Sin is an uncomfortable truth that Christians must confront honestly. Even after placing our faith in Christ, we discover that we remain capable of sinning—a realisation that can be deeply troubling. When we actually commit an act of sin, it disturbs us profoundly, raising urgent questions: Why did I do this? How can I be right with a holy God? What will this mean for my future? Understanding the nature of sin, its effects on our relationship with God, and the provision made through Christ is essential for every believer.
Acknowledging Our Sinful Nature
The apostle John addresses this reality directly in 1 John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” These words reflect God’s desire for us to live free from sin, while simultaneously acknowledging our propensity to fail. John doesn’t sugarcoat the truth—he knows we will sin, and we must admit this reality.
John states it bluntly: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Sin isn’t merely an isolated act but a condition affecting every human being. It stems from our inherent rebellion against God’s moral law—a rebellion that began with Adam and continues in every human heart.
Paul reinforces this universal truth in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one is exempt. We compare ourselves to others and feel righteous because someone else seems worse, but when we look to a holy God, we all fall desperately short. Recognising our sinful nature is the first step towards understanding the depth of God’s mercy and our desperate need for grace.
Understanding What Sin Actually Is
To grasp sin’s full impact, we must understand its nature. According to 1 John 3:4, “everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practises lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Sin isn’t merely a series of bad actions—it is rebellion against God’s moral order, a conscious decision to act independently of his will.
Sin encompasses both commission and omission. We often think of overt wrongdoing: lying, stealing, adultery. However, James 4:17 expands our understanding: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” This compels us to examine not just our actions but our inaction.
Theologically, sin is anything that falls short of God’s perfect character—deviation from holiness, failure to reflect his glory. Romans 3:10 states starkly, “None is righteous, no, not one.” This reality should instil urgency in our spiritual lives. We are called to pursue holiness, recognising that, while we may never achieve perfection in this life, God’s grace remains sufficient for every need.
The Destructive Effects of Sin
Sin’s effects are profound and multifaceted. When we sin, we harm ourselves and grieve the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30 warns, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Our salvation remains secure, but sin disrupts our fellowship with God.
Jesus emphasises this in John 15:4: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” Sin disrupts this vital connection. It causes us to act as if we can exist independently of Christ, distorting our view of reality.
Moreover, sin robs us of salvation’s joy. Psalm 51:12 reveals this sorrow: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” This isn’t a loss of salvation but of the joy accompanying right relationship with God. When sin lingers in our lives, we lose the vibrant joy that accompanies faith. Happiness is temporal—change the situation and it vanishes. Joy is eternal. Sin destroys that joy.
Psalm 32:3-5 illustrates the heavy burden of unconfessed sin:
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
The Holy Spirit convicts us not to condemn but to lead us back to God, emphasising his desire for restoration and fellowship. Unconfessed sin can harden our hearts, making it increasingly difficult to hear God’s voice. Hebrews 3:13 warns, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” The more we allow sin to fester, the more it distorts our perception of truth.
God’s Provision Through Christ
Despite sin’s reality, God has made profound provision through Jesus Christ. John explains, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). This encapsulates the gospel’s essence. Jesus is the satisfactory payment—his sacrifice sufficient for all who believe.
This provision isn’t a one-time event but an ongoing reality. First John 1:7 reminds us that “the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” God’s grace is always available to purify us from our transgressions. When we come to Christ, our past, present, and future sins are covered by his blood.
The Old Testament sacrificial system pointed to this ultimate reality. In Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement demonstrated sin’s seriousness and the need for atonement. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifice for the people’s sins, but animal blood provided only temporary covering, insufficient for permanent redemption.
When Jesus arrived, he fulfilled this sacrificial system. As the Lamb of God, his sacrifice was once for all, providing true and lasting atonement. First John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Moving Forward
Sin is not the end of the matter. We must confront sin with confession, which serves as a spiritual reset, realigning our hearts with God’s will and opening the door for spiritual growth. Rather than running from God in our guilt, we must run towards him. He desires restoration and fellowship with us. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have an advocate who continuously intercedes for us, ensuring that sin—though still a reality—need never separate us from God’s love. We will explore this more fully in the next post.
About the author
Des Cramer is a pastor at Coastal Bible Church in Muizenberg, South Africa. He is married to Michelle and together they have 4 children and 3 grandchildren.
