Sin
The wise man wrote “Righteousness exalteth a nation; But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Virtue and morality causes a nation to rise and excel above other nations; But habitual and prevailing sin brings disgrace (first in the eyes of God, but also in the sight of other nations).
What Is Sin? In this text the idea of “offense” is conveyed. A nation or people who offend Jehovah God by rejecting the things He teaches as ‘righteous’ are guilty of sin. They are a disgrace to God, and a poor example of morality to follow.
Jesus referred to sin when He said, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?” (Matt. 15:3) To transgress is to go contrary to or against a command (of God). It originates from a compound word literally meaning “from the base.”
The Hebrew writer equated sin to iniquity (Heb. 10:17). Iniquity is a defined as a “violation of law.” Whenever we break God’s laws and commandments we are guilty of iniquity, and therefore guilty of sin. Iniquity is thus associated with unrighteousness and wickedness.
Jesus’ beloved disciple, John, wrote, “Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Whenever we act outside of God’s law (committing that which is forbidden or neglecting that which is commanded) we sin, because we do not have His law to support our actions.
Sin is serious business! We are all sinners, because we have all committed sin. We have all disgraced God. “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Today the world, and even more perilous, our nation is deeply steeped in sin. We continually offend God by turning our back to His commandments and live selfish and lawless lives. We are called by God to turn away from our indifference to sin and pursue His exalting righteousness.
“The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent” (Acts 17:30).
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2Peter 3:9).
God’s Inherent Authority
These words are written with the assumption that you believe in God or at least a god. If you are an atheist or agnostic in belief, another study all together needs to be consider. These thoughts are directed to those who look about this world, from the vast wonders of the deep universe to the smallest particles that make up all things, and see design and a creative designer behind it all. These thoughts are for those who clearly see and perceive through the “invisible things…the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity”(Rom. 1:20). There is a God!
This God is not only eternal, but created everything with His great power. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). He has revealed himself to man, explaining His Divine Holiness and Authority. To Moses, He said, “I AM THAT I AM” (Gen. 3:14). He later declared to Israel, “I am Jehovah thy God…Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them, for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God…Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:2-7).
This Great God created all things, and therefore has the inherent right to command His creation! This includes you and me. All things belong to Him. David said, “ The earth is Jehovah’s, and the fullness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1 cf. Paul quotes in 1Cor. 10:26).
“O Jehovah God of hosts, Who is a mighty one, like unto thee, O Jehovah? And thy faithfulness is round about thee. Thou rulest the pride of the sea: When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. …The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: The world and the fullness thereof, thou hast founded them” (Psalm 89:8-11).
Daniel, the prophet, reminded King Nebuchadnezzar, “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Dan. 4:25). And Jesus, the Son of God, reminded Pilate, “Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:11). God controls it all, because He owns it all. Let us humble ourselves, bow before our Almighty God, and allow Him to lead!
Daniel S. Dow 