| What is Sin? |
This question is of vital importance because of the fearful judgment against those who
commit sin. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," thunders the Old Testament (Ezekiel
18:20). In like tones, the New Testament declares: "The wages of sin is death" (Romans
6:23). The one who lives in sin throughout his earthly life and faces God without having
obtained divine forgiveness will be sentenced to eternal perdition.
Sin sprang full-grown among men. Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God. The first
boy born on this earth grew to manhood and murdered the second-his own brother!
And sin has existed in every generation since.
In our time, however, there is one difference: many no longer know what sin actually is.
Things evil are sometimes designated as good; things good, as evil. Isaiah condemned
such a practice, declaring, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah
5:20).
Since this confusion exists, and since a person will not seek forgiveness for sin until he
knows what sin is, a clear-cut definition, both negative and positive, is urgently needed.
Some equate sin with crime, feeling that to commit sin one must be a murderer, robber,
rapist, or the like. Once, an evangelist passing out revival circulars was told that he
should go to the local jail and try to convert a woman who had recently murdered her
father. Certainly this woman needed forgiveness, but no more so than other sinners
who had not committed a crime.
A crime is a sin, but not every sin is a crime. Crimes are committed against people; sin
is committed against God. As an example, David wronged Bathsheba, and committed
the crime of murder against Uriah her husband, but he affirmed, "Against thee [God],
thee only, have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4).
Near the end of His ministry, Jesus told His disciples that the Holy host would "reprove
the world of sin . . . because they believe not on me" (John 16:8?9). Misinterpreting His
meaning, some have concluded that sin is nothing more than unbelief. But Jesus meant
that unbelief would form the basis of sin. People sin because they do not believe on
Jesus Christ. Unbelief is sin, but it leads to further sin.
This definition is given in I John 3:4. By law, the apostle meant the Word of God, which
originally was the Old Testament but which now includes the New Testament as well.
Sin, then, is the transgression (breaking) of a commandment found in the Bible.
Sins of Commission. Someone is guilty of such a sin when he does something that the
Word of God forbids.
Sins of Omission. He who fails to do what he knows God has commanded is guilty of a
sin of omission. "To him that guilty to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James
4:17).
I John 5:17 declares this truth. A person is unrighteous when he does what is wrong.
According to this verse, then, when someone does wrong, he commits sin.
We should note that all unrighteousness is sin. Men are prone to classify sin as little or
great, black or gray, mortal or venial. But to God, all sin is offensive and objectionable.
As an example of the difference between man's and God's judgment of sin, man
classifies the sin of lying as one of the lesser evils, but God places "all liars" in the
same category as the abominable, murderers, whore mongers, sorcerers, and idolaters
(Revelation 21:8). Moreover, He pronounces the same judgment upon all of these
sinners? Eternal perdition in the lake of fire and brimstone.
What then is sin? Simply put, sin is doing what God forbids or failing to do what He
commands.
Taken from the Word Aflame Press Tract - "What Is Sin?" - #1567220711
| Introduction |
| Sin Is Not Necessarily Crime |
| Sin is Not Unbelief Alone |
| "Sin is the Transgression of the Law" |
| "All Unrighteousness Is Sin" |
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Princeton Apostolic Church
