Sin

Sin. Sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4.

There are three kinds of sin:

1. An ungodly person can sin without being judged in his conscience, in which case sin is full-grown and has brought forth death. The sting of death is sin. 1 Cor. 15:56. In the beginning we have a tender conscience. We immediately notice these stings the moment we commit a transgression. If we do not pay heed to them, we will be led deeper and deeper into death with the result that we will end up completely dead in trespasses and sins. Then sin is full-gown and has brought forth death. Sin will be completely full-grown in the Antichrist. He is a person in whom only sin dwells. Therefore he is called “the man of sin” and “the son of perdition.” 2 Thess. 2:3. He is also called “the lawless one.” He breaks every law and exalts himself over everything that is called God and is worshiped, “so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thess. 2:4.

2. When I sin I am chastened by the Lord, “for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” Heb. 12:6. When I have fallen in sin and am chastened by the Lord, I humble myself under His mighty hand and do not despise the Lord’s chastening, but I receive it as it is, even if it is ever so harsh. Then the chastening of the Lord will be for my salvation.

3. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Ps. 32:2. When I live a holy and God-fearing life and want to do the good with all of my heart, the evil will still be present with me, so that I even do the things I hate. Rom. 7:15. However, if I do what I do not want to do, then it is no longer “I” who do it, but sin that dwells in me. Rom. 7:20. This is not reckoned to me as sin; but as soon as I become aware of it as sin, I put it to death by the Spirit, and then I will live. Rom. 8:13.