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Bible Question:
Is the knowledge of sin, sin?
Bible Answer:
Is the knowledge of sin, sin? The answer is no! But we have
not explained what this phrase means. In order to do this,
we will start at the beginning of Romans.
Our Conscience.
In the first chapter, God tells us that every human knows that
God exists - even the atheists who claim that there is no God.
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For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes,
His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly
seen, being understood through what has been made,
so that they are without excuse. For even though they
knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks;
but they became futile in their speculations, and their
foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise,
they became fools . . .
(NASB) Romans 1:20-22
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Some day when those who have rejected God in this life stand
before Him, God will be able to remind them of occasions
when they sensed that God existed. They will have no excuse
for ignoring God.
Our Conscience.
When we arrive at the second chapter of Romans, God
tells us that every human has an understanding of good and
evil.
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So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my
absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and
to work for His good pleasure.
(NASB) Philippians 2:12-13
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Every human has an understanding of good and evil, even if
that understanding is as simple as "it is wrong to murder." Most
non-Christians see good and evil from a selfish perspective.
How does it affect me? So scripture is twisted and distorted
and God is ignored or "changed" in order to accommodate
one's sin. God's law of good and evil is written in our conscience.
When judgment day comes, God will be able to say, "You
sensed I existed and you had some understanding of good and
evil." That will be enough to send that person to hell
if he/she does not believe
in Jesus
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Any man who is good for anything, if he is always thinking
about himself, will come to think himself good for
nothing very soon. It is only a fool who can bear to
look at himself all day long without disgust. And so
the first thing for a man to do, who wants to be his
best, is to get rid of semiconscious, to stop thinking
about himself and how he is working, altogether.
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- Phillips Brooks
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Your Question.
When we come to the third chapter of Romans, we finally discover
that the Mosaic Law, which is found in the Old Testament,
gives us a list of sins. It gives us an understanding of
good and evil. The idea of sin is no longer our opinion.
We finally understand what actions are sin. Sin is disobeying
God in a number of areas.
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Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to
those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be
closed, and all the world may become accountable to
God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will
be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes
the knowledge of sin.
(NASB) Romans 3:19-20
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Conclusion:
The Bible gives us our knowledge of sin. We sense that God
exists. Our conscience convicts us of wrong actions, but
it is the Bible that tells us what God actually considers
to be sin. Then we understand sin. Sin is the reason that Jesus
came to this earth and died. It is the reason He returned
to life and returned to heaven. He did these things so that He
could forgive your sins if you believe in Him
. Thank you, Lord.
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