“Sin is the transgression of the law.”

What law is 1 John 3:4 talking about? The same one Paul was referring to in Romans 7:7,

“What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’”

Paul is speaking of the Ten Commandments!

How does knowing what sin is help me?

Galatians 3:24 ”Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”

It is illegal in the United States to arrest a man without telling him what he is charged with.  If you would like to know how to present the Gospel “not in the wisdom of man’s words but in the demonstration of the Spirit’s power,” just tell the sinner what sin is. This gives the Holy Spirit maximum leverage to do what only the Holy Spirit can do–convict him of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8)! 

The word translated “convict” in our English Bible literally means, “To expose the hidden things and to chastise in a moral sense.”  Spiritual truth transcends the human intellect. The Gospel is spiritual / moral. Only when the Holy Spirit illuminates the heart and mind that we begin to comprehend (intellectually) the Gospel.

“To tell a man he’s a sinner without telling him what sin is, is like telling a man he’s under arrest without telling him what he’s charged with”. Sharing God’s definition of sin is one of the most loving things you can do for another person, and one of the most life-changing. Here is why…

It is sin that separates us from God

Isaiah 59:2 ”But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.”

It is what Jesus did

Luke 5:32 ”I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Sin is what Jesus came to save us from

Matthew 1:21 ”And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”

It is what the Holy Spirit does

John 16:8 ”And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment.”

The knowledge of sin is the first step to freedom from its guilt and power

1 John 1:9 ”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.”

The greater one’s understanding of the depravity of sin, the greater one appreciates God’s forgiveness

Luke 7:47 ”For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

It brings life-changing hope

Luke 1:77 ”To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.”

All of Heaven rejoices when one sinner repents!

Luke 15:7 ”I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Telling the truth (not political correctness) identifies you as a true friend

Galatians 4:16 ”Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?”

The truth is, all men have sinned and come short of the glory (perfect holiness) of God

Romans 6:22-23 ”But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Rom. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Many think the Ten Commandments only applied to the Old Testament Jews. However, God’s definition of sin has never changed. The Old Testament revealed the letter of the law, the New Testament reveals the spiritual nature of the law… 

Matt. 5:21-22  ”You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty {enough to go} into the fiery hell.

Matt 5:27-28  ”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Rom 7:14 “For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.”

See also: Matthew 5:18-19, Matthew 19:16-19, Luke 18:19-20 Romans 2:15-16, 3:20, 3:31, 6:1-14, 7:7,7:12-14, 8:7, 13:8-10, John 14:21, 15:10, 1 Corinthians 7:19,  Galatians  3:24,  Ephesians 6:2-3, 1 Timothy 1:8, James 1:25, 2:10-11, 1 John 2:3-4, 3:22-24, 5:2-4, 2 John 1:6, Revelation 12:17, 14:12.

We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone, plus nothing! Our obedience is the result of our salvation never the cause of it!

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