What is sin?
Majority of people knowingly or unknowingly commit sin everyday but does not really care about it. Other people say they are good person and feel they are entitled for commendation. Some people say they don't have sin and sure to be in heaven. Others are doing penitence supposing this is the way to get rid of sin. Even the so-called ministers and preachers evade to answer this question because when they do they will expose themselves to be deceiver and so they choose to preach smooth things to satisfy the itching ears of the people. Others understand it and strive to follow God's direction.
But what is sin? The Bible clearly gives the answer.
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4.
This is the only definition of SIN, period.
To what law is this referring? The Ten Commandments as recorded in Exodus 20:3-17. They were written by the finger of God on two tables of stone (Exodus 31:18). In referring to the Ten Commandments, Jesus said to the rich young man in Matthew 19:17:"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
A blessing and a reward go to those that keep the commandments. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14.
Yet to break one of any of the Ten Commandments is to break all, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all ." James 2:10
You see, God hates sin (Proverbs 6:16). To gain eternal life, sin must be purged completely out of our present lives. “Impossible,” you say. But what does the Bible say? “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. (See also James 1:4; 1 Peter 1:14-16; and 2 Peter 3:14.) This standard is attainable, for in every command or injunction God gives is a positive promise underlying that command (1 Corinthians 10:13). God has made provision that we may become like Him in character.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:1-2,12-14.
God's requirements under grace have always been the same: perfect obedience to His law. We are to be doers of the will of God (Matthew 7:21). This is obedience. God's grace is the new heart He gives us (Ezekiel 36:26-27), it is the new creation we become through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), but we have to choose to “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5.
The Only Question Asked In The Judgment
In the Judgment God will ask those who profess to be Christians, "Have you been obedient to My commandment?" (see Matthew 7:21-23) You claim to believe in Jesus and yet continue to transgress His Law - the standard of righteousness. The Gospel of the New Testament is not the Old Testament standard lowered to meet the sinner and save him from his sins. Adam and Eve traded their garden home and an eternal life of ease for a life of trials and pain which eventually led to physical death (Genesis 3). This was because of one sin - DISOBEDIENCE.
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8. (See also Psalm 89:34; Malachi 3:6) God does not change, and He means just what He says (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 13:8). Many professing to be of Christ believe God will allow them into His kingdom when they are not willing to give up sin. This is a sad and fatal mistake. “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4.
Sin has to be purged completely from our lives,
but how do we do it?
We overcome sin through the blood of Jesus Christ and His righteousness.
"And they overcame him (Satan, the Devil) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony..." Revelation 12:11. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." 1 John 3:5-9.
Unless we receive a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27) and new desires, purposes, and motives leading to a new life, we cannot see the kingdom of God. The Savior said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. The idea that it is necessary only to develop the good that exists in many by nature is a fatal deception; it is New Age thinking. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14. "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:7.
It is only through Christ that we can be brought into harmony with God, with holiness. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. “In him [Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men,” and “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” John 1:4; Acts 4:12.
But how are we to come to Christ? Many are asking the same question asked by the multitude on the Day of Pentecost: when convicted of sin they cried out, “What shall we do?” The first word of Peter's answer was "Repent" ( Acts 2:37-38). Another time, shortly after, he said, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…” Acts 3:19. Repentance includes sorrow for sin and turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.
When the sinner yields his heart to the influence of the Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, revealing the depth and sacredness of God's holy law. The sinner has a sense of the righteousness of God and feels the terror of appearing in his own guilt and uncleanness before the Searcher of hearts. He sees the love of God, the beauty of holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven.
Confession is the next step. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” James 5:16. You are to acknowledge your wrong, and it is your brother's duty freely to forgive you (Matthew 6:12). Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God, because the brother you have wounded is the property of God, and in injuring him you have sinned against his Creator and Redeemer.
Confession is not acceptable to God without sincere repentance and reformation. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13. There must be decided changes in the life, and everything offensive to God must be put away. This will be the result of genuine sorrow for sin. In giving ourselves to God, we must give up all that would separate us from Him. Jesus said, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33. But what do we give up when we give all? A sin–polluted heart for Jesus to purify, to cleanse by His own blood, and to save by His matchless love (1 John 1:7).
Heaven's forgiveness, peace, love, and eternal life is yours. God offers it to you as a gift “without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1. It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it. The Lord says, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you…” Ezekiel 36:26.
You have confessed your sins, and in your heart put them away. You have resolved to give yourself to God. Now go to Him, and ask that He will wash away your sins and give you a new heart. Then believe that He does this because He has promised. Don't wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, “I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised.” Jesus says, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them..” Mark 11:24. God desires to cleanse you from all sin and to replace that sin with the righteousness of His Son Jesus. Receive the cleansing, the forgiveness from God. Be made whole, and clean, and have peace in Christ Jesus.
From this time through eternity you are not your own; “ye are bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23). You have been purchased “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:19. Be faithful to Him by knowing His Word and the precious promises that keep us from sin and give us victory over Satan and his evil host. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these [promises] ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4.
Jesus said, "behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12.
Time is almost finished. Be ready for His very soon return. Victory over sin through the blood of the Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ, is yours right now if you will choose to accept His power and obey Him. “This is the way, walk ye in it…” Isaiah 30:21.
