Sin (Part 3)

Human conscience is not a reliable judge to condemn sin because many are living in sins but do not acknowledge their sins. The standard to judge sin is God’s Word, the Holy Scripture, God’s law. Without the knowledge of the Scripture we shall not know the truth of how sinful we are, “I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet” (Rom 7:7).
 

The Scripture tells us that “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4), “All unrighteousness is sin” (1 John 5:17), “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17), and “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom14:23). Sin is not only breaking God’s law but also missing God’s holy standard. For example, God’s holy standard is 7 points, but if you and I have tried our best and got only 6 points, we have failed already.  Using sinful human standards to judge sin is a great mistake because on the Judgment Day, God will judge human beings according to His holy standard!
 

When you and I break the law of the country we are living, we shall be called to court, judged and sentenced. Many committed sins secretly and cleverly escaped the judgment of men, but no one can “escape the judgment of God” (Rom 2:3), who is present everywhere, sees and knows everything and condemns sin, even our heart, our thoughts, our motives. Having never murdered anyone but despising or hating others is sin already (Prov 14:21, John 3:15). Having never committed adultery but embracing sexual lusts in the heart is sin already (Matt 5:28). Not giving thanks and proper worship to the Creator is sin already (Rom 1:21-25).
 

The Lord Jesus sums up His law in two commands: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mark 12:30-31). Have you and I broken God’s law? Please read our next articles.