1428. Sin Scripturally Defined

Sin Scripturally Defined

"But sin, that it might appear gin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful" (Rom_7:13).

There are at least six distinctive descriptions of sin. Some of them seem to overlap each other, but yet they carry separate considerations. Let us observe them.

1. "All unrighteousness is sin" (1Jn_5:17). This verse speaks of immoralities. It has to do more particularly with man's attitude toward his fellow-men. An unrighteous man is one who sins against his fellow-men. Unrighteousness sums up the works of the flesh, as described in Gal_5:19–"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like." Every work of sinful self is sin. It is in the heart of man that sin is conceived. The whole outflow from the sinful heart is sin, because the old man is "corrupt according to deceitful lusts," and a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.

2. "Sin is the transgression of the Law" (1Jn_3:4). The word "transgress" means to "go across." God has given us His will as a rule of life. Whenever we go against that will, we transgress the law, and we have sinned. Sin is my way as against God's way. Sin carries with it the spirit of rebellion. It is casting aside the will of God, it is tramping His purposes under one's feet.

3. Sin is believing not on Him. Christ said that the Holy Ghost, when He came, would convict the world "of sin, because they believe not on Me" (Joh_16:9). A man may be ever so moral in life and he may be more or less obedient to the Law, and yet if he believes not on Christ, to him it is sin. The Holy Spirit does not convict men of sin because of their unrighteousness or because of their transgressions. All men know they are sinners on this line. The Holy Spirit convicts men of sin because they reject the Saviour; because they have been treading Him under foot, because they have been counting His Blood unholy; because they have believed not on Him.

4. "The thought of foolishness is sin" (Pro_24:9). Sin is rooted in the mind. God said, "My thoughts are not your thoughts." "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." "The thought of foolishness is sin," that is, the very thought with which we consider evil is sin. David made a covenant with his eyes, because his eyes led him to the thought of evil. God is able to garrison the believer's thoughts and mind in Christ Jesus, but the mind of the flesh is corrupt, just like the heart is corrupt.

5. "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom_14:23). This verse has more to do with the sins of believers than of unbelievers. Whenever we do that which we cannot do in faith, we break fellowship with God and we sin. A good Christian should never do anything of which he is doubtful, for "He that doubteth is condemned." In our days we need sure footing. We must not go against the voice of the Spirit within.

6. "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (Jam_4:17). This passage also has special reference to the saved. There are sins positive; there are also sins negative. The latter is expressed in our failure to do the good. It is a sin of disobedience. When God tells us to do this or to do that, and we do it not, we sin. Paul said, "I was not disobedient unto the Heavenly vision." When the Lord spoke to Philip, he arose and went in the way to Gaza. Had either Paul or Philip known to do this good and had done it not, they would have sinned.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR