What is so bad about sin?

1. Sin is not subjective. There is an objective standard. Right / Wrong. Good / Bad. Wickedness / Righteousness. What is so badabout sin?

2. What is sin? • Transgression of the law • 1 John 3:4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (KJV) [lawlessness - NKJV] • Christ has a law - - - • Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. • 1 Corinthians 9:21b (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ )

3. What is sin? • Unrighteousness is sin • 1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. • God has revealed what is right and wrong. • Works of the flesh – Galatians 5:17-21 • Gentile sins listed – Romans 1:20-32 • What we used to be – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

4. What is sin? • Failure to do good is sin • James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. • More is required than NOT doing wrong. • We must DO what is right. • Knowing – but failing to act – is a sin

5. What is sin? • Violation of your conscience is sin • Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. • The conscience is an internal moral regulator. • When properly taught – it convicts, corrects, censures, convinces • Violate your conscience = undermine your integrity, ruins your honor, destroys your virtue.

6. 5 Things about sin • 1. Sin enslaves the WILL • John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. • Romans 6:17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

7. 5 Things about sin • 2. Sin stains the SOUL • 2 Peter 2:22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." • Sin is sickening. • Sin is smelly, putrid. • Sin soils the soul.

8. 5 Things about sin • 3. Sin scars the CONSCIENCE • Galatians 6:7-8 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. • We get what we sow. • We get more than we sow. • Weeds grow faster than wheat.

9. 5 Things about sin • 4. Sin severs our RELATIONSHIPS • Adultery destroys marriages. Harms children. • Rebellion ruins parent / child relationships. • Selfishness hurts homes. • Sin disrupts unity in the church. • Sin causes division, stirs up trouble. • Sin discourages faithful Christians.

10. 5 Things about sin • 5. Sin separates us FROM GOD • Isaiah 59:1-2 1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 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. • Sin is the great divider.

11. Consider 5 things about sin • Sin is an offense to God. Genesis 39:9 • Sin separates us from the fellowship of God. Isaiah 59:1-2 • Committing one sin is regarded as being guilt of the law of God. James 2:8-10 • The wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 • All of us are guilty of sin. Romans 3:10