The basic idea of sin is, "missing the mark."
However, we need a Biblical view of, "the mark." since some people erroneously say that anything that is not absolutely perfect is sin. This cannot be true, because only God is absolutely perfect, yet He created angels and man without sin. Undoubtedly those who spend eternity with God will be sinless, yet not absolutely perfect. So, here are four passages that help us understand what sin is, what it means to miss the mark, and what it means to be saved.
Four Biblical Views of Missing the Mark
1. The Legal Mark. God is the Sovereign Lawmaker and Ruler of the universe. When God establishes laws for a people, the people are to obey or be found guilty of rebellion and insurrection. God has given specific laws to specific people in history, but does not obligate all men to obey those laws. This is seen in the laws of sacrifice, ceremony and diet, which were part of the Jewish society of the Old Testament. Christians are not obligated to keep the Jewish laws, including, Sabbath keeping. However, there are laws which are incumbent upon all men, and the breaking of these laws is sin.
1 John 3:4
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
2. The Moral Mark. God is holy and righteous. Morality is based in the nature of God. To act in opposition to the nature of God is to be immoral. God intended for Adam and for the human race to live morally, but sin entered and morality was lost. However, God, through grace restored righteousness in His people. Whether a person was raised with Jewish training in the law, or not, God reveals moral standards to men. When a person is disobedient to legitimate authority (parental, governmental) he is guilty of moral failure, since all legitimate rule is from God. When men fail to live up to those moral standards, they miss the mark, they sin.
1 John 5:17
(17) All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
3. The Personal Mark. God has not only set universal laws, and moral standards as marks that must be met, God sets personal standards for individuals, which must also be met. This is why a personal relationship with God is essential. We can know the will of God only when we know God. Also, we can only do the will of God when we know God as our personal Lord and Savior. As a person grows in grace and knowledge he will find that his path becomes narrower, yet he does not resent it, since he loves God and lives only to please God. Failure to follow the directives, to miss the mark that God gives us individually is sin.
James 4:17
(17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
4. The Spiritual Mark. All men have transgressed God's laws. All men have done unrighteousness. All men have done that which they know to be evil in their own lives. Therefore God has given the standard of faith as the mark which must be met if we are to be saved from sin. Our previous sins are taken away when we trust Christ and Christ alone for our forgiveness and cleansing. The power of sin is overcome when we trust Christ and Christ alone for victory over sin. We are given power to live a life of triumph when we trust Christ fully. To live a life separate from faith in Christ is to miss the mark, is to sin, and the wages of sin is death.
Romans 14:23
(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
THE GOOD NEWS... Jesus saves His people from their sins. Jesus came to seek and to save us from sin. By faith in Christ we are delivered from the penalty, the pollution and the power of sin. Salvation is not just a free ticket to heaven, it is deliverance from sin. It is not the imparting of absolute perfection, it is the gift of becoming what God wants us to become in this present evil world.
A Closer Look...
4 Passages of Doom for Sin.
I. This passage, which tells us that sin is the transgression of the law, also tells us that the salvation of God delivers the faithful from sin.
1 John 3:1-10
(1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
(2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
DLG note...
Those who are the "sons of God" (by faith) will be like Christ when He returns.
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
DLG note...
Those who are serious about being "sons of God," about going to be with Christ, at His return, will avail themselves of the purifying grace of God in this present evil world. Heart and life purity are essential if we want to spend eternity with God (Ps. 24:3-4; Mt. 5:8; Ep. 5:26-27; Ti. 2:14).
Our purity is as real as His and it is as complete as His because it comes from Him. It is not an imagined purity or a self attained purity. If there is any pollution, then there is no purity, if there is purity, then there is no pollution. Our purity comes as a work of God's grace (Ac. 9:15).
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
DLG note...
Disobedience to the law of God is sin, whether a person has ever been saved or not. Adam was created perfectly holy, yet he chose to sin. No one is excused of their sin, but repentance brings forgiveness. Salvation, the grace of God is not a license to sin (Ro. 6:1, 15), it is the enabling power of God to not sin (Ro. 5:21; Ep. 2:8-10; He 4:15-16; He. 12:14-15).
(5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
DLG note...
The purpose of the incarnation, the sinless life of Christ, the death and resurrection of Christ was to "remove," "carry away" our sins, not to gloss over them or pretend that they do not exist or turn a blind ey to them. The Holy Spirit said, through John the Baptist, that Jesus would take away our sins (Jn. 1:29), not just our penalty. This verse says that there is no sin in Christ, and it is said in conjunction with the idea that believers are in Christ, therefore, believers are delivered from all sin.
(6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
DLG note...
In agreement with the previous verse, John said that those who abide, continue, remain in Jesus do not sin. And just so there is no confusion, John said that the person who continues to sin has not seen Christ and does not know Christ.
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
DLG note...
John warns believers not to be deceived by false doctrine. Believers do live righteously and they are actually righteous. If you are told that Christians are not actually righteous and that they do not live righteously, then you are being told a lie.
(8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
DLG note...
The person who claims to be a follower of Christ, yet continues to commit sin (regardless of how little or how much) is actually of the devil. It may not be popular or comfortable, but it is true and it is God's word. Sin is from the devil and those who sin are from the devil.
(9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
DLG note...
On the other hand, those who are presently born of God, do not presently commit sin. This is because the seed of God remains in the believer, and the seed of God will not remain where sin is allowed. A believer can no more sin than a cow can fly, because it is not the nature of godliness to sin. We are partakers of Divine nature and we are conformed to the image of God's Son, therefore sin is foreign to believers. If a person who is a believer chooses to sin, then he is denying the power, presence and person of God to rule in his life, therefore he is not a believer, but a backslider.
(10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
DLG note...
John tells us that the evidence of salvation is the fact that the unsaved, the children of the devil, do not live righteously.
II. This passage tells us that all unrighteousness is sin, and that whoever is born of God does not sin.
1 John 5:17-18
(17) All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
(18) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
DLG note, vs. 17...
All moral failure is sin, and all sin must be renounced, otherwise it leads to death. (see Ro. 6:23 and Ja. 1:12-15).
DLG note, vs. 18...
It is basic knowledge among Bible believers that whoever continues to sin (great or little) is not born of God, because those who are born of God commit themselves to cleave unto the Lord (Ac. 11:23); to continue in the grace of God (Ac. 13:43); to continue in the faith (Ac. 14:22); and to keep themselves in the love of God (Jd. 1:21).
III. This passage tells us that we have the power individually to either obey or disobey the will of God for our private, personal lives.
James 4:17
(17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
IV. This passage indicates that the believer will act in a way that is consistent with the law of God, the righteousness of God and the leading of God, because faith is not contrary to the rule of God, but is subject to the rule of God, and it is energized by love for God and other people.
Romans 14:23
(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
DLG note...
The faith life is a life of obedience (Ja. 2:17-26); the faith life produces victorious living over sin (1 Jn. 5:4), which produces holiness of life and results in eternaal life (Ro. 6:22; 1 Pe. 1:9).
Four Biblical Views of Missing the Mark
1. The Legal Mark. God is the Sovereign Lawmaker and Ruler of the universe. When God establishes laws for a people, the people are to obey or be found guilty of rebellion and insurrection. God has given specific laws to specific people in history, but does not obligate all men to obey those laws. This is seen in the laws of sacrifice, ceremony and diet, which were part of the Jewish society of the Old Testament. Christians are not obligated to keep the Jewish laws, including, Sabbath keeping. However, there are laws which are incumbent upon all men, and the breaking of these laws is sin.
1 John 3:4
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
2. The Moral Mark. God is holy and righteous. Morality is based in the nature of God. To act in opposition to the nature of God is to be immoral. God intended for Adam and for the human race to live morally, but sin entered and morality was lost. However, God, through grace restored righteousness in His people. Whether a person was raised with Jewish training in the law, or not, God reveals moral standards to men. When a person is disobedient to legitimate authority (parental, governmental) he is guilty of moral failure, since all legitimate rule is from God. When men fail to live up to those moral standards, they miss the mark, they sin.
1 John 5:17
(17) All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
3. The Personal Mark. God has not only set universal laws, and moral standards as marks that must be met, God sets personal standards for individuals, which must also be met. This is why a personal relationship with God is essential. We can know the will of God only when we know God. Also, we can only do the will of God when we know God as our personal Lord and Savior. As a person grows in grace and knowledge he will find that his path becomes narrower, yet he does not resent it, since he loves God and lives only to please God. Failure to follow the directives, to miss the mark that God gives us individually is sin.
James 4:17
(17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
4. The Spiritual Mark. All men have transgressed God's laws. All men have done unrighteousness. All men have done that which they know to be evil in their own lives. Therefore God has given the standard of faith as the mark which must be met if we are to be saved from sin. Our previous sins are taken away when we trust Christ and Christ alone for our forgiveness and cleansing. The power of sin is overcome when we trust Christ and Christ alone for victory over sin. We are given power to live a life of triumph when we trust Christ fully. To live a life separate from faith in Christ is to miss the mark, is to sin, and the wages of sin is death.
Romans 14:23
(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
THE GOOD NEWS... Jesus saves His people from their sins. Jesus came to seek and to save us from sin. By faith in Christ we are delivered from the penalty, the pollution and the power of sin. Salvation is not just a free ticket to heaven, it is deliverance from sin. It is not the imparting of absolute perfection, it is the gift of becoming what God wants us to become in this present evil world.
A Closer Look...
4 Passages of Doom for Sin.
I. This passage, which tells us that sin is the transgression of the law, also tells us that the salvation of God delivers the faithful from sin.
1 John 3:1-10
(1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
(2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
DLG note...
Those who are the "sons of God" (by faith) will be like Christ when He returns.
(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
DLG note...
Those who are serious about being "sons of God," about going to be with Christ, at His return, will avail themselves of the purifying grace of God in this present evil world. Heart and life purity are essential if we want to spend eternity with God (Ps. 24:3-4; Mt. 5:8; Ep. 5:26-27; Ti. 2:14).
Our purity is as real as His and it is as complete as His because it comes from Him. It is not an imagined purity or a self attained purity. If there is any pollution, then there is no purity, if there is purity, then there is no pollution. Our purity comes as a work of God's grace (Ac. 9:15).
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
DLG note...
Disobedience to the law of God is sin, whether a person has ever been saved or not. Adam was created perfectly holy, yet he chose to sin. No one is excused of their sin, but repentance brings forgiveness. Salvation, the grace of God is not a license to sin (Ro. 6:1, 15), it is the enabling power of God to not sin (Ro. 5:21; Ep. 2:8-10; He 4:15-16; He. 12:14-15).
(5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
DLG note...
The purpose of the incarnation, the sinless life of Christ, the death and resurrection of Christ was to "remove," "carry away" our sins, not to gloss over them or pretend that they do not exist or turn a blind ey to them. The Holy Spirit said, through John the Baptist, that Jesus would take away our sins (Jn. 1:29), not just our penalty. This verse says that there is no sin in Christ, and it is said in conjunction with the idea that believers are in Christ, therefore, believers are delivered from all sin.
(6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
DLG note...
In agreement with the previous verse, John said that those who abide, continue, remain in Jesus do not sin. And just so there is no confusion, John said that the person who continues to sin has not seen Christ and does not know Christ.
(7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
DLG note...
John warns believers not to be deceived by false doctrine. Believers do live righteously and they are actually righteous. If you are told that Christians are not actually righteous and that they do not live righteously, then you are being told a lie.
(8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
DLG note...
The person who claims to be a follower of Christ, yet continues to commit sin (regardless of how little or how much) is actually of the devil. It may not be popular or comfortable, but it is true and it is God's word. Sin is from the devil and those who sin are from the devil.
(9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
DLG note...
On the other hand, those who are presently born of God, do not presently commit sin. This is because the seed of God remains in the believer, and the seed of God will not remain where sin is allowed. A believer can no more sin than a cow can fly, because it is not the nature of godliness to sin. We are partakers of Divine nature and we are conformed to the image of God's Son, therefore sin is foreign to believers. If a person who is a believer chooses to sin, then he is denying the power, presence and person of God to rule in his life, therefore he is not a believer, but a backslider.
(10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
DLG note...
John tells us that the evidence of salvation is the fact that the unsaved, the children of the devil, do not live righteously.
II. This passage tells us that all unrighteousness is sin, and that whoever is born of God does not sin.
1 John 5:17-18
(17) All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
(18) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
DLG note, vs. 17...
All moral failure is sin, and all sin must be renounced, otherwise it leads to death. (see Ro. 6:23 and Ja. 1:12-15).
DLG note, vs. 18...
It is basic knowledge among Bible believers that whoever continues to sin (great or little) is not born of God, because those who are born of God commit themselves to cleave unto the Lord (Ac. 11:23); to continue in the grace of God (Ac. 13:43); to continue in the faith (Ac. 14:22); and to keep themselves in the love of God (Jd. 1:21).
III. This passage tells us that we have the power individually to either obey or disobey the will of God for our private, personal lives.
James 4:17
(17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
IV. This passage indicates that the believer will act in a way that is consistent with the law of God, the righteousness of God and the leading of God, because faith is not contrary to the rule of God, but is subject to the rule of God, and it is energized by love for God and other people.
Romans 14:23
(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
DLG note...
The faith life is a life of obedience (Ja. 2:17-26); the faith life produces victorious living over sin (1 Jn. 5:4), which produces holiness of life and results in eternaal life (Ro. 6:22; 1 Pe. 1:9).
