What is Sin?
The word sin in Hebrew is [chattath], from the root [chatta], and in Greek it is [hamartia]. Both these words mean ‘to miss the mark.’ They are words which illustrate that something is off target. With relationship to God’s laws, they mean that one has failed to meet the standard (missed the mark) set by God for us. God’s mark or standard is His law. Thus sin is the transgression of any of the laws of God. 1st John 3:4 • “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” This is the biblical definition of sin. It is man not holding to the standards which are set by God. There are some misguided Christians who believe that the law of God consists primarily of the ten commandments. But in truth, the laws of God encompass ‘anything and everything’ which the Lord declares. In order to understand what sin truly is, we must clear our mind of all preconceived finite notions about what is good and bad.
To answer this question we cite few examples from the Bible.First of all sin means wrongdoing, the transgression of the law, evildoing, viciousness, unfaithful life and going about ungodly ways. However, the biggest sin of all is to be unfaithful to God. Luke 15:18 ” I will go at once to my father, and say to him, ‘ Father I have sinned against God and against you'” Rom. 8:7 ” For the outlook of the unspiritual nature is enmity with God; it is not subject to the law of God and indeed it cannot be.” See also Psalms 50:4, Rom. 3:11 Romans 14:23 ” But anyone who has misgivings and yet eats is guilty, because his action does not arise from conviction is sin. I John 3:4 ” To commit is to break God’s law; for sin is lawlessness.” See Jacob 2:10 and 8:11 for more.
Sin is a lack of faith. Sin is not trusting in the power of God to redeem the world. Sin is celebrating Good Friday but not Easter. Sin is our problem. Sin is what keeps us from entering into the kingdom of God and from manifesting God’s redeeming love for the world. But the good news of the Christian Bible is that God has forgiven our sin. Therefore, if we are faithful and put our trust in the God of love we know in Jesus Christ, we will know the forgiveness of our sin.
