Sin is what the other person does. If we do wrong then it is a mistake, an error of judgement, but sin – never! True?
Yet God always calls sin by its real name. His definition of it never changes. Take the tenth commandment – ‘Thou shalt not covet.’1 Coveting is wanting for yourself that which belongs to another. It touches the inner desires which only God and you know about. Have you not coveted? Therefore, sin is doing what He forbids.
Not only is sin doing what God forbids. It is also not doing what He commands. Look at Christ’s reply to the question ’Which is the great commandment in the law?’
‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’2
Just look at the priorities. God’s claims come first. Then come responsibilities to man. None are optional. It does not say you may or should, but is a clear and definite shall. We have no choice.
Look again at the first. With every part of your being, we are to love the Lord our God. As for the second- The same love and care that we have for ourselves is to be shown to our neighbour. Impossible to fulfil? Of course. Nevertheless, it is God’s standard. And failure to meet that standard is sin.
Now here are some Bible statements about sin-
The pleasures of sin.3 Yes, that is Bible language. Startling isn’t it?
Sin is enjoyable. Each person has a particular sin or sins which they enjoy practising. But God says the pleasures of sin are only for a season, and then He requires that which is past.4 Remember that!
The deceitfulness of sin.5 Sin deceives. We cannot sin and it have no effect. Sin hardens. In the end, we cease to have a conscience about the wrong we commit. Finally, the fear of God and future judgement disappears until a person sins without a thought of the consequences.
The servant of sin.6 Sin enslaves. We may think we can sin or not sin at will. Wrong! How long did our recent good resolution last? Sin is a master. We are the servants. It is a servitude from which we cannot free ourselves. Only ONE can break the chains. That is Christ the Saviour. For whom He makes free is free indeed.7
The wages of sin.8 Wages are paid for work done. God will reward us for every evil work we have done. By our sin we are earning a wage we must collect.
The wages of sin is death. That we will die is one of life’s certainties. But physical death is only the start. The sinner that dies unforgiven enters under the real and conscious endurance of the unending wrath of God. That is the second death.
An offering for sin.9 That is the ground on which God will forgive sin. Regardless of how we personally view the death of Christ, the Bible says that God made His (Christ’s) soul an offering for sin.
Sin is an infinite wickedness in the sight of God meriting eternal judgement. Nothing less than an infinite sacrifice would shelter the guilty sinner from the wrath of God. That is why the Son of God came from heaven to die. In His death Christ became the Substitute for the believing sinner.
To get the benefit of the sacrifice we must have two looks. First at ourselves. Then at the Saviour.
Look at ourselves. See ourselves as God sees us. A sinner. Listen to His word, ‘There is none righteousness, no, not one.’10 That includes everyone.
Look at the Saviour. See Him as God sees Him. Perfect. Without sin.11 His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased.12 Listen to His word, ‘Whosoever, believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.’13
1 Exodus 20:17 2. Matthew 22:36-39 3. Hebrews 11:25
4. Ecclesiastes 3:15 5. Hebrews 3;13 6. John 8:34
7. John 8:36 8. Romans 6:23 9. Isaiah 53:10
10. Romans 3:22-23 11. Hebrews 4:15 12. Matthew 3:17
13. Acts 10:43
Originally a leaflet for distribution
With permission from family of Bruce W Allen
Hastings, New Zealand.
