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Having a right conception of sin is foundational for right thinking, right living, and a healthy theology of salvation.
Today, many have shallow, confused, or overly permissive views of sin.
We all use the word 'sin' but often have differing definitions of that word.
What is sin? What is a Biblical definition?
1.The nature of sin firstly, is something willful, a transgression, disobedience, breaking of the law of God, a wrong choice. This certainly was what happened in the Garden with Adam and Eve. They knowingly disobeyed God's command to them.
I have found John Wesley's definition helpful, 'Nothing is sin, strictly speaking, but a voluntary transgression of the known law of God'.
There are 3 things to take away from this definition:
a) Sin is something voluntary, it is a free choice one makes against God.
b) Sin is a transgression. To go beyond the bounds or limit, a missing of the mark.
c) Sin is against the known law of God. It is something we know is wrong. Sin is lawlessness.
2.) The nature of sin secondly, is an inner depravity, an inner principle. We can describe it as indwelling sin or inbred sin, or original sin.
It is the root from which grows the fruit, sins. As the saying goes, 'We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners.'
So, man's need is for both forgiveness for sins committed and cleansing for inward depravity.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides a double cure for our sin, both inward and outward.
'The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin' 1 Jn 1:7.
Today, many have shallow, confused, or overly permissive views of sin.
We all use the word 'sin' but often have differing definitions of that word.
What is sin? What is a Biblical definition?
1.The nature of sin firstly, is something willful, a transgression, disobedience, breaking of the law of God, a wrong choice. This certainly was what happened in the Garden with Adam and Eve. They knowingly disobeyed God's command to them.
I have found John Wesley's definition helpful, 'Nothing is sin, strictly speaking, but a voluntary transgression of the known law of God'.
There are 3 things to take away from this definition:
a) Sin is something voluntary, it is a free choice one makes against God.
b) Sin is a transgression. To go beyond the bounds or limit, a missing of the mark.
c) Sin is against the known law of God. It is something we know is wrong. Sin is lawlessness.
2.) The nature of sin secondly, is an inner depravity, an inner principle. We can describe it as indwelling sin or inbred sin, or original sin.
It is the root from which grows the fruit, sins. As the saying goes, 'We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners.'
So, man's need is for both forgiveness for sins committed and cleansing for inward depravity.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides a double cure for our sin, both inward and outward.
'The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sin' 1 Jn 1:7.
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