The Exceeding Sinfulness Of Sin

The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin The Greek word most often translated “sin” literally means to “miss the mark.” Thus, when we sin, we “miss the mark” God has set for us.

Romans 3:21-24 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:25-26 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin The Greek word most often translated “sin” literally means to “miss the mark.” Thus, when we sin, we “miss the mark” God has set for us. But there are other things we need to know about sin in order that we may understand the exceeding sinfulness of sin.

Romans 7:9-13 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.

Synonyms for Sin Transgression: “Primarily a going aside, then, an overstepping, is used metaphorically to denote transgression (always a breach of law)” Iniquity: “sets forth [the] essential character [of sin] as the rejection of the law, or will, of God and the substitution of the will of self” Unrighteousness: “The comprehensive term for wrong, or wrong- doing”

Two Categories of Sin Sins of commission—doing what God forbids or does not authorize

1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (KJV) Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (NKJV)

Two Categories of Sin Sins of commission—doing what God forbids or does not authorize Sins of omission—failing to do what is good

James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (NKJV) So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (ESV)

Biblical Figures for Sin “A heavy burden” which the Lord will gladly replace with a lighter one

Psalm 38:4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

Isaiah 24:20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, And it will fall, and not rise again.

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Biblical Figures for Sin “A heavy burden” which the Lord will gladly replace with a lighter one “Foolishness”

Numbers 12:1,2 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, "Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" And the LORD heard it.

Numbers 12:3,4 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.) Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, "Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!" So the three came out.

Numbers 12:5,6 Then the LORD came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. Then He said, "Hear now My words: "If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.

Numbers 12:7-9 Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?" So the anger of the LORD was aroused against them, and He departed.

Numbers 12:10,11 And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper. So Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned."

1 Samuel 13:7,8 And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

1 Samuel 13:9,10 So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And he offered the burnt And offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.

1 Samuel 13:11-12 And Samuel said, "What have you done?" And Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.' Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering."

1 Samuel 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever."

2 Samuel 24:10 And David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly."

Psalm 38:5 My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness.