Sin is the transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4). The book of Isaiah 66:3 also gives us a broader understanding of what sin is. It says…”They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations;” Here we find that;
- We have chosen our own way instead of God’s way. God has given us His perfect law but we have chosen to go against that.
- We delight in our abomination: An abomination is something that God hates. This means that by sinning we delight or find pleasure in what God hates
Verse 4 continues; – “….Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear;
- It is also seen here as not listening to the voice of God. We turn our backs on God and do not take heed of His voice calling us to be Holy.
- It is in essence a rebellion against God. This is elaborated in Deuteronomy 9:7
The Origin of Sin
It is tragic but true that sin originated in Heaven. When one of the angels closest to God chose to covet God’s power and rebelled against His authority. Prophet Ezekiel gives us the description of this angel called Lucifer: Who was the mastermind behind the origin of sin. (Ezekiel 28:12-15) Now you might be wondering, how did transgression enter such a perfect being, in such a perfect place:
In the Bible Commentary of Ellen G White, Volume 4 Page 1162, 5 we find that: The first sinner was one whom God had greatly exalted. He is represented under the figure of the prince of Tyrus flourishing in might and magnificence. Little by little Satan came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation. The Scripture says: “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor;” “For you have said in your heart; … I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; … I will be like the Most High.”
Though all his glory was from God, this mighty angel came to regard it as pertaining to himself. Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father has invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone. (Ezekiel 28:12-15, Isaiah 14:13-15)
Lucifer was cast down to earth after sinning in heaven. (Revelation 12:7-9) He then brought sin to the human race when he tempted our first parents Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). He told them that God was lying to them and that they will not surely die if they eat of the fruit which God had forbidden them not to eat. Since then, sin has been passed down through all the generations of mankind from Adam and we being his descendants have inherited sin from him. (Romans 5:12)
Death come through sin because the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) However, the same text finishes with the hope that we have a gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. The importance of that gift is what I’d like to bring to your attention today.
Types of Sin
Generally, we have three types of sin.
- Inherited sin
- Imputed sin
- Personal sin
Inherited Sin
Through Adam, human beings become sinners by nature. We become inherently inclined to sinning. We are sinners not because we sin, rather, we sin because we are sinners. This is called Inherited Sin. Just as we inherit physical characteristics from our parents, we inherited our sinful nature from Adam. King David laments this inherited nature; Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me – Psalm 51:5
Imputed sin
To impute means to attribute or assign something. Imputed sin is Adam’s sin assigned or attributed to us. In Romans 5:12-14, we find that even before the law was formally given to Moses at Sinai the guilt of sin rested on humanity back from Adam. All people who come after Adam has been credited with the guilt of his sin.
With Imputed sin, we are naturally guilty and naturally condemned and this, in turn, affects our standing before God. Whereas with inherited sin we are naturally morally ruined and our character is affected. Both of them subject us to God’s Judgement.
Our loving God used the principle of imputation for our own good. He imputed the sins of mankind to Christ Jesus who went ahead and paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2) Christ did not inherit sin from Adam. He bore the penalty of sin through all the suffering He went through even to the shameful death of the cross yet without sinning. (Hebrews 4:15)
Personal Sin
These are sins committed day by day by human beings. The fact that we are naturally inclined to sinning because we inherited a fallen nature from Adam, we commit personal sins. These are basically things that range from worshiping other gods, envy, pride and even coveting your neighbor’s wife.
However, because of the death of Jesus Christ, we have been given the ability to resist sin. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us convicts us of our sins. (John 16:8) The Holy Spirit also gives us the power to resist personal sin; (Romans 8:9-11)
There is also a promise; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
We have been condemned by Inherited sin, imputed sin & personal sin and without salvation, through Christ, we are to face not only physical death (Romans 6:23) but also eternal death. (Revelation 21:8)
Why do we need salvation?
Let’s notice the Book of Acts 4:12 – Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” The emphasis is on the word ‘must be saved. It’s not ‘may be saved’ or ‘we can be saved. The emphasis is there because:
We are by nature sinful, lost, and perishing
Through Adam, the inherent inclination to sin entered the human race and we become sinners by nature. (Imputed sin – Romans 5:12-14), Inherited sin – Psalms 51:5). We are lost like the sheep, the silver, and the prodigal son – Luke 15. We are perishing – John 3:16
However, we have hope in Jesus Christ. He died for us and rose again on the third day. By His death and resurrection, we received the gift of salvation. A gift can either be accepted or declined. (Romans 5:17) I invite you to receive this perfect gift of salvation.
We cannot save ourselves
It is impossible for us ourselves to escape the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil and we cannot change them through our own efforts. (Jeremiah 13:23)
Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human efforts all have proper spheres, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life.
E. G. White
God has provided salvation for us
Let’s notice Ephesians 2:8 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—The gift of salvation has been given to all. God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11) There is no racial, tribal, or any other kind of barrier “for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”- Romans 10:13 We just need to accept this gift through our faith in Jesus Christ and accept His death and resurrection.
The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with love stronger than death. In giving up His son, He has poured out to us all heaven in one gift. The savior’s life and death and intercession, the ministry of angels, the pleading of the Spirit, the Father working above and through all unceasing interest of heavenly beings, all are enlisted in behalf of man’s redemption
E. G. White
We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I know we are thirsty for this gift. We have been invited to drink from the fountain that does not run dry. (Isaiah 55:1)
I have made a deliberate choice to accept this gift and I can assure you it’s a blessing. Will you accept this gift or will you decline it?
