The Law and Sin
Let us prayerfully consider a portion of the Word of God that teaches us about the law of God and Sin. Notice a verse that introduces this thought. (1 John 3:4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. Here we learn what sin is. To sin is to transgress God’s law. Who falls under this condition? Let us notice some verses that help us to learn this answer. (Gal 3:22) … the scripture hath concluded all under sin… (Rom 3:9) What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. (Eccl 7:20) For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. (2 Chr 6:36) … for there is no man which sinneth not, … From these quotes, we learn that all are under sin. All have transgressed the law of God. The law of God applies to everyone. It reaches into our lives and teaches us of our condition. God, in His great ability, has revealed to us by His Word that all have transgressed His perfect law.
Some deny that they have sinned at all. What does the scriptures teach us of our condition when we deny our sinful condition? Let us notice some verses that present this answer to us. (1 John 1:8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. Here we learn that we are being deceived if we conclude that we have not sinned. Furthermore, we learn that we are responsible for deceiving ourselves to believe that we have not sinned. We also learn that we are holding God as a liar when we believe that we have not sinned. When we contradict God’s testimony, we state by our contradiction that we think He has spoken a lie about us.
How did everyone come to their sinful state? We find this answer in the Roman letter. (Rom 5:12 ) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. When Adam transgressed the law of God, he brought sin upon all of mankind. When we, as Adam, come to the knowledge of good and evil, we suffer that emptiness that comes into our being. This causes us to realize that sin has affected us. A person matures to this condition. In God’s Word, we find that the little children were not held accountable when Israel disobeyed God’s commandment. Their innocence was on account that they did not possess the knowledge of good and evil (Deut. 1:39). Once this knowledge awakes within us, we like Adam suffer spiritual death. This is presented to us in Genesis chapter 3. Here we learn the reality of the statement made in the prophecy of Isaiah. (Isa 59:2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. Men and women who are satisfied to live in their sins live in a condition separated from God.
In this sinful condition, we have nothing to present of our own selves that will satisfy God. We are in debt and expose ourselves to the severity of His penalty. How then can we find reconciliation to God and be delivered from this just penalty? Thank God, that He has provided the remedy to bring us back into His favor. (Rom 3:22-24) Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: {23} For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; {24} Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Thank God, that by total reliance on Christ Jesus, we can be justified, forgiven, and in fellowship with God. Let us not look to ourselves for righteousness, but rather let us look to God, through Christ knowing that we must receive this God’s grace to be redeemed from our condition of sin.