Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 12/9/2007

Question
QUESTION: What is your position on what can be defined as sin?
And what (if any) commandments are binding on the gentile christian?

ANSWER: Hi Elebert,

  Yours is a good question.    My position on sin is what God says sin is,  because when a person sins, they sin against God. (See Gen. 39:9; Exod 10:1)  So God is our Creator and God is the definer and judge of what is sin.

  The term "sin" is one of the most common Bible words describing the fallen condition of man. All men have sinned (1 Ki. 8:46; Ec. 7:20; Ro. 3:23; 5:12). Man's sin began with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Ge. 3; Ro. 5:12). The penalty of sin is death (Ro. 6:23). The forgiveness of sin requires the shedding of blood (He. 9:22). Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for sin when He died and shed His blood on the cross (Ep. 1:7; He. 1:3; Ro. 5:9-10). Is. 53 describes how Jesus bore man's sin. Man receives complete and eternal forgiveness for sin by exercising personal faith in Jesus Christ (Ro. 6:23; Ep. 5:5-6; Eze. 18:4).

   What is sin?  Following is what the Bible, which is God's word says is sin.   

  (1) The transgression of the law (1 Jn. 3:4; Jam. 2:9-10). (2) To come short of God's glory (Ro. 3:23).
  (3) To turn to one's own way (Is. 53:6).
  (4) To forsake the Lord (Ju. 10:10; 1 Sa. 12:10).
  (5) To do that which is wicked in the sight of God (De. 9:18).
  (6) To do that which is amiss, wrong (2 Ch. 6:37). (7) Lack of righteousness (Ro. 3:10).

The Bible also uses of other words for sin.

  Evil (Ge. 2:9).
  Wickedness (Ge. 6:5).
  Iniquity (2 Pe. 2:16).
  Rebellion (Pr. 17:11).
  Unrighteous (1 Co. 6:9).
  Unholy (Le. 10:10).
  Ungodly (Ro. 5:6).
  Works of darkness (Ep. 5:11).
  Error (Ro. 1:27).
  Transgression (Ro. 4:15; 2 Jn. 9).
  Trespass (Mt. 18:15).
  Offence (Ro. 4:25).

  The Old Testament Law, and the Ten Commandments were given to the nation of Israel. As a nation under God, (theocracy) the Law was their both their spiritual and civil system of law. Christians, Jew or Gentile are not under the Law in this dispensation of Grace (Eph. 3:2).  The New Testament says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”   (Romans 6:14)   However, every Old Testament law taught a principle of God and Christians are to live by the principle on which the law was given.  For example, God told the nation of Israel to stone those who practice the occult that were found in their country.  (Lev20:27).   Christians today voluntarily assemble themselves in a local assembly of believers.  Churches are not nations and have no authority to past or execute laws.   However, the principle behind the law was that God’s people should separate themselves from those who practice the occult.   So Christians today denounce witchcraft and the occult as having to do with Satan and have nothing to do with such things.

     I hope this answers your questions.  If you have further questions please write.  Thank you.
Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Law/Grace.
In your answer, you mention sin not having dominion over us because we are not under the law but under grace. I need some clarification on that. For if according to your #1 definition for sin(it being the transgression of God's law), does that mean we get rid of sin by getting rid of the law?
Or could it be that Paul is referring to a different aspect of the law?

Thank you for your response

Elebert

Answer
Sir,
   I have been answering questions for about ten years and you are the first to give me such a negative rating.  Your question was “What is your position on what can be defined as sin?
And what (if any) commandments are binding on the gentile christian?”

    You asked for my position which I honestly gave you....then you respond with giving me lowest negative feed back you can give?   Why did you do that?   Are you more knowledgeable than I am as to what I believe and if so why did you ask me the question as to what was my position?

   I quoted extensively the Bible passages that explain and define sin and explain what is my position.   Yet, you say I am not knowledgeable or clear.   You did acknowledge that I was polite and I responded courteously......  Sir, I  did not judge your motives for asking but honestly and thoroughly answered you inquiry.     I suppose if I had answered and agreed with what you believe then you would have considered me knowledgeable?   I have almost daily studied the Bible for thirty years and hold two earned degree from one of the highest ranked Christian colleges in the United States (ThB (five years) MBS (three years).   I am not a novice.  

    I spent a lot of time explaining my position to you and answering your question, yet you were discourteous and your response showed you had respect me or my honestly.   My question to you is why in the world did you ask me what was my position and then severely criticized me for honestly giving it?     A lot of people look at and “experts” rating to decide who to send their honest question.

    I do not see any point in answering your follower up....  I suppose it would give you further opportunity to give me more negative feed back.....which you probably will do anyway.

     I am truly sorry my answer was of no value to you.   Maybe one of the other “experts” could help you better. If you do give then your question...please be courteous to them and respect their honest answer.  
     I do wish you well, but I an truly confused as to why you asked my position and then criticize me for giving it?

Cooper Abrams
Romans 12:1-2