Catechism Question 12
What is sin?
Sin is disobeying or not conforming to God’s law perfectly.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we are defining sin. We need to see that sin is not a mistake or small misstep; it is direct disobedience to God’s righteous commands. Once again, note that the standard is perfection. Obeying most of the time is not sufficient. God is so great that anything less than perfect obedience is utterly insufficient.
Furthermore, note that sin can come in two ways. We can sin by disobeying God’s commands. We can not do what He has told us to do, or we can do what He has told us not to do. However, sin is also found when we do not perfectly conform to the law. This goes beyond our actions to our desires. We must not only obey; we must want to obey. Anything less than this is sin because it is unworthy of what we owe to our Creator.
Additional Questions:
What do we mean by sin?
Scripture References:
1 John 3:4
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
1 John 5:17
All wrongdoing is sin.
James 2:10-11
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Deuteronomy 12:32
See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.
Romans 2:14-15
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
Romans 7:7
What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
James 4:17
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
Matthew 5:21-22
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca, ‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Is something sinful because people think it is wrong, or because God declares that it is wrong?
How do we decide if something is sinful?
Is it only sinful if I do something that God has told me not to do, or am I sinning if I do not do the thing that God has commanded me to do?
What are some sins of commission (doing)? What are some sins of omission (not doing)?
What does it mean to conform to God’s law? Is it enough to outwardly do the actions, or must my heart desire to perfectly follow God’s law? Must I conform to God’s law and character in desires, thoughts, words, and deeds?
In Matthew 5:21-22, when Jesus said that the attitude (being angry) makes us subject to judgment, does that mean that the attitude (being angry) is the same as the action (committing murder)? If we have the attitude, should we go ahead and do the action because we are guilty by our attitude? Or is the sin even worse if we do the action?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 14 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 16 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Right and Wrong Responses to Sin” (January 18, 2015), “The Seven Root Vices” (February 4, 2018).
Suggested Worship Song:
Love Constraining to Obedience (words by William Cowper (1731-1800)
Chorus:
To see the Law by Christ fulfilled,
To hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child
And duty into choice.
No strength of nature can suffice
To serve the Lord aright
And what she has, she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.
(Repeat chorus)
How long beneath the Law I lay
In bondage and distress
I toiled the precept to obey,
But toiled without success.
(Repeat chorus)
Then to abstain from outward sin
Was more than I could do
Now if I feel its power within
I feel I hate it too.
(Repeat chorus)
Then all my servile works were done,
A righteousness to raise
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose His ways.
(Repeat chorus)