Sin is the fundamental issue separating humanity from God. It is not a minor flaw but a total failure to meet God’s perfect standard of righteousness. While the world often celebrates human goodness, Scripture reveals that all fall short of God’s glory and need the perfect sacrifice found only in Jesus Christ.
Humanity Loves to Praise Their Good Works
It is human nature to exalt personal goodness and self-righteousness. People often compare themselves with others to justify their moral standing. However, the Bible makes it clear that our “good works” fall far short of God’s standard of holiness.
Proverbs 21:2
“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.”Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Luke 18:9-14 – The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector illustrates the danger of self-righteousness. The Pharisee boasted of his good deeds, while the tax collector humbled himself, recognizing his sinfulness.
We love to boast in our goodness, because we sometimes meet human standard, but God’s standard is absolute perfection.
The Reality of Sin: All Have Missed the Mark
Sin means to “miss the mark” (hamartia in Greek), referring to missing the standard of God’s perfection. God’s law demands perfect obedience, not partial righteousness.
Romans 3:23
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”James 2:10
“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”
Even one sin makes us guilty before a holy God. Obeying human laws does not equate to fulfilling God’s perfect moral law.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
“For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.”
Sin is not just external actions but also internal rebellion against God’s standard. Jesus clarified this in the Sermon on the Mount:
Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder…’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Sin is not merely the breaking of laws but rebellion against God’s perfect holiness.
The Consequences of Sin: Death and Separation from God
Sin results in both physical and spiritual death. Because God is just, He demands the punishment of all sin, no matter how small.
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Isaiah 59:2
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”Ezekiel 18:4
“The soul who sins shall die.”
God is holy and cannot tolerate sin in His presence. His justice requires that all sin be punished, for He is a righteous judge.
Psalm 5:4-5
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.”
Sin is rebellion against God’s perfect character, and justice demands punishment.
Jesus: The Fulfillment of the Law and the Perfect Sacrifice
Because God is a just judge, every sin must be punished. Yet, in His mercy, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to fulfill the law and be a sacrifice in place of our punishment for sin.
Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”
Jesus perfectly obeyed God’s law without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
As a sinless sacrifice, Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sin on behalf of humanity.
Hebrews 9:13-14 (NKJV)
“For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”1 Peter 1:18-19 (NKJV)
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”John 1:29 (NKJV)
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'”
The cross was necessary because God, being just, could not ignore sin. Jesus’ death satisfied the requirements of the law and paid the full penalty for sin.
He became the propitiation (satisfaction of divine justice) for our sin.
1 John 2:2
“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
The Resurrection: Proof of Victory Over Sin and Death
Christ’s resurrection proves that His sacrifice was sufficient and that sin and death were defeated.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”Romans 4:25
“Who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”
Our Response: Repentance and Faith
Salvation requires a response—repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”Romans 10:9-10
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Christ alone, not by works.
My Final Thoughts
Sin is not just an action but a condition of the heart, a rebellion against the perfect holiness of God. It separates humanity from their Creator and brings death and judgment. Yet, God, in His mercy, sent His Son to bear the full weight of sin on the cross. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, fulfilled the demands of the law, satisfying God’s justice while extending grace and forgiveness.
This study should remind us of the seriousness of sin but also the greatness of God’s mercy. No sin is too small to be overlooked, but no sin is too great to be forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ. Repent, believe, and walk in the freedom Christ has provided.
