1. The Universality of Sin
Hamartology
The Universality of Sin

2. The Origin of Sin
Our preoccupation with the effects of sin, often blind us to the fact that sin did not originate on earth. It first transpired in heaven. While the first human sinner was Adam, the first sinner was Satan. How this illustrious being came to desire the throne of God, we do not know. We do know that he did and was himself the first of all fallen creations of God. (Isa. 14:12-15; Ezek. 28:11-19)

3. We cannot answer the question as to why this malignant creature was permitted to continue to exert his unspeakable power from the time of his fall until now. Satan was the source of the very first temptation on planet earth and he succeeded in deceiving Eve. (2 Tim. 2:14; Gen. 3:1-8)

4. The Definition of Sin
The primary word from which the term hamartology is derived is the Greek word amartia which is most often translated sin. Sin is “every departure from the way of righteousness.” The etymology of the word is literally “a missing of the mark.” The point is that there is an infallible standard of righteousness and that infallible standard is God Himself. Anything short of the perfection of the holiness of God is sin.

5. God’s will and God’s truth have been communicated to man by means of God’s law or governance. (Rom. 3:20) Every man intuitively knows that there is a proper standard and that he inevitably falls short of that standard. (Rom. 2:14,15) Further, man knows that his failure to meet the standard is an offense against the author of the standard.

6. C. I. Schofield’s Definition
An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God;
A state, absence of righteousness;
A nature, enmity toward God.
The Biblical definition of sin covers considerable ground in which many issues deemed to be neutral by men are condemned by God. (1 John 3:4; Rom. 14:23; Jam. 2:9,10; 4:17)

7. The Imputation of Sin
Man has a sinful nature because of original sin; it is also true that man carries the guilt of original sin. Denial of original sin or its effects, is a convenient means by which some men deny the existence of sin as a fact and more importantly as a factor in their own lives. Paul plainly taught the fact of original sin and effect of original sin upon mankind. (Rom. 5:12-19)

8. The word “impute” is an accounting term
The word “impute” is an accounting term. It means “to charge to one’s account, to lay to one’s charge.” There is a certain sense in which every man adds to his own account the awful litany of sins he commits. This in and of itself sustains an awful record worthy of eternal judgment. Unfortunately that is not all that appears on the ledger book. The guilt of original sin with all its penalty appears there as well.

9. The Extent of Sin
While most people are willing to acknowledge the sin of other people few are willing to admit their own. However modern man may attempt to deny the reality of personal sin, history mitigates against the denial of evil and its consequences. The pervasive character of sin is such a common human experience that the only basis for its denial is a desire to escape responsibility.

10. The Bible is very plain in both Testaments as to the universality of sin both in principle and in practice. There are no exceptions; all men are sinners before God. (1 Ki. 8:46: Ps. 143:2; Pro. 20:9; Ecc. 7:20; Rom. 3:10-12; Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22; Jam. 3:2; 1 John 1:8-10) The reality remains; all have sinned. (Romans 5:12) There are two groups of people in the world, saved sinners and lost sinners. The difference between them is the fact of forgiveness and salvation in the person of Jesus Christ. Every man is a sinner; every man needs the Savior!