How does the bible define sin?

[TrustAndObey]

Nothing fancy here...I'm just asking for any/all scripture that talks about what sin IS.

I know there's more, but I'll throw this one out there:

1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

TIA,
~Lainie

 

[Eila]

Here is one:

Romans 14 "22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin"

 

[Eila]

Here is another one:

1 John 5 " 17All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death."

 

[Eila]

Here is another one:

James 4 "7Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."

 

[Jimlarmore]

I think sin has to be defined at least partially within the concept of judgement . The Bible tells us that all will stand before the judgement seat of Christ. By what standard will all be judged? The core of government and righteousness of God lies within what the ten commandments portray. It will be these laws that will be used at the judgment seat of Christ.

Christ Himself said that those who do not believe are condemned already and in a few verses before this He told Nicodemus that to be saved one must be born again. This is obviously symbolic of changing from one way of living to another. John 3:16 makes it clear that believing is what gives us the right to eternal life but what does it really mean to "believe"?

Jesus Christ told us while He was here that if we loved Him we would keep His commandments. WE cannot truely believe in Christ and break His commandments willingly as a practice. Christ in His conversation with the rich young ruler made it clear that the ten commandments were important to "living" a righteous life. Not one time did our savior tell us that the ten commandments were to be fulfilled at His death. So we can say with a lot of assurance that Christ's commandments are indeed the ten commandments.

Salvation was never the scope or purpose of the law. It serves as a mirror to point us to the cross where we find grace. Grace is only possible if a law exists to make it necessary in the first place.

God Bless
Jim Larmore

 

[TrustAndObey]

Here is another one:

James 4 "7Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."

There's a good one. How does the bible define what the right thing to do is? Does it define that in every instance or just for some?

Does the bible define unrighteousness/righteousness?

Deuteronomy 6:25 - And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we have to be cleansed of unrighteousness through confession, then I know our Lord is going to be very clear about what unrighteousness is, right?

 

[TrustAndObey]

This whole chapter (small) is a good one:

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

 

[Eila]

There's a good one. How does the bible define what the right thing to do is? Does it define that in every instance or just for some?

Does the bible define unrighteousness/righteousness?

Deuteronomy 6:25 - And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

Must be careful about this one...

Romans 3 "21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;"



Romans 10 "4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
6But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down),
7or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)."
8But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."



Phil 3 " 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we have to be cleansed of unrighteousness through confession, then I know our Lord is going to be very clear about what unrighteousness is, right?

All are unrighteous without Christ. John 3 says that people are condemned because they do not believe.

 

[TrustAndObey]

All are unrighteous without Christ. John 3 says that people are condemned because they do not believe.

So those that don't believe in Christ can confess that fact and they'll be cleansed?

I'm sorry, I'm just confused by that one.

 

[Eila]

So those that don't believe in Christ can confess that fact and they'll be cleansed?

I'm sorry, I'm just confused by that one.

Yes, you can admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior and be saved.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Yes, you can admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior and be saved.

The way you said it originally made it sound like you can say "I do not believe in Christ" and then you'd be cleansed of all unrighteousness, even if you still don't believe. I was just needing some clarification, so thanks.

 

[TrustAndObey]

The same texts go on to say that we've ALL sinned.

I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't believe in Jesus Christ so if that's all I have to confess to be cleansed of all unrighteousness, I guess I didn't do it and I'm in trouble?

(that wasn't meant to sound sarcastic)

 

[Eila]

The same texts go on to say that we've ALL sinned.

I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't believe in Jesus Christ so if that's all I have to confess to be cleansed of all unrighteousness, I guess I didn't do it and I'm in trouble?

(that wasn't meant to sound sarcastic)

Mental ascent is not what is required, but believing in one's heart.

Romans 10 "8But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
9that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.""

Many people go through life believing that Christ exists, but it is more than that. It is acceptance of Jesus as Lord.

It is not belief that He exists - but giving your heart to Him.
It is not belief in a higher power - but acceptance of Jesus as your Savior.

 

[TrustAndObey]

Jesus told us how to obey Him. If we believe in Him, we do.

So for the record, I totally agree. Most people don't seem to realize what "Lord" means though. They've got Savior down pat, just not the Lord part.

 

[TrustAndObey]

And Jesus said:

Matthew 19:17 - And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

 

[Eila]

And Jesus said:

Matthew 19:17 - And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Please put that in context. Surely you don't believe that you receive salvation by keeping the commands found in the law.

Matthew 19 " 16And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 17And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
18Then he said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS;
19HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
20The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?"
21Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
22But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
23And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24"Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?"
26And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.""



Jesus was showing this rich man who thought he was righteous that he fell short. There is only One who is good - God! It is impossible to be saved by doing good, but salvation comes from God. Notice the commands listed here are not exclusive to the 10 commandments. Jesus quoted from the book of the law.

 

[hannahfievel]

Isn't sin "anything" that takes our eyes off of God?

I thought that was in the word, but maybe not. Not too good at quoting the scriptures, but in my walk....I've just noticed that when I take my thoughts off of Him...along comes trouble, and some not of my own making!

So, isn't "sin" whatever makes you look anywhere else than to God? Hmmm, now I'm curious as to what others think too. I've read most of what is written here and some sounded kinda on the legalistic side, but heck...what do I know? LOL! in His amazing and our undeserved love He gives us, your sis, hannah

 

[djconklin]

Doug Batchelor pointed out that there are four NT definitions of sin: trangression of the law, unbelief, unrighteousness, etc. Of course, unrighteousness begs the question as to what is righteousness and what is the difference between the two. That's why "transgreession of the law" (the bare minimum) is the best indicator as to where the line is. Unbelief goes to the heart of what sin is: unbelief in God, setting yourself up as knowing more and what is best for you than God. The question then is where do i show that unbelief? Again the law shows you clearly and explicitly--God loves us enough to not leave us unwarned as to where the dangers are.

 

[reddogs]

Please put that in context. Surely you don't believe that you receive salvation by keeping the commands found in the law.

Matthew 19 " 16And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" 17And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
18Then he said to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL; YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS;
19HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
20The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?"
21Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
22But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
23And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24"Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?"
26And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.""



Jesus was showing this rich man who thought he was righteous that he fell short. There is only One who is good - God! It is impossible to be saved by doing good, but salvation comes from God. Notice the commands listed here are not exclusive to the 10 commandments. Jesus quoted from the book of the law.

All the Commandments are from Gods love as Jesus made clear, and the Holy Spirit brings you in harmony with everything from God. Evil seperates and diverts you from those things of God and its purpose is to lead you to trun from and reject God and His will for you.