What does the nature of sin mean?
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: What does the nature of sin mean? -- S.N.
A: The notion of sin and the nature of sin have been debated from the beginning of time, and that debate continues today. Sin presents itself in the mind, manifests itself in word and deed, and is hidden in the heart of everyone. It will overtake the man and women who refuse to believe it will conquer them.
The Bible says that the whole world is a prisoner of sin. Sin has crippled human nature, but God has provided the cure. There is no sin that the blood of Jesus Christ cannot cleanse. And that's good news indeed for a culture that still doesn't know what to do with sin.
All the distress, bitterness, heartache, shame and tragedy can be summed up in the three-letter word: Sin. Its meaning -- to fall short of God's standard and to do contrary to God's law -- has an impact on every soul and overflows the boundaries of the human heart.
The world's system claims that the notion of sin is old-fashioned. People "in" the world prove that claim erroneous. A national newspaper quoted a sociologist who admitted, "Secular people still believe there's sin, judgment and punishment." Sin is definitely "in" and it is "in" every single heart that beats.
Talking about sin does not make someone a sinner. The truth is that everyone is born in sin. While some may not think of themselves as sinners, God does. He hears every word we utter; He knows the hidden things. The Bible says that God "knows the secrets of the heart" (Psalm 44:21). But He loves sinners more than we love sin. There is no greater love than what Jesus offers every person ever born.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
(c)2019 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
