Today's Bible Study, Authored by Arthur
Cincotti. 08/17/2022
Listen to our Bible
Study Discussion at: What is Sin? Podcast
Or watch the Video Zoom Session of our Study on YouTube:
What is Sin?
“For the wages of sin is
death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 6:23
Well, that doesn’t
really tell us what sin is but it should spark our interest to find out.
I wish the answer was
easy, like – this is sin, don’t do it, you’re all set.
The believer should know
what sin is so that we don’t dabble or compromise, but also to sharpen our
apologetic. Inevitably someone will ask us...”So you think it’s a sin
to_______?
Our response to this
question should be informed and engaging.
Examples of variations:
The Eastern Orthodox understanding of sin is, “a distortion
of the Image.” That would be the image of God that we are created in, Gen.
1:26. As much as I like this definition, an obvious problem should be evident;
is the image slightly distorted or seriously distorted?
The Roman Church focuses
on, violating the law of God. Roman culture was built around the law. This is
why we see so much legal language seep into Western Protestantism. Similar
problem is that one may have badly violated the law, or not so badly. This
notion leads the Catholic Church’s practice of categorizing sin.
The Calvinist perspective is that sin is high treason
against God, which dovetails with the doctrine of total depravity. This, I
believe, draws from the Biblical accounting, and leaves no wiggle room. See
Jas. 2:10-13 This view emphasizes the desperate need for a savior. “And you
He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Eph. 2:1. Only God
(He) can accomplish this.
Paul gives the broadest definition, Rom. 14:23, “...for
whatever is not from faith is sin.” Ouch!
Jesus taught that sin is
an issue of the heart. Mt. 5:27-28
Where does this come
from? Original sin has set us on a bad trajectory from birth. Fixation upon
self, the flesh, and our feelings captivates our souls. This is why the
understanding is toward a “bondage” to sin, Rom. 7:14. Also see the rest
of Eph. 2:1-9, where we read “But God”
The first cause that we
find back in Gen. 3 is a failure to trust God. This is something we must
understand about our struggle with sin.
Great faith takes God at His word and trust in
His goodness.
Sin is an expression of our failure to trust
God:
I stole because I didn’t trust that God would supply my
needs
I lied because I didn’t believe that all things work
together for good…
I murdered because I didn’t understand that, “vengeance is
Mine”
I covet because I disagree that God is sufficient.
I blaspheme because I “feel” that God has lied.
Understanding sin as a
violation of trust matters because when trust is violated relationship is
compromised. It’s personal! See Ps. 51.4
But God is determined
to restore relationship with the objects of His love. “Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God.” Heb 12:2
Waiting patiently for
us!
When engaging with
unbelievers on the sin question it seems reasonable
to ask them if they know what sin is.
It might be well to ask
how they determine right from wrong.
It could lead to
demonstrating that their relationship with God is violated.
They may wish to have it
restored.
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Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship
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