Sin is an unfortunate reality in this world. The remedy for sin and evil in this world has been pursued and framed by many different movements. Recently, the “New Age” philosophy has centered around man’s own ability to do better or be better.
This “look inward” approach to the remedy for sin manifests in several ways including politics (e.g. ideals of socialism) and pop culture (e.g. Oprah Winfrey, books like “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” by Eckhart Tolle, and movies like “Eat Pray Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia” in 2010).
New Age is “an umbrella term that includes a great variety of groups and identities” that are united by their “expectation of a major and universal change being primarily founded on the individual and collective development of human potential.”
how Scripture answers "What is the remedy for sin?"
The only remedy for sin is a sinless2,5 Jesus Christ1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. His coming in the flesh3,5,9, His death7,8 and sacrifice of His own blood2, together with His triumphant victory over death4,7 is the remedy for sin. He “condemned” sin3, bore it for all8, and was “vitorious” over it4, taking them away5.
Being in the flesh3, we are enslaved to sin7 and death4. The only remedy for sin for us — receiving forgiveness6 and advocacy1 — is to die with Him (in baptism)7, raised to walk in the Spirit3 and wait eagerly for His saving return8,9.
our answer is built on the following scripture-blocks
please comment if you feel it’s not adequately or correctly presented
1
John, in his letter to brethren, makes refrain after refrain for them to continue to “walk in the light”. In the first chapter he states it as, “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1:6)
Jesus is advocating to God on behalf of any that sin.
2
If you call on God as your Father who impartially judges each person according to his/her works, make sure to behave with fear (e.g. obedience) throughout your sojourn on earth. Remember you were set free from the futile ways passed down from your forefathers, bought not with perishable, material things but with the precious blood of Jesus, who like an innocent lamb was sacrificed.
Peter is writing to Christians in difficult times, reminding them to continue in their faith in Jesus. He says they should be “as obedient children” (vs 14) and be prepared for “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (vs 13).
Jesus “ransomed” us with His own blood.
3
God has done what the law [of Moses] could not do since it was weakened by the flesh. He sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin itself, condemning sin in the flesh. As a result, the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in us who walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh.
Jesus “condemned sin” by coming in the flesh.
4
Paul is making his great defense of the resurrection of Christ. Some were denying the bodily resurrection from the dead (vss 12-19) which Paul refutes based on the fact that Jesus was raised in the body to live again.
Jesus has given us a “victory” over sin (and death).
5
Jesus appeared to take away sins and Himself had no sin.
John is stating the case for fellow believers to continue in the love of God, here reminding them of the contrast between those that practice sin (e.g. “lawlessness” vs 4) and those that have accepted Jesus and been cleansed of their sin.
Jesus came to take away sins.
6
Paul’s opening/greeting to the “brothers in Christ at Colossae” (vs 2).
In Jesus, we have forgiveness of sins and are redeemed (e.g. bought) and moved from a world of darkness into His kingdom.
7
Paul is making the broader point of the richness and fullness of God’s grace toward sinful man (chap 5) before turning to man’s response (and responsibility) for salvation. He states the absurdity of continuing “in sin” (vs 1) because they killed off their old self through baptism (vs 3).
Connected with Paul’s statements in his resurrection defense4, we die (with Christ) to the enslavement of sin.
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
8
Just as man’s appointment is to die and then face judgment, so also Christ has already been offered to bear the sins of many and will appear a second time not to deal with sin but to save those still waiting for His return.
The Hebrews writer is in the midst of his argument about why Jesus and the new covenant are better than the old – here specifically arguing about His superiority as a High Priest.
Further connecting4,7, Jesus bore all sins (“dealt with sin”) and will return to save those waiting for Him.
9
God’s grace appeared, bringing salvation for all people and training us to renounce sin and its passions. As a result, we live godly, righteous lives, controlling ourselves in the present age and waiting for the appearing of the glory God – Jesus Christ, our hope. He gave himself to redeem us from all lawlessness, purifying us as a people for His own possession and eagerly doing good.
Paul is writing to a young preacher, Titus. He provides instructions regarding many of the other roles in the congregation including pastors/elders and deacons in chapter one. He continues to give instruction regarding behavior to certain segments/groups within the church: older men (2:2), older women (2:3), younger women (2:4), younger men (2:6), and finally slaves (2:9). With all of these, their behavior is to be exhibited as would “accord with sound doctrine” (1:9, 2:1, 2:10).
The appearance of “the grace of God” (e.g. Jesus Christ) redeemed us from “all lawlessness”.
Leave your comment below…
…and if you’re wondering more about what we’re doing and why, here are some links we hope can help explain it (and maybe even get you excited about contributing):
- the Bible Study Framework and scripture-blocks
our format and the anatomy of a question
the Bible study standard that we follow
- our top four obstacles to letting scripture interpret scripture
related to 'What is the remedy for sin?'
lend your own study to the discussion
PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY: While your email is required, it will not be posted publically.
All comments are vetted for potential spam before being published, but will not be restricted otherwise.