- sin is when we disobey God

The word “sin” is a relatively uncommon word in modern parlance and to some it sounds archaic. Indeed, many folk who are genuinely trying to lead good, moral lives would not consider themselves to be “sinful” at all. So, is sin an old fashioned, out dated concept which has no relevance for us today?

If we look at what the Bible has to say about sin, we discover that the meaning behind the word is “to fail to hit the target” or “to miss the mark”. The first occurrence of somebody committing a sin is right back at the start of the Bible in Genesis 3. When God created man, He created him in His own image and God’s desire was that man would manifest (reveal or emulate) His character.  He gave man the freedom to obey or disobey Him.

God gave Adam and Eve (the first man and woman) a law that they should not eat of the ‘tree of the knowledge of good and evil’, and if they did there would be a penalty – ultimately, they would die. Sadly, we read that Adam and Eve did disobey this commandment. They made the choice to disregard what God wanted and do what they wanted. Clearly, God saw disobedience of Him as sin. Romans 6 v 23 says “For the wages of sin is death” and sure enough, the punishment of death came upon Adam and Eve.

In scripture we see individuals and nations repeatedly turning their back on God, “doing their own thing” and missing the mark. In Deuteronomy, God gives blessings to those who obey Him and punishes those who disobey Him.

The question we may ask is ‘So what?’  As descendants from Adam we have inherited his nature and we are all prone to follow our own ways, not God’s. Romans 3 v 23 tells us that “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

Furthermore, in James 1 v 14-15 we read that “…each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”  

What hope is there for us then? Amazingly and thankfully, this is not the end of the story. If you check out what the Bible has to say on this question, you’ll be amazed at the answer God has provided; you can be saved from your sins and be given the gift of eternal life!

[All Bible references are from the New King James Version unless stated otherwise]

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