Sin is a subject that gets mocked at by many people. Some say there is no such thing as sin, but the word of God not only tells us that sin is real, it tells us what sin is, who is a sinner and the penalty for sin.

What is sin? Sin is going beyond God's law: "Sin is the transgression of God's law" (1 John 3:4). These are sins of commission such as stealing or lying or any action that breaks or goes beyond God's word. A congregation of people can commit a sin of commission when the local group goes beyond God's law, for instance, by allowing women to preach or teach over men in the congregation (1 Timothy 2:9-15; cf. 1 Corinthians 14:34-37). Sin is often thought only of as simply committing some wrong, but sin can be more subtle than stealing or telling a lie. The thought of foolish is said to be sin (Proverbs 24:9). This, still, is a form of a sin of commission. Violating one's conscience by doing something they aren't sure is right is another form of a sin of commission (Romans 14:22-23). The other major kind of sin is the sin of omission; that is, not doing what we know that is right: "To him that knows to do good and does it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). So, sin can catch us from many angles.

Sin had its beginning in the Garden of Eden when Satan deceived Eve into eating of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1ff; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:14). Adam, following his wife's lead, also partook of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6, 17). God had provided Adam and Eve a Garden with everything they needed and commanded them to obey one simple order, not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil else they would die (Genesis 2:17). When sin entered the world, physical death resulted, but even far worse, spiritual death. Spiritual death means separation from God. Adam and Eve became sinners and separated from God.

When accountable people go beyond God's law or do not do what they know they should do or violate their conscience in some manner, they become sinners. God declares all accountable people sinners (Romans 3:23). However, babies, children and the mentally handicapped are innocent in that they have no awareness or knowledge of sin (Ezekiel 18:4; 20; Matthew 18:3). Being a sinner means your soul is separated from God's fellowship and if you die in that condition, you will exist in eternity separated from God and His Heavenly home (Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). An eternal hell, originally prepared for the devil and his angels, will become the eternal home of the one who dies in his sins (Matthew 25:41). Sin cannot exist in the presence of God for God is light and in Him is no darkness (sin) at all (1 John 1:5).

A price has to be paid for sin. Man can never pay the debt of his own sins even throughout all eternity, this is why God in His mercy, love and grace sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to overcome sin and die in our place. Jesus took our place on the cross taking our punishment for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Sin is real. You are a sinner. Punishment is real. Jesus is real and He has paid the ultimate price for your sins. If you will come to Jesus in all faith, turning away from sins in repentance, confess your faith in Him and be baptized into Jesus, He will wash away your sins in His Blood and add you to His Church, His saved people, which He purchased with His Own Blood on the cross (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:36-41, 47; Acts 20:28). Why not become a part of the saved?

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Michael R. Baggett