truth on sin
Sin is an ugly word. It keeps company with other words like "wrongdoing", "error", and "evil". In the religious world, unless there is an understanding and acknowledgment that sin exists there's not much more to talk about.
featured scripture-block
Moses is on the mountain receiving the law (Ten Commandments) from God while the people have become impatient and built a golden calf to worship in Moses’ absence. God promises that there will be a consequence for their sin (vs 34) in the form of a plague (vs 35).
the bible truth on sin
Sin is any deed or action that is contrary to God’s law2,3,5,6 – His word5 – as well as anything a Christian might do against their ‘faith-trained’ conscience9,10. It is characterized as “wrongdoing”4, “lawlessness”7, anything “contrary to sound doctrine”5, “works of the flesh”3, “from the world”2, unrighteousness6, or anytime one doesn’t do what they know to be right9 or does do something they believe to be wrong10. Sin begins with being tempted by a human desire1 (e.g. lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes, pride2) which can then lead to spiritual death1, or not inheriting the kingdom of God3,6, but it doesn’t have to4. This distinction between sin and the practice of it – or continuing in it – is noteworthy1,3,4,7,8.
The result of sin is traced all the way back to creation1. The first sin1 introduced death8 as well as specific curses to be borne by man and woman1. While the guilt of each person’s sin is borne by that person1,7,8,15, one’s unrepentant sin4,11 and continued depravity13,14 results in spiritual death1,9,12 or separation from God2,3,10,15. Without remedy, the result of sin leads to the individual not inheriting the kingdom of God5,6,12,14 and being blotted out of God’s book of life7.
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.
Baptism is for, not because of, the forgiveness of sins1, and is consistent with the purpose of John’s baptism3 that prepared the way. Jesus’ blood fulfills the requirement10 and is the cleansing agent2,5,7,8,9 of sin. It is only through “death” (e.g. baptism) that an individual contacts His blood6,7. It’s just as Paul asked rhetorically, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”6 and why Peter directly linked baptism to what saves us4.
getting to the truth on sin is pretty important
don’t you agree?
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What is the hot and cold of Laodicea?
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Top 3: Scripture challenges to once saved always saved?
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What is salvation according to the Bible?
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Top 6: Jesus and OSAS?
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Can one fall from grace?
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How are works defined in the Bible?
Working through how "works" are defined in Scripture isn't for the faint of heart. Where one comes down on works defined has led some to question the very inspiration of the Bible. After all, Paul said, "one is justified by faith apart from works" (Romans 3:28). James said, "faith [more]
Top 4: Results of baptism?
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Top 5: Images for baptism?
The writers of the New Testament present several images for baptism. Just as with the images of the church, a picture or image can really help to drive a point, and it is really no different with these top five images for baptism. Baptism has always been part of the [more]
What is God’s pattern of salvation?
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Top 3: Salvation false doctrines?
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What about the thief on the cross?
When it comes to the thief on the cross, it's usually only raised as the "textbook" example of God's saving grace. Specifically, it's raised to counter the necessity of baptism. The popular response is something like, "What about the thief on the cross? Jesus declared him saved without having to [more]
How are we saved by grace only?
"Saved by grace only" is a catchy phrase that permeates websites and papers discussing salvation. We can't prove it, but it seems to be "de facto" doctrine among most evangelicals. The grace only doctrine has its own Latin banner - sola gratia. It is the mantra for whole movements and [more]
Was Saul saved on the road to Damascus?
There is a common belief among Christians today that Saul was saved on the road to Damascus. The conversion account of Saul, later known as Paul the apostle, is well documented in Scripture. In fact, there are three accounts of his conversion that are candidates to consider if Saul [more]
Is baptism for the forgiveness of sins?
Baptism "for the forgiveness of sins" is a statement Peter makes in his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38 ). The preposition "for" comes from the Greek word "eis" which is defined by Strong's to mean, "to or into (indicating the point reached [more]
What was God’s plan for a savior?
God's plan for a savior is fundamental to His plan of salvation. Messiah, or "lit. 'the anointed one,' is a saviour or liberator of a group of people". We can read about the life of this Messiah, Jesus Christ, in the four Gospels. However, looking at God's plan for a savior [more]
Who will come before God in judgment?
Many today live as though they will never come before God in judgment. But Jesus said, "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matthew 24:44) In the same context, he divulges that "concerning that day and hour [more]
Will we be judged according to works?
The idea that we will be judged according to works is a remarkably contentious one. It would seem that the thought of being "judged according to works" requires that God's grace must be denied. In other words, to say that we are judged according to works is to say that [more]
For whom did Christ die?
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Is God’s grace irresistible?
God's irresistible grace, also referred to as the 'effectual call' in the Westminster Confession of Faith, is probably better known as "irresistible grace". It represents the "I" in "TULIP" - a broader collection of doctrines ascribed to John Calvin (even though he existed long before the acronym). This doctrine [more]
What does the Bible say about God’s seal?
The seal of God or 'God's seal' is a term that comes up enough in Scripture to take note. In fact, based on much of the published material about God's seal, there is too often only one instance that seems to be taken as the primary or default passage. Unfortunately, [more]
Is hearing the gospel the only way to know God’s will?
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What was Jesus’ mission on earth?
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