WHAT IS SIN?
In order to understand sin, we must first understand the origin of sin.
Quite simply, sin is everything in opposition to (or a deviation) from established balance, or original, intended balance.
What is balance?
There are many definitions for the word balance, but for the purpose of making my point I'll use just a few.
The dictionary says,
balance - To arrange, adjust, or proportion the parts of symmetrically.
balance - To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.
balance - To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.
My own personal definition?
balance - All components working together harmoniously for the sake of maintenance, and survival.
Once again, SIN would be anything that works against that balance that is necessary for survival.
Imagine if you will that:
1. You have just been given the world's best computer system, fully equipped with everything you could possibly need and want, fully setup, and running. Every component/part of that computer system works together perfectly, smoothly and harmoniously.
2. The actual computer designer gives you a list of things that you can do, but more importantly a list of things you SHOULD NOT DO in order the assure the longevity and ultimately the life of this computer. Everything on the list of DO NOT DO'S given to you are for the purpose of avoiding getting your perfect computer infected with the most dangerous computer virus known to man.
3. As time goes by, you learn about the many wonderful and beneficial things your computer system can do for you, and help you do. Also, as time goes by, you become more careless as to what you do with your computer in regard to the list of DO NOT DO'S that was given to you.
4. Eventually you begin to ignore the list of things you were told NOT TO DO with your computer, and before you know it, and when it's too late to go back, you pick up the single most deadly computer virus possible.
Your negligence has just thrown a wrench so to speak into the BALANCED workings of your computer, thus causing its' demise.
5. This virus is the most difficult virus to detect because of the way it works. It slowly attacks your computer in ways that you cannot detect, and does so over a long period of time.
6. In the meantime, you send email messages to all of your relatives, thus spreading this virus to each and every one of their computers.
7. Eventually the computer virus has finished it's slow breakdown of your computer system, and all of your relatives' computers as well. Finally it reaches the point of complete takeover of which at that point, your computer and their computers die suddenly.
8. The only salvation? Each one must do away with the old computer and buy a new one with the intention of not repeating the steps that destroyed the first.
Now, let's look at the above scenario and compare it as closely as possible to the Bible, and Jehovah God's plan for the earth, mankind and all creation.
1. The book of Genesis tells of how Jehovah God (through Jesus Prov. 8: 22-31) created the heavens and the earth. Everything was created to work in harmony, and beautifully.
2. God therefore created the first man (Adam) to take care of the earth (Gen. 2: 5-7 & Gen. 2: 15). In a sense, God was giving man the earth to care for and enjoy.
3. Jehovah God then told Adam directly (not Eve) - DO NOT eat the fruit from the tree of good and bad (Gen. 2: 17). Just like in the computer scenario, if the warning was not respected and heeded, there would be serious consequence. For the computer it was a virus that slowly killed the computer, but for Adam (and Eve) not taking this warning very seriously - would lead to the curse of death that would slowly drain man's youth, health, and eventually life over a period of time.
Note: Had Adam obeyed God, he and all his offspring were to live forever with perfect health on a beautiful earth - (Gen. 1: 28, Isaiah 45: 18, Ecc. 1: 4)
4. Just like the owner of the computer, Adam (and Eve) did not heed the warning of what NOT TO DO, (thus this negligence has thrown a spiritual wrench into the BALANCED workings and plan put in place by God, thus causing man's demise), , , , , and therefore Adam and all of his descendants have contracted a horrible curse/virus called death that slowly shuts man's life down through time, to the point of death.
5. Like the computer owner - Adam passes this death/virus on to all of his family (all mankind) or in other words his descendants - you, me, everyone. That is why we all lose our youth, experience illnesses, and eventually die. (Romans 5: 14, 1st. Corinthians 15: 22)
6. The only salvation? Well, in contrast to the computer owner(s) who could simply buy a new computer , , , , , we can't simply buy a new body and life, however we can have future hope in everlasting life through a new or "last Adam" (aka Jesus) sent by Jehovah to serve as a replacement for the failure - first man Adam, the father of all as we are his descendants.
1st. Corinthians 15: 22, and 45 says,
[22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
[45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
(a) We can also make the necessary changes (away from sin, and sinful acts) in our daily life as instructed in God's word the Bible.
Luke 15: 7 says, "I tell you that thus there will be more JOY in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance."
7. Well if you were purchasing a new computer to replace the first one that died, you would definitely read the owner's manual for the new computer much more thoroughly to make sure you new what do to, and once again, what not to do. Not only would you establish a more accurate knowledge of the computer system, you would make every effort possible this time to adhere to the instructions closely.
THE BIBLE (the owner's manual to life for us) tells us to do the very same thing:
1st. Timothy 2: 3, 4 says,
"This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.
Isaiah 48: 17, 18 says,
"This is what Jehovah has said, you Re-purchaser, the Holy One of Israel. I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit (yourself), the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. 18 O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
8. God's word the Bible is our owner's manual to life, but not just on how to live in this death cursed world all experience, but ultimately on how to someday - once again gain the (balanced) everlasting life that God purposed for mankind that Adam and Eve could have enjoyed.
In the Bible, there are lists of things to do, and things that we are not to do, some that have been done away with, and some that have never changed. Better yet, in the Bible, are contained examples or documented stories of individuals and groups who did not adhere to the instructions, and the consequences that they had to deal with as a result. The bible also contains examples or stories of those who did do the things that they should do, and records the blessings or benefits they enjoyed as well.
2nd. Timothy 3: 16 says,
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
9. Although death is currently still an inescapable part of human life, God put a plan in place (as a promise) soon after Adam's original sin. This plan and promise was that he (Jehovah God) would setup a "seed" or (Jesus, the Messiah) that would undo the curse of death brought upon all mankind (Adam's descendants or offspring) someday.
10. How would this "seed" or Jesus undo the curse of death?
(a) The bible says that first he (Jesus) had to learn obedience in human form (Hebrews 5: 7,8,9) "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; [8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; [9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; - Like Jesus we must learn obedience in order to have the hope of resurrection, and someday benefit from eternal life.
(b) The bible says that he (Jesus) had to die (and be resurrected by his Father Jehovah), in order to conquer death first himself. Then, and only then, was he given authority to become the future resurrection of man.
John 3: 16 says,
For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed (or perish in some translations) but have everlasting life."
John 5: 25 - 28 says,
[25] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. [26] For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; [27] And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. [28] Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
11: This Messiah, Jesus Christ - also referred to as the "seed", the "root of Jesse", the "only begotten Son" of God is referred to in the following verses in the Bible. Gen. 3: 14,15 - Isa. 11: 10 - Romans 15: 12 - John 3: 16, etc.
The original promise after Adam's sin - Gen. 3: 14, and 15,
[14] And the LORD God said unto the serpent(Satan), Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: [15] And I will put enmity between thee(Satan) and the woman(true worshippers of God), and between thy seed(evil man/false religion) and her seed(Jesus); it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
The last phrase in the above verse means:
it(meaning the seed or Jesus) shall bruise thy head(will kill Satan once and for all someday), and thou(Satan) shalt bruise his(Jesus) heel (bruise his heel refers to the Crucifixion of Jesus, which was not a final blow due to his resurrection).
See also references to Jesus as the "seed" "Messiah", and "root of Jesse" at: Gen. 17: 7, - Isaiah 11: 10, - Daniel 9: 25, 26
So what must we do to make sure that we will benefit from the resurrection and eternal life someday?
(a) We must believe
that is believe in Jesus (John 3: 16), who he was, is, and more importantly we must believe Jesus words as recorded in our manual to life (the Bible).
(b) We must take in knowledge
The bible says the following: John 17: 3 - "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."
(c) We must remain obedient
Matthew 7: 21 - says, "[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
(d) We must endure to the end
Matthew 10: 22 - "[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
