“The enormity and magnitude of what was wrought at the cross in the crucifixion of Jesus is the most powerful provision given of God, to glimpse the magnitude of the evil power of sin itself.” – Art Katz
Sin is defined in the original translations of the Bible as “to miss the mark.” The “mark” is God’s standard of righteousness (what is right, good, and acceptable) and which, ultimately, is revealed to us through Christ Jesus. Sin is also defined as “separation from God,” who is the source of all life, light and goodness. (Genesis 3:8-9)
Sin began in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. God had created them in His image and likeness and brought them into communion and partnership with Himself, through which they would reproduce and exercise dominion on the earth. (Genesis 1:26-28)
However, God cautioned them, that though they could eat freely of every tree in the Garden of Eden, they must not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. “….For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”” [Genesis 2:16-17]
Unfortunately, they listened to the serpent, Satan and rebelled against God by doing exactly what He had asked them not to do…
Genesis 3:6 NKJV
“So, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”
Immediately, their connection and communion with God was broken, and instead, they came under the power and bondage of sin and Satan. Separated from God, who is the source of life, light and all goodness, the evil power of sin invaded their lives, took control and sold them into slavery and bondage. (Romans 7:14).
Sin opened the floodgates and inundated the very core (spirit, soul and body) of humanity with everything evil – darkness, wickedness, greed, pride, lust, hatred, anger and wrath, shame, fear, anxiety, sickness, diseases, decay, pain, sorrow, suffering, oppression , depression, hopelessness, despair, cruelty, carnality and all kinds of perversions; all of which lead to death – an eternal separation from God, the Source of all life.
In our post-modern world, people often trivialise sin by merely viewing it as personal or moral failure. Unfortunately, this view does not recognise the evil, vicious and radical nature and power of sin, and that God had to sacrifice His own Son on the Cross, in order to defeat it.
…He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows; He was stricken, smitten, oppressed and afflicted by God; He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; He was chastised for our peace; He received stripes for our healing; as the LORD laid on Him all our sin, transgressions and iniquities!
For Further Reading: Genesis Chapter 3; Isaiah 53:4-7; Romans 7
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
”And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)