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SIN
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The Sin Problem
The overwhelming Good News (the Gospel) is the demonstration of the Almighty’s power to save men and women from sin. In order to understand this dynamic we must begin our investigation with an understanding into the sin dilemma, and yes, sin is a problem. Right from the start we do declare that His Solution for the sin issue can only be solved through Christ, the Messiah.
It is only against the background of man’s total sinfulness and depravity that the gospel of Christ becomes meaningful. The gospel, when accepted and applied to our lives, may be defined by the formula: “Not I, but Christ” [Galatians 2:20]. This formula is expressed in the New Testament in various ways [1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 3:3, 8-9].
Galatians 2
(20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
1Corinthians 15
(10) But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Philippians 3
(3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
(8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The most difficult part of this formula when it comes to its practical application is the first half, “Not I.” The reason for this is because we fallen sinful human beings are born ego-centric or self-centered, and naturally want to live independent of God. A true understanding of the sin problem is the only sure way of destroying all confidence in self and turning to Christ as our only righteousness, hope, and surety. The following is a brief history and analysis of the sin problem.
Romans 1
(20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
(21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
(22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
(23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Iniquity, Sin, & Transgression: Defined
Before we can proceed to study the gospel it would be well to define sin more fully so that the good news of salvation will be meaningful to us. The Bible uses various different words to define sin; but putting these together we may categorize sin into three basic concepts. These three are all expressed in Psalms 51: 2-3. They are iniquity, sin, and transgression. We will consider each one of them separately.
Psalms 51
(2) Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, and from my sin cleanse me,
(3) For my transgressions I do know, and my sin is before me continually.
INIQUITY: The root meaning of this word is “to be bent.” As used in Scripture it refers to our spiritual condition. Note the following texts:
David was “shapen in iniquity” from his very birth. This was his spiritual condition since physically he was handsome. The primary meaning of iniquity is not an act but a condition. As a result of the fall, man by very nature is spiritually “bent,” so that the driving force of his very nature is love of self. Paul defines it as “the law of sin and death”. It is this condition that is the basis of all our sinning, and which makes us slaves to sin.
Psalms 51
(5) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
1Samuel 16
(12) And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
Romans 8
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 3
(9) What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
(10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
(11) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
(12) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 7
(14) For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Two things are revealed in this text. {1}. Every one of us has gone astray, since we have all turned or bent “to his own way.” {2}. This own-way-ness (i.e., self-centeredness) is synonymous with iniquity, which was laid upon Christ our sin bearer; and it was this “sin in the flesh” that Christ “condemned” on the cross.
Isaiah 53
(6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 8
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Because man by nature is “shapen in iniquity,” all the righteousness produced by him through his own efforts is like filthy rags before God, because it is polluted with self-love. According to Zech. 3:3, 4, “filthy garments” are equated with iniquity. In contrast to these filthy garments of ours (self-righteousness), the white raiment of Christ (His righteousness) is offered to the Laodicean church so that they may be truly clothed, and “can cover [their] shameful nakedness” before the judgment seat of God.
Isaiah 64
(6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Zechariah 3
(3) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
(4) And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Revelation 3
(18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Revelation 10
(3) And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
(4) And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
Self-righteous acts camouflaged or disguised in the name of Christ are exposed in the judgment and clearly identified as works of iniquity (i.e., works motivated by self-love). All Christians must consider this text seriously. Do our works originate from Christ and, therefore, are motivated by agape, or do we “want to impress people by means of the flesh”? Are our works the result of a genuine relationship with Christ (i.e, works of faith) or are we working in His name but we really don’t know Him?
Matthew 7
(22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Galatians 6
(12) As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Luke 13
(25) When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
(26) Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
(27) But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
(28) There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
The converted Paul recognizes the worthlessness of his self-righteousness and willingly exchanges it for the righteousness of Christ which is by faith.
Philippians 3
(3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
(4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
(5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
(6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
(7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
(8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Once we understand the true meaning of iniquity we will realize that nothing good dwells in us and we will begin to “hunger and thirst” after the righteousness of Christ so freely offered to us in the gospel.
Romans 7
(18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
SIN: The actual meaning of this word is “missing the mark.” Note the following texts:
In the Book of Judges, the Hebrew word sin (translated in the KJV as “not miss”) is used true to its meaning. Used in a spiritual sense, sin is missing the divine mark or “falling short of the glory of God,” which is His selfless love or agape.
Judges 20
(16) Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.
Romans 3
(23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Since all men are born spiritually “bent” (shapen in iniquity), it is not difficult to see what Romans 3:10, 12 says: there are none righteous and no one who does good. Man’s sinful condition makes it impossible for him to do anything but sin, unless he has a Savior. That is why the gospel is man’s only hope of salvation. While man does have a free will to choose between accepting Christ’s righteousness offered in the gospel or rejecting it, he does not have a choice between doing sin or genuine righteousness. Man is born a slave to sin and no matter how hard he wills or tries, he will fall short of the divine mark. Also read the following texts below:
Romans 3
(10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
(12) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 7
(15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
(16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
(17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
(19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
(20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
(22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
(23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
(24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Job 15
(14) What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
(15) Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
(16) How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?
Psalms 14
(2) The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
(3) They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Isaiah 1
(4) Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
(5) Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
(6) From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
Jeremiah 17
(9) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Mark 7
(21) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
(22) Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
(23) All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
TRANSGRESSION: This word means a deliberate violation of the law, or willful disobedience.
Transgression pre-supposes that one has the knowledge of the law. In the spiritual realm, transgression is the violation of the moral law, or ten commandments of God. A knowledge of God’s law makes sin to be “transgression.” Note the following:
1John 3
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
The law was given to make sin into transgression . . . The law convinces us we are transgressors . . . Through the law we have the knowledge of sin . . . The law did not solve the sin problem but made it “increase” all the more . . . The law exposes our sinful condition and reveals our total bankruptcy with regards to righteousness.
Galatians 3
(19) Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
James 2
(9) But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Romans 3
(20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 5
(20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Romans 7
(7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
(8) But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
(9) For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
(10) And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
(11) For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
(12) Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
(13) Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
Since sin is a deceiver, it would be impossible for sinful man to fully realize his condition unless God revealed it to him. This He has done by giving the law. The law was never given as a means of salvation or to deal with sin. The law is incapable of producing righteousness in us because of man’s sinful state; the only way that man can be saved is in Christ. The Scriptures clearly state that “no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law”. It cannot make man holy and good because he is sold under sin. But God gave the law to sinful man to be “our guardian [or schoolmaster or escort] until Christ [comes] that we might be justified by faith”.
Romans 8
(3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Romans 3
(20) Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Galatians 2
(16) Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Romans 7
(14) For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Galatians 3
(21) Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
(22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Galatians 5
(4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Galatians 3
(24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Summary: Humanity has a disease called sin. Sin was and is passed on to all of us, however, the “Good News” is that this malady is curable through the plan of Redemption provided by our Creator in and through the Savior of all mankind, Jesus the Christ (Yashua ha Mashiach).