In my
post,
Am I Safe in My Sin?, I talked about whether or not we as
individual Christians ought to sin or not.
But that then brings up the question "What is
sin?"
According to the online dictionary sin is "An
immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.
'A sin in the eyes of God'
Synonyms: immoral act, wrong,
wrongdoing, act of evil/wickedness, transgression, crime, offense, misdeed,
misdemeanor."
It's funny, that even if though the Bible has set rules and
examples of sin it's hard to understand what sin and evil really are.
That's because sin and evil aren't things or made-up rules.
They are ideas - theological and philosophical concepts.
Once you understand that sin is not a thing but an abstract
reality, it's easier to answer the following questions;
1. "What is sin?"
2. "Who made sin?"
3. "Who decided what sin is?"
4. "Who punishes sin?"
1. Since sin is not a thing, but a concept, what is the
concept of sin?
Sin is not only the opposite of good, but the result of good
missing.
Logically, we can come to the conclusion that sin only exists
because of lack of perfection or good-doing.
2. Who made sin? Or more like, how can one make sin if it is
an idea?
If sin is the result of taking away good - then sin is made
by the offender and no one else is to blame.
Also, the idea of sin forces for their to be one to sin
against. This is partly why those that do not believe in God do not believe in
sin either.
This is why we punish the one committing the crime - never
anyone else. And it's also the reason we are each responsible for our own
actions and consequences - because WE are the ones that create our sin.
It's a choice matter.
3. Sin is of itself a "religious" thing.
It's rare that an unbeliever will actually admit to having
"sinned" even if they happen to have that sense of guilt that means
they have sinned
Sin is that which violates good, and in essence of His
nature, God is good. Thus sin is that which violates God.
And what ever violates Him and the nature of good is sin.
So, it's not so much that God or the Bible has made up what
sin, but He has defined it for us.
God has revealed to us all that would disrupt or cause good
to be gone.
And that process is called sin.
4. Only good can punish sin. Why?
Because evil punishing evil would only create more evil. But
good can bring both justice and mercy to the offender.
When one is totally uncorrupted it has the authority to
continue pushing goodness onto sin, and vanquishing it.
The idea and concepts around sin are very important. They
prove God's existence, and also demand our continual steadfastness to His
goodness.
Even though sin is something we'd like to forget
about, I believe that we should at least understand what it is so that when
asked hard questions or facing temptations we will be prepared to say and do
the right things.
1 Peter
1:16 "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am
holy."
Matt 5:48 "Be ye
therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
