The Bible describes clearly and unambiguously what exactly sin is. Recognizing sin is essential to human salvation. That is why the Church of Rome set out to thoroughly falsify this knowledge very early on. The following is a simple discussion of the Bible’s equally easy-to-understand statements about sin.
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Sin is breaking the law
What sin is would be explained in just a few verses of the Bible. A clear statement about sin gives 1. John 3:4:
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.“
In other words, anyone who breaks the law sins.
The law described here is the 10 Commandments as found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 (Info). Breaking any of these laws is sin. What is the result of sin? Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“
In other words: whoever sins is doomed. By the way, this verse also contains a clue to the way out of this fate.
Violating any of God’s 10 commandments inevitably leads to death. Paul repeatedly emphasized the validity of the commandments in his letters to the various communities, including in his letter to the community in Rome. Romans 7:8:
“But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.“
In other words: If there were no law, there would be no sin.
Sin is only defined with the law and therefore, contrary to many false claims, God’s law is still fully valid (Info).
In human history, there has only been one person who has remained completely sinless. And that is God, who came into this world as a human being, Jesus Christ. Man in his fallen nature is far more than inclined to sin. Therefore, any claim that one is without sin should be treated with justified skepticism, 1. John 1:8:
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.“
Different levels of severity
The Bible describes other missteps as sin, which, however, do not automatically lead to death, as in 1. John 5:17:
“All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.“
Jesus Christ himself indicated the different “severities” of sin, as in Matthew 5:22:
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.“
The Catholic Church has its own ideas
The Roman Catholic Church has its own ideas about sin. This institution distinguishes the severity of sins, just as John mentioned a type of sin that does not lead to death. But the Church of Rome has idiosyncratically reshaped its priorities. Accordingly, there are “normal” sins and also “major sins”. The offenses, also known as “mortal sins”, are described as follows in the Catholic Catechism, No. 1866:
– Proud
– Greed
– Envy
– Anger
– Unchastity
– Intemperance
– Indolence or weariness
What is noticeable at first glance is that these “mortal sins” defined by the church do not correspond to the 10 commandments of God. Greed and envy could possibly be linked to the 10th commandment about desire, while chastity only has a marginal connection to the 7th commandment about adultery. The Catholic idea of an eternally Virgin Mary apparently dominated here.
Hardly in harmony with God’s commandments
According to the Catholic Catechism, these “mortal sins” are also so-called “root sins”. These are the roots, i.e. causes, for further sins committed. But these Catholic “mortal sins” are difficult to explain as a reason for other gods (1st Commandment), the worshiping and worship of idols (2nd Commandment) and the misuse of God’s name (3rd Commandment). There is absolutely no approach to the sanctification of the Sabbath (7th day of the week). (Info).
The first four commandments, i.e. all statutes that concern the relationship with God, do not exist in these “mortal sins”.
The belief that you can change laws
Since the Roman Catholic Church, with the Pope at its head, claims to be able to forgive sins in its infallibility, to define itself as a sacrament (decisive for salvation) and to be able to open and close the gates to God for people, it is only logical , that this church also claims to be able to change the laws based on its “divine authority.” (Info). For the carefree, believing Catholic, a submissive and uncritical attitude can have serious and, above all, eternal consequences.
EV churches redefine sin
Sin, as described in the Gospel, is sometimes perceived as very annoying in today’s world. The connection of sin with the commandments of God is completely contrary to the modern “lifestyle”. “Find yourself, listen to your heart and do what you want,” is the motto in modern society. Not only following this zeitgeist, but consciously fueling it, the former Protestant churches have long since repositioned themselves on the subject of sin.
Sin is no longer the transgression of the law, but the turning away from the love of God (Info). Man only needs to move into the field of God’s love and the sin is erased and the ticket to eternal life is secured. Another (pseudo) baptism in advance so that the name is also listed for the collection of the church tax (Info). God is reconciling himself with man anyway. So, basically everything is only half as bad.
Jesus Christ takes away sins
It’s as simple as it sounds. Sin is the violation of one of God’s laws. That’s all. Not the laws of the church, but the laws as written in the Gospel. Every human being is a sinner, and therefore every living adult is actually still alive on this earth only because of God’s grace. God knows about our fallen nature and the enormous difficulties due to the highly active adversary. Therefore, we do not simply drop dead after the first sin, but are given the opportunity to repent and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.
The love and grace of God are reflected in Jesus Christ. He therefore stands at the absolute center of the redemption of the thoroughly sinful human being (John 14:6). This is also why any attack on the truth of the gospel is an attack against the only-begotten Son of God. He took away sins, but not across the board and on a watering can basis.
When Saul (later Paul) was on his way to Damascus in the course of his persecution of the early Christians, Jesus Christ stopped him and confronted him. However, Jesus Christ did not ask why he was persecuting Christians, but, Acts 9:4:
“And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?“
Jesus Christ identifies Himself with His people. Through Him and only through Him can sinful man be saved. And that is why He is at the center of all attacks (Info).
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. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Revelation 22:14-15
Bible verses from King James Version
