Defining Sin

Defining Sin

Romans 14:23 (NIV)
“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

1 John 3:4 (NIV)
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”

The word “sin” in Greek is hamartia, and its core meaning is “missing the mark.” As I’m sure you can see, whether we speak of transgressing the law or of unbelief (that which is not of faith) we speak of having missed the mark.

What is that mark?

Matthew 5:48 (NIV)
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Knowing what sin is has value, but let’s not set our minds on it. Instead, let’s remember that Jesus has taken away our sins and God is not keeping a record of them. If we forget that, we become hamstrung and entangled by examining ourselves and trying to root out sins in our lives. That's not productive or healthy.

Father does all the rooting out of ungodly attitudes and actions from the inside out. We can trust Him to do that.

Titus 2:11–12 “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” (NIV)

Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (NIV)

Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Sin is missing the mark of perfection. Judged by our attitudes and actions we all miss that mark from time to time. But we are not identified by our actions. We are identified by our birth, and we are born of God. We are His righteous, holy, and blameless children.