Sin

Sin is thought, speech or action that goes against and breaks God’s law. It is an attitude of rebellion against God, seeking to rule one’s own life and ignoring God’s authority over us. (The Bible also uses words such as iniquity, transgressions, debts and wickedness for behaviour that goes against God’s will.) The Bible says that sin entered the world through Adam when he rebelled against God in Eden, and that because of his sin death came into the world (Romans 5:12-14). The Bible teaches that Adam’s sin has been imputed to all human beings (see Original Sin). So all human beings are born sinful (Psalm 51:5, Proverbs 20:9); are incapable of pleasing God by their own efforts (Romans 8:8); and are rightly condemned to judgement (Hebrews 9:27). The doctrine of Original Sin does not mean that we have an excuse for our sin. The Bible is very clear that all human beings have sinned and must face judgement (Romans 3:23, Romans 8:10, James 1:15, Hebrews 9:27). We are in desperate need of salvation and we are utterly dependent on God’s saving grace found in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:20). The gospel says that Christ died as a sin offering of atonement, paying the price for our sins and bearing the wrath of God against them (Hebrews 9:28, Romans 8:3, Hebrews 2:17, 1 Peter 2:24). If we will repent and believe in Jesus then our sins will be forgiven and we will receive eternal life, but all those who do not believe in Jesus remain in their sins and face eternal punishment in Hell (John 3:16-18, John 8:24). Christians, having had their sins forgiven by Christ, are to live lives of continual confession and repentance, making every effort to rid their lives of sin (1 John 1:9, 2 Peter 1:5-9, James 1:21, Ephesians 4:17-32). This is in anticipation that when Christ returns and establishes His Kingdom, God’s people will be rid of sin and its consequences forever (Hebrews 10:14, Revelation 21:1-8).