Most people know the consequence of sin, that it separates from God. Few, however, can say in clear words what constitutes sin. About the most classic definition you can get is what John gave us. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4 KJV). Whenever you break any of the laws of God, you have sinned. Some think that being under grace absolves of the moral laws of God. That is not true. Here is how I love to put it: Under the law there was grace; and under grace there is the law. Grace found some people even under the law, of which we can mention Noah and David. The grace of God does not say we should go on violating the moral codes; what grace does is to enable us fulfil the demands of the law supernaturally.
“The grace of God does not say we should go on violating the moral codes; what grace does is to enable us fulfil the demands of the law supernaturally.”
There are other technical definitions of sin. Take Romans 14:23 for instance. “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Doing a thing in unbelief, even if it is good, is a sin! Another example is given by John. “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” (1 John 5:17 KJV). All shades of unrighteousness is sin before God. Finally, we have another definition of sin in our text. James noted that anyone who failed to do what he knows is right has sinned! This is where we speak of the sin of omissions. Transgression of the laws of God is the sin of commission. When we refuse to do what is right, we have equally sinned. I think this is where many children of God fail. Not many believers will on purpose keep on breaking God’s laws. A more slippery thing is turning away from the good we should do.