SIN, GOD’S WORD ON

Sin will always be an offensive word. We can talk openly and impersonally about crimes like rape and murder; we can make statistics of our adulteries, unwed pregnancies, and divorces; we can trivialize greed, selfishness, and lust-or raise them as cultural values-but to call anything sin makes us uncomfortable. The word sin implies the violation of an objective and absolute standard or code of behavior established by God. We almost instinctively feel this to be an infringement on our rights. Yet such an attitude displays a terrible misunderstanding of sin and an underestimation of God. When a doctor correctly diagnoses a disease in our body, we do not accuse her of impinging on our freedom; rather, we are grateful because we know diseases can destroy our lives. The Bible teaches that God is concerned about sin-not to limit our freedom and enjoyment of life-but because sin is a disease of the soul that destroys our lives and leads to spiritual death.

WHAT IS SIN?

Romans 3:23 . . . All have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal.
Sin is falling short of the standards of a holy God.

Romans 2:14-15 . . . They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right.
Sin is violating God’s moral law.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS SIN AND WHAT ISN’T?

Exodus 20:1-17 . . . Then God instructed the people as follows. The Ten Commandments are God’s absolute moral and ethical standard.

Ephesians 5:3-9 . . . Though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it!
Our behavior is to exemplify the light of Christ that fills our hearts.

Colossians 3:5-11 . . . Put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.
God calls us to rid our lives of the impurity, lust, and shameful desires of this world.

Romans 6:12-13 . . . Do not let sin control the way you live.
Sin is a power that seeks to influence, enslave, and destroy.

Ephesians 2:1-4 . . . You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan.
Sin, in its most basic element, is obedience to Satan.

IS THERE A WAY TO BE FREE FROM SIN?

Psalm 19:12 . . . How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

Psalm 51:2-3 . . . Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds-they haunt me day and night.

Psalm 139:23-24 . . . Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Ask God to cleanse your heart from sin.

Isaiah 1:18 . . . “Come now, let us argue this out,” says the Lord. “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.”

Zechariah 13:1 . . . “On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and defilement.”

PROMISES FROM GOD:

Proverbs 28:13 . . . People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy.

Isaiah 1:18 . . . No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it.
God forgives all sins, no matter how big.

Jeremiah 3:22 . . . Come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.
God wants to forget our sin.

Hosea 14:4 . . . Then I will heal you of your idolatry and faithlessness, and my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever!
God will heal us of our faithlessness.

Romans 6:23 . . . The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.God saves us from the consequences of sin.

1 Peter 2:24 . . . He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!

2 Peter 2:9 . . . The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while punishing the wicked right up until the day of judgment.

1 John 1:9 . . . If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.If you confess your sins, God will forgive you.