The facts of sin are greatly misunderstood. In the minds of many only the most glaring sins are in view. But the Bible shows that sin is any lack of conformity with or breaking of the laws of God. Sin is any failure to attain God’s will and purpose in our lives. Sin is sinful because it is different from what God is, and God is Holy because holiness is infinitely desirable. Sin is always against God, therefore to sin is to be unlike God and His wonderful character.
It is generally thought that sin originated in the Garden of Eden. However, the Bible indicates that it began in the rebellion of Satan long before the creation of man.1
Sin did enter the human race in the one terrible sin of Adam when he chose to believe the serpent’s lie in opposition to the truth of God.2 The only remedy is God’s provision in the sacrificial work of Christ on the CROSS.3
The Biblical view of sin can be divided into three areas. First, there is sin assigned to man. It is taught that the entire human race is sinful because Adam, acting as the representative head of the race, sinned in the beginning. The effect is death, not only to Adam, but also to every member of the race.4
There is also the nature that is sinful. As Adam fell and became a sinful being, so his descendants were born in this manner. Therefore every child of Adam is born with an Adam nature and always prone to sin.5
In addition there are personal sins. As the sin nature is the root, so anything that fails to conform to the character of God is the fruit. There are seen to be not only actions against God’s will and the rights of fellow humans but a failure to do and be that which He rightfully expects of us. The New Testament lists well over a hundred different individual sins, but also sets forth the idea that transgression of God’s purposes and failure to meet His expectations is sin.6
Sin is universal. The Bible emphatically says that no one is righteous.7 With one great exception: Jesus Christ 8, the entire human race stands guilty before God and helpless in their sin.9
Before the cross, God’s method of dealing with sin was called atonement or covering. Under the law the guilty sinner brought a sacrifice and blood was shed. This indicated an acknowledgment on the part of the offerer of the guilt and of the just penalty of death.10
However, it is clearly written and stated that the blood of animals could in no way take away sin.11 But by symbolizing the shed blood of the Son of God who was to come, the sacrifices served to temporarily cover the sin until it was fully paid at the cross.12
Since the death of Christ, God the Father’s method of dealing with sin has been simply to look back to the cross of Christ where His blood was shed. God is therefore declared to be both Just, and the Justifier of all that believe whole-heartedly in Christ.13
The complete forgiveness of the sinner is accomplished the instant a sinner trusts by faith in the Mighty King and Savior, JESUS CHRIST. This is the important part of our salvation. Sins are then declared to be ‘remembered no more’. They are placed ‘as far as the east is from the west’.14
Sin is always sin whether committed by the sinner or the saint. But while the sinner’s sin brings death, the sins of the believer are atoned for in Christ. It is clearly stated that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.15 The Bible also says that as sinners we should confess our sins and God the Father will forgive us.16
1. Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:12-19
2. Genesis 3
3. Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Ezekiel 18:4
4. Romans 5:12-21
5. Galatians 5:16-17, Genesis 4:8
6. Galatians 5:17-21, James 4:17, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 14:23
7. Romans 3:10-12
8. 1 Peter 2:21-22
9. Ephesians 2:1
10. Leviticus 1:4
11. Hebrews 10:4
12. Romans 3:25
13. Romans 3:23-27
14. Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 38:17
15. Romans 8:1
16. 1 John 1:9
