Sin

Mercy triumphs over judgement

Many preachers and teachers have spoken many times about the subjects of love and sin. They are as old a topic as creation itself because both were present in the Garden of Eden.

Key book - 1 John

15 references to the word “sin”
36 references to the word “love” in the book of 1 John (New King James)

13 times in the whole of the New Testament, we are commanded to love one another

This shows the important relationship between sin and love and bears out what James 5:20 says, that “love hides a multitude of sin” If we love twice as much as we sin, we will overcome sin.

Romans 3:23 - “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Read 21 & 22 for context of sin and righteousness

Romans 3:10 - “There is none righteous, not even one”

Proverbs 17:9 – “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends”

Since God demands righteousness, sin must be defined in terms of mankind's relation to God. Sin is, therefore, the faithless rebellion of the created against the just authority of his Creator. For this reason, breaking God's law at any point involves transgression at every point (James 2:10).

Sin can be thought (1 John 3:15), spoken (Matthew 5:22) or done (Romans 1:32)

Synonyms
Transgressions, error, missed the mark, fallen short, lawlessness

There are sins of commission (doing what God has forbidden for us to do) and sins of omission (not doing what God has commanded us to do)

E.g. Thou shalt not kill – if you lie in wait for your neighbour and hit him over the head with a 2 by 4 and kill him, you are committing a sin.

E.g. Love one another – if you do not love one another you are omitting to do what God has commanded you to do.