0489. A Threefold Description of Wickedness

A Threefold Description of Wickedness

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

"Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile" (Psa_32:1-2).

The condition of wickedness, whether the wickedness of the regenerate or the unregenerate is covered by three words. First, Sin; Second, Transgression; Third, Iniquity. Let us notice these words, separately.

1. Sin. Sin is distinct from sinning, just as the root is distinct from the fruit. Sin is nature; it is the condition in which every man coming into the world finds himself. "In sin did my mother conceive me." That nature which we received from Adam.

Sin describes the condition of the heart of the natural man. It is sin that "dwelleth in me." The word is also used of "sins," the fruitage of sin. David’s sinning is called "sin." This presents no contradiction inasmuch as, "like seed, like fruit."

2. Transgression. The word means "to go across." Transgression is the fruitage of sin. Transgression is MY will, MY way, MY thoughts. When God created man, He placed him in the Garden and man was subject in all things to God; when man sinned, he broke loose from God, he transgressed. The thought is expressed in Isa_53:6, "We have turned every one to his own way."

God placed the sand as a limitation to the sea, that the sea should not pass over it, but the sinner has leaped over every bound, and madly rushed across every will and purpose of God. Sinning is breaking loose from Jehovah. What havoc would immediately be wrought if the physical earth had power to shoot off at a tangent from the restraints of the sun,–we would soon have wreckage everywhere. O that man had not transgressed, shot off at a tangent from God!

3. Iniquity. Iniquity shows the pollution which sin works. Iniquity is the whole head sick and the whole heart faint. Iniquity is that awful catalogue of sins set forth in Gal_5:19 : "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these." Then follows the awful and ugly story of the old man which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts. Iniquity is the corpse of sin when death is followed by decay. "Behold, by this time he stinketh." So is iniquity a stench in the nostrils of God.

Transgression, sin, iniquity,

Such words do well express

The state of those who turn from God

Unto unrighteousness.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR