What Are Sins?
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What Are Sins?
by John E. Werhan
It is evident that many people do not understand what
God deems as sin. For one who is knowledgeable of God's
truth this tragedy is obvious as they observe the daily
lives of the people they meet on the street, their
friends, and their loves ones.
With so many living in sin and separated from God it
seems like a plague has been unleashed on our society.
This is why it is imperative that everyone comes to the
knowledge of what God deems as sin. To help us in that
understanding we must turn to the inspired word and see
what God has to say on this subject.
Paul in his inspired letter to the Christians in
Corinth reminded them of the sins they had left behind
when they became God's children.
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not
be deceived; neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,
nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God"
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Note that Paul reminds them that those who practice
these sins "will not inherit the kingdom of God."
To the congregation at Ephesus Paul wrote,
"But immorality or any impurity or greed
must not even be named among you, as is
proper among saints; and there must be no
filthiness and silly talk, or coarse
jesting, which are not fitting, but rather
giving of thanks. For this you know with
certainty, that no immoral or impure person
or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and
God" (Ephesians 5:3).
Like the letter to Corinth Paul makes it clear that
those practicing these sins do not have "an inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and God."
The Christians at Colossi were also reminded of what
they had left behind when becoming God's children.
"Therefore consider the members of your
earthly body as dead to immorality,
impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed,
which amounts to idolatry. For it is because
of these things that the wrath of God will
come upon the sons of disobedience, and in
them you also once walked, when you were
living in them. But now you also, put them
all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander,
and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not
lie to one another, since you laid aside the
old self with its evil practices, and have
put on the new self who is being renewed to
a true knowledge according to the image of
the One who created him" (Colossians 3:5-
10).
In the letter to the Galatians, Paul notes the "deeds
of the flesh" and that practicing such will keep one
from inheriting the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-
21).
These passages from the inspired word of God are not a
conclusive listing of all sin but a sampling that will
help us in our understanding of this dire state of
affairs. I would like to encourage you to take some
time and seek the definition of each of these sins from
a Bible dictionary.
Most people are surprised to know the depth and
radiance of each of these sins. The major reality that
I hope you noted is that when one practices sin, they
have chosen to reject God and accept Satan as their
master. Many who do not understand sin make the eternal
choice between heaven and hell every day.
It is my hope and prayer that you will study these
listings and come to knowledge of sin that will help
you avoid eternal separation from God.
___________
John preachers for the The Northeast church of Christ
in Sentinel, Oklahoma.
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