Sin
Revealed Truths
Sin is the violation of God's law (the Ten Commandments).
All sin is harmful.
Sin results in eternal death.
Our sins include our attitudes, words, and actions.
We are all sinners.
Through His death on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.
With Jesus's help, we must recognize our sins and forsake them.
With Jesus's help, we must sin less and less.
Jesus is our Example.
Some key verses:
1Jn 3:4, Ro 13:8-10, Php 2:15, Eze 18:20, Rev 20:14,15, 1Jn 3:14,15, Ro 3:23, 1Jn 1:10, Isa 53:5, 1Pe 3:18, Pr 28:13, Jn 16:8, 1Jn 1:9, Ps 19:13, Ro 6:1,2,6, Gal 2:20, 1Jn 2:6
Exposed Falsehoods
It is false to think that certain sins are insignificant.
It is false to think that we need not be concerned about sins of omission.
It is false to think that our good works cancel, offset, or pay for our sins.
It is false and presumptuous to think that we reach perfection in this life.
Some key verses:
Jas 2:10, Jas 4:17, Gal 2:16, Eph 2:8,9, Pr 4:18, 1Jn 1:8
Sin is the Violation of God's Law
Sin is the violation of God's law (the Ten Commandments). (1Jn 3:4)
Note on 1Jn 3:4: Transgression - "The violation of a law or known principle of rectitude." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Sin is opposition, enmity, and war with God. (Php 3:18,19, Jas 4:4, Rev 12:7-9 compare 1Jn 3:8-11)
Sin Harms
Love is the essence of the law. (Mt 22:36-40, Ro 13:8-10) (compare 1Jn 4:8)
Commandments 1-4 define our relationship of love to God.
Commandments 5-10 define our relationship of love to other people.
Since sin is against the law, sin is against love.
Love does no harm. (Isa 11:9, Php 2:15, Heb 7:26) (compare Pr 3:30)
Since sin is against love, sin harms.
Sins of Commission
Sinful actions
Violating God's law (Ex 20:1-17)
Sinful words
Corrupt talk, filthy talk, foolish talk, jesting, cursing (Mt 12:36,37, Eph 4:29, Eph 5:4, Col 3:8, Jas 3:10)
Gossip, slander, lying (Ex 20:16 9th commandment, Ps 101:5, Pr 10:18, Pr 17:9, Rev 22:15)
Sinful attitudes (Jer 6:19)
Lust is adultery. (Mt 5:28, 2Pe 2:14)
Hatred is murder. (1Jn 3:14,15) (compare Lev 19:17,18, Mt 5:43-48, Gal 5:19-21)
Coveting (Ex 20:17 10th commandment)
Sins of Omission
Sins of omission (1Sa 12:23, Mt 25:14-30, Jas 4:17)
There are No Small Sins
It takes only one sin to reveal the original sinful attitude of supplanting the authority and character of God and, instead, deciding for oneself what is right and wrong, what is good and evil. (Ge 2:16,17, Ge 3:1-5, Jas 2:10)
One sin began the fall of humankind.
One sin began the curse of the earth. (Ge 3:17,18)
One sin brought death into the world. (Ge 3:19, 1Co 15:21,22)
One sin resulted in eviction from paradise.
One sin began Jesus' journey from Heaven to the cross. (Ge 3:14,15 compare Gal 3:16)
The Consequences of Sin
Sin results in separation from God. (Ps 66:17,18, Isa 59:1,2, Mt 27:46)
Sin results in spiritual pollution that poisons the soul. (Eze 14:11, Ac 15:20, 2Pe 2:20)
Sin results in suffering, disaster, and destruction. (Dt 28:15-19,29-34,45,66,67, Ecc 9:18, 1Ti 6:9,10)
Sin results in slavery. (Jn 8:34, Ro 7:23,24, 2Ti 2:26)
Sin results in eternal death. (Ps 34:21, Eze 18:20, Jas 1:15, Ro 6:23, Rev 20:14,15, Rev 21:8)
We are All Sinners
We are all sinners. (1Ki 8:46, Ps 53:3, Ecc 7:20, Ro 3:10, Ro 3:23, Ro 5:12, 1Jn 1:10)
Do not be deceived by thinking you are innocent. (Pr 14:12, Pr 16:2, Pr 20:9, 1Jn 1:8)
We are Responsible for our Sins
Sin springs from our own sinful nature. (Ge 8:21, Ps 51:5, Jer 17:9, Mt 26:41, Ro 7:21-23, Jas 1:13,14)
From the beginning, we have tried to shift the blame elsewhere. (Ge 3:12,13)
We are responsible for our sins, even when we claim ignorance. (Lev 4:13,14, Lev 5:17)
However, no one can truely claim ignorance of the law.
All receive light and revelation through creation and conscience. (Jn 1:9, Ro 1:20, Ro 2:14,15)
Rejection of the opportunity to learn makes one guilty. (Hos 4:6)
Sin is Not Canceled by Good Works
Sin is not canceled by good works. (Isa 64:6, Gal 2:16, Eph 2:8,9)
Jesus Saves Us from the Penalty of Sin
Jesus saves us from the penalty of sin. (Ps 71:23, Isa 53:5, Lk 2:10,11, Jn 4:42, Ro 4:25, 1Pe 3:18)
However, with Jesus's help, we must first recognize our sins and forsake them. (Pr 28:13, Lk 13:5, Jn 16:8, 1Jn 1:9)
We are completely forgiven. (Ps 103:12, Isa 1:18, Isa 38:17, Isa 43:25, Isa 55:7, Eze 18:21-23, Eze 33:15,16, Mic 7:19,20, Ac 10:15, Ro 8:1,33,34, Heb 8:12, 1Jn 1:7)
Jesus Delivers us from the Power of Sin
Jesus delivers us from the power of sin. (Isa 42:6,7, Isa 61:1, Mic 7:19, Lk 4:18, Jn 8:34-36, Ro 7:23-25, Ro 11:26, 2Co 3:17)
We can receive a new nature: the Spirit of Christ. (Ro 8:9, 2Co 5:17, Col 3:8-11, 1Th 4:7,8)
With Jesus's help, we must sin less and less. (Ps 19:13, Mt 5:48, Jn 8:11, Ro 13:14, Ro 6:1,2,6, Gal 2:20, Gal 5:24,25, Jas 4:7, 1Jn 3:6,9)
We must hate all evil. (Dt 7:1-6, Dt 20:16-18, Ps 97:10, Pr 8:13, Am 5:15, Ro 12:9)
We can receive and maintain a clear conscience. (Ac 24:16, Heb 10:22)
Our sanctification is a lifelong process. (Ps 71:14, Pr 4:18, Jn 8:7, Heb 11:39,40, 1Jn 1:8)
Jesus is our Example. (Jn 13:14,15, 2Co 3:18, 1Pe 2:21, 1Jn 2:6)
Difficult
What is the unforgivable sin?
A history of repeated rejection of the Holy Spirit is unforgivable when it reaches the point where the sinner is willfully deaf to God's call. (Mt 12:30-32)
A sin willfully committed in direct defiance of God is unforgivable when it reaches the point where the sinner is an avowed and committed enemy of God. (Nu 15:27-31)