SIN ANALYZED

The subject of sin in the Scriptures which begins in Genesis 3 continues throughout.  In I John, it is simply stated as being a transgression of the law.

From the I John statement and Paul in Romans 3, the “glory of God” must be in this instance the law of God.  This both defines sin and expands the reach of the law.  As the Psalmist writes, “The law of God is exceedingly broad.”

The qualities of sin are what escapes believers most often.  Sin is bad.  We all know that.  Everyone has sinned we all agree.  But what is it about sin that gives it such a universal effect.  “For all have sinned.”

Let me point you to three features of sin that makes it what it is.

A.      Sin gives pleasure.  Hebrews 11:24-25. ²⁴ By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 

What Moses forsook, “the passing pleasures of sin”, are often mistaken as our rights as children of God.  The mistake is to think that if pleasure gained some other way or to some end then God’s glory is permissible.  We do not agree with the Roman Catholics that marriage is for reproduction alone.  We know the three principles of the intimacies of marriage.

1.       To prevent uncontrolled passion, I Cor. 7:1-9.

2.      For mutual comfort and intimacy, Gen. 2:18-25.

3.      And that the marriage bed is undefiled, Hebrews 13:4.

These are undeniable truths for Christians to freely enjoy the mutual benefits of marriage, but I doubt that many of the so-called Christian books detailing sexual intimacy in marriage are within the bounds of God-ordained pleasure.

B.      Sin is deceitful, Jeremiah 17:9.  “The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?

There is in sin the unfailing ability to show the bait and hide the hook.  Very seldom are we met with the bald sinfulness of sin.  As the writer of the Song of Songs, “it is the little foxes that spoil the vines.”, Song of Solomon 2:15.

The drunkard didn’t begin consuming a quart a day, but a little glass of wine or a small beer.  The thief didn’t begin robbing the mint, but with a candy bar at the local store.  Sin begins small and harmless appearing but ends in death.  Please read Jeremiah 17:10.

¹⁰ I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.

C.      Sin is enslaving. Romans 6:17-18. ¹⁷ But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. ¹⁸ And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

All the brave defenders of free will in lost men have either not read Paul here or they are willing to say that he does not know his subject.  But lest we make a mistake and think that Paul has spoken loosely listen to Christ in John 8:34-36.  ³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. ³⁶ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

These three:  sin gives pleasure, is deceitful, and is enslaving are a prelude to James clear determination of the origin and end of sin in James 1:15.  ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

What is the inevitable conclusion?  The sinner authors his sin and as sure as he is its author, he will pay the wages sin has earned.  But the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 6:23.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.