A Look At Sin
It has long been understood that “besetting sins” are those by which one is easily entangled.” Sin, by definition is: any offense, transgression, or violation against God’s Law. This is biblically defined in 1John 3:4, which would impact one regardless of which Law of God one lived under. For instance, one who disobeyed God under the Patriarchal system (when there was no written Law of God) was in sin. The same is true for those who lived during the Mosaic dispensation of time. If they transgressed the Old Testament written Law of Moses, they had sinned. This is equally true, even today, as all today live under the New Testament Law of Christ. All who fail to obey God are sinning.
It is man that has quantified sin. It is man that has made some sins “BIG” or more heinous than others. Murder or rape are considered horrific sins while a “little white lie” carries a much lesser penalty in the eyes of man. But to God, sin is sin. There are no big or little sins to God. Sin is transgression of any of God’s Law. There was no written “Law of God” during the time from the creation of man to the giving of the Law of Moses at Mount Sinai. Therefore, we only know what God Commanded specific individuals as recorded in His Holy Word. Everyone during this time that disobeyed God sinned regardless of the magnitude of the sin. The example of Noah will suffice. 1Pet 3:20 shows that during the flood, only eight souls were saved by water.
The “Command of God” given to Noah to deliver to all souls was simple. It was “get on the Ark”. We don’t know exactly how long it took Noah to build the ark. It has been speculated by “scholars” it took between 55 and 120 yrs. But we do know, again from 1Pet 3:20, that God was “longsuffering” during this time. Any that obeyed the preaching of Noah and got on the Ark would have been saved. Only eight were saved. And it doesn’t take a Solomon to know that all other souls on earth at that time (those that did not get on the Ark) perished, regardless of the level of sin in their lives. Not getting on the Ark was disobedience to God. When one is disobedient to God and His Word, one sins.
In Ezek 18:20 we are informed “the soul that sinneth, it shall die”. Of course, this was written to Israel, but the concept applies equally to all men of all times. This is because sin separates one from God. In Isa 59:1, the prophet told Israel that God’s “hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Then, in Isaiah 59:2, they were told, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God”. It was the sin of Israel that separated between them and God. They were also told what that separation brought upon them. The latter part of the verse says, “and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” It was necessary that they know this that they might repent and turn back to following the Word of God.
Now, let’s apply this to the present time, under the present (and final) Law of God to humanity. We know this applies in the New Testament, as we learn from Rom 6:12, the Spirit had the apostle Paul write, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” We also know where sin originates, and what results as we read Jas 1:14-15. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” And in the verse just prior to these, we learn that God tempts no one to sin. Temptations come as man observes things around him and allows the desires of his heart to lead him. If the desires of one’s heart are not pure, sin is in the making. If one does not prevent this by putting the evil thought from their mind, sin occurs. This is not good, as all sin (or any) sin separates one from God.
However, temptations are not inherently a bad thing as not all temptations lead to sin. In 1Cor 10:13, the church there was told that God provides the way of escape for every temptation and will not allow one to be tempted to a level beyond their capacity to resist. This is why in Jas 1:2, the brethren to which James wrote, were told to “count it all Joy” when various temptations came upon them. Then, in Jas 1:12, these same Christians were reminded of the great reward that awaits all who “endureth” (can resist) temptations. A resisted temptation cannot become sin. The more one resists succumbing to temptations, the less likely they are to sin (transgress God’s Law).
Also, that which tempts one person may not be a temptation to another as we are all different and may have many different desires. But what is sin to one person is sin to all, for sin is the transgression of God’s Law. And we are to “exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Heb 3:13). If we yield ourselves to sin, we serve sin unto death (Rom 6:16). And we know Rom 6:23 teaches “the wages of sin is death”. Therefore, every sin is to be repented of.
Why not seek God through His Word and follow it, and “lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us” (Heb 12:1)? Think of the great blessings that await. In Heb 10:17 God tells us past sins and iniquities that have been forgiven will be remembered no more. The obedient and the faithful also have the inspired guarantee of 1John 1:7 if we continue to walk in the light – we have fellowship with one another and “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Don’t let sin destroy you. Faithfully obey, faithfully serve God, and live according to His Word – then receive the final reward of a home in heaven when time is no more.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
