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Hamartiology: Is Sin Really So Bad?. A Study of the Doctrine of Sin. “Sin is what you do when you’re not satisfied with God.” [John MacArthur]
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Hamartiology: Is Sin Really So Bad? A Study of the Doctrine of Sin
“Sin is what you do when you’re not satisfied with God.” [John MacArthur] “Sin is irrational. Consider Satan himself, who knows more about God than most any of us but, nevertheless, seeks to replace God on the throne; an intelligent begin, yet from one perspective incredibly stupid.” [John Frame, Salvation Belongs to the Lord.]
WHAT IS SIN? Degrees of sin • Every — and any — sin is worthy of eternal condemnation (Rom. 5:16; 6:23) • Scripture denotes that some sins are greater or lesser than others (Mt. 5:19; 23:23; Jn. 19:11). • Some sins are more offensive to God because — • some sins deserve excommunication from the church body • some sins do not deserve excommunication from the church body • some sins attributed the work of Christ to Satan • some sins remain perpetual, malicious, willful and unconfessed
THE QUESTION OF ORIGINAL SIN — DEPRAVITY • This term does not mean — • every individual is as completely corrupt and depraved as he could become • the sinner has no innate knowledge of God • the sinner cannot admire virtuous and righteous character • every unbelieving man will indulge of every form of sin. • This term does mean — • the inherent sin in man extends to every part of his nature • there is no spiritual good in relation to God in the sinner at all
THE QUESTION OF THEODICY • God does not and cannot sin Himself nor can He decree or command sin (Js. 1:13). • God does use sin to accomplish His purposes • God does use even the greatest sin (Acts 2:23-24) as the greatest demonstration of His purpose and for the exaltation and glory of His name.
HOW WAS SIN IMPUTED TO ALL MEN FROM ADAM? • Imputation of sin means that sin is universal. • We sin because we are sinners (born with original sin) and we are sinners because we sin (our own sin condemns us). • If there is no imputation of Adam’s sin to us, then neither can there be an imputation of Christ’s righteousness to us (Rom. 5:18). If Adam cannot sin on our behalf, then neither can Christ offer His righteousness on our behalf (1 Cor. 15:22).
WHY DO CHRISTIANS STILL SIN? • Believers have been saved from the power of sin so they no longer have tosin (1 Jn. 2:1). • Believers still have indwelling sin (Rom. 7:17, 18, 20, 21), though they are freed from its power. • The sources of conflict for the believer are (1 Jn. 2:16) — • the world — the system that is under the control of Satan which is hostile to God. • the flesh — the old nature and man — indwelling sin • the devil — Satan and his angels who seek to devour Christians (1 Pt. 5:8).
WHAT IS THE PROVISION FOR THE BELIEVER? • the Word of God (Js. 1:5) • the intercession of Christ (Heb. 7:25) • the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16ff) • the redemption of sin through confession and forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:9)
WHAT IS THE HOPE FOR THE CHRISTIAN WHO SINS? • Our sins do not affect our legal standing with God. • Our sin does disrupt our fellowship with God — • Our sin is redeemable and is able to be used as an instrument of growth by means of appropriating afresh the truths of the gospel.
WHAT ABOUT UNBELIEVERS? • Unregenerate men remain guilty because of imputed sin. • Unregenerate men are born with original, in a state of death, separated from God. • Unregenerate men are guilty because of their own acts of personal sin against God. • Unregenerate men live under sin, with no ability to escape apart from God’s grace. • Unregenerate men remain under the blinding influence and authority of Satan.