Hamartiology (Study of Sin)

What Is Man?

Ken

Why has God gone through so much trouble for us? In our vanity, we like to think of ourselves highly; but, look around, are there not more than a few, who have done more impressively than ourselves? “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3 NKJV).

Humans, as remarkable as they are, one would think, cannot be as fascinating as the vastness and scope of the material universe, which God created, in its microcosm and macrocosm. And yet, “what is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:4). Lucifer, as the apex of God’s moral creation, became perplexed, when he pondered how the Son was eternally begotten of the Father. “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You” (2:7). Aren’t sons inferior to their fathers? “Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, Show us the Father?” (John 14:9). So, how could the Eternally Begotten Son of God be equal to the Father? And, how could that Son expect his (Lucifer’s) worship? Even further, how could he (Lucifer) prospectively degrade himself to serve yet-to-be-created humans, who would be “a little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2;7, 9)? “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Did it not consternate Lucifer to learn of the Almighty’s plan for angels to be used to minister as servants to the lowliest of humans? “For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11-12). It must have been so, since he cited that very Scripture back to Jesus, when he was tempting the Son of God in the wilderness. “And said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you, and, In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Matthew 4:6).

It appears this very thought may have been more than Lucifer could tolerate. “For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Could this have been the Original Sin of Lucifer before Eve then Adam committed the First Human Transgression? Any wonder the devil hates us so? “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1Peter 5:8-9). And, notice how he appealed to Eve’s sense of wondering why the Almighty would forbid eating only of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:17). The Serpent desired that she would succumb exactly as he had failed. After all, the epitome of sin is seeking what God informed us wasn’t ours to possess, nor loving Yahweh for choosing it so, nor trusting the LORD for limiting us so. Lucifer wanted God’s position; but, it is impossible for the creature to become the Creator. Eve wanted to know what God knew about good and evil; but, it is impossible for the creature to handle knowledge too high for them. Neither did they trust Yahweh enough for limiting them nor loved Him enough for choosing it to be so.

“LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me” (Psalm 131:1).

Never did God owe anyone the opportunity to repent; not you, nor I, nor Lucifer. If God owed anyone a Second Chance, then Salvation would be a strict matter of justice, and not the Unmerited Favor of a gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

As an archangel, Lucifer was a “covering cherub” (Ezekiel 28:16), yet he was tasked to be among the “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14). With no second chance to reconsider, he refused. His disdain and dread of the Blood of Jesus lies in his contempt of Jesus taking the form of a man, then substituting Himself as a sacrifice for sinful humanity. Flesh and blood were always the intention of the Godhead manifesting Jesus as the Eternally Begotten Son of God. This was unacceptable to Lucifer. Our second chance opportunity to repent is the very point of agitation for Satan, where “God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (2Peter 2:4).

What is Man?

  1. Humanity was created for God’s own ends. “The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom” (Proverbs 16:4).
  2. God does not become more profitable because of anything humanity can do for Him. “Can a man be profitable to God, Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?” (Job 22:2).
  3. Humans are not worthy of God’s honor. “What is man, that You should exalt him, That You should set Your heart on him?” (Job 7:17).
  4. Humankind are God’s creation to be commanded. “I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded” (Isaiah 45:12).
  5. Jesus the Messiah is our Creator. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). The Spirit of Yahweh is our Creator, since it takes faith to be saved and to receive the revelation of the Divinity of the Spirit and Son as our Triune Creator. “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).
  6. Though the material universe was created ex nihilo (out of nothing), which is miraculous, Adam was created directly from dirt, also a miracle. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7).
  7. God created us in His likeness, more specifically, He created us with the moral capacity to choose to reflect Him, or to reject Himself, a capacity difficult to imagine. “Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Genesis 1:26).

God created the first human, whom we know as Adam, which is also the same Hebrew word for man (1:26). Therefore, God named the human he created Adam, expecting Adam’s obedience (Isaiah 45:12), just as parents expect obedience from their offspring (Ephesians 6:1), whom they name. Adam expected obedience from his wife, whom he named  (Genesis 3:20), just as obedience is expected by husbands of their wives (Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18), who receive their married name from their husbands.

Father, we take great delight in looking to You as our Father. We acknowledge You as so much greater and higher than us that none is higher than You. May Your purposes be performed in us and through us. May we be privileged to understand somewhat of Your plan that we may cooperate with Your plans and prophecies. May the Son of Man return soon as KING of Kings and LORD of Lords. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.

No Excuse for Sinning

Ken

The promise for overcoming sin leaves us with no excuse for sinning. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [literally, allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Corinthians 10:13 KJV). Jesus warned us, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34), as if any follower of His would no longer be a servant or slave of sin nor indeed had any necessity to sin, as if truly, “the truth shall make you free” (8:32). Why would we think it strange, if Paul supports Jesus’ claim that Christ’s followers should be free from the bondage of sinning, since God’s faithfulness always makes escape from sinning possible? 1Corinthians 10:13 is a promise because overcoming sin is not automatic or without our participation. We must fully participate in trusting Jesus to deliver us from any necessity to sin, just as Jesus trusted His Father to work with Him. “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). We have no excuse for sinning.

Essence of Sin

Ken

“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.

Virtue of Not Sinning

Ken

“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). The vanity of trying to do it right but not succeeding was felt even by the Apostle Paul. “19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:19, 24). Is there deliverance from sinning? Yes! Paul answers the question. “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (7:25). And, immediately tells how. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (8:1). Walking after the Spirit is either a mystical, theological description of what every Christian has-but-doesn’t-know or we really don’t understand, since too many Professed Christians still identify with the camp of Desperately Seeking Deliverance from sinning. If that isn’t true, why don’t we hear more testimonies of overcoming sin in the daily life than testimonies of the dramatic change, when first becoming a disciple?

Quite simply, Jesus Christ our Advocate is and should be the reason we do not sin, for the very name of Jesus means “YHWH delivers,” from the penalty of sin and the necessity to sin. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1). Jesus Christ is our Advocate or Paraklete with the Father. He functions in us through the work of the Blessed Holy Spirit. This is what Paul began to tell the Romans in Romans 8. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). Paul explained the liberation from sinning was needed, because of past vain attempts to render obedience to the law of sin and death. The Jews already proved that method of rendering obedience and not sinning didn’t work, for they ended up crucifying the very Messiah, who was sent to set them free. “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1). 

The virtue of not sinning is clearly the victory that overcomes the world. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1John 5:4). Our pisteuō commitment of faith to Jesus is our sense of abiding or remaining in Christ, which understanding Jesus was especially trying to impart to His inner circle in the days immediately before His crucifixion. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me” (John 15:4). 

We do not immediately think of the virtue of not sinning, since it is an inverse method of reflecting on faith, obedience, and knowing Christ. “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1John 3:6). The mental gymnastics of how only a present tense abiding in Christ can yield a present tense condition of not sinning, must actually and more firmly be a part of the foundational thinking of every disciple, or else we will develop the alarming condition of reassuring ourselves of having come to know Jesus, even while we are continuing in present sin and disobedience. 

This weakness will especially be exploited by the Man of Sin before the soon reappearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, for he knows the uselessness of a faith, which does not produce the work of the abiding fruit of “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness [gentleness], temperance [self-control]” (Galatians 5:22-23), for he will re-explain all of reality to those left behind after the Harpazō Rapture. Your faith was only an illusion of which I am now your present, powerful, and awe inspiring reality. “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time” (1John 2:18). 

Not sinning is virtuous, since it is part of our wholehearted pisteuō commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the antithesis of the works of the devil. “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” (1John 3:8). Destroying the works of the devil and destabilizing the future foundation of the Antichrist requires us to be campaigning to not sin, as much as our need to abide in Christ. “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not” (3:6). 

O be careful little heart whom you trust

O be careful little heart whom you trust

For the Father up above

He’s looking down in love

So, be careful little heart whom you trust. 

Father, You are the One who sets the agenda for how we should act in these Last Days. May we enlarge our thinking that we will perceive more of the reality of what is fast unfolding before our eyes. May we do our small part of destroying the works of the devil by not sinning. Increase the understanding of the Body of Christ of how not sinning must be part of abiding in Christ. We know we cannot stop all sin or the embrace of the world for Antichrist, but help us to give our last full measure in promoting and embracing Jesus, the only Way, Truth, and Life. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen.