What Is Sin article

							What Is Sin?
by Heath Rogers

The Bible gives a definition of sin. “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is
lawlessness” (1 John 3:4, NKJV). The King James Version renders this verse as, “Whosoever
committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Since sin is lawlessness, there can be no sin without law (Rom. 5:13, 7:8, 1 Cor. 15:56). God’s law
establishes guidelines, prohibitions, restrictions and limitations. When man fails to live within the
boundaries established by God’s law, he sins.

The Greek word for sin literally means “a missing of the mark” (Vine’s, 576). Perhaps we can gain a
better understanding of sin by using the illustration of an archer. God’s law is the mark or the target.
Our life is the arrow. Our thoughts, words and actions must be aimed at this target. We can miss the
mark when we go too far (2 John 9). One of the ways that we sin is by going beyond the boundaries
of God’s law. We also sin when we fall short (James 4:17). Sin is not always committed by doing
something wrong. Sin is also the failure to do what is right. Finally, we can sin by being off to the
right or the left (Deuteronomy 5:32). We don’t always walk the straight and narrow. Sometimes the
winds of life blow upon us, causing us to lose our focus and turn our thoughts away from God’s Word.
When these “off the mark” thoughts are expressed in words and actions, we have sinned.

However, we need to understand that sin is more than just a violation of God’s law. Sin is best viewed
as a violation against God Himself. Lawlessness is an insult to the Lawgiver (James 4:12). God’s law
is based upon God’s character, His holiness and righteousness. Thus, when we sin, we rebel against
God Himself. Consider the following thoughts from R.C. Sproul:

        “Sin is cosmic treason. Sin is treason against a perfectly pure Sovereign. It is an act of
        supreme ingratitude toward One to whom we owe everything, to the One who has given us life
        itself. Have you ever considered the deeper implications of the slightest sin, of the most
        minute peccadillo? What are we saying to our Creator when we disobey Him at the slightest
        point? …The slightest sin is an act of defiance against cosmic authority. It is a revolutionary
        act, a rebellious act where we are setting ourselves in opposition to the One to whom we owe
        everything.” (R.C. Sproul, The Holiness of God, 151-152)

King David acknowledged this fact in Psalm 51. “Against You, You only have I sinned, and done evil
in Your sight…” (v. 4). David had not forgotten that his sins of adultery and murder were committed
against individuals, and had even brought reproach upon his nation, but all of this vanished away in
the enormity of the realization that his sins were committed against God.

The seriousness of sin is also seen in what it does to man. Sin brings death. “For the wages of sin is
death…” (Romans 6:23). Because sin is a violation against the nature of God, it separates us from God
and makes us His enemy. “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear
heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have
hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). However, Jesus died on the cross
for our sins, and rose again to give us victory over death. Paul concluded, “…but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Sin and its consequences are a reality, but salvation is found through Jesus Christ. Why not obey the
gospel today and accept the gift of God’s salvation. Please contact us if we can help you with this
important decision.