What a topic!  Sin is that which has separated us from a sin-hating God.  Sin is that which each one of us has committed.  Sin is that which will keep us from Heaven…but sin forgiven will grant us access to Heaven to dwell with the Lord eternally.

What is sin?  That word, or a form of that word, is found in nearly every book of the Bible.  It is of vital importance we know its meaning and how it has impacted our lives.  Let’s begin by reading Romans 3:23 which tells us, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  In this verse, the definition for ‘sinned’ is to ‘miss the mark.’  That truth is realized in the remainder of this verse that tells us that because we have ‘missed the mark’ we have ‘come short of the glory of God.’  This word is also translated ‘trespass’ (Matthew 18:15), ‘offended’ (Acts 25:8), and ‘faults’ (1 Peter 2:20).  It is also translated sin, sins, sinneth, and sinned throughout the New Testament. 

Although we may differ greatly in the nature and extent of our sinfulness, there is absolutely no difference between the best and the worst of us, because we “all have sinned.”  We ALL have missed the mark in living up to God’s perfect standard and therefore we ‘fall short’ of God’s glory, or God being pleased with us and praising us for our obedience to Him.  The fallen nature of man causes us to have little or no concern for the Lord’s approval of our lives.  “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43).

Sin is disobedience to God.  Whenever we decide to do our own will, we are rebelling against God in our disobedience.  It is the Lord and His Word that teach us right from wrong.  In society, the definition of sin constantly changes as perceptions and tolerances change.  Malachi 3:6 tells us that the Lord does not change.  What was sin in the beginning, is still sin today.

Are all sins equally offensive to the Lord?  While all sin is wrong and punishable by death, there are some sins that are greatly reprehensible to our holy God. Just a few examples are:

  • Matthew 18:6, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
  • Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
  • Matthew 12:31, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

Let’s consider, for a moment, the severe consequence of sin.  We read in Ezekiel 18:4, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: THE SOUL THAT SINNETH, IT SHALL DIE.”  That dire warning was given to Adam in the Garden of Eden as we read in Genesis 2:16-17, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE.”  To disobey God’s Word and come short of God’s standard will result in death…both physically and spiritually. 

As I stated earlier, “Sin is that which will keep us from Heaven…but sin forgiven will grant us access to Heaven to dwell with the Lord eternally.”  Since we have all sinned, and the soul that sins will die, how can we receive forgiveness of our sins and go to Heaven?  Acts 13:38 tells us, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.”  “This man” is the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins on the cross of Calvary.  He died to save us from our sins by paying the debt of sin that we owe God but cannot pay. We continue to read about Christ in Colossians 1:14, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”  It is through faith in Him that we can be redeemed and receive the forgiveness of our sins.  Have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior?  If not, please heed the words of the Lord Jesus in John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”  Salvation is a free gift from God to all that acknowledge and repent of our sins and trust the Lord Jesus as the One who died for us.  Do not delay.  Tomorrow may be too late.  (CC)  (705.6)