Study 6 Objective: What is sin, and why should the believer avoid it?
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Jesus dwells in our hearts that we may be “filled with the fullness of God” (See Ephesians 3:17-19), and breaking our fulfilling relationship with Him is sin.
When we commit sin we rebel against all that God is. It creates a rift in the holy relationship Jesus envisioned with us before the foundation of the world. It is a refusal to let the Holy Spirit work in us to do the Father’s will. Jesus came to call all sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32), that is, that they may turn back into a relationship with God and with His will for humankind. Sin involves taking something wonderful that God in His holiness designed and perverting it for selfish desires against others. It is to stray out of God’s intended purpose for humankind of incorporating every one into his life. Sin is also not placing our faith in Jesus as the guide and authority for our spiritual life. Sin, which is spiritual, is not defined by man’s logic or assumptions, but by God. If we need one-liner definitions, we could say that sin is the state of living without fellowship with Christ. Reflection: Why should Jesus be central to this discussion about sin? Conclusion
Christians need to avoid sin because sin is a break in our relationship with God that takes us out of the harmony of fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. |
From the Statement of Beliefs of the Grace Communion International
https://www.gci.org/articles/the-gci-statement-of-beliefs/ Sin
Sin results in damaged relationships, suffering and death. Because all humans are sinners, all humans need the good news that God loves them unconditionally and has forgiven their sins and reconciled them to himself through Jesus Christ." (1 John 3:4; James 4:17; Romans 14:23; Romans 5:12, 17-19; 7:24-25; Mark 7:21-23; 1 John 3:8; Ephesians 2:2; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 6:23; 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:12-13) Christian Conduct "Christian conduct is characterized by trust in and loving allegiance to Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. Trust in Jesus Christ is expressed by belief in the gospel and by participation in Jesus Christ’s works of love. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ transforms the hearts of believers, producing in them love, joy, peace, faithfulness, meekness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, righteousness, and truth." (1 John 3:16, 23-24; 4:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:6, 22-23; Ephesians 5:9) |
