“Whosoever committeth [Greek, poieō, NET, practices] sin [Greek, hamartia] transgresseth [Greek, poieō] also the law [NET, practices lawlessness]: for sin is the transgression of the law [NET, lawlessness]” (1John 3:4 KJV). If sin is a condition of lawlessness, from whom was Lucifer originally infected in Heaven? No one. But, if sin is essentially a heartfelt action of transgression, rebellion, or violation against God, shouldn’t we assume lawlessness is only a secondary description of the underlying heart action of committing against the Almighty Lawmaker? Yes. “For thou [Lucifer] hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). The essence of sin is selfishness — a heartfelt committing against God. 

Selfishness is not simply concern over any negative impact against ourselves. For even Paul rightly said, “No man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (Ephesians 5:29). Selfishness is not loving yourself as much as your neighbor, for Jesus required us to love our neighbor equal — not more and not less — to ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Selfishness is more concern about ourselves than God and not being as concerned about our neighbors as we are about ourselves.“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-39). 

Sin harms our neighbor and injures us, but foremost, sin is against God. “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest” (Psalm 51:4). When we speak of the waywardness of sin towards God and humanity, we reflect that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin essentially falls short of God’s glory, not because it is trying but can’t make it, but because sin does not intend to glorify God. Sin is a choice. For this reason, only those created in the image of God, are capable of sinning. God’s accountability of humankind, even the younger, is based upon their capacity to understand the implications of their actions towards God. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Christianity must beware of “age of accountability” assumptions, where it is thought, God does not hold children accountable for their beliefs and actions until they are 12 or 13 years old. Jesus clearly invited much younger children to come into His Kingdom. “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). 

Your intention as a parent is crucial. “Train up [Hebrew, chânak, dedicate] a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Hannah dedicated Samuel to the LORD (1Samuel 1:28), and brought him to stay with Eli when he was young (1:24). Timothy was trained by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2Timothy 1:5). “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Timothy 3:15). Training does not give young children a free pass to poor conduct until a future “age of accountability,” but instead, requires conduct to match understanding. 

According to Scripture, sin is: 

First, “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin” (Proverbs 21:4). Sin starts in the heart, looks out through the eyes, and results in innumerable actions that are sin, though outwardly may not appear sinful. 

Second, “The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men” (Proverbs 24:9). Thinking to do or commit foolishness is sin, even without the actual commission of the act, for God sees the intentions of our heart. 

Third, “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). If believing is the pisteuō commitment of the heart to God, then withholding of that pisteuō commitment of the heart to God is sin.

Fourth, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Again, knowledge must go before intent. One cannot unintentionally sin. Knowledge of what you are supposed to do or not do, must first be present. You cannot be guilty before God of sin, unless you first knew better. 

Fifth, “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death” (1John 5:17). Righteousness is right action; but, if we take credit for our right actions, then we relapse into pharisaism, which only justifies ourselves before men and not God. We can only be clothed with Christ’s righteousness, if we take no credit for our right actions. Unrighteousness, then, is our claim for ourself, if we seek the righteousness of Christ, since we so sorely need His righteousness. 

Jesus is the Cure and Prevention for Sin 

To leave even this short study of sin without mentioning the cure and prevention of sin, would be insufferable. Jesus is both the cure and prevention of sin. “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1John 3:6). 

Wait! How can this be so? 

If we back up two verses, we are told, “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1John 3:4). 

Then, we are told Jesus “was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin” (1John 3:5). 

Okay, we have His forgiveness because He is sinless. 

But, the next verse gives us the impression “whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not” (1John 3:6). 

That is, if we are presently continuing or abiding in Jesus, we cannot at the same time be committing sin. 

That is logical and reasonable. 

But, how can the Apostle John add to this, “Whosoever sinneth [present tense, sins] hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1John 3:6)? 

Try this interpretation: The Holy Spirit cannot assure you that you know Him, while you are sinning or rebelling against Him. Instead, He witnesses against you, I have neither seen or known you. Can you blame Him? 

In summary, all sin is against God; and, Jesus is both the cure and prevention of sin. “And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin” (1John 3:5). Sin is the direct opposite of the pisteuō commitment to Jesus, and is properly, commitment against God in its rawest form. 

Father, You have been very wise, loving, patient, and kind to teach us about our sins. No one could have done better! May we care deeply about sin, if You had to send Your Son to the Cross to pay sin’s penalty. May our understanding of all sin being against You cause us to desire to depart from evil. May our understanding of Jesus lay the foundation of Your delivering us from all sin past, present, and future. May You destroy all the works of the devil, and preserve us while You do. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Search

Search