A common definition of sin is given in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, as the answer to Question 14. It says, “Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.”
Sin is not limited to physical action, as is popular belief. Thoughts of the mind can also be sin. This is made clear when Christ describes anyone “angry with his brother” in the same terms as one who commits murder (Matthew 5:21-22) and anyone who has lustful thoughts as equal to an adulterer (Matthew 5:27-28). So, sins of the mind are given equal weight with sins that have been physically acted out.
Along with many other sins of action or thought, Paul also lists sinful attitudes such as bitterness and malice (Ephesians 4:25-31). It is also a sin when you know the right thing to do and do not do it (James 4:17). Sin, then, is any thought, attitude or action that either purposefully or inadvertently defies the laws of God or fails to do good when the good to be done is known.
The Bible says that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Everyone is born a sinner and has committed sin, defying the law of God. The consequence for this sin is death — separation from God forever (Romans 6:23).
Even though we, as humans, are sinners, God loves us and made a way for us to no longer be separated from him. Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Before we were born or anything was created, God knew us, loved us and made a way for us to be right with him.
That way is Jesus Christ; he is God the Son who was born as a human child, lived a sinless life, died to pay the price of our sins with his infinite life and came back to life to give us eternal life with God forever.
If you believe that, say so! Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
So, what can you do about sin? You can trust Christ to save you from it.
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Even though we, as humans, are sinners, God loves us and made a way for us to no longer be separated from him.
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