A COMPREHENSIVE DEFINITION OF SIN
Almost 18 years ago, I was blessed to be taught on the subject of sin by listening to a Bible teacher of great integrity.
Back in the days, my understanding of the word ‘sin’ was simply limited to well known sins as standardized by human measurement. To most people,the word ‘sin’ is solely linked to adultery, sexual misconduct, theft, dishonesty and a few other well known vices.
However, in this post, I would like to challenge your thinking regarding the definition of sin. It is important that we get a comprehensive understanding of the word ‘sin’ so that we do not fail to live the purpose that God has for us.
The word ‘sin’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘Khata’ and it means: ‘missing the goal’ or ‘failing’. The Greek word used for ‘sin’ is ‘Hamartia’ and it has the following definitions: ‘To miss the mark," "to fail in one's purpose," "to err," "to be mistaken," "to fail in having," "to neglect," "failure," "fault," and "error”.
The moment we revisit the definition of sin as explained in the previous paragraph, our understanding of the word can be much more comprehensive.
Remember this:
‘In the Garden of Eden, Adam did not commit adultery but he ate a forbidden fruit.
In the parable of the talents, the lazy servant did not commit any form of theft or financial fraud. The lazy servant was rebuked and cast out in outer darkness for his laziness.
In the parable of the wedding feast, a guest was cast out of the wedding party, not because he committed sexual misconduct. The guest was cast out because he did not wear wedding clothes.’
What is the common characteristic of Adam, the lazy servant and cast out guest?
Here is the answer to the question: ‘They all missed the goal’
Adam was told not to eat the forbidden fruit. That order represents a goal.
The lazy servant failed to multiply the talent he received. For the lazy servant, multiplication was the goal.
The unwanted guest failed to look the part among the other guests. For the cast out guest, looking as a wedding guest was the goal.
We were all born for a purpose. The Bible states the following: ‘ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ (Ephesians 2:10).
The works mentioned in Ephesians 2:10 are goals set by God.
God has set goals ahead of us and it is our duty to reach those goals. A person failing to reach those goals falls into sin.
Notice the passage of Ephesians 2:10 mentions the word ‘works’ in plural. The word 'works' is not just limited to a career but it includes many activities such as family activities, career, ministry work, charity work, and many others.
Knowing right and doing wrong
Matthew 6:33 states: ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’
In James 4:17, the Bible states: ‘ Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.’
Matthew 7:11 states: ‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. What did Jesus mean by ‘righteousness’. The term righteousness mentioned in Matthew 6:33 refers to two things: ‘the new nature of righteousness we should get and the lifestyle that righteousness leads us into.’
God is righteous. By obtaining His righteousness, we not only are righteous but we are also living in a righteous manner. Choosing to live unrighteously amounts to sin.
The lazy servant in the parable of the servant was kicked out because he chose laziness and laziness is considered as unrighteous in the Kingdom of God. In the Kingdom of God, laziness is a sin. The Righteousness of God is concerned with the requirements that God has. In other words, though we become the righteousness of God in Christ, that same righteousness is manifest when we do the will of God.
The practice of sin equates to unrighteousness. Sin is simply a refusal to do the will of God.
If God tells Brother A to relocate in Johannesburg and if Brother A decides to relocate in Durban city, then Brother A would have committed a sin.
If God tells Brother B to study engineering and if Brother B decides to study medicine, then Brother B would have committed a sin.
Sin is a failure to reach a goal/target/ and objective set by God. Once you adopt such a comprehensive understanding of the word ‘sin’, then the perception of your life journey changes to embrace the will of God on a daily basis.