Mankind and Sinfulness
What is Sin
We can define sin in many different ways. The two most common are 'missing the mark' and' 'transgression of the law'. Missing the mark would include 'coming short'. Transgression can include 'rebellion'. These deal with the concepts of accidental and intentional sin. Another common definition of sin is the disobedience ofthe revealed will of Elohim.
It is startling how little man makes sin out to be. Although Scripture clearly states the dire consequences of sinful action, mankind and even Believers live and act with little regard to the consequences of their actions or their thoughts either physically or spiritually. Many disregard sin as just being a weakness of the flesh, as being indiscreet, the abscence of goodness, as selfishness, ignorance, or as a sickness that is to be treated by science. It is far more than any of these things speak of. And of course we would want it to be only such as these because then we could explain it away or treat it with something and not be concerned with it any further. We must recognize the fact that sin carries a heavy price and effects both our physical and spiritual lives here in the present and also for eternity. To deny this, is to risk everything.
It is equally startling to see how much Yahveh makes of sin. Sinfulness and unrighteousness is an abomination. To Him it is enough to seperate us from Him temporarily, long term, and even for eternity.
The fact that the One Most High has created a means by which a sinful person can transfer their sin onto another and then live in righteousness is an incredible act of Mercy. In modern society, most do not recognize or understand the depth of a sacrifice. Not only the physical cost of the animal used in the sacrifice, but the emotion involved in laying one's hand upon the animal as it dies in your place is incredible. Yet this is mild compared to the loss of relationship and Fellowship with our Mighty One.
When did Sin Start
Although Scripture does not definitively say where and when sin first existed, we can see that it was first mentioned in relation to Lucifer.
Who has sin in their lives
For mankind, sin entered our lives in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed the instructions of the Almighty.
The Scriptures clearly state that because of the sin of Adam and Eve, we too are born into this fallen world and have sin in our lives. Indeed, based on our own actions, we have all committed sin and are unable on our own to please the Almighty who is pure and set-apart. Physically and spiritually, accidentally and intentionally, we have all done many things that on a test of purity would condemn us to death.
Where does sin take us
In our physical life, we can observe that through the covenant relationship the Almighty has with His people, there are consequences to our actions. The choices we make in living life, either in obedience to Him or in rebellion by going our own way, has a great impact on our lives either for good or for evil.
"For the wages of sin is death". What is death? Is there more than one kind of death? Since we live in both the physical and spiritual realms, the answer is there is more than one kind of death. Once sin had entered into mankind, physical death followed and has power over us all. There is natural death when body and soul are seperated.
When we look at death on this level, it does not destroy so much as it separates. Spiritually, we have been tremendously seperated from the Almighty since the fall in the Garden of Eden. There was spiritual death at the Garden of Eden when we were separated from Elohim.
Eternally, we must also look at the seperation and death that comes from choosing to ignore our means of salvation and redemption and of right relationship with the One Most High. There is final death when we are away from mercy of Elohim forever.
Why does sin separate
Our Mighty One is pure and set apart and what is pure cannot have relationship with that which is not pure. Because we are all sinners and are impure, we cannot come close to Elohim on our own. We need something, someone, that can make us pure before such close inter-action can occur.
There is also a level of justice being done. If a person chooses to follow after idols and false gods or chooses to be prideful and selfish and do only what they want rather than obey the One Most High, then He lets them have what they want ... which is not to be with Him.
How is sin known
One way we know about sin is through the covenant law. The Almighty has explicitly stated what is good and what is evil. Because we know it we are held accountable to it.
There are many acts that are given as signs of the sin nature throughout Scripture. These include but are not limited to not controlling the tongue, witchcraft, sexual immorality, envy, and anger. The list is almost endless, but we can beak them down into a few major categories. Idolatry (seeking a higher power), pride, envy, pursuing the lusts of the flesh, and acts of violence. From these things come most of the evils in this world. They all show a level of selfishness which may be the single biggest clue to recognizing sin ... for both righteousness and love are not selfish.
Is there a way out of Sin
When we see the negative impact sin has to our life (and of our death), we quickly must ask if there is a way out. Yahveh has provided such a way out through His son Yahshuah the Messiah. He is our only hope. We cannot do it by human methods and means. There is no self-rightousness. Because He has paid the penalty as the ultimate atoning sacrifice, the effects of sin on our lives (and in death) can be negated. We can live in blessing and favor. We can have right relationship with Our Mighty One once again. We can choose to do what is good and which leads to life rather than do evil which leads to death.
Todd Elder is a believer in Messiah who wants to help people understand Scripture and know the message of Salvation. For more information about the Work of Messiah series, please visit my website http://www.exploringsalvation.info and look under 'Messiah'.
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