Sin

Sin. It is a word that is used often, especially in religious circles. We know that sin is a bad thing, and we have a sneaking suspicion that we have been guilty of sin on occasion. But what is sin? What makes sin so terrible? What can be done about it? Sin is transgression, rebellion, unrighteousness, or lawlessness (cf. James 2:9, 1 John 3:4; 5:17). Yet what does that mean? What is being transgressed? Against whom do we rebel? God, at the Creation, made man and woman and established guidelines for their existence (Genesis 1-2). Ever since, God has established agreements (or covenants) with His people, establishing what was right for them to do and what was wrong for them to do (e.g. Exodus 20, Galatians 5:17-24). Sin, therefore, is whenever we think or do things that do not represent God's will as revealed in the Scriptures. It includes things like murder, theft, sexual immorality, cheating, lying, foul language, inappropriate drug use, greediness, and the like (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21). Sin is not just about doing wrong things-- it is just as sinful to not do that which is right (James 4:17). Failing to show love, mercy, compassion, kindness, goodness, and other godly qualities when one has the opportunity is just as wrong as committing grievous evils (cf. Luke 10:25-37)! What makes sin so terrible? After all, there are some today who deny that sin exists-- to them, it is just a way that humans use to control the behaviors of others. While some may want to claim that this is true, we all know deep down that it is just not so. We know this when we ourselves have been wronged. How do we feel if we discover that we have been lied to, or cheated, or physically or sexually abused, or injured? Do we not feel that a wrong has been committed against us, and do we not suffer? Hence the "golden rule"-- we should treat others as we would like for them to treat us (Luke 6:31)! Sin does exist, and it is a terrible and wicked scourge on the earth. Sin is the reason that suffering, pain, and death are present in the world (Romans 5:12-18). Even innocents suffer because sin is present! The greatest tragedy of sin is that it separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). If we live in sin and die before becoming obedient to God, it will cause us to be condemned to an eternity of hellfire (Romans 6:23, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)! There is nothing that we ourselves can do about our sin-- we are guilty of it, and God would be just to condemn us all for it (Romans 3:23). But thanks be to God that He provided a means for us to obtain the forgiveness of sin-- the blood of Jesus His Son, shed on the cross for this very purpose (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 9:11-15). We deserve the penalty, but Jesus paid it on our behalf. How great a love God has for us (John 3:16, Romans 5:8)! Let us make good on Jesus' death by turning away from our sin and becoming His obedient servants today!
Ethan R. Longhenry