sin

So yesterday I discovered the meaning of sin. Ok so you may know what it is. That is fine but check this out.

Sin - The primary Greek word rendered "sin" is "hamartia". This word essentially means "missing the mark; falling short; or a departure". The essential idea being conveyed by the use of this word is that of "a departure from holiness"; thus "hamartia" means to sin; to depart from God's standard of holiness; to become unrighteous; to fail to live up to what God requires of us. (Rom 3:23; 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 3:4)

"Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, doth, in its own nature, bring guilt upon the sinner, whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God, and curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all miseries spiritual, temporal, and eternal" (from "The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter VI, Item VI). [via]

With this said... What are we falling short of?
Romans 3:23 says: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." [via]
So we are falling short of the glory of God.. what is the glory of God?

Honor. God’s glory demonstrates God’s unique and incomparable worthiness. It calls for the response of respect, esteem, and worship – a humble, grateful acknowledgement of God’s worthiness. God uniquely possesses this inner glory and has the divine right to be acknowledged as supreme. No other being possesses this right because no other being possesses this glory. All creaturely glory is derived. God’s glory is intrinsic and original. The glory of creatures – no matter how great – is merely a reflection of the glory of God. Our sin is that we see glory in everything else beside God! We love the reflection more than the source. This is the essence of sin: “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). [via]

So what does that mean? That means that ALL have sinned! That means that ALL have fallen short! That means that the only way that we can be saved is by repenting of our sins, and by accepting Jesus into your heart.

Now if we have fallen short (sinned) how have we done that? I point you to the Ten Commandments. Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen something? Have you ever looked at a woman (or man) in lust? Jesus said that "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." [via] I don't know one person... including me...

Sermon over... for now.