Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!wuarchive!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: bnr-fos!bmers58!davem@watmath.waterloo.edu (Dave Mielke) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: sin (was Re: Satan) Message-ID: Date: 24 Nov 89 03:33:07 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Ottawa, Canada Lines: 54 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article rex@nbc1.UUCP (Rex Espiritu) writes: >This seems to fit in with the concept of sin being defined as "separation >from God". Would anyone more knowlegeable on the definition of sin care >to elaborate more? Why is there so much debate regarding exactly how sin is implemented within our souls and flesh? The Scriptures do not tell us, and no amount of human analysis will ever yield an adequate definition of a spiritual phenomenon for which we have no frame of reference with which to compare it. Is it not sufficient to simply recognize sin for the awful thing that it is? Sin is so awful before God that He declares it justly punishable by eternal damnation. Romans 6:23 begins "For the wages of sin {is} death;". We are all guilty of it. Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;". These facts alone ought to make us tremble with shame before our Creator. Needless debate about whether or not sin has some minute amount of goodness associated with it is merely the futile attempt of the sinful human mind trying to find some small justification for its flawed motivations. The following Scriptures provide a brief description of God's definition of sin. I suggest that we all sincerely study them, accept what God has told us, and spend all our time and efforts trying to warn our acquaintances of the awesome penalty they are facing and do not as yet realize. As we do this, we must also beseech God to bless our efforts and open their spiritual eyes and ears to the truths which we are proclaiming. Proverbs 14:34 says "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin {is} a reproach to any people.". 1 Corinthians 15:56 says "The sting of death {is} sin; and the strength of sin {is} the law.". 1 John 3:4 says "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.". 1 John 5:17 begins "All unrighteousness is sin:". Proverbs 21:4 says "An high look, and a proud heart, {and} the plowing of the wicked, {is} sin.". Proverbs 24:9 begins "The thought of foolishness {is} sin:". James 4:17 says "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth {it} not, to him it is sin.". Romans 14:23 concludes "for whatsoever {is} not of faith is sin.". Dave Mielke, 613-726-0014 856 Grenon Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2B 6G3