Sin separates us from God. Jesus not only came as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, but He came preaching the message of repentance. What is repentance? It isn't just a word you say, but it is a change of mind or a complete conversion. It means a complete turn and change of direction, a new course with completely new behavior and view of life. It is a total transformation that affects every part of a person's life. It is the birth canal through which we enter the Kingdom of God.
John the Baptist says in:
Matthew 3:8 (NLT)
“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
Repentance isn’t a one time thing we do when we ask the Lord to save us, it is something we continue in through the process of sanctification.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Will not enter the Kingdom:
Matt. 5:20 - Matt. 18:3 - John 3:3, 5 - 1 Cor. 6:9-10 - Gal. 5:19-21 - Eph. 5:3-5
We are not our own:
Jer. 10:23 - 1 Cor. 6:19-20
Ask God to search us and reveal our sin as well as examine ourselves:
Job 13:23 - Ps. 139:23-24 - 1 Cor. 11:28 - 2 Cor. 13:5
Psalm 32:5 (NKJV)
“I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
In this scripture we see three different words used, and many associate them as one in the same, however there is a difference in them. There is even a fourth word used throughout scripture that we will add as well.
Sin- The Hebrew word for sin is “chatta’ah”, and the Greek is “hamartia”; these and their similar root words are used over 550 times in the KJV translation. Sin means “to miss the mark.” It can refer to doing something against God or against a person (Ex. 10:16), anything done not from faith (Rom. 14:23), doing something that will have negative results (Prov. 24:33–34), failing to do something you know is right (James 4:17), and all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). In the Old Testament, God even instituted sacrifices for unintentional sins (Num. 15:27). Paul sums it up as anything that “falls short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). If left un-repented, habitual sin leads to a “reprobate mind” (Rom. 1:24-32). Our sin nature causes us to gravitate naturally toward selfishness, envy, and pride, even when we are trying to do good. We must deal with the flesh by walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
Trespass- The sin nature leads to trespassing. A trespasser is someone who crosses a line or climbs a fence that they should not. A trespass may be intentional or unintentional. Trespass can also mean “to fall away after being close beside.” Peter trespassed when he denied Jesus (Luke 22:34, 56–62). We all “cross the line” in thought, word, or attitude many times a day and should be quick to forgive others who do the same (Matt. 6:15).
Transgression- Transgression refers to presumptuous sin. To transgress is to choose to intentionally disobey; transgression is willful trespassing. Samson intentionally broke his Nazirite vow by touching a dead lion (Num. 6:1–5; Judges 14:8–9) and allowing his hair to be cut (Judges 16:17); this was a transgression. David was referring to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Ps. 32:1). When we knowingly run a stop sign, tell a lie, or blatantly disregard authority, we are transgressing.
Iniquity- Iniquity is more deeply rooted. It refers to a premeditated choice; to commit iniquity is to continue without repentance. David’s sin with Bathsheba that led to the killing of her husband, Uriah, was iniquity (2 Sam. 11:3–4; 2 Sam. 12:9). The Word of God says, “Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.” (Micah 2:1). In David’s psalm of repentance, he cries out to God, saying, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Ps. 51:2). Iniquity left un-repented leads to a state of willful sin with no fear of God. The build-up of unrepentant sin is sometimes pictured as a “cup of iniquity” being filled to the brim (Rev. 17:4).
The Word of God is clear that the sufferings we incur are our own fault and caused when we are in rebellion against God. There are many ways to live in rebellion such as, living a lifestyle of sin, refusing God’s calling, trusting ourselves rather than trusting in the Lord, being unforgiving, and more.
Job 36:15 (NLT)
“But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity.”
Deuteronomy 28:45 (NKJV)
"Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you.”
Proverbs 17:11 (TPT)
“Rebellion thrives in an evil man, so a messenger of vengeance will be sent to punish him.”
Luke 6:46 (NLT)
"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?”
Isaiah 63:10 (NKJV)
“But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them.”
Psalm 119:67 (NKJV)
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.”
Regardless of the level of sin one is in, the death the Lord Jesus suffered and the Blood He shed is enough to cover it. However we do not continue in this way of living (1 John 1:5-7; 1 John 2:4-6; 1 John 3:7-10), we are to look upon Jesus and be transformed into His image (Rom. 8:28-30; 1 Cor. 15:46-49; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 5:1). Jesus didn’t die for your sins so you can live in rebellion and abuse God’s grace.