Westminster Shorter Sin is defined as “lack of conformity with or transgression of the law of God” in catechisms and other confessions of faith. It is therefore essential to understand its essence using the biblical terminology that we shall look at later.
Violation, not hitting the target, transgression, abomination
Because we violate God’s law when we fail to uphold it, the Bible views sin as a transgression of that law (1 John 3:4). The most popular definitions of “sin” in Hebrew and Greek are “miss the mark,” “make mistakes,” and “err” (Judges 20:16 provides an example).
It can also mean “transgression” of a command or statute issued by a sovereign on earth (Esther 3:2-3) or the law of God (Numbers 14:41). “Abomination” refers to the how God views sin and how it affects Him; examples of this include idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:25–26), homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22–20:13), etc.
Betrayal, perversion, rebellion, not loving God and not glorifying God
Additionally, according to Leviticus 26:40, sin is considered “treason” because it violates the fidelity or devotion owed to God. It is also occasionally equated with “perversion,” as in the case of someone with a “crooked” or twisted heart (Proverbs 12:8). Additionally, it is called “rebellion,” which implies disbelief and disobedience (Isaiah 1:2; 1:20; Ezekiel 2:3). Furthermore, because sin violates the fundamental principles of creation, it is considered as “not glorifying God” and “not loving God” (Mark 12:30; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
From a Christ-centered perspective, the fundamental definition of sin within the overall framework of salvation is “transgression of the law of God,” since it was our first parents who disobeyed God’s first commandment (Genesis 2:16–17) and were thus judged guilty in His eyes. But only by faith in Christ, our last Adam, are we justified before God because He not only fulfilled all of God’s laws by dying for us, but also by living for us.
God, I am grateful that you saved me via Christ’s life and death!
