What Is Sin?.

Nearly everyone has a different idea about what constitutes sin. Do you know? If sin brings the death penalty (Rom. 6:23), then the Bible must tell us what it is so that we can avoid such a terrible punishment. Do not settle for half-answers or the opinions of men. Do not concern yourself with what “religious people” and this world’s ministers say, but with what the Bible says.

The Word of God reveals truth (John 17:17). Here is His definition—the true definition—of sin: “Whosoever commits SIN transgresses also the law: for SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW” (1 John 3:4). GOD decides what sin is. And He states that it is transgressing—breaking—His laws. Since sin is the transgression of the law, and the opposite would be obedience to the law, then exactly what law must we obey?

The answer is the Ten Commandments! Let’s prove it with some review. John also wrote, “All unrighteousness is sin” (1 John 5:17). Remember, “all [God’s] commandments are righteousness” (Ps. 119:172). So then, unrighteousness is sin—breaking God’s Commandments.

The apostle James added, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend [sin] in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit ADULTERY, said also, Do not KILL. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law [a lawbreaker]” (James 2:10-11).

James was directly referring to the Ten Commandments.

If a person breaks any “one point” of the Law, he is guilty of sin. The Fourth Commandment—fourth “point”—in the Law James speaks of is “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.” Sabbath-breaking is still SIN today. Once again, so says the New Testament!

Your Natural Mind

Before continuing, let’s examine the greatest single reason mankind has sought to get around God’s laws, particularly His Sabbath.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, makes an amazing statement: “Because the carnal [physical, natural] mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). Other translations use the phrase “is the ENEMY of God” in place of “is enmity against God.”

This verse offers startling insight into the working of the carnal, physical mind of every human being. Cut off from God, the natural mind is God’s enemy—it hates Him. Think of it! Then ask yourself if any minister, religionist, or theologian has ever explained this to you. NO! The religious leaders of this world never refer to it. They either ignore this understanding entirely or do not recognize its powerful implications!

This verse plainly states that the natural mind does not want, and even hates, to yield to God and obey His Law. While most people profess that they “love God,” the truth is that their minds despise His way and refuse to obey Him. No wonder the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Seven chapters later, he wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jer. 17:9). These are incredible statements. When confronted with problems or important decisions, men simply either do not know what to do, or they deceive themselves about what they have already decided not to do.

Instead of allowing the Bible to tell them God’s will—how they should live and believe—most read into Scripture whatever meaning they assume is correct, the meaning they desire, consciously or unconsciously, to be the biblical view. They ignore what Christ said in Matthew 5: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matt. 5:17). This includes the Sabbath. This is the same Christ who prophesied in Isaiah 42:21, “The LORD is well pleased for His righteousness’ sake; He will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” This must include the Sabbath.

What about you? Are you willing to let the Bible correct you? Are you willing to approach it with a teachable, open mind and permit God to “speak” to you—tell you His will—through His Word? Do you stand in awe of it?

You must come to have a healthy respect for your mind’s ability to deceive you about the laws and principles of God, which it naturally rebels against!

All Israel at Mt. Sinai

In Chapter Three, we saw how three-to-four million Israelites learned of the Sabbath a little over two weeks before they arrived at Mt. Sinai. Exodus 19:2 describes their arrival there. What a sight it must have been. Imagine this enormous “tent city,” bigger by far than most cities of today’s world.

Exodus 19:3 describes Moses departing from the camp, answering God’s call to go up the mountain. God was about to enter into what we call the “Old Covenant,” with ancient Israel. In this agreement, God would establish Israel as His nation among all nations of the earth. His purpose was to be both Ruler and King of this national theocracy, to be ruled solely by God, apart from any kind of humanly-devised government. There were to be no elections, parliaments, or congress, and no leaders apart from those God would directly appoint. God would be “President for life.”

God’s instruction to Moses was “Now therefore, if you [all of Israel] will OBEY My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And you shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak unto the children of Israel” (Exod. 19:5-6).

Note this well. It was at this point the Twelve Tribes of Israel were to become God’s “chosen people.” You have often heard the term. Why then do so many believe that “the Jews (only one tribe—Judah) are God’s chosen people”? The other eleven tribes are continually left out and forgotten.

After Moses departed from his meeting with God, this happened next: “And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him” (Exod. 19:7). The moment of truth had arrived. The agreement—God’s covenant with Israel—was about to be struck, if the people agreed to God’s terms.

What was the people’s response?

“And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD has spoken WE WILL DO.” It was Moses’ responsibility to take the people’s decision back to God: “And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD” (Exod. 19:8).

This was a truly historic moment. The people agreed to accept God’s leadership—to obey His Law, His rule—over them. Here was an ocean of people (perhaps 40 times the number who could fit into a giant football stadium seating 100,000) who were prepared to obey God.

Three days later, the entire assembly of Israel was to meet God at the base of Mt. Sinai to receive His Law (Exod. 19:11). The Bible describes that God came with tremendous THUNDER and LIGHTNING—and great POWER and GLORY, to show Himself as the great God. The people were instructed not to come too close to the mountain—to God’s presence—or they would die.

Imagine the deafening voice of God (simply described as “exceeding loud”)—booming loud enough that, without amplification, millions could hear it! Notice verses 17-18: “And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly” (Exod. 19:17-18).

Picture it. The entire event must have been a stunning, goose-bump-raising, ear-splitting, blinding experience! It was in this setting that God chose to give His holy, righteous, perfect, spiritual LAW!

Next Part God Gives HIS Law

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