“Sin” and “death” aren’t usually the first topics brought up in conversation, yet the Bible spends a lot of time talking about them. Why? To answer this question, we need to learn what the Bible means when it talks about sin.
What is sin?
The Bible describes the concept of sin as breaking the law of God. This law is perfect, good, and holy, but we are not. In fact, you’d have to be a perfect person if you wanted to completely follow the law of God. In 1st John chapter 3 verse 4, it says: “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” Any time we consciously or unconsciously ignore or break God’s law, we are disobeying Him. Our actions show that we are rebellious against God and His Law.
“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Psalms 51:5
The rebellious heart says, “I can do it alone,” “I don’t need God,” and “I am perfectly in control.” This sinful nature is inside of us from the moment we are born. Each of us, from birth, is a sinner. The Bible identifies our rebellious attitudes and our sin nature as a serious problem.
Did God create sin?
In Genesis 3:1-5, We learn that God, the Creator, put Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden and gave them a charge to cultivate and take care of the earth. They could eat of all the trees in that garden except one: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
This law is exactly what the serpent tempted the woman and man with. Adam and Eve decided to disobey God. This single act destroyed the relationship they had enjoyed with God and separated not only Adam and Eve from God, but also all of their descendants, which includes every single person that’s ever lived.
This act of disobedience opened the door to sin, allowing it to corrupt not only the earth, but their natures as well. Since then, everyone who has been born has a sinful nature that drives us (knowingly or unknowingly) to disrespect, disobey, and deny God. So no, God did not create sin. It was not part of His original creation, which He called “very good”! (Genesis 1:31)
So how does death fit in? Death is a part of sin. Those who sin are separated from God now on earth but this separation continues forever when we die. However, God chose to create a new way to destroy this distance and bring us back in relationship with Him.
Recommended reading: Genesis 1-3, Colossians 3:5, Romans 6:23
The Bible’s emphasis on sin and death is to show how bad they are and to point us to the new way that God created. When we experience this new way, it is called salvation.
Think about your relationship with God: How much do you know about Him? Where did you learn about Him? Do you spend much time thinking about sin or death?
Today, pray for God to reveal Himself to you. Pray for Him to show Himself and to show sin you have in your life. Ask God to forgive you of your sin and to show you His new way of salvation. Pray for His peace and for a desire to keep learning about Him. Stay in God’s word and start with just 1 page a day.