SIN SIN Definition of Sin Sin is any

SIN

SIN Definition of Sin- “Sin is any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature. ” Acts- such as stealing or lying or committing murder. Attitude- desire to sin. § “You shall not desire your neighbor’s house…” (Ex. 20: 17) § Our heart needs to pleasing to God. § The greatest commandment of love demands us to have an attitude of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and will all your strength. (Mark 12: 30)

SIN Moral Nature- “Our very nature, the internal character that is the essence of who we are as persons, can also be sinful. ” § Before actions or attitudes towards sin, we had a sinful nature. § Romans 5: 8 - while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. § Ephesians 2: 3 - we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Sin is not always selfishness, but can often be. § Some things are good to want for ourselves, such as storing treasures in heaven. § But often we act in inappropriate selfishness to gain something we have made an idol in our lives.

SIN Any failure before a Holy God. § In our lives we experience the pain and suffering of sin. § i. e. - Lies, murder, sexual immorality, hate § However it is more than just the pain that is the problem of sin. § Sin is directly opposite to all that is good in God’s character. And in a world that God created, sin can not be approved. § Sin contradicts His holiness, and God eternally hates sin.

SIN Sin is Non-Conformity to God’s Moral Law § God’s moral law is seen in the Ten Commandments. § Sin is lawlessness. § 1 John 3: 4 - Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness § All fail to conform to God’s law. § Jews were given the Law written down. Romans 2: 17 -29 § Gentiles know the Law for it is written on their hearts. Romans 2: 15

THE ORIGIN OF SIN Where did sin come from? § First we must affirm that God Himself did not sin. § Thus God is not to be blamed for sin. § Deuteronomy 32: 4 - His work is perfect; for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity. § Man and the angels sinned voluntarily and willfully. § God does not even desire to ever do wrong, James 1: 13 - Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone

SIN- THE ORIGIN OF SIN It would also be wrong to say that sin is an eternally existing evil power in the universe similarly to or equal to God himself in power. § It also did not surprise God or His power over all things was never threatened by sin/evil. It is not a “Ying- Yang” universe. § Many people practice this idea without saying they hold to it.

THE ORIGIN OF SIN In respect to mankind, Adam and Eve committed the first sin. (Gen. 3: 1 -19) Their eating of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is typical of sin generally. First- struck at the basis of knowledge. It gave a different answer to the question, “What is true? ” § God had told them to eat from it they would surely die, but the serpent said you will not die. Eve did not trust God with what He had previously told them. Second- It attacked the basis of moral standard. § God said it was right to not eat from the tree. They serpent said otherwise.

SIN- INHERITED SIN We inherit our sinful nature from Adam Paul defines how sin came to all men. § Romans 5: 12 - Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. § God sees all the descendants of Adam as guilty because of Adam’s sin. § Adam was the representation of all mankind. § Just as Christ died for us when we were not yet alive, we still can enjoy the gift of salvation. § This is often referred to as the “original sin. ”

THE ORIGIN OF SIN Third- It put into question who God said Adam and Eve were. § They were creatures of God, however they ate of the fruit for they wanted to be like God. To change their position. Fourth- the sin was irrational § It makes little sense for Satan and Adam and Eve to sin thinking they would be equal with God.

SIN- INHERITED SIN How is it fair that I am guilty because of what Adam’s sin? § First- “Everyone who protests that this is unfair has also voluntarily committed many actual sins for which God also holds us guilty. § Romans 3: 23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. § This will be the main basis for judgment on the last day, for God “will render to every man according to his works. ” (Rom. 2: 6) § Second- “If we were in the same position of Adam we would have done the same thing or something similar to sin against God. ” § Not as persuasive of an argument for it assumes many variables.

SIN- INHERITED SIN How is it fair that I am guilty because of what Adam’s sin? § Third- If we think it is unfair that we have been imputed (to think of as belonging to someone, and therefore to cause it to belong to that person) sin from Adam then we must consider it unfair for Christ to impute his purity onto us. § If we can accept what Christ has done for us, then we must accept that we are guilty because of Adam. § Romans 5: 19 - “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. ” § “Adam, our first representative sinned--- and God counted us guilty. But Christ, the representative of all who believe in Him, obeyed God perfectly--- and God counted us righteous. ) (495)

SIN- INHERITED CORRUPTION Not only are we born with inherited guilt, because of Adam’s sin, we also have an inherited sin nature. § We have a desire to sin or a sin disposition (the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits). § This is the idea that not only are we already guilty when born but we also desire to sin as well. § We never desire not to sin before salvation. § Psalm 51

SIN- INHERITED CORRUPTION Example of our born desire to act sinful. § Children do not need to be taught to sin. § They just begin at an early age to rebel. § They do not have to be taught how to do wrong they just figure it out themselves. § Parents in turn have a job to teach them how to do right. (Eph. 6: 4) § If we did not have a disposition to sin, then we would not have to be taught how to do right.

SIN- INHERITED CORRUPTION “This inherited tendency to sin does not mean that human beings are all as bad as they could be. The constraints of civil law, the expectations of family and society, and the conviction of human conscience all provide restarting influences on the sinful tendencies of our hearts. ” (497) § People can still do a lot of good socially, scientifically, in technology and education.

WE TOTALLY LACK SPIRITUAL GOOD BEFORE GOD Yet even in all of the good done, none of it pleases God. Every part of our being is affected by sin. § Our intellects, our emotions, our hearts, our goals, and our physical bodies. § Romans 7: 18 - I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. § Titus 1: 15 - to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted. § Jeremiah 17: 9 - the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? § These verses do not deny that unbelievers can do good in society in some senses. But it is denying that they can do any spiritual good or be good in terms of a relationship to God.

SIN- ACTUAL SINS IN OUR LIVES All people are sinful before God. Scripture testifies to this universal truth throughout: § Psalm 14: 3 - They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt; there is none that does good, not one. § Romans 3: 23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. § 1 John 1: 8 -10 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. § A major focus in the first three chapters of Romans deals with the fact that both Jews and Greeks were guilty before God.

ARE SOME SINS WORSE THAN OTHERS? All sin separates us from God. § From the small lie to murder. § All ruin our relationship with a Holy God. § Example: Adam and Eve- they ate some fruit and disobeyed God. § Did they kill anyone? § Did they steal from anyone? § Still their sin resulted in death and separation from God. § So in terms of being guilty of sin, all sins are equal in this guilt.

ARE SOME SINS WORSE THAN OTHERS? Unintentional sin still brought guilt but the penalties were lessened often in the Old Testament. (Lev. 4: 2, 13, 22) On the other hand those sins committed with a “high hand” or with arrogance were viewed very seriously. § Numbers 15: 30 - But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the L ORD , and that person shall be cut off from among his people.

ARE SOME SINS WORSE THAN OTHERS? On the other hand there are stronger earthly consequences for our sin. Example is Judas the Betrayer: § John 19: 11 - Jesus says to Pontius Pilate, “He who delivered me to you has the greater sin. ” § Judas had known Jesus intimately for three years and still willingly betrayed him. § Thus his sin was a greater sin, than Pilate putting Jesus to death, an innocent man. “Some sins have more harmful consequences than others if they bring more dishonor to God or if they cause more harm to ourselves, to others, or to the church. ” § Those sins done willingly and repeatedly bring God more dishonor.

ARE SOME SINS WORSE THAN OTHERS? Some sins also have worse consequences than others based on who is doing the sin. Example: § Coveting a neighbor’s car. Which brings me to steal the car and in the course of stealing the car I hurt my neighbor or someone else while driving recklessly. Each next step makes the consequences greater. § -Or- Someone who had a past of a hot temper and always fighting who gets saved, but one days loses it and hits someone is still a sin. However the consequences may be more easily forgiven and worked through. However if a Pastor loses his temper and hits someone that would have greater consequences and would take a lot longer to be forgiven.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS? Our legal standing before God does not change. § We do not lose the salvation given to us. § We are still forgiven. § We are still children of God. § Remember our salvation is not based on merit and thus it cannot be lost based on merit. § Romans 8: 1 - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS? However our fellowship with God is disrupted. § God still loves us but is displeased with us when we sin. § Thus we still face punishment. § Hebrews 12: 6 - The Lord disciplines him whom he loves. § Revelation 3: 19 - Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent. We disrupt our fellowship with God and we disrupt our effectiveness for God. § Scriptures calls us to holiness so that we can be effective in the Kingdom of God. § John 15: 4 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. We also suffer loss of heavenly reward. (1 Cor. 3: 15; 2 Cor. 5: 10)

WHAT IS THE UNPARDONABLE SIN? Jesus says in Matthew 12: 31 -32 - Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. The only sin that will not be forgiven is “willful rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit and speaking evil about it, or willful rejection of the truth of Christ and holding Christ up to “contempt. ”” Complete rejection of the Gospel is the only sin that can not be forgiven. § With the idea that they know Christ and the Holy Spirit is working in their life and the still reject the Gospel.

DO INFANTS GO TO HEAVEN? This is a common question which also includes those who are mentally unable to come to a moral consciousness. Remember we are all born with a corrupted nature. Thus should we conclude that those unable to reach this conclusion are lost and condemned to eternal death? The question is not one of age but of the ability to repent of sin and make Jesus as Lord. § Infants we know from experience are unable to do this. Thus a special provision must be made for children and those unable to come to moral consciouness.

DO INFANTS GO TO HEAVEN? Just as infants obtain Adam’s sin nature, absent of any conscious choice, so can infants obtain Christ’s righteousness and redemption. “Then what is the nature of the voluntary decision that would end childish innocence and constitute ratification of the first sin? ” (Akin, 464) § “A person becomes responsible and guilty when the individual accepts or approves his corrupt nature. ” (Akin, 465) “Children who die in infancy do possess the guilt of original sin, but they are regarded as innocent by God through the atoning work of Christ. Infants who die prior to attaining moral awareness will not suffer eternally but will instead enjoy the perfect and blissful presence of God for eternity. ”(465) § This too can be implied for those of mentally incapable states. God will be the judge.