IS SIN A LEGAL MATTER?

THE LEGACY OF ONE SIN

 

Romans 5:12-14  Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned -- for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. (NIV)

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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Is 'sin' just a legal matter - the breaking of a law? Is it only Jews who sin if they break the law of Moses? No! Before Moses there was no law but there was sin. The evidence of continued sin was the trail of continued death (the punishment for sin) from Adam, through Moses and in all pagan societies to the present time. One sin upset the relationship with God for all of us. And yet we keep adding to that pile of rebellion.

Sin is described as 'reigning'. It seems to be a law unto itself - a law which has only one objective: to defy Almighty God. And that is the principle which lies at the heart of our fallen natures. We know that because it so easily arises within us to contradict God's Word and doubt His promises.

So how can we 'dethrone' sin? As the answer to lies, is the truth, so the answer to rebelling against God's Word is to submit to it. We might fool ourselves to think that we are in perfect control of our lives, but do not be deceived: sin is lurking as a 'sleeping' spy within our hearts, waiting to find any weakness and then divert our hearts away from obeying the Lord (James 1:13-15). Of course, the devil is behind it, but he rarely has to intervene because the dormant virus of sin will come to life whenever we take our eyes off Jesus. So, stay close to Him, obeying His Word today!

Prayer:  All knowing God. Thank You for the Bible through which I can understand the truth about myself. I am sorry for giving space for sin to multiply in me, and for imagining that sin is only big social violations, so that I get complacent and fail to notice my rebellions of selfishness and pride. Please help me to be much more vigilant and to start each day aware of my weakness so that I can call on Your strength to help me obey You and not resist Your will in my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.