One of the primary tenets of Postmodernism is that there is no absolute truth. Some might argue that the term “sin” is a social construct that can be sliced and diced to the point of having little meaning. Remember the almost comical question, “What is the meaning of is?”
Last week, the subject of this blog was Biblical Morality. To dig deeper into the subject, we need to define sin biblically. There are three ways to approach the subject of sin that, when viewed in their individual contexts, each form a facet of the broader topic.
The first facet is, “sin is lawlessness.” (1 Jn 3:4b) In this epistle, John is explaining the presence and effects of sin and its remedy. He begins by exhorting us to agree with God that sin exists. (1 Jn 1:1ff) Sin is not a social construct. Jesus Christ is the standard for determining what sin is. In the immediate context, John writes: “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)
The operative term in verses 2:29 and 3:4 is “practices.” In both instances, the term is poieo, a Present Active Participle. The basal meaning is “doing by nature.” If we, by nature, seek to live up to God’s standard, we are born of God. If we live by any other standard and disobey God’s righteous standard, it is sin. It has been said that sin is missing the mark. This is not correct. In this context, sin is shooting at the wrong target.
The second facet is, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (Jas 4:17) Most of the New Testament revelation was yet to be given. The Jews were fastidious in keeping the Law. Jews who accepted Jesus as Messiah were left with an apparent dilemma. Do we still need to keep all the details taught by the rabbis?
Like the current problem in Western Society, a plethora of laws have been explained and/or changed to circumvent their original meaning and permit whatever a person wants to do. In this context, the actual sin had more to do with the motives than the acts themselves. Is the motivation to do the will of God or simply to make a profit by whatever means?
The third facet is, “Whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Rom 14:23b) Both the Jewish and Gentile Christians were seeking ways to get along. Each tended to want to set their own standards and apply them to the opposition. The question was not regarding motivation; both were seeking to please God. The question was, what is the Holy Spirit telling you? Each believer needs to live by their own convictions and not judge others by them.
There are moral standards that even unbelievers recognize. (cf. 1 Cor 5:1-8). As sons of God, we must live by a higher standard of morality.
January 14, 2026 @ 8:15 pm
Here are three more statements of what sin is: 1 John 5:17 “All unrighteousness is sin”
John 8:34 Sin is a slavemaster. “Jesus said, “’Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.’”
Sin is universal: Romans 3:23 “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’
Do these fit witihin the three facets of sin or into other categories or aspects of what sin is?
January 15, 2026 @ 2:51 pm
The Scriptures have much to say about sin. To the three that you add, we could add Rom 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” In my first draft of this blog, I intended to add Rom 2:23 & 6:23. There are many more that could be added that are equally important.
I often hear individuals say, “No one wants to talk about sin today.” To the extent that this is true, this article addresses facets of sin rather than giving a detailed analysis which would necessitate including acts of sin and the effects of sin. With this in mind, only your first suggestion, 1 Jn 5:17, would fit the parameters and limitations of this blog. Therefore, staying within the scope and contexts of this week’s blog, we are able to see beyond a simple definition of sin, and/or a measure of sin to use to judge the behavior of others. Note that within each of the contexts of the three facets I highlight, each facet provides a different perspective of the same object. In this way, we gain a deeper understanding of biblical morality, which is the theme of both today’s blog and last week’s blog, “The Case for Biblical Morality.”
Paul, as usual, you are a deep thinker. I appreciate how you seek both a broad and a deep understanding of God’s Word. Thank you for your feedback.