Topical Bible: Sin: Often Manifold

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Sin, in the biblical context, refers to any thought, word, or deed that transgresses the divine law and the will of God. It is a fundamental concept in Christian theology, representing the moral failing and rebellion of humanity against God's holiness and righteousness. The manifold nature of sin is evident throughout Scripture, as it manifests in various forms and degrees, affecting individuals and communities alike.

The Nature of Sin

Sin is first introduced in the Bible in the account of the Fall in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve disobey God's command, leading to the entrance of sin into the world. This original sin has since tainted human nature, as described in Romans 5:12: "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."

Manifold Manifestations of Sin

1. Personal Sin: Personal sin refers to the individual acts of disobedience against God. These can be sins of commission, where one actively does what is forbidden, or sins of omission, where one fails 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."

2. Corporate Sin: Sin can also be collective, affecting entire communities or nations. The Bible often addresses the sins of Israel as a nation, calling them to repentance. In Daniel 9:5, Daniel confesses, "We have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled; we have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances."

3. Sins of the Heart: Sin is not limited to external actions but includes internal attitudes and thoughts. Jesus emphasizes this in Matthew 5:28, saying, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

4. Sins of Speech: The Bible warns against the misuse of the tongue, which can be a source of sin. James 3:6 describes the tongue as "a fire, a world of unrighteousness," highlighting the destructive power of sinful speech.

5. Sins of Ignorance: There are instances where individuals sin unknowingly. Leviticus 4 outlines the offerings required for unintentional sins, indicating that ignorance does not absolve one from guilt.

The Consequences of Sin

Sin separates humanity from God, as stated in Isaiah 59:2: "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." The ultimate consequence of sin is death, both physical and spiritual, as affirmed in Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The Remedy for Sin

Despite the manifold nature of sin, the Bible offers hope through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Through repentance and faith in Christ, individuals can receive forgiveness and restoration.

Conclusion

The manifold nature of sin underscores the pervasive impact of humanity's fall from grace. Yet, the Bible consistently points to God's provision for redemption and the call to live a life of holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 5:12
For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Manifold Dangers are Incurred by Speaking; the Remedy for which ...
... Manifold dangers are incurred by speaking; the remedy for which Scripture ... because
they knew that a man's voice is often the utterance of sin, and a ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ii manifold dangers are.htm

Of the Manifold Abuse of Speech.
... Of the manifold Abuse of Speech. ... are sad instances, not recorded to pratonize the
sin, but to ... and arrows and sharp swords, as the Psalmist often phrases them. ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section ii of the manifold.htm

The Conflict with Evil.
... real excuse for it, they are very often quite true. ... some companion may draw you towards
a sin, or a ... that his conflict with evil and its manifold temptations is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xv the conflict with evil.htm

Heaviness through Manifold Temptations
... need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations ... of mind into which those
are often observed to ... were they holy; they retained the same power over sin. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 47 heaviness through manifold.htm

The World's Sin-Bearer
... Theories manifold have been invented in order to make it ... God hath shut up all under
sin.' I ask ... in each of our hearts, the sense, dormant often, but sometimes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the worlds sin-bearer.htm

Jesus at the Well of Sychar
... the unseen and spiritual; Nature, that in and through which, in manifold and divers ...
whose consciences are touched by a presentation of their sin, often seek to ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii jesus at the.htm

Out of the Deep of Sin.
... shall save his soul alive"and all his sin and wickedness ... for all, but weekly, daily,
hourly, as often as you ... you can come trusting in His manifold and great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/ii out of the deep.htm

The Beatific vision. (Continued. )
... Yet, in spite of its manifold teachings, in spite too of ... And if we do obey, it is
often only after doing ... mind, and captivating me under the law of sin that is ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter iv the beatific vision.htm

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Easter
... reproves, that man so greatly and so often resists His ... should judge nothing that
is not a plain mortal sin. ... Trinity of Persons, and yet not as manifold, but as ...
/.../xvi sermon for the fourth.htm

What a Revival of Religion Is
... woman, and brought her under conviction of sin: and this ... might be a revival about
as often as that ... Great and manifold evils have originated in the providential ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture i what a revival.htm