SIN

Newsletter 243 May 15, 2011

DEFINED

Webster defines sin as “the act of breaking a religious or moral law,”
And adds an “error, offense, or fault.“ Webster always defines in connection with the general public’s usage of a word, but let us look at a few references from the Bible and see how God defines it. The first sin, that of Adam and Eve, was more that breaking His command not to eat of that particular tree. It was more than that. It challenged God’s authority to make such a command, and in ignorance lay the real fault on God! The woman you gave me. The irony is that God had made them, and they deny that He had any right to limit them in any way. The result is that they were separated from God. Sin is separation from God. Sin separates man from God here on earth, and if un-repented, for eternal life to come. The prophet Ezekiel said, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20) Clearly this is far more than an “error, offense, or fault.” It is not just a slap on the hands.

IT IS NOT, “THAT PERSON OVER THERE”

Just one violation makes a sinner of everyone. Romans 3:23 reads, :“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” There is not a human being on earth who has not broken God’s law in some way. The rich young ruler said, “These I have kept from my youth up,” but still he was greedy, he loved his wealth more than the Lord. He left Jesus there. That was his weakness.

JUST ONE EXAMPLE

Our text for today probably had its immediate roots in the confrontation that Jesus had with the Pharisees related in the previous chapter

John 8:1-11 (King James Version)

1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. (Matthew 21:1)

The Mount of Olives faces the temple just across the valley east of the city and seems to be one of the favorite places Jesus and his apostles went for prayer and to be alone in the shelter of the olive trees which can be found there even until today.

2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. (Matthew 26:55, John 8:20)

THE EXAMPLE OF A SINNER

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

The same law which condemned the woman to be stoned, also condemns her partner to the same punishment. If punishment was the purpose for which they had brought her, they would have brought both, and they did not need Jesus’ approval. In all likelihood one of her accusers was the male involved, and this was a trap they eagerly waited to be sprung.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? (Luke 20:10, Luke 22:22)

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. (Matthew 16:1, Matthew 19:1, Matthew 22:18, Matthew 11:35, Mark 8:11, Mark 10:2, Mark 12:15, Luke 10:25, Luke 11:16, Mark 3:3)

We are not told what Jesus wrote in the dust of the street, but it could have simply been a question as to where was her partner.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (John 8:10, Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, Deuteronomy 17:7)

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

One wonders if it may not have been the name of the guilty person. It doesn’t really matter, they had all sinned, and they all knew that Jesus knew. One sin, any sin, condemns one as a sinner. There is no such thing as “white lies,” or any other division into major or minor sins. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. All are saved through the grace of God who willingly sent His Son to make a way for our redemption through him.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:7)

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 3:17, John 5:14)

God has done His part, and Jesus his; now it is up to us, like that woman, accept His grace, through repentance and obedience to Him. (Romans 13:14) “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. We do that through the new birth, being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5, Acts 2:38)

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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY

15th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 1, 2, John 9, Psalm 61
16th. Monday – 1 Samuel 3, 4, John 10:1-21, Proverbs 12:1-13
17th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 5, 6, 7, John 10:22-42 Psalm 62
18th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 8, 9, John 11:1-27, Psalm 63
19th. Thursday - 1 Samuel 10, 11, John 11:28-57, Psalm 64
20th. Friday – 1 Samuel 12, 13, John 12:1-22, Proverbs 12:14-28
21st. Saturday - 1 Samuel 14, John 12:23-50, Psalm 65

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
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Simple operation

A man was seen fleeing down the hall of the hospital just before his operation.
"What's the matter?" he was asked.
He said, "I heard the nurse say, 'It's a very simple operation, don't worry, I'm sure it will be all right."
"She was just trying to comfort you, what's so frightening about that?"
"She wasn't talking to me. She was talking to the doctor.
I had a cataract operation yesterday, but I am sure it is not his first!