This definition doesn't quite sum it up,
But Scripture itself actually does tell us what sin is, not just a definition of a Greek word.
1Jn_3:4
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law:
for sin is the transgression of the law.
To me, (missing the mark) is kind of nebulous, but understanding that sin is the actual transgression of the Law, that really brings it home for me, I am therefore better able to apply that understanding directly to myself and better able to understand just what I was guilty of that was forgiven and for what Christ died.
Dear Jiminz,
1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
If we are "in Christ", we are no longer under the Law and therefore, the Law can no longer accuse us.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Here is Christ's teaching of when we come out from under the Law:
John 8:3-10 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
A “woman” in scripture represents God’s wife who is mankind.
Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
From the very start of Adam’s creation, his marriage relationship with God was based upon faith. However, Adam was created spiritually weak and spiritually blind. He quickly became carnally minded. Because of these flaws, Adam soon sinned by committing adultery with Satan (believing Satan instead of God). Rather than going to God in faith and asking for forgiveness, Adam turned to the ways of Satan and tried to hide (apron of fig leaves, filthy rags) his adultery through his own “works”. If Adam would have come to God in faith and simply asked for forgiveness, he would have been forgiven and the marriage relationship would have been restored. But Adam turned to his own works and strayed from approaching God by faith alone. Because of Adam’s adultery with Satan, the marriage ended and God cast him out of the Garden. Ever since that time, God has been working to restore His marriage relationship with mankind.
In the story from
John 8:3-10,
the woman represents Adam (all mankind). When Christ first writes in the earth it represents the time when He writes His law in our hearts.
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
This verse is speaking of the New Covenant which is spiritual.
When Christ first writes His Law of the Spirit in our hearts, it is the time of the
Early Rain when we are “called out from the world”. Now, instead of by approaching God by "works", we are to approach Him by "faith" alone. However, shortly after receiving the Early Rain, Satan comes to us and deceives us. This happens because we remain spiritually blind. Because of Satan's deception, we fall away from faith alone and mix in our own works (like Adam did). This is the sin that leads to death and we remain under the Law of Sin and Death. Because this happens, the Pharisees do not drop the stones after Christ first writes in the earth. The Law is still accusing us.
Then in verse 8, Christ stoops down again and writes His Law of the Spirit upon our hearts a second time (the Latter Rain). It is at this point that Christ heals our spiritual blindness and we come out from Satan’s deception. We begin to walk by faith alone and as a result, the Law of Sin and Death can no longer accuse us. After this change from religion (man’s works) to Faith, the Pharisees drop their stones and leave. The Law of Sin and Death is now of no effect over the woman (mankind) and we are restored to God.
Joe
