Under Cover

The True Definition of SIN

The same is true of many people in the church. Too often we lack the core understanding of what sin really is. To move forward, we must look at how scriptures define it. The bible declares, “Sin is lawlessness” 1 John 3:4.

The True Definition of SIN

The Greek word for lawlessness, is anomia. Thayer’s Greek dictionary defines this word the condition without law, because of ignorance of it or because of violating it.

Simply put lawlessness is not to submit to the law or authority of God. Vines Dictionary states that this word gives the real meaning of the word sin. Vine goes on to say that this definition of sin sets forth its essential character as the rejection of the law or will, of God and the substitution of the will of self.

To confirm this definition, lets look at a parable of Jesus. He was eating with some people, and one of them said, “Blessed is He who shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God!” Luke 14:15

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The Lord looks advantage of the man’s comment to tell who would eat the table of the marriage supper of the Lamb. He started by saying, a certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, Come for all things are now ready. - Luke 14:16-17

The man giving the supper represents the Father, and the servant is Jesus himself. The use of the singular servant reinforces this interpretation, scripture specifically states, “God who at various times and at various spoke in time past to the fathers, by the prophets has in these last days spoken to us by His son. Hebrews 1:1-2

Jesus is our spokesman. Those who preach, teach, or write in this new testament times are commanded to speak as the Lord’s oracles. We must hear what He is saying to us and accurately communicate it. In this parable the Father’s will is spoken: “Come for all things are now ready. This announcement is directed toward those who are already invited, that is those who are in the church, not unbelievers

Who have never heard the gospel. However this people begin to make excuses for not heeding to the call: “Come.” The first one say “ I have a fifth of vodka and a kicking party to go to this weekend and I really want to be there. Please have me excused.

The second one says “ I have fallen in love with my secretary and we are going to take a trip together this week and check into a Hawaiian resort to fill our week with love. Please don’t say anything to my wife, she thinks I am going on a business trip. So I can’t come.

Is that what they say? If you read your bible you will find there responses are very different. Let’s examine each one.

“ The first said to [the servant], I have both a piece of ground.” Now I have a question before we go any further: is buying a piece of ground a sin? If it is, a lot of us are in trouble the answer is no. We all know that. Let’s look again at what he said: “I have bought a piece of ground and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.” v.18

As I stated, buying land is not sin, but when interest in possessions becomes more important than immediate submission to the word of God. It falls under the core definition of sin. It is lawlessness, it does not submit to God’s authority.

The next fellow wasn’t embarking on a gambling trip. He said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to text them, I ask you to have me excused.” Is buying oxen or any necessary equipment for our livelihood a sin? Of course not but when industry or business becomes more important than

Instantly obeying the word or will of God. It is sin! Remember, Adam did not gamble in the garden of Eden. He simply did not submit to what God said.

The last one said, “I have married a wife and therefore I can not come.” v.20 Is taking a wife a sin? Of course not? If it was, most of us will be in big trouble when the desire to please a mate becomes more important than submitting to the will of God it is sin.

Again recall the Garden. Eve was decieved (2 Cor.11:3), but it was different story for Adam: Adam was not deceived. 1 Timothy 2:14 Referring to the nature of Adam sin the scriptures say, for just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners. Romans 5:19

Adam disobeyed because his wife had already eaten and she wanted him to do the same. He choose her over submitting to the authority of God. As a result of Adam’s disobedience many were made sinners or we can say it like this: “Many were made lawless or disobedient to the authority of God.”

This is true sin. In the case of this parable, Jesus showed how the man chose his wife at the expense of not obeying the word of God.

Now hear what Jesus said about those men who made very polite excuses but did not submit themselves to the calling voice and authority of God: “For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.” Luke 14:24

How sobering! Those men would not be permitted to dine at the wedding supper to which they had previously held honorary invitations. They were barred from the marriage supper of the Lamb, not because of sexual misconduct, or drug, or alcohol abuse, but because of simple disobedience to the word of God.

Why should this surprise us? If we think it through, was it not Adam’s disobedience that brought the greatest consequence of judgment on mankind?

Isn’t it interesting there is no mention in this parable of drug addicts, prostitutes, pimps, alcoholics, murderers or thieves, right?Wrong!

If you read on, you will notice the servant reported to the Master and relayed all the excuses. The master of the house instructed the servant, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house many be filled. – Luke 14:23

The people of the highways and hedges in Scripture represent the prostitute, pimps, thieves, gang members, murderers, alcoholics, and so on! Wow, they are in the parable but in a good sense!

The Lord knows that in these last days, many of these people realize their lives are empty and have brought them nothing but sorrow and they tire of kicking against the goads. When they hear the call of the master, they will respond with instant obedience. In contrast, those who were invited, who attend church and consider themselves godly, but

Obey God only when it is convenient or doesn’t interfere with their schedules, agendas, blessings, or pleasure, will find themselves with Adam, shut out from God’s glorious presence.

I will, Sir.

Sin reveals its true definition in the parable of the wedding supper as disobedience to God’s authority. Jesus made it clear in yet another parable, in which He opened with the question, what do you think with those opening words He attempted to get His outwardly righteous listeners to look deeper and glimpse the truth within their answer.

I will, Sir.

Jesus spoke of a man with two sons. The father went to his first son and told him, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.”

I will, Sir.

The son replied, “ I will not.” However, later he changed his mind and left what he was doing and worked in the vineyard.

I will, Sir.

Then the father approached the second son and asked the same thing of him. The son answered his father, “I will, sir.” Sounded like a great son, and he certainly spoke with respect to his father. Yet Jesus said, “He did not go.”

I will, Sir.

Then Jesus asked all-important, but easy-to-answer question, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

I will, Sir.

The group He was addressing answered correctly: “The first.”

I will, Sir.

The Jesus went right to the heart of the matter and said, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:28-31)

I will, Sir.

Now it is obvious any parent would prefer his son to say, “Yes, sir, I will go,” and actually go with joy, not only obeying the command, but having a willing attitude as well. Yet this parable showed this leaders that the core meaning of sin is ultimately disobedience to the authority of God. It is not confined to adultery, murder, thief, and so forth.

I will, Sir.

The leaders were proud and confident in themselves because they weren’t ensnared in what they considered “gross sins.” However, with their limited definition of sin, they were easily deceived into committing what they professed to avoid so diligently – sin or disobedience to divine authority.

What about the “Big Ones”?

We can walk the Bible and find this same message repeatedly. You might be thinking, what about lying getting drunk, committing adultery, stealing, committing murder? Aren’t these sins? Absolutely!

What about the “Big Ones”?

They go against His authority as well. God is the same One who tells to away lying, and “let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour” (Eph. 4:24-25) As far as getting drunk with wine, “He commands, “Do not be drunk with wine” (Ephesians 5:8).

What about the “Big Ones”?

Regarding adultery, He warns, “Flee sexual immorality.” (1 Cor. 6:18)

What about the “Big Ones”?

What about stealing? We are instructed, “If you are a thief, stop stealing.” (Ephesians 4:28)

What about the “Big Ones”?

In regard to murder, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (I John 3:15)

What about the “Big Ones”?

The New Testament emphasizes that people who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corintians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelations 21:8)

What about the “Big Ones”?

Yet let’s not lose sight of the fact that all manner of sin destroys, not just the ones we have labeled “the big ones”

What about the “Big Ones”?

Yet let’s not lose sight of the fact that all manner of sin destroys, not just the ones we have labeled “the big ones”