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| by John V. Cordaro From a Biblical perspective, sin is a state of alienation from Yahweh as well as an act of wrongdoing. The Bible provides the following definitions for sin; "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. " (1 John 3:4). "All unrighteousness is sin: . . ." (1 John 5:17). We gain a knowledge of sin by the law as we learn in Rom.3:20 and 7:7; "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20). ". . .I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." (Romans 7:7). The Law that these New Testament scriptures are talking about is quite clear. Rom.7:7 is a direct quotation from the Ten Commandments. Therefore, the Ten Commandments must be included among the laws that New Testament believers are to obey in order to avoid sin. Our obedience to the Ten Commandments must be from the heart out of love for Yahweh. When we obey those commandments we are fulfilling the two greatest commandments; to love Yahweh with all your heart, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mt.22:36-40). Sin, however, is not avoided merely by keeping the letter of these laws. Yahshua the Messiah came to magnify the law as he taught in Mt.5:21,22,27,28. Keeping the commandments goes beyond the letter into the spirit of the law. If you commit adultery you have obviously broken the law and sinned. But even if you merely lust after a woman in your heart you have sinned. The same holds true for all the commandments. Some people teach that the letter of the law has been abolished and only obedience to the spirit of the law is necessary. Breaking the spirit of the law, however, is the seed that leads to transgressing the letter. The lust of the flesh towards a woman is the seed that leads to the actual act of adultery. In either case it is sin. James identifies the Ten Commandments as "the law of liberty" (Ja.2:12) and "the perfect law of liberty" (Ja.1:25). This perfect law of liberty gives us a knowledge of sin. We know we are sinning when we break either the spirit or letter of this law. The Apostle Paul taught us in Romans 3:10 & 23 that there is no one that is righteous, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of [Yahweh]." "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 Jn.1:8). As a result of our sins we must pay the ultimate price; "for the wages of sin is death . . ." (Rom.6:23). But verse 23 goes on to give us the remedy for sin; "But the gift of [Yahweh] is eternal life through Yahshua Messiah our Master." Yahshua is "the way, the truth, and the life." It is through his shed blood that we can be cleansed of our sins and given eternal life instead of eternal death. "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). Friends, do not be deceived. Sin causes separation between you and your Creator, Yahweh. You need to recognize your sin, repent of it, and be baptized in the name of Yahshua the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Only then will you be at peace with yourself and your Heavenly Father. |
What Is Sin?
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