The Scriptures are clear in depicting sin as something terrible. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). The punishment for it is eternal, spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Sin is the reason why Jesus had to suffer a torturous death on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). But some may not have learned or may need to be reminded about what sin is. Let us notice three brief points.
Sin is lawlessness – “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). We sin when we do things for which we have no authority. We act lawlessly – as if we have not received a law from God. Jesus said we must do the will of God to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). He then said there would be many who would claim to do things in His name but would be condemned for practicing lawlessness (Matthew 7:22-23). If one attempts to serve Christ in a way other than what has been authorized in His word (cf. Colossians 3:17), he is doing what is lawless and is guilty of sin.
Sin is trespassing God’s law – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). In addition to doing things for which we have no authority, we can also sin by doing things that God has explicitly condemned. In different places in the New Testament, we find specific things that God has condemned (cf. Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Timothy 1:9-10). When we engage in a practice that God has expressly forbidden, we are trespassing His law and committing sin.
Sin is falling short of the glory of God – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We sin when we fail to live up to the character of God. The first two types of sin we noticed (lawlessness and transgression) are sins of commission – things that we do. This category includes sins of omission – failing to do things that we ought to do. Our goal is “to be perfect, as [our] heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Jesus, who was God in the flesh (Colossians 2:9), left “an example for [us] to follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). We must strive to be like Him. When we fall short of that perfect standard, we sin.
Christians must work to put away sin from their lives. Paul asked the question, “How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:2). We must not transgress the law of God and do what He has condemned. We must not be presumptuous and assume God will be pleased with whatever we may do. Instead, we must do what we have the authority to do. Let us strive to be like Christ and continue to grow and improve in our service to God and our reflection of Him.
