Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Nature Human sin, according to the Bible, is any thought, word, or deed that transgresses the law of God. It is an inherent condition of humanity, stemming from the original disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Sin is both an act and a state, affecting the moral and spiritual condition of every person. The Apostle Paul succinctly states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Origin and Consequences The origin of human sin is traced back to Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve, the first humans, disobeyed God's command by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of rebellion introduced sin into the world, resulting in spiritual death and separation from God. The consequences of sin are manifold, including physical death, spiritual alienation, and the corruption of creation. Romans 5:12 explains, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned." The Universality of Sin Scripture affirms the universality of sin, asserting that every human being is born with a sinful nature. Psalm 51:5 declares, "Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me." This inherent sinfulness is evident in the actions and thoughts of individuals, as Jeremiah 17:9 describes, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Types of Sin The Bible categorizes sin in various ways, including sins of commission and omission. Sins of commission involve actively doing what is forbidden, while sins of omission involve failing to do what is commanded. James 4:17 states, "Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin." Additionally, sin can be personal or corporate, affecting individuals and communities. The Law and Sin The Mosaic Law was given to reveal sin and its seriousness. Romans 7:7 explains, "What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been aware of sin if it had not been for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, 'Do not covet.'" The law serves as a mirror, reflecting humanity's sinful condition and the need for a Savior. Redemption from Sin The central message of the Gospel is that redemption from sin is available through Jesus Christ. John 1:29 proclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection provide the means for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Romans 6:23 contrasts the outcomes of sin and grace: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The Role of Repentance and Faith Repentance and faith are essential responses to the problem of sin. Acts 3:19 urges, "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away." Faith in Jesus Christ is the means by which individuals receive forgiveness and are justified before God. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." The Believer's Struggle with Sin Even after conversion, believers continue to struggle with sin. The Apostle Paul describes this internal conflict in Romans 7:18-19 : "For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do." The Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome sin and grow in holiness. Eternal Implications The eternal implications of sin are grave, as unrepentant sin leads to eternal separation from God. Revelation 20:15 warns, "And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." However, for those who trust in Christ, there is the promise of eternal life and the complete eradication of sin in the new creation. Topical Bible Verses Genesis 3:1-24Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Yes, has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden? Topicalbible.org Romans 5:12 Romans 5:12-21 Romans 5:12-14 Romans 3:23 John 3:16 Hebrews 4:15 Hebrews 2:17 Library Whether Original Sin Would be Contracted by a Person Formed ... Whether the Whole Good of Human Nature Can be Destroyed by Sin Whether the Entire Good of Human Nature Can be Destroyed by Sin? Original Sin is Derived from the Faulty Condition of Human Seed. Pelagius Denies that Human Nature Has Been Depraved or Corrupted ... The Law of Sin with Its Guilt in Unbaptized Infants. By Adam's Sin ... Why God Proceeds to Create Human Beings, who He Knows Will be Born ... Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ... Of the Miseries and Ills to which the Human Race is Justly Exposed ... How Human Actions are Without Worth when they are done Without ... Resources What is the human spirit? | GotQuestions.orgIs the similarity in human/chimp DNA evidence for evolution? | GotQuestions.org How are human souls created? | GotQuestions.org Human: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being a Man of Sorrows The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being Buffeted The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being Nailed to the Cross The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being Scourged The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Being Subject to Weariness The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Birth The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Burial The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Circumcision The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Conception in the Virgin's Womb The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Death The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Enduring Indignities The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Having a Human Soul The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Hungering The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Increase in Wisdom and Stature The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Partaking of Flesh and Blood The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Resurrection The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Side Being Pierced The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Sleeping The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Thirsting The Human Nature of Christ is Proved by His: Weeping The Human Nature of Christ was Like Our own in all Things Except Sin The Human Nature of Christ was Necessary to his Mediatorial office The Human Nature of Christ was of the Seed of Abraham The Human Nature of Christ was of the Seed of David The Human Nature of Christ was of the Seed of The Woman The Human Nature of Christ was Submitted to the Evidence of the Senses The Human Nature of Christ was Without Sin The Human Nature of Christ: Acknowledged by Men The Human Nature of Christ: Attested by Himself The Human Nature of Christ: Confession of, a Test of Belonging to God The Human Nature of Christ: Denied by Antichrist The Human Nature of Christ: Genealogy of Related Terms |
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