What is Sin?

The question has inevitably arisen as to what is sin.

The Pharisees had issue with this question,

As did the gentiles after their conversion,

Even the first man and woman were a bit confused.

What was the nature of original sin?

Was it the eating of the fruit of the tree?

Or was it a selfish desire?

Scripture tells us,

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:6

Adam and Eve’s act in the garden was first a self determination of what is good;

Second a selfish desire;

Third, Adam and Eve were disobedient to the known will of God.

Sin is not relative to the individual.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23

Sin is not confined to the act.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…”

Matthew 5:21-22a

Sin is anything that separates us from God. God created us to be in relationship with him and when we desire for something more then what God has given us we commit sin.

God gave Adam and Eve the garden in which to rule and have dominion, but forbid that they eat from the tree of knowledge. The sin ful nature of man is to grasp beyond his domain for something more than he already has.

Jesus Christ made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins.

But I echo the words that Paul wrote in Romans:

“What shall we then say? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be!”

Jesus, the Nazarenes’, sacrifice on the cross atoned for the sins that we had yet to commit. But it was not so that we could continue to live in sin. It was so that the Holy Spirit could dwell within us and make our paths straight.

We are called to be free from sin!