What is Sin?
What is sin? Though we often talk about it, we rarely define what it is. David asks God for forgiveness for his transgressions (51:1), iniquity (51:2), and sin (51:2). These three words describe the reality of sin.
Transgression describes rebellion against authority. In regards to God, it is wilful rebellion against God. It has the basic idea of “crossing the line.” When we cross the line of what is right and wrong (according to God’s word) we are in rebellion against God.
Iniquity describes going astray from the right way. It is following a twisted path instead of the path of life (Ps 16:11). Life lived apart from God’s truth leads to a twisted-ness of thinking and actions. This crooked life also influences those around you and can bear fruit in future generations (Ex 34:7).
Sin means to “miss the mark.” We were created for the glory of God, but our sinful natures lead us to fall short of God’s perfection. Every thought, every motive, and every action is tainted by our sinful nature.
YHWH is our Creator, and has the right to call His creatures to live by His standard. Yet, because of our sin, we are indebted toward God with a debt that he can never pay. The penalty for this debt is eternal separation from God in Hell. Praise be to God that He did not leave us in this wretched state of sin. When we were dead in our transgressions, God made us alive in Christ and forgave us our sins (Col 2:13). He canceled out the debt we owed, nailing it to the cross of Jesus Christ (Col 2:14). It is by His grace alone through faith in Christ alone that we are saved from our sins (Eph 2:4-5).