What is a sin? In 1741 leading up to the American Revolution Johnathan Edwards in a period of revival preached a famous sermon titled Sinners in the hands of an angry God. In the sermon Edwards paints the picture of sinners who slip and fall under the weight of their own sin. Men who were standing and sure of themselves one moment and then through no act of any outside action lose their footing to ruin. Sin is a weight that all men carry that is waiting to destroy us when we fall.
The Hand of God
Edwards in his imagery also describes God as the hand that hold one up for the moment. Yet we would see it as our own care and wisdom that keep us alive. But we stand on the slippery slope only because of God’s grace and mercy. When that is used the weight of our failures will bring us down.
Not Doing What is Right
Sin comes in many variates and each of us are predisposed to certain kinds of depravity. One might even try to categorize sin. Sins of omission and sins of commission. The 4 types of sin or the 7 types of sin are search categories that one might look up. But don’t waste your time on these kinds of endeavors. James gives us plain speech in our approach to God.
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17 ESV
Sin is a Missed Mark
What is a sin? Sin is a mistake, an error in judgment, the missed mark, and a violation of divine law in thought or deed. Sin is failing to do what you know is right. God has placed into our very being a compass for right and wrong. We know when we have missed the mark of perfection. Our own heart beats us up over these failures.
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. Romans 2:14-16 ESV
Unburden your Sin
Asking what is a sin is not the question we should be asking. We all know what is right and wrong. Directionally we know gambling for example is wrong. We see the results of unchecked vice on the community. Yet we rationalize that our sports betting or trip to Vegas is not a problem. The real question we should be asking is what must we do with our sins? How do we unload this burden of our own making that will cause us to fall into Hell? The answer to this question is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 ESV
Repentance Brings one to Church
The answer to what is a sin is repentance. God is calling you to change your ways. Start with what you know is right and do that first. For most of you the first step of repentance will be to go to church. Because church is where you will find other men to encourage you. Others who are being held up from the slippery slope by the hands of Jesus. Your burdens will cause you to fall and if you have not fallen already it is because God is giving you today to unburden your sins by doing what is right before him.
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:13-15 ESV
