Q18. WHAT IS SIN?

A. Sin is any lack of conformity to, or transgression of, the law of God.

I. SIN IS BREAKING THE LAW OF GOD (Romans 2:14-15, Galatians 3:10)

I) Sin is breaking the Law of God that He has written on the heart (Romans 2:14-15). II) Sin is breaking the Law of God that He has written in His Book (Galatians 3:10).

II. SIN IS NOT DOING WHAT GOD COMMANDS YOU TO DO, THINK, OR FEEL (Deuteronomy 6:5, James 4:17)

III. SIN IS DOING WHAT GOD FORBIDS YOU TO DO, THINK, OR FEEL (1 John 3:14)

I) You have sinned against God (Romans 3:22-23).

II) Every sin is ultimately against God, even if it is partly against others (Psalm 51:4).

III) Sin is great evil.

Sin is fighting God (Acts 5:39). Sin is hostile to God (Romans 8:7). Sin is contrary to God (Leviticus 26:21). Sin is resisting God (Acts 7:51). Sin is quarreling with God (Isaiah 45:9). Sin is rising up against God (Micah 2:8).

IV) Sin harms the person who commits the sin (Proverbs 8:36).

V) Every sin deserves God’s eternal wrath and curse (Romans 6:23).

VI) For the unbeliever, sin is like a noose fastened around the neck (John 8:24).

VII) Christ Jesus is the only way you can have your sins forgiven (Hebrews 9:27-28).

VIII) Believers are set free from slavery to sin and have become slaves to Christ and to righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).

IX) Sin is like cords which easily entangle even the believer, therefore you must be killing sin or it will be killing you (Hebrews 12:1-2, Romans 8:13).

X) One day, for those who receive and rest in Christ alone in this life, we will be totally freed from the possibility of sinning (1 John 3:2, Revelation 22:3-4).