The Curse of Sin

The curse of sin daily plagues the masses of humanity. The effects and consequences of transgression are experienced by adult and child alike. The deep stain is stamped indelibly upon the heart of mortal men. Why is sin here? Why do people suffer? Is there a cure for sin? Problem after problem and question after question confronts the searcher for answers to such questions. There is a book that has the answers. The book reveals the cause, the nature, and the consequences of sin. The book: The Bible.

The Origin of Sin

No one can deny the presence of sin. Only the spriritually blind and hardened of heart would dare to say that sin is not destructive to mankind. When one opens his/her eyes and views the condition of our present world, no doubt is left that something is wrong with humanity. With all of the mistreatment of others; with all of the perversions of self; with all of the mistrust and dishonesty; there can be only one answer: sin.

Man was perfect when he was created. "Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day thou wast created, till unrighteousness was found in thee"(Ezekiel 28:15).

Man was given a command to test his loyalty. "And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die"(Genesis 2:16-17). Since Adam was capable of understanding commands, he became responsible for his conduct. If Adam partook of the forbidden fruit he would die. That sentence was passed when he was driven from the garden; the consequences were suffered when he died.

Temptation to eat the forbidden fruit came through man's desire for what God had denied to him. "And when the woman saw the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to one's eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat"(Genesis 3:6). The same three avenues are used by Satan at present to tempt man to sin. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the flesh and the vainglory of life is not of the Father, but is of the world"(I John 2:16).

Adam and Eve introduced sin into the world by not respecting God's commands. Men who practice sin keep in here.

The Nature of Sin

While many philosophers and learned men of this world have sought to explain sin and the nature of sin, they often fail due to a failure to rely upon the Bible for a correct explanation.

Sin is a transgression of God's law. "Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness"(I John 3:4). "All unrighteousness is sin"(I John 5:17).

Sin is a reproach. "Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people"(Proverbs 14:34).

Sin is disobedience of God's law by mankind. Sin separates humans from God and is a reproach to any man's life.

The Consequences of Sin

 In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve transgressed the will of God and were cast forth from the garden, with the sentence of death passed upon them. Sin has continued since that day, leading men away from God and denying those who follow a life of sin a home in heaven.

Sin denied access to the tree of life for Adam and Eve. A prophet said, "But your sins have separated between you and your God"(Isaiah 59:2).

The wages of sin bring spiritual death. "For the wages of sin is death"(Romans 6:23).

The Removal of Sin

Once a person is convicted in his heart of sin and desires deliverance from its consequences, he will appeal to the word of God for forgiveness. This is what the people on the Day of Pentecost did almost 2000 years ago(read Acts 2). The same approach must be used by all of those who are in sin since that time. A later lesson will cover the plan of salvation.

The Lord forgives sin. "Behold the lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world"(John 1:29).

Jesus Christ paid the price that men might be freed from sin. "..now once at the end of the ages hath he been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself"(Hebrews 9:26).

Only the blood of Christ, applied to the sinner's heart, will cleanse one of the stain of sin. The Lord is willing to forgive the sin, but the sinner must be willing to accept the sacrifice by obeying the will of Jesus Christ.

Please click here to proceed to a check-up on on the knowledge you have gained from this fourth lesson. When you complete the check-up you will proceed to Lesson Five.