The wisdom of the world often defines sin and decides which behaviors should be characterized as sin. For example, worldly wisdom has redefined and justified sinful behavior such as sexual immorality and divorce for any reason.
Man’s standard must be the Word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17) because God is the final authority. Isaiah 55:8-9 states, “”For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.””
The Bible speaks clearly and extensively on the subject of sin. Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). It is also sin when we know to do good and don’t do it (James 4:17).
If all mankind has sinned (Romans 3:23) and sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), what can we do? The answer is found in Jesus Christ who said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
God demonstrated his love for all people by giving His son to be sacrificed for our sins. We have redemption through the shed blood of Christ and the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14). We must be baptized into Jesus Christ to receive forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38). Baptism into Jesus Christ is baptism into his death and just as Christ was raised from the dead, we who were dead to sin are raised to walk a new life (Romans 6:3-4).
God is our light. If we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:5-10).
Sin separates us from God; however, Jesus Christ is our hope and path to the Father.
For the elders, Terry Clark