The Biblical Definition of Sin

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The Universal Sin Problem

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• To fully appreciate the incredible good news of
  the Gospel, our redemption in Christ, we must
  first come to grips with our sin problem.
• This is the starting point to fully understand
  and appreciate the good news of the Gospel.
• When Christ came to this world some 2000 years
  ago, He came to be good news of great joy for
  all the people (Luke 210).
• However, it was the apostle Paul that God set
  aside to explain this incredible good news of
  salvation, the GospelEphesians 38.

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• In expounding the Gospel Paul begins with the
  universal sin problem. His purpose is to destroy
  all confidence in self, since the formula of the
  Gospel is not I but ChristPhilippians 33-9.
• In his epistle to the Romans, what Martin Luther
  described as the clearest gospel of all, Paul
  spends the first section of this epistle (Romans
  118 to 320) dealing with the universal sin
  problem. Note his conclusionRomans 39-20.

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• The life God created in Adam was in His likeness
  and image. It was dominated by agape love1 John
  48 Genesis 126.
• But whats more important, it was also the
  collective or corporate life of the entire human
  raceActs1726.
• Therefore, God does not create a new life every
  time a baby is conceived. Every one
• of us is an extension of Adams life.

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• Unfortunately, the life Adam passed on to his
  posterity was after he sinned. It was therefore a
  ruined life.
• Adams sin affected his life spiritually in at
  least four ways (apart from affecting him
  physically
• i.e., he was prone to fatigue, sickness and
  death).
• 1. Since Adams sin was turning his back on
• God (Genesis 319implied), the Holy Spirit left
  him and his life was plunged into spiritual
  darkness.

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• His life which was conditionally immortal came
  under the curse of the law and was condemned to
  deathGenesis 216, 17.
• The very nature of his life changed from agape
  love to self, the principle of all sinGenesis
  312 Isaiah 536 (Steps to Christ, 17).
• 4. Finally, his life came under the dominion of
  Satan, who became the ruler or prince of this
  worldJohn 12 31 1430.

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• Since we are all the extension of Adams life,
  the moment we were born into this world we
  received or inherited the above fourfold affects
  of Adams ruined life.
• According to the Hebrew Old Testament, some
  twelve different words are used to define sin,
  while the Greek New Testament uses five.
• When all these words are put together the Bible
  comes up with eight categories of sin.

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• A deliberate act against the law of God (KJV
  transgression). According to the Greek,
  lawlessness, choosing to live a life of sin1
  John 34.
• A mental consent to a temptation, even though the
  act is not committed. The sin of covetingRomans
  77-11.
• Neglect of known duties or opportunitiesJames
  417.

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• Doing the wrong thing out of ignoranceLeviticus
  517.
• 5. Doing the right thing, such as good works or
  law keeping, for the wrong motive (fear of
  punishment or desire for reward)Mathew 722, 23.
• These first five definitions of sin have to do
  with our behavior, whether in thoughts, desires,
  motives or acts. The next two have to do with our
  nature.

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• Our sinful natures which we inherited from Adam
  after the FallPsalm 515 583
• (Romans 519, 20).
• A law or constant force dominating every member
  of our bodies. This is what makes us slaves to
  sin (indwelling sin, according to
  E.G.W.)Romans 714-24.

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• The above seven definitions of sin fall into
  three basic categories
• NATURE (the sinful flesh)Romans 718.
• MIND (desires and motives)Rom. 77, 8.
• PERFORMANCE (sinful acts)Gal. 519-21.
• The law of God condemns all three categories of
  sin or any one of them.

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• Therefore, mans only hope is in the redeeming
  grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 8. There is however, one sin, the eighth, for
  which Christ did not die. It is the unpardonable
  sin or the sin against grace.
• It is the deliberate, persistent and ultimate
  rejection of the gift of salvation in Christ the
  sin of unbeliefJohn 318 36 Mark 1615, 16.

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• Christ referred to this sin as the sin against
  the Holy SpiritMatthew 1230-32.
• This is because it is the Holy Spirit who
  convicts the world of the Gospelsin,
  righteousness and judgment (John 168-11).
• This sin of unbelief, against the Gospel is the
  only reason why anyone will be lost and be kept
  out of heaven
• Hebrews 21-4 1026-29, 35-39.

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• Facing the reality of the universal sin problem
  will cause us to lose all confidence in self and
  with grateful hearts accept the supreme gift of
  salvation in ChristPhilippians 33-10.
• Thus, when the good news of the Gospel is
  proclaimed into all the world for a witness, in
  the context of the universal sin problem, it will
  become inexcusable for anyone to be lost. The end
  will then comeMatthew 2414.
• MAY THAT DAY COME SOON