Foundation Study
​Sin

What do these verses say about Sin? 
1. 1 John 3:4
notes
Sin is any action, word, or thought contrary to the character of God. (Proverbs 21:4) The term sin describes an archer who misses the target, and by default, hits the wrong area. Sin is not only not doing what is right; it is doing what is wrong. We sin by not doing what we know we should do, and by doing what we know we should not do. (James 4:17; Romans 7:19)
2. Romans 3:23
notes
Sin affects everyone, and therefore everything. All human beings are sinners. It's the universal condition of mankind. Everyone is guilty. (Romans 3:10–12; Proverbs 20:9; 1 Kings 8:46; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Psalm 143:2; Isaiah 53:6; 1 John 1:8,10) The truth of mankind's sinful state is foundational to our need for a Savior. Our guilt necessitates our salvation. 

While brokenness, pain, suffering, and shame may accompany sin, the fact (guilt) of our sin, is the reason for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17, 7:27, 9:26) Healing, comfort, joy, and freedom are the results of trusting in the sacrifice (and resurrection) of Jesus Christ, not the reason for His sacrifice. 
3. Romans 5:12
notes
Sin entered humanity through Adam. When Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, his very nature became sinful. (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:6-7) Because all humans trace their origin to Adam, his sin nature affects everyone. The transference of sin nature from Adam to every human being is called imputed sin.
4. Psalm 51:5
notes
Sin is also transmitted to each person at conception. (Job 14:4, 15:14; Psalm 58:3) This is called inherited sin. Humanity's sinful state is the result of both imputed and inherited sin. The outcome is referred to as sin nature. (Ephesians 2:3) It's our very nature to sin. We all have a natural inclination to sin. We cannot not sin. We don't sin because of our upbringing or surroundings, we sin because we are born sinful. 
5. Romans 6:23
notes
Sin brings death. (Romans 6:16) Death is the payment for sin. MacArthur writes, "Death is the just and rightful compensation for a life that is characterized by sin."1 Sin causes spiritual and physical death. Spiritual death is separation from God. It results in a broken relationship with God. (Isaiah 59:2; Jeremiah 5:25; Ezekiel 39:24) Physical death is the end of life. (Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4; James 1:15) Sin is the reason everything living eventually dies. 
  1. John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set: Romans 1-8 (Olive Tree Software, Version 6.9.2) Note on Romans 6:23​​
6. 2 Corinthians 4:4
notes
Sin warps our perception.  (2 Corinthians 4:4) It alters our view of everything, including ourselves. We can become fatalistic by thinking we are unredeemable, or unrealistic by believing that we are not in need of redemption. I.e. That we are basically good people. The first view point diminishes the scope of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the second dismisses the necessity of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Timothy Keller writes, "We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.1
  1. ​Tim Keller, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God, (London: Penguin, 2011), 39 Kindle​
7. John 8:34
notes
Sin enslaves. It is a cruel master, whose power increasingly enslaves. (Romans 3:9, 7:14; 2 Peter 2:19) Sin leads to depraved thinking and results in moral corruption. (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:13-18; Ephesians 2:3; Galatians 5:19-21) Charles Ryrie says, "Every facet of man's being is affected by this sinful nature.
  • His intellect is blinded. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
  • His mind is reprobate. (Romans 1:28)
  • His understanding is darkened, separated from the life of God. (Ephesians 4:18)​​
  • His emotions are degraded and defiled. (Romans 1:21,24,26; Titus 1:15)
  • His will is enslaved to sin and therefore stands in opposition to God. (Romans 6:20; 7:20)."1 
​Ryrie continues: "Total depravity is measured against God's [infinite] holiness. Relative goodness exists in some people. They can do good works that are appreciated by others, but nothing that anyone can do will gain salvational merit or favor in the sight of an [infinitely] holy God."2
  1. Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology, (Chicago: Moody, 1999) 252
  2. Ryrie, 253. ​[Emphasis added] 
8. Romans 8:2
notes
Sin can be overcome. (Romans 6:14,18)

  • Sin is overcome through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:3) Belief in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ removes the penalty of sin, defeats the power of sin, and will eventually eliminate the presence of sin. (Galatians 3:13; Romans 6:6-7, 11,14,22; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Revelation 21:4-5) 
 
  • Sin is overcome through the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16) The power of sin is defeated by allowing the Holy Spirit to occupy our mind and guide our words and actions. (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:6) 

  • Sin is overcome by confession. (1 John 1:9) Admitting wrongdoing to God brings freedom and victory. (Psalm 32:5) Confession is agreeing with God about a specific wrong. It is not informing Him, because He already knows about our sins. (Proverbs 5:21) Failing to admit wrongdoing can result in guilt and shame that can cause physical distress. (Psalm 32:3; Proverbs 28:13)

  • Sin is overcome through the Scripture. (Psalm 119:11) Reading, meditating on, and obeying the words of God are essential to experiencing victory over sin. (Psalm 37:31, 40:8)
9. Video Resources
What was the most important verse in this study? Explain. 

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