Topical Encyclopedia In the Christian tradition, the concept of sin is central to understanding the human condition and the need for divine grace. Sin is seen as a transgression against the divine law and a separation from God. For the saints, or those who are set apart for God's purposes, the awareness of sin often leads to a profound sense of self-abasement and abhorrence of one's own sinful nature. This response is rooted in a deep recognition of God's holiness and the stark contrast of human imperfection.Biblical Instances and Reflections: 1. Job's Repentance: Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), experiences a profound realization of his own limitations and sinfulness in the presence of God's majesty. After God speaks to him out of the whirlwind, Job responds with humility and self-abasement: "Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6). This response illustrates the saint's recognition of their own unworthiness in light of God's perfect righteousness. 2. Isaiah's Vision: The prophet Isaiah, upon seeing a vision of the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, is immediately struck by his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people. He cries out, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts" (Isaiah 6:5). Isaiah's reaction is one of self-abhorrence, recognizing his impurity before the holiness of God. 3. Ezekiel's Call to Repentance: The prophet Ezekiel conveys God's message to the people of Israel, calling them to repentance and self-reflection. In Ezekiel 20:43, God promises that the people will "remember your ways and all your deeds by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils you have done" . This loathing is a necessary step towards genuine repentance and restoration. 4. Paul's Acknowledgment of Sin: The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, expresses a deep awareness of his own sinful nature. He writes, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24). Paul's exclamation reflects the inner turmoil and self-abhorrence that comes from recognizing the pervasive influence of sin, even in the life of a devoted follower of Christ. Theological Implications: The saints' abhorrence of themselves on account of sin is not merely an expression of self-loathing but a profound acknowledgment of the need for God's grace and mercy. It is a recognition that, apart from divine intervention, humanity remains in a state of moral and spiritual bankruptcy. This self-abhorrence leads to a deeper reliance on Christ's atoning work and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. In the life of a believer, this awareness of sin and subsequent self-abhorrence serves as a catalyst for spiritual growth and sanctification. It drives the saint to seek God's forgiveness and to pursue a life of holiness, striving to reflect the character of Christ in all aspects of life. The saints' response to sin, therefore, is not one of despair but of hope, rooted in the assurance of God's redemptive love and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 42:6Why I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 20:43 Library The Introduction to the Work, with Some Account of the Nature of ... Evidences of Regeneration. The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest. "All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as ... Implanted Dispositions. The Favourable Testimonies of More Recent Divines The Scheme of Necessity Makes God the Author of Sin. Washed to Greater Foulness Resources What is the definition of sin? | GotQuestions.orgThe Study of Sin ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org If Jesus paid the price for our sin, why do we still suffer the consequences of our sin? | GotQuestions.org Sin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sin in Believers is a Reproach to the Lord Sin is the Transgression of the Law Sin Money: General Scriptures Concerning Sin: Aggravated by Neglecting Advantages Sin: All Men are Conceived and Born In Sin: All the Imaginations of the Unrenewed Heart Are Sin: Blessings Withheld on Account of Sin: Christ Was Manifested to Take Away Sin: Christ's Blood Cleanses From Sin: Christ's Blood Redeems From Sin: Confusion of Face Belongs to Those Guilty of Sin: Consequences of, Entailed Upon Children Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Counted In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Manna and Quail Given In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The Complaint for Bread In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The People of Israel Journey Through Sin: Entered Into the World by Adam Sin: God Has Opened a Fountain For Sin: God is Provoked to Anger By Sin: God is Provoked to Jealousy By Sin: If we Say That we Have No, we Make God a Liar Sin: Ministers should Warn the Wicked to Forsake Sin: No Escape from the Consequences of Sin: No Man Can Cleanse Himself From Sin: Not Counted Against Righteous People Sin: Omission of What we Know to be Good Is Sin: Paul's Discussion of the Responsibility For Sin: Repugnant to Righteous People Sin: Saints: Abhor Themselves on Account of Sin: Saints: Ashamed of Having Committed Sin: Saints: Have Yet the Remains of, in Them Sin: Saints: Profess to Have Ceased From Sin: Scripture Concludes all Under Sin: Shall Find out the Wicked Sin: should be Avoided Even in Appearance Sin: should be Guarded Against Sin: should be Striven Against Sin: should be Wholly Destroyed Sin: Sometimes Open and Manifest Sin: Specially Strive Against Besetting Sin: The Abominable Thing That God Hates Sin: The Fear of God Restrains Sin: The Ground Was Cursed on Account of Sin: The Holy Spirit Convinces of Sin: The Law by Its Strictness Stirs Up Sin: The Law is the Strength of Sin: The Law is Transgressed by Every Sin: The Law: Curses Those Guilty of Sin: The Law: Gives Knowledge of Sin: The Law: Made to Restrain Sin: The Law: Shows Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin: The Thought of Foolishness Is Sin: The Wicked: Cannot Cease From Sin: The Wicked: Defy God in Committing Sin: The Wicked: Delight in Those Who Commit Sin: The Wicked: Encourage Themselves In Sin: The Wicked: Encouraged In, by Prosperity Sin: The Wicked: Expect Impunity In Sin: The Wicked: Guilty of, in Everything They Do Sin: The Wicked: Led by Despair to Continue In Sin: The Wicked: Make a Mock At Sin: The Wicked: Plead Necessity For Sin: The Wicked: Shall Bear the Shame of Sin: The Wicked: Tempt Others To Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on God Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on Others Sin: The Wicked: Try to Conceal, from God Sin: The Word of God Keeps From Sin: Toil and Sorrow Originated In Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating Sin: we should Pray to God: To Cleanse Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Deliver Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Forgive Our Sin: we should Pray to God: To Keep Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Make Us Know Our Sin: we should Pray to God: To Search For, in Our Hearts Sin: Whatever is not of Faith Is Sin: when Finished Brings Forth Death Related Terms Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) |