Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4)

As we read our text verse, let us first look at these three questions: What is sin? Who has sinned? What is the result of sin? Then we can ask, “Where Has Sin Left Us?”

A. What is Sin?

The Apostle John defines sin in our text, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” The original word translated “sin” in the New Testament means literally, “a missing of the mark.” It is the most comprehensive term for moral wrongdoing.

John says that sin is the transgression of the law or the “overstepping” of the law. The law is the Rule of God. When one disobeys God’s Law, then he has sinned; “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth (or has overstepped) … the law.”

This principle is revealed in Genesis 2:16-17. God had given Adam and Eve His Law concerning the eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. God’s Law is stated in verse 17b, “…for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Eve did eat, and gave Adam the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and he did eat. They overstepped God’s Law and became sinners in the sight of God.

B. Who Has Sinned?

This action by Adam and Eve caused them and their posterity to die spiritually. They were separated from God and thus every child born from that day forward is born dead in sins and trespasses. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”

C. What is the Result of Sin?

Where does that leave man? The answer is death – a spiritual death – a separation from God. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…” Unless man is reconciled back to God (or brought into focus with Him), he is in a state of darkness now in this life – separated from God and without hope; in a state of death in trespasses and sins. He is controlled by his flesh, the lust thereof, and by the pride of life. He is under the curse of death; he is walking in unrighteousness; he is in love with himself; and without divine intervention, he shall spend an eternity separated from God.

But praise God, Romans 6:23b says, “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Here the Apostle Paul gives hope through Jesus Christ, the Son of God; God in the flesh; the Perfect, the Sinless Son of God who came to be the Sinless Sacrifice to atone as our substitute upon Calvary’s tree for our sin debt to God for our transgression of His Law.

Paul said in Romans 3:10, “…There is none righteous, no, not one” and in verse 23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  Yes, we all have sinned in our father Adam, and come short of the Glory of God. But God, who is rich in Grace and Mercy, has redeemed us in Christ and His Finished Work at Calvary. Romans 3:24-25 says, “Being justified (or declared righteous) freely (without cost) by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

Christ was the Place of Propitiation (or satisfaction) in His own body (which was a sinless sacrifice) upon the tree; and also He was the High Priest who propitiated (or satisfied) God as He became sin who knew no sin – for us, that we be made the righteousness of God. (See 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Isaiah 53:1-12.)

He was our Substitute; He stood in our place and bore our penalty for our sin and God was satisfied with His offering for our sin debt. Hallelujah!

I ask you today, are you tired of your sin and what it has done and continues to do to you? Are you being convicted that you are a sinner before God today? Have you come to the place of seeing that Christ died for you? Are you seeking relief from your sinful ways? Are you desiring to change your sinful ways? Are you desiring to have a new life; a change; rest and peace? My friend if this is happening in your life, God is drawing you to Himself; God is bringing you to confess the Lord Jesus as your Savior; your Substitute for your sin. Turn to Him today; confess your sins to Him. Acknowledge that you see Him as your Savior; that your trust and hope is now in Him. Please read John 6:44-45 and verse 37.

Your life will be changed forever. Your will to sin will be changed to a will that desires to please God and to hate sin in your life. You will turn from self and sin; and turn to Christ and His Life.

Oh, seeking soul, today there is relief at the Cross; there is power in His Resurrection; there is hope of Christ living in you. Please turn to Him today and call on Him, confessing Him as your Savior, and He will in no wise cast you away.

Where has sin left us? It has left us without hope – but in Christ – He is our Hope; our Sacrifice; our Substitute; and our Savior, who has made atonement for our sins. Repent of your sins; rest in His Work at Calvary and His Resurrection; and follow Him with a public confession in baptism, acknowledging that your sin debt was forgiven in Christ in His Atonement at Calvary. Then be His disciple and follow Him. Continue to walk in His love and His light; and walk circumspectly, being filled with the Holy Spirit, praising Him and submitting one to another (Ephesians 5:1-21). Live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit and be led of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:16, 25; Romans 8:1-17).