2018-07-20
Good Morning Dear Ones,
The Holy Spirit commands me to write about sin (transgression). Sin is not a pleasant subject, but nevertheless, we are commanded to deal with it. It is a part of every human’s life. To begin, let’s look at some definitions. The Greek word for sin is hamartia [pronounced: ham-are-tee-a]. It means missing the mark, guilt, fault, failure, breaking God’s Law, or thoughts, decisions, and behavior not originated by God. Another term is transgressions, from COL 2: 13, in Greek is paraptomasin [pronounced para-ap-toe-ma-seen]. It means falling away, ethical lapse, godlessness, or wrongdoing. Often, in the Bible it’s a reference to the sinful behavior of old Paganism. The English word, flesh is sarkos [pronounced sarx], when translated into Greek. It refers to the sinful nature we humans have and carnality, although the flesh isn’t always evil in Scripture. The flesh is necessary for the body to live our earthly lives in the Lord’s works [GA 2: 20]. 1 JN 4: 2-4 uses this word in the context of being necessary to live on earth. EPH 5: 31 refers to it in the context of marriage. JN 1: 14 describes the Lord Jesus as sinless. The Greek word, parapipto [pronounced para-peep-toe]. means to fall away, to fall into godlessness, or to return to the Paganism of old times. The Greek word for transgression is parapasis [pronounced para-pay-cease]. In its verbal form, it is paraptomati [pronounced par-ap-toe-ma-tai] and means to take a false step, to transgress, or to step over the line.
To these definitions and origins, allow me to add some Scripture that supports what we learn in the Bible. JAS 4: 17, “So then, if we do not do the good we know we should do, we are guilty of sin.” In keeping the Ten Commandments, we should show the love of Jesus to all, obey His teaching, and live peaceful, productive lives. We should know His word, so we know what He expects of us and what we can expect from Him. In addition, we are to rely on Christ and spread His Gospel to others willing to listen. 1JN 5: 17, “All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which does not lead to death.” Whether or not sin leads to death is up to God, and not our purview to decide. And yes, there is one sin that is unforgivable; it is sin against the Holy Spirit, which is serial refusal to believe in the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit [LK 12: 10]. In a segment of Romans, RO 14: 23, there is a discussion of the command: do nothing to make others fall away from faith in Jesus. “But if they have doubts about what they are doing, God condemns them when they do it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything not based on faith is sin.” These doubts result in feeling guilt. In each of these citations, there is a missing of the mark, a failure to obey God, which represents falling away from obedience to God that may or may not be deliberate.
In reading EPH 2: 1-10, we are told that in the past before Jesus came into our lives, we were spiritually dead due to our disobedience. However, God wanted to demonstrate His remarkable grace. He did this by showing His mercy and unconditional love for us. Thus, He brought us into life by sacrificing His only Son, Jesus, on the cross, saving us. (6), “In our union with Christ Jesus, He raised us up with Him to rule with Him in the heavenly world.” (8-10) “For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus, He has created us for a life of good deeds, which He has already prepared for us to do.” This notion clarifies the relationship for mainstream believers in Christ between grace and works. There are other denominations, e.g. Judaism-blessing through doing good deeds -mitzvehs (in Hebrew); Catholicism- believes in salvation through grace and works; the church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints (LDS) -salvation through grace and works, which don’t define God’s grace this way. The above citation makes it clear that God’s grace alone saves the believer, and that good deeds will follow.
PRAYER: O Lord, it’s difficult to deal with such a negative subject as sin in our study of Your word. However, it is through Your love for us that You discuss this subject and help us to gain Your perspective on it. Because of Your love for us, You decided not to allow Your human creation to be on a one-way path to spiritual death. In OT times, You wanted Your people to know what is sinful and what is not. However, You knew that this didn’t solve the problem of certain spiritual death. That is why Your Son, Jesus, was made the once-for-all Sin-sacrifice for mankind. He was made like the ram You gave to Abraham in place of sacrificing His only son of the promise, Isaac, in GN 22: 13, 16b-18. You did this for us all, so that we might be eternally forgiven [1 JN 1: 9], not just forgiven for one year, as in ancient Jewish practice of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur, in Hebrew). By Christ’s death on the cross, we are saved for eternity [JN 3: 16] and justified (deemed acceptable to You) [RO 4: 3]. To think that all we must do is to have faith in Jesus, profess that faith, and confess our sins to You as we uncover them. These are the tenets of the Covenant of Grace, and we thank and praise You for making this new and better covenant in His blood possible. Many of us have been disobedient in our past, but now have no desire to disobey You anymore. We are Your people, and You are our God. We express our love for You and devotion, saying this prayer, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The subject of sin has not been exhausted in this discussion. So, I will continue writing on it next week, as the Holy Spirit directs. Mankind’s sins take many forms with varying degrees of serious results. In my time, I have encountered a few people who are evil to the core. These are the malefactors, who present themselves as kind and caring to one’s face but premeditate evil against people behind their backs. I have also seen people evil enough to work their wrongful deeds openly. By the grace of God, most people have some good in them. Integrity, ethics founded in God, can be an issue. The Bible lists many of these issues, things like lust, ability to tell the truth, drunkenness and drug addiction leading to crimes, the taking of belongings of others without permission, and the breaking of laws made for society to promote decency. In my day, I have seen society on the slippery slope of “pushing the envelope” in foul language, excessive violence, greed, walking over others to get ahead, having a boastful attitude, false humility, and worship of other than God, for a few. Perhaps, I’m a “has-been,” because I remember much simpler times when society’s ethics demanded the production of wholesome TV programs and movies. I also remember a time when our congress and senate actually passed important legislation and weren’t so split on party lines. The split between conservatives and liberals in this country has never been so strong or wide. It is my hope each of you reading this message will join me in praying for peace at home and abroad. It is my Lord Jesus that causes me to make this request. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2018. All Rights Reserved.
<-- Back to Archives