“The soul who sins shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4, 20), “For the wages of sin is death” Rom 6:23). Now that is some tough language. Sounds like we do well to look into this. Let’s lay down several passages to get started.
Perhaps the most famous one reads like this in the King James translation: “Sin is transgression of the law.” Recent translations tend to put it this way: “Sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Sin is living like there is no law – without regard for law. We need to develop this just a bit.
The idea of law, especially as it affects what we can and can’t do, tends to feel confining and its enforcement abrasive. Remember we are developing the “God is love” idea. Jesus made a key contribution when He said this: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 22:37-40.
Now let’s look at one of the most famous documents – the Ten Commandments. This is law as God wrote it with His own finger on stone. Many of its clauses begin with “Thou shalt not…” For years I heard that ringing in my ears with the strong voice of a steely eyed person banging his fist on the table and then pointing his finger in my face. Then I began this quest for seeing God’s love. This statement of Jesus was a great help.
Now I can read the commandments this way: Since God is my God, the most honored and valued Person and relationship I know, of course there will be nothing and no one to come between us. Neither will there be any objects made and honored the would distract from or model Him. His name will be treated with great respect and my life will reflect His desires. The sabbath is a weekly date with my Beloved. How could I forget it! Those clauses relate to God. The next clauses affect interpersonal relationships. Parents deserve honor as they endeavor to guide me into the wonders of life. Murder will not be an option. My romantic interests will remain at home. I will respect your property. I will disseminate no falsehoods about you. In fact, I won’t even covet anything you hold. This makes perfect sense since love will hold you and God with honor and respect.
But there is more.
The last verse of Romans 14 notes this: “Whatever is not of faith is sin.” Faith comes with love. It is good will in the good intentions of God and other people. Though many people disqualify themselves of trust.
James adds this line: “To him who knows to do good and does not do it: to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
James also drops this note: if we exercise preferential treatment based to social status we sin (James 2: 8, 9).
The summary observation is that sin is the frame of mind and behavior that disrupts relationships. Sin sets us at odds with God – the source of life. Thus the statements opening this nugget describe what happens – what sin brings. There is a whole lot of “what if…?” that needs discussion. But that is beyond the scope of this brief format.