It seems that many people, on hearing the word sin, become aggressively defensive. Is it because the word is often connoted by guilt? Of course, if there is a sense of guilt it more than likely comes from a sense of conviction. However, where did the word “sin,” which seems to be repudiated by people, come from? Without going into a lengthy study on the origin of the word translated from the Hebrew and Greek which reflect many shades and subtleties of “sin” that one sees in their lives; I’d like to settle for what may best describe “sin”. In the Hebrew, one “misses the mark”; in the Greek, one “misses their share of the prize.” Scripture tells us that all have sinned (missed their share of the prize) and come short of God’s glory, (Romans 3:23)
All are born with the nature to be rebellious. This condition is inherited through Adam; his inner nature was transformed by his “sin” of rebellion that brought spiritual death and depravity, which was passed on to all that came after him. This nature was passed on to all in the same way by which all of us inherit physical characteristics from our parents. All are sinners not because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.
Not only have all inherited the sin nature, but also sin has been imputed to all by the Law of Moses, i.e. the Commandments of God given to Moses. Then there is personal sin that is committed every day by all. Because of the sin nature all have, personal sins from small innocent “untruths” to murder and other horrendous acts that are committed. Everyone is three times condemned because of inherited, imputed and personal sin.
Every individual that has lived is living now and is going to live has “missed their share of the prize.” They have missed the mark and come short of the glory of God. They are spiritually dead and will be so for eternity.
Is there a way out of this dilemma? Are we all then condemned from the moment of our birth to a life of eternal damnation? Well, yes all are damned to an eternal life of spiritual death, which is being separated from God. However, there is a way out of the dilemma of eternal damnation. God Himself has provided the solution. All the inherited, imputed, and personal sin has been crucified on the cross of Jesus. There now is “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7)
The best part of this is that it is free. No work, no obligatory deeds, no wondering if you possibly did good enough or will do well enough to maybe win the prize of everlasting life and fellowship with God, the Creator of all that exists. Many “religions” have dogmas and doctrines of works, which is heresy. God’s word says that by grace is one saved through faith, and that not of oneself; it is the gift of God, (salvation and faith), not of works lest anyone should brag about himself or herself, (Ephesians 2:8-9; emphasis mine).
God so loved, (still does, and always will - He is not a man that He should lie, nor is He a son of man that He should change His mind DoesHe speak and not act?, does He promise and not fulfull?- Num. 23:19), the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life, (John 3:16). And, who ever confesses with his/her mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, that person shall be saved, (Romans 10:9), that is shall have eternal life, has won their share of the prize, has hit the mark.
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