SIN: An Equal Opportunity Employer

In 1988 the famous psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger published “Whatever Became of Sin?” As one of the “fathers” of modern psychiatry Dr. Menninger made the case that the biblical idea of “sin” still provided important explanations for what ails us humans. However, we still hesitate to talk much about “sin,” less we be accused of being “judgmental” or “legalistic.” If “sin” is the moral virus infecting the human race, and indeed all of creation, understanding it is very important. It has been said that an accurate diagnosis is 90% of the cure, so if we want the cure to sin we need to accurately understand what sin is.

Fortunately the Bible is filled with teaching about sin. In fact, there are several related words translated with our English word “sin.” The most common word for “sin” (Greek hamartia) simply means “to miss the mark,” to miss the goal of God’s glory being reflected in humanity and in creation (see Romans 3:23). Another word for “sin” (Greek parabasis) describes us crossing a border or violating a boundary, and is also translated “transgression” (see Romans 5:14). “Disobedience” (Greek parakoe) is another “sin” word, and refers to us “hearing alongside of,” placing ourselves in a position to judge whether or not we want to obey a command; it is selective hearing (see Romans 5:19). The old word “trespass” (Greek paraptoma) means to lapse or deviate from the truth (see Romans 5:20). The biggest word for sin (Greek anomia) is sometimes translated “iniquity” and refers to our sinful, lawless nature (see 1 John 3:4). Paul taught that whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). James wrote that knowing to do good and not doing it is sin (James 4:17). John added that all wrongdoing is sin (1 John 5:17).

The first place where the word “sin” is found in the Bible is in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). These two brothers had a very different attitude toward God as seen in their approach to worship. When he came before the Lord Abel brought “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.” He offered his very best to God as worship. On the other hand, Cain “brought some of the fruits of the soil” as an offering before the Lord, showing a casual attitude toward his worship of God. When God looked with favor on Abel and his offering, rather than learning and repenting, Cain got ticked off and bitter toward Abel. That’s when God brought up the subject of sin: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). If Cain responded with repentance toward God and love toward his brother, he would be “accepted” (literally “forgiven”). However, Cain needed to have no illusions about the fact that “sin” was waiting like a wild animal at the entrance to his life, ready to pounce and take advantage of any opportunity to dominate and rule his life. It was possible for Cain to “rule over” sin, to gain the mastery over sin, but he wouldn’t be able to do so without a right response to God and others. That first story of sin is still the present story of sin.

When you look at all these facets of “sin” it’s easy to see that the essence of sin is self-centeredness, any attempt to live life independently of God. Evidences of sin in our lives include all of the classical hyphenated self-issues: self-indulgence, self-gratification, self-fulfillment, etc., etc. Our parents in the Garden chose to believe The Lie that a life under the authority of the Father-Creator was a limited life, that full human potential could only be realized independently of God. Seeing all of life with ourselves rather than God at the center is now instinctive for us; it’s part of our moral DNA.

Yes, sin is our universal, equal opportunity employer. And our boss pays everyone the same wage. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Think about it! The definition is “death” is “separation from God,” so if the essence of sin is living autonomously, independently, separately from God, then it only makes sense that the consistent result is death. That’s why sin is the virus that is killing us, that has twisted and perverted the human person and all of creation along with us.

Various sinful behaviors are really only symptoms of the core of self-centeredness: dishonesty, fear, anger, stealing, hatred, murder, sexual exploitation, greed, etc. – none of these things would exist if we lived under the authority of God, if God was truly at the center of every part of our lives, if the love of God ruled our hearts and lives.

But here’s the good news: “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The ultimate cure for the sin disease was provided by God in Jesus, beginning with the provision of forgiveness and cleansing provided by the death of Christ on the cross. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). But that’s not the end of the story – through his resurrection and ascension into heaven, through the power of God’s Word energized by the presence and work of the Holy Spirit – God has provided transformation from the inside out. We are being changed, from glory to glory, into the image and nature of Christ. In the end, sin will be defeated, the curse reversed, and all things made new and whole again. “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:3-4). That beautiful vision, that hope, defines the road we are now on, overcomers on the Way.

NOTE: I want to acknowledge my friend, Ken Malmin, who still faithfully teaches about sin in his Basic Doctrine class at Portland Bible College.