SIN. Sin is the cause of evil and wickedness. Any sin, all sin, is committed when one violates God's will. First John 3:4 says, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Sin began in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6, 7) and continues today. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God ... As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:23, 10). The devil delights and revels in sin. He uses his influence to entice people to sin and is behind every vice of sin.
Pain, misery, suffering, heartache and death exists because of sin entering the world. People often bring hurt and misery upon themselves as a direct result of their own immoral behavior such as drunkenness, drugs, adultery, lying, etc. Many times those innocent of such crimes get hurt, suffer and die as the result of others who sin. All disease and tragedies of the world exists because of sin. Acts of terrorism exist because of corrupt minds who cannot cease from sin (cf. 2 Peter 2:14). God does not cause suffering as punishment for sin, it is simply the natural consequence of wickedness. Sin brought wickedness into the world and opened the flood gates for suffering. It shows that life on earth is temporary and that we must prepare for the life to come after this world.
God does not cause or tempt people to sin. This is made clear in James 1:13-15, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own Just, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
The Lord God of heaven is a merciful and loving God. He warned Adam and Eve about sin just as he has warned all men through the generations and warns us today. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). God desires to forgive men of their sin if they will comply with His divine Will. We are not left hopeless, but we must turn to the Lord in humble obedience. We must obey Him (Matthew 7:21-23).
This item originally appeared in The Chapman Challenger (9/19/01)
