A Better Understanding of Sin

(series based on Jay Adams' A theology of Christian Counseling)
(condensed and modified in wording and format)

Old Testament Hebrew word... Amal

(literally) labor, sorrow

sin has made life a burden
sin has brought misery, pain, heartache
the 'problem of evil' is bound up in this idea
trouble, travail, weariness are elements of amal

Biblical Antidote: righteousness simplifies and lightens living
(believers are clothed in the righteousness of Christ)
we take His yoke upon us, learn from Him, find rest for our souls
His yoke is easy, His burden is light

A Better Understanding of Sin

(series based on Jay Adams' A Theology of Christian Counseling)
(condensed and modified in wording and format)

Old Testament Hebrew word... Pasha

(literally) rebellion against rightful authority / revolt

treason, rebellion against God, His law, His government
attempt to overthrow God's rule
not 'Thy will be done' but 'mine!'
the wish for autonomy

Biblical antidote: identify and counter the wish for autonomy
come under God's rightful rule

Sin Condition of Mankind

(a few super simplifications to help understand sin)

sin = rebellion against and disobedience to God and His will

we sin because we're born with an inherent / inherited sin nature
we are sinners because we practice sin

sin is...
universal (includes everyone - it is imputed to all because of and from Adam)
hereditary (it is passed down to us through and from our parents)
personal (our own individual sins)

we sin by...
not only missing the mark
but also hitting the wrong mark

we sin by...
commission (an action of doing what is wrong)
omission (a non action - a failure to do what is right)

sin causes death...
spiritual (we are born spiritually dead - to the things of God)
physical (we will one day die, it is appointed to us to die physically)
eternal (the unbeliever's agonizing eternal torment away from God's presence)

Our sin problem is a very serious matter to God

God has given us the only sin remedy there is - in and through Jesus Christ

A Better Understanding of Sin

(series based on Jay Adams' A Theology of Christian Counseling)
(condensed and modified in wording and format)

Old Testament Hebrew word... Maal

(literally) a breach of trust, unfaithfulness, treachery

breaking faith, violating a covenantal agreement
with God, or with our neighbor
sin is spiritual adultery, covenant breaking

Biblical antidote: confession of sin and genuine repentance
reconcile and make peace with God, and with our neighbor

The Unbeliever's Destiny

never forget the dreadful consequences
of those who die without being saved
(as found in Luke 16:23-28)


unbelievers, upon their death...

will lift up their eyes in Hades
and will be in TORMENT

will KNOW where they are
having conscious existence

will DESIRE MERCY
but none will be given

will be in AGONY in the flame
as the rich man was

will desire their tongue to be cooled off
but NO WATER will be given them
(not even a dipped finger's worth)

will find there is NO ESCAPE from that place

will want someone to go WARN their family
so their family won't have to go to that place of torment
but will be told their family has the same witness/warning as they did
(Moses and the prophets / God's Word)
so no new ones will be given to them


note: this is a parable Jesus told
a parable is a simple story (account) that illustrates a moral or spiritual lesson
being a parable does not negate the truth of the factual content

note: our response to the truth of the unbeliever's destiny
is to be Christ's ambassadors
and know it is as though God is making an appeal through us
as we beg others on behalf of Christ
to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20)
(before it's too late)

A Better Understanding of Sin

(series based on Jay Adams' A Theology of Christian Counseling)
(condensed and modified in wording and format)

Old Testament Hebrew word... Chatha

(literally) to miss the mark, to fall short of, wander from

not measuring up to God's standards
failing to meet His requirements
implies blameworthiness (should have hit the bulls-eye, but didn't)
acts of sin (rather than the condition of sinfulness)
NT Greek counterpart is hamartia

Biblical antidote: remind / be reminded of missing the mark
stop forgetting / do not forget to strive to hit the mark
(motivated by God's love and mercy toward us) obey Him!

A Better Understanding of Sin

(new series - A Better Understanding of Sin)

(series based on Jay Adams' A Theology of Christian Counseling)
(condensed and modified in wording and format)

Old Testament Hebrew word... Avah

(literally) bent, wrong, wrung out of shape

like a bent key that will no longer fit into the lock
twisted out of shape
it can't accomplish the purpose for which it was intended

Biblical antidote: straighten bent lives
enable proper function as God intends

note: parallel New Testament remedy - the word restoration (Gal 6:1)
mending broken bones and torn nets
make them functional once again