What is Sin?
Sin is the breaking of a religious or moral law. Trespass is wrongdoing. Iniquity is injustice or wickedness. Transgression is the breaking of a moral law.
What is the Bible definition of sin?
Sin is transgression of the law.
1 John 3:4 NKJV. Whosoever, commits sin, also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness..
What is the Bible definition of sin?
Sin is transgression of the law.
1 John 3:4 NKJV. Whosoever, commits sin, also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness..
1 John 5:17 NKJV. All unrighteousness (wickedness) is sin.
Rom 14:23 NKJV .... for whatever is not from faith is sin
What is the moral law according to the Word of God?
The moral law is the 10 Commandments as recorded both in the book of Exodus (chapter 20), and Deuteronomy (chapter 5).
The first 3 commandments relate to our love for God, the 4th commandment is the hinge, and the last 6 commandments relate to our love for our fellow man. Jesus said the greatest law was love for God and love for our fellow men, and upon these hang the whole law.
Matthew 22:37-40. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
By whose authority was this law formed?
Although the moral law of God was known to mankind from the time of creation; God at Mount Sinai in Arabia formerly wrote the Ten Commandments on stone with His finger. The Israelite nation became the repository of God’s law.
Exodus 31:18 NKJV. And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tables of The Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
Who were the first people to sin?
Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Prior to that Lucifer the covering cherub sinned whilst dwelling in Heaven; the one third of the angelic host that followed him in rebellion also sinned.
Rom 14:23 NKJV .... for whatever is not from faith is sin
What is the moral law according to the Word of God?
The moral law is the 10 Commandments as recorded both in the book of Exodus (chapter 20), and Deuteronomy (chapter 5).
The first 3 commandments relate to our love for God, the 4th commandment is the hinge, and the last 6 commandments relate to our love for our fellow man. Jesus said the greatest law was love for God and love for our fellow men, and upon these hang the whole law.
Matthew 22:37-40. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
By whose authority was this law formed?
Although the moral law of God was known to mankind from the time of creation; God at Mount Sinai in Arabia formerly wrote the Ten Commandments on stone with His finger. The Israelite nation became the repository of God’s law.
Exodus 31:18 NKJV. And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tables of The Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
Who were the first people to sin?
Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Prior to that Lucifer the covering cherub sinned whilst dwelling in Heaven; the one third of the angelic host that followed him in rebellion also sinned.
Genesis 2:17NKJV. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.
Genesis 3:6 NKJV .... She took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Isaiah 14:13,14. For you have said in your heart..... I will be like the Most High.
Revelation 12:7,9 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and His angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought..... So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan.
Was the law of God broken in heaven?
Yes. Lucifer coveted. He was filled with pride, and rebelled against God, because he wanted a higher position than that which God had given him. He disregarded the laws that God had in place to ensure the happiness of the universe.
Genesis 3:6 NKJV .... She took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Isaiah 14:13,14. For you have said in your heart..... I will be like the Most High.
Revelation 12:7,9 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and His angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought..... So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the Devil and Satan.
Was the law of God broken in heaven?
Yes. Lucifer coveted. He was filled with pride, and rebelled against God, because he wanted a higher position than that which God had given him. He disregarded the laws that God had in place to ensure the happiness of the universe.
Ezekiel 28:14,15 NKJV. You were the anointed cherub who covers; and I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you.
Why should we obey God’s laws?
Because God is our creator, we are His by creation, to disobey is to rebel against the authority of our maker. We were created to dwell with Him.
Genesis 1:27 NKJV. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.
Revelation 21:3 NKJV. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them, and be their God.
How do I know if I am a sinner?
Why should we obey God’s laws?
Because God is our creator, we are His by creation, to disobey is to rebel against the authority of our maker. We were created to dwell with Him.
Genesis 1:27 NKJV. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.
Revelation 21:3 NKJV. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them, and be their God.
How do I know if I am a sinner?
Romans 3:23 NKJV. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
1John 1:8 NKJV. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If I have been a good person surely I am not a sinner?
All your righteousness and good deeds are not sufficient to save you. Scripture says our righteous deeds are filthy rags. Sin happens when we act on a sinful thought. I become annoyed, I speak harsh unkind words, I get angry, I have sinned. Sin is selfishness.
Isaiah 64:6 NKJV. But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness's are like filthy rags.
James 4:17 NKJV. Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Does the moral code say that lust is a sin?
1John 1:8 NKJV. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If I have been a good person surely I am not a sinner?
All your righteousness and good deeds are not sufficient to save you. Scripture says our righteous deeds are filthy rags. Sin happens when we act on a sinful thought. I become annoyed, I speak harsh unkind words, I get angry, I have sinned. Sin is selfishness.
Isaiah 64:6 NKJV. But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness's are like filthy rags.
James 4:17 NKJV. Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Does the moral code say that lust is a sin?
Jesus expanded on the moral law to show us the depth of the law. Lusting is a sin even if we do not act upon it to satisfy our desires.
Matthew 5:27,28 NKJV. He said. “You have heard that it was said to those of old time, You shall not commit adultery: but I say to you, That whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The moral code does not say that hatred is as murder either, but the word of God tells us it is.
1 John 3:15 NKJV. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Are there little sins and big sins; like white lies and black lies?
Matthew 5:27,28 NKJV. He said. “You have heard that it was said to those of old time, You shall not commit adultery: but I say to you, That whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The moral code does not say that hatred is as murder either, but the word of God tells us it is.
1 John 3:15 NKJV. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Are there little sins and big sins; like white lies and black lies?
Yes some sins are of a worse in nature than others, yet all sin is extremely offensive to God; and any little sin, such as little lies, will be enough to separate a person from eternal salvation. God does not however regard all sin as of equal magnitude. In times of ignorance He overlooks the sin.... but He is not willing to leave a person in ignorance.
Acts 17:30 NKJV. Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked; but now commands all men everywhere to repent.
What kinds of sin are there?
There are sins of omission; these sins that we commit when we fail to do that which is right.
There are also sins committed in ignorance; sins that we commit being unaware that they are sins.
There are deliberate sins: these we commit when we do or say that which we know is wrong.
There are secret or concealed sins, they are not known to anyone else besides the sinner and God.
There are cherished sins and sins that we make excuses for. All sin impairs our moral sense.
Can we sin too much to be forgiven and saved?
Acts 17:30 NKJV. Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked; but now commands all men everywhere to repent.
What kinds of sin are there?
There are sins of omission; these sins that we commit when we fail to do that which is right.
There are also sins committed in ignorance; sins that we commit being unaware that they are sins.
There are deliberate sins: these we commit when we do or say that which we know is wrong.
There are secret or concealed sins, they are not known to anyone else besides the sinner and God.
There are cherished sins and sins that we make excuses for. All sin impairs our moral sense.
Can we sin too much to be forgiven and saved?
There is only one sin that cannot be forgiven. It is the sin of grieving away the Holy Spirit; it is also called the sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Mat 12:31 NKJV. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven him.....
Why can’t this sin be forgiven?
If we keep ignoring the promptings the Holy Spirit to confess our sin and turn from sinning, we grieve away the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. If we continually ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit then we will not be convicted of sin; and therefore we will not repent. If we do not confess and repent we cannot receive forgiveness. We must realize the seriousness of sin.
Ephesians 4:30 NKJV. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Acts 3:19 NKJV. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
Is it hard to turn away from sinning?
Mat 12:31 NKJV. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven him.....
Why can’t this sin be forgiven?
If we keep ignoring the promptings the Holy Spirit to confess our sin and turn from sinning, we grieve away the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin. If we continually ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit then we will not be convicted of sin; and therefore we will not repent. If we do not confess and repent we cannot receive forgiveness. We must realize the seriousness of sin.
Ephesians 4:30 NKJV. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Acts 3:19 NKJV. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
Is it hard to turn away from sinning?
As long as Satan reigns on this earth we will have to battle the tendency to sin. Victory over sin may be won through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Christ did not die so that we could continue in sin; and He will not save us in our sins; He came to save us from our sins, so we may be purified and made ready for eternal life. Do not despair. Although God hates the sin He loves the sinner and He is actively working to bring sinners into agreement with Him.
Hebrews 12:4 NKJV. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
1 Peter 5:8 NKJV. Be sober be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Matthew 1:21 NKJV. And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus: for He will save His people from their sins.
Ezekiel 33:11 NKJV. As I live says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.
How will I know if my sins have been forgiven?
Hebrews 12:4 NKJV. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
1 Peter 5:8 NKJV. Be sober be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Matthew 1:21 NKJV. And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus: for He will save His people from their sins.
Ezekiel 33:11 NKJV. As I live says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.
How will I know if my sins have been forgiven?
Christ offers to take our sins and to give us His righteousness. His power to forgive is shown in healing the paralytic (Mark 2:10,11). We are to believe in the word of God and we must exercise faith; faith is trust in God.
1 John 9 NKJV. that; “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and cleanse us from all righteousness.”
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV. But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
What will happen if we disobey God’s law and do not repent?
Every act of deliberate sinning hardens the heart. It is dangerous to our eternal salvation if we refuse to turn away from sinning. God has declared that everyone will be judged, and if we are found to be sinners we will be destroyed in the second death: for sinners cannot enter the kingdom of God. The wages of sin is death.
Revelation 21:27 NKJV. There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie: but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Revelation 20:15 NKJV. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
What makes us sin?
1 John 9 NKJV. that; “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and cleanse us from all righteousness.”
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV. But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
What will happen if we disobey God’s law and do not repent?
Every act of deliberate sinning hardens the heart. It is dangerous to our eternal salvation if we refuse to turn away from sinning. God has declared that everyone will be judged, and if we are found to be sinners we will be destroyed in the second death: for sinners cannot enter the kingdom of God. The wages of sin is death.
Revelation 21:27 NKJV. There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie: but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Revelation 20:15 NKJV. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
What makes us sin?
It helps to understand that we have inherited sinful tendencies. This means it is easy for us to sin; and the adversary Satan is working to keep us sinning; but God is working to turn us away from sinning and He has provided a way that we can find sin
unattractive and find obedience attractive; and thus lead us according to His will.
Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
If all have sinned is there any hope for us?
The good news is that God’s own Son, came to this world, and lived a sinless life. When Jesus died on the cross He paid the penalty of death for sinners. He was innocent of sin, but He paid the death penalty for our sin. The sinless life that Jesus lived may be attributed to sinners who confess and forsake their sin.
1 John1:10 NKJV. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:9 NKJV. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 1:29NKJV. The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Why did Jesus pay the penalty for our sin?
unattractive and find obedience attractive; and thus lead us according to His will.
Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
If all have sinned is there any hope for us?
The good news is that God’s own Son, came to this world, and lived a sinless life. When Jesus died on the cross He paid the penalty of death for sinners. He was innocent of sin, but He paid the death penalty for our sin. The sinless life that Jesus lived may be attributed to sinners who confess and forsake their sin.
1 John1:10 NKJV. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:9 NKJV. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 1:29NKJV. The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Why did Jesus pay the penalty for our sin?
Jesus gave His life a ransom for our sin: He was willing to make an atonement (a reconciliation)for us. He paid the penalty for our sin because He loves us.
John 3:16 NKJV. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Roman 5:8 NKJV. But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:11 NKJV. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
(Through Christ’s death on Calvary, God was justified; and the charges made by Satan against God’s law and His love, were proven to be false. Romans 3:4. Certainly not: Indeed, let God be true, but every man a liar, as it is written. That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.)
What do I have to do to earn forgiveness for my sin?
You cannot earn forgiveness you can only accept it as a gift. Look to Jesus, believe in Him, and accept the free gift of His righteousness.
Ephesians 2:8 NKJV. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God.
Romans 5:18 NKJV. Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
What has God asked us to do?
He has asked us to forgive others who have sinned against us. If we will not forgive others then we cannot be forgiven; this is because we are not showing love for our fellow being. In other words we are continuing in sin ourselves. Whatsoever is not of love is sin.
Matthew 6:15 NKJV. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Will God excuse and tolerate our sin?
John 3:16 NKJV. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Roman 5:8 NKJV. But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:11 NKJV. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
(Through Christ’s death on Calvary, God was justified; and the charges made by Satan against God’s law and His love, were proven to be false. Romans 3:4. Certainly not: Indeed, let God be true, but every man a liar, as it is written. That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.)
What do I have to do to earn forgiveness for my sin?
You cannot earn forgiveness you can only accept it as a gift. Look to Jesus, believe in Him, and accept the free gift of His righteousness.
Ephesians 2:8 NKJV. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: It is the gift of God.
Romans 5:18 NKJV. Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
2 Corinthians 9:15 NKJV. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.
What has God asked us to do?
He has asked us to forgive others who have sinned against us. If we will not forgive others then we cannot be forgiven; this is because we are not showing love for our fellow being. In other words we are continuing in sin ourselves. Whatsoever is not of love is sin.
Matthew 6:15 NKJV. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Will God excuse and tolerate our sin?
God cannot tolerate or excuse our sin, for although God is merciful, justice will be done and unrepentant and un-forgiven sinners will not be able to enter into eternal life, because they have not chosen to become children of God. He that continues in sin is called a child of the devil.
1 John 3:8 NKJV. He that sins is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning....
It is not wise to continue sinning; be warned.
God’s love is unconditional but there is no unconditional pardon for sin. So long as sin exists suffering and death are inevitable. We have no excuse to continue in sin, because ample provision has been made for us to live a righteous life.
Romans 6:1 NKJV. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound. Certainly not. How shall we who died to sin, live any longer in it?
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Romans 6:23 NKJV. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
God’s answer to sin.
1 John 3:8 NKJV. He that sins is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning....
It is not wise to continue sinning; be warned.
God’s love is unconditional but there is no unconditional pardon for sin. So long as sin exists suffering and death are inevitable. We have no excuse to continue in sin, because ample provision has been made for us to live a righteous life.
Romans 6:1 NKJV. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound. Certainly not. How shall we who died to sin, live any longer in it?
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Romans 6:23 NKJV. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
God’s answer to sin.
God’s answer is to recreate us in His image and restore the earth to its former purity and beauty.
Revelation 22:14 NKJV. Blessed are those that do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:14 NKJV. Blessed are those that do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
