency to put oneself and one's own interests above God and his will. Sin leads to alienation from God and suffering and death. Because all people are sinners, they all also need the redemption that God offers through his Son (1. Johannes 3,4; Römer 5,12; 7,24-25; Markus 7,21-23; Galater 5,19-21; Römer 6,23; 3,23-24).

Christian behavior is based on trust and loving loyalty to our Savior, who loved us and gave himself up for us. Trust in Jesus Christ is expressed in faith in the gospel and in works of love. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ transforms the hearts of his believers and makes them bear fruit: love, joy, peace, faithfulness, patience, kindness, meekness, self-control, righteousness and truth (1. Johannes 3,23-24; 4,20-21; 2. Korinther 5,15; Galater 5,6.22-23; Epheser 5,9).

Sin is directed against God.

In Psalm 51,6 says a penitent David to God: "On you alone have I sinned and done evil before you". Although other people were adversely affected by David's sin, the spiritual sin was not against them—it was against God. David is repeating this thought 2. Samuel 12,13Job asks the question: “If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O guardian of men?” (Hi 7,20)?

Of course, when we hurt others, it's as if we're sinning against them. Paul points out that in doing so, we are indeed "sinning against Christ." (1Kor 8,12), who is Lord and God.

This has significant implications

First, since Christ is the revelation of God against whom sin is directed, sin should be viewed christologically, that is, from the perspective of Jesus Christ. Sometimes sin is defined chronologically (in other words, because the Old Testament was written first, it has priority in defining sin and other doctrines). However, it is Christ's standpoint that matters to the Christian.

Secondly, since sin is contrary to everything God is, we cannot expect God to be indifferent or apathetic towards it. Because sin is so opposed to God's love and goodness, it alienates our minds and hearts from God. (Jes 59,2)which is the origin of our existence. Without Christ's sacrifice of reconciliation. (Kol 1,19-21), we would have no hope for anything other than death (Röm 6,23)God wants people to have loving fellowship and joy with Him and with one another. Sin destroys this loving fellowship and joy. That is why God hates sin and will destroy it. God's response to sin is wrath. (Eph 5,6)God's wrath is his positive and energetic determination to destroy sin and its consequences. Not because he is bitter and vengeful like us humans, but because he loves humanity so much that he will not wait and watch as people destroy themselves and others through sin.

Third, God alone can judge us in this matter, and only He can forgive sin, because sin alone is against God. “But with you, Lord our God, is mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled.” (Dan 9,9)“For with the Lord is mercy and plentiful redemption.” (Ps 130,7)Those who accept God’s merciful judgment and forgiveness of their sins “are not destined for wrath, but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). 

The responsibility for sin

Although it is common to blame Satan for bringing sin into the world, humanity is responsible for its own sin. “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” (Röm 5,12).

Although Satan tempted them, Adam and Eve made the decision – the responsibility lay with them. Psalm 51,1-4 David points to the fact that he was susceptible to sin because he was born a human being. He also acknowledges his own sins and injustices.

We all suffer from the collective consequences of the sins of those who lived before us to the extent to which our world and our environment were shaped by them. However, that does not mean that we have inherited our sin from them and that they are somehow responsible for it.

At the time of the prophet Ezekiel, there was a discussion about blaming personal sin on "the sins of the fathers." Read more Hesekiel 18 And consider especially the conclusion in verse 20: “For only the one who sins shall die.” In other words, everyone is responsible for their own sins.

Because we bear personal responsibility for our own sins and our spiritual condition, repentance is always a personal matter. We have all sinned. (Röm 3,23; 1Joh 1,8)...and Holy Scripture personally admonishes each of us to repent and believe the Gospel. (Mk 1,15; Apg 2,38).

Paul goes to great lengths to point out that, just as sin entered the world through one man, so salvation is available only through one man, Jesus Christ. “…For if through the sin of the one man the many died, how much more did God’s grace overflow to the many through the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ!”Röm 5,15, see also verses 17-19). The passing of sin is ours, but the grace of salvation is Christ.

The study of words used to describe sin

A variety of Hebrew and Greek words are used to describe sin, and each term adds a complementary component to the definition of sin. A deeper study of these words is available through lexicons, commentaries, and Bible study guides. Most words used include an attitude of the heart and mind.

Of the most commonly used Hebrew terms, the idea of ​​sin as missing the goal results (1Mo 20,9; 2Mo 32,21; 2Kön 17,21; Ps 40,5 etc.); sin is related to a break in the relationship, therefore rebellion (transgression, rebellion as in 1Sam 24,11; Jes 1,28; 42,24 etc.); to twist something crooked, hence the deliberate perversion of something away from its intended purpose (evil deeds as in 2Sam 24,17; Dan 9,5; Ps 106,6 etc.); of fault and therefore guilt (offense in Ps 38,4; Jes 1,4; Jer 2,22); of straying and deviating from a path (see Straying in Hi 6,24; Jes 28,7 etc.); sin is about inflicting harm on others (evil and abuse in 5Mo 26,6; Spr 24,1. etc.)

The Greek words used in the New Testament are terms related to missing the mark (Joh 8,46; 1Kor 15,56; Hebr 3,13; Jak 1,5; 1Joh 1,7 etc.); through error or fault (violations in Eph 2,1; Kol 2,13 etc.); by crossing a border line (violations in Röm 4,15; Hebr 2,2 etc.); with actions against God (godless nature in Röm 1,18; Tit 2,12; Jud 15 etc.); and with lawlessness (injustice and transgression in Mt 7,23; 24,12; 2Kor 6,14; 1Joh 3,4 etc.).

The New Testament adds further dimensions. Sin is the failure to seize an opportunity to practice godly behavior toward others. (Jak 4,17)Furthermore, “that which does not come from faith is sin.” (Röm 14,23)

Sin from the perspective of Jesus

Studying the words helps, but it alone does not lead us to a complete understanding of sin. As mentioned earlier, we must consider sin from a Christological perspective, that is, from the perspective of God's Son. Jesus is the true image of the Father's heart. (Hebr 1,3)...and the Father commands us: "Listen to him!" (Mt 17,5).

In the 3 and 4 studies it was explained that Jesus is incarnate God and that his words are words of life. What he has to say not only reflects the mind of the Father, but also brings with it the moral and ethical authority of God.

Sin is not merely an act against God—it is more than that. Jesus explained that sin originates in the sinful human heart and mind. “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a person.” (Mk 7,21-23).

We make a mistake if we look for a specific, fixed list of commandments and prohibitions. It is not so much the individual act, but rather the underlying attitude of the heart that we should understand according to God's will. Nevertheless, the above passage from the Gospel of Mark is one of many where Jesus or his apostles list or compare sinful practices and the expression of faith. We find such passages in... Matthäus 5-7; Matthäus 25,31-46; 1. Korinther 13,4-8; Galater 5,19-26; Kolosser 3 etc. Jesus describes sin as addictive behavior and mentions: "Whoever sins is a slave to sin." (Joh 10,34).

Sin transgresses the boundaries of divine conduct toward other people. It consists in acting as if we were not accountable to a higher power, one that is greater than ourselves. For the Christian, sin consists in not allowing Jesus to love others through us, in not honoring what James called "pure and undefiled worship." (Jak 1,27)...and "the royal law according to the Scripture" (Jak 2,8)Jesus explained that those who love him will follow his words. (Joh 14,15; Mt 7,24)...and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

The theme of our inherent sinfulness runs through all of Scripture (see also 1Mo 6,5; 8,21; Pred 9,3; Jer 17,9; Röm 1,21 etc.). Therefore, God commands us: “Cast off from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.” (Hes 18,31).

Through the sending of his Son into our hearts, we receive a new heart and a new spirit, confessing that we belong to God. (Gal 4,6; Röm 7,6)Since we belong to God, we should no longer be “slaves to sin”. (Röm 6,6), no longer “be uncomprehending, disobedient, go astray, no longer be subject to desires and lusts, no longer live in malice and envy, no longer be hated by one another and hate one another” (Tit 3,3).

The context of the first recorded sin in the Book of Genesis can help us. Adam and Eve were in communion with the Father, and sin occurred when they broke this relationship by heeding another voice (read more). 1. Mose 2-3).

The goal that sin misses is the prize of victory for our heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3,14), and that through adoption into the fellowship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we can be called children of God (1Joh 3,1)If we distance ourselves from this communion with the divine, we miss the goal.

Jesus dwells in our hearts so that we may be “filled with all the fullness of God” (see Eph 3,17-19), and the breaking of this fulfilling relationship is sin. When we commit sin, we rebel against everything that God is. It causes a rift in the holy relationship that Jesus intended for us before the foundation of the world. It is a refusal to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to do the Father's will. Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. (Lk 5,32), meaning that they return to a relationship with God and his will for humanity.

Sin is taking something miraculous that God designed in His holiness and perverting it for selfish desires against others. It means diverting from God's intended purpose for humanity to include every one of them in their lives.

Sin also means not putting our faith in Jesus as the guide and authority of our spiritual life. Sin that is spiritual is not defined by human logic or assumptions, but by God. If we wanted a brief definition, we could say that sin is the state of life without communion with Christ.

Summary:

Christians must avoid sin because sin is a break in our relationship with God, which removes us from the harmony of communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

by James Henderson