Lesson 1: Sin
Sin is simply defined as a
transgression of God’s eternal word. John says, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also
the law: for sin is the transgression of the law,” (I John 3:4). Let us open
God’s word together and examine some of the things that it teaches about sin.
In
order for one to sin, temptation must first occur. Temptation contains three
parts: 1) lust of the flesh; 2) lust of the eyes; and,
3) the pride of life. John says, “Love not the world, neither the things
that are in the world. If any man love the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the
flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father,
but is of the world,” (I John
The
scriptures teach that one commits sin wilfully. Paul
says, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have
received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins,” (Hebrews
The
Bible also teaches that Satan is the father of sin. Jesus says, “Ye are of
your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no
truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of
it,” (John
God
hates sin in its entirety. Therefore, all unrighteousness(sinful)
things, whether the things we say or do, that are done are an abomination to
the Lord. Moses says, “For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God,”
(Deuteronomy 25:26).
God
has provided a way out of sin, the hope of eternal salvation which is through
Christ. Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only
begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have
everlasting life,” (John
Sin
separates man from God. In the next lesson, we will see how this occurs. So
long as one commits sin and does not repent and seek to do that which is right,
he will continue to cause himself to be separated from God. The prophet Isaiah
says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he
will not hear,” (Isaiah 59:1-2).
Sin
entered the world through the woman because she was deceived first. The
scripture says that “Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was
in the transgression,” (I Timothy
Now
that you have come to a basic understanding of what sin is, turn to Genesis
chapter three. After reading that
chapter, do the following questions. Please cite scriptures to support your
answers. Send in your answers in the envelope that has been provided for you.
We will grade them and get back with you as soon as we can. This is to be done
before proceeding to the next lesson.