The Role of Sin in the Christian Life and Sanctification
The Role of Sin in the Christian Life and Sanctification
The Christian understanding of sin is foundational to grasping its role in the Christian life and sanctification. Sin is defined as "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" [3]. This definition encompasses both the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as outward conduct, whether by omission or commission.
The presence of sin in the Christian life is a reality that believers must confront. According to the apostle Paul, "the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law" [4]. This highlights the complex relationship between sin, the law, and the Christian's experience. The law, while good and holy, serves to reveal sin and its power.
In the process of sanctification, the role of sin is multifaceted. Sanctification is understood as the work of the Holy Spirit, carrying on the work begun in regeneration, extending to the whole person [1]. It involves separation to the service of God and is effected through the atonement of Christ, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit [2]. The believer's sinful nature continues to be a source of struggle, as noted in the commentary on 1 John 3:8, where it is stated that "he that committeth sin is of the devil" [6].
The Christian life is marked by a tension between the believer's new nature and the remaining presence of sin. The righteous are not immune to sin, but they fight against it [5]. The process of sanctification involves mortifying the members of the body of sin, or sinful actions, which are performed by the members of the natural body [8]. This mortification is a crucial aspect of the Christian life, as believers are exhorted to put to death the deeds of the body through the Spirit [8].
The atonement of Christ plays a central role in addressing the issue of sin in the Christian life. Christ gave himself for his people to deliver them from the state of sin, shedding his blood to cleanse them from their sins [9]. The believer's justification is not based on their own righteousness but on the righteousness that is through faith in Christ [10].
The understanding of sin's role in the Christian life varies across different Christian traditions. For instance, the concept of original sin and its implications for the believer's daily life is treated differently among various traditions. However, there is a common recognition of the need for ongoing sanctification and the struggle against sin.
The biblical narrative provides the foundation for understanding sin and sanctification. The story of the fall in Genesis 3 is seen as the origin of human sin, characterized by dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience [7]. The Psalms also reflect on the nature of sin, with Psalm 51:5 indicating that humans are born sinners.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
- 1 Corinthians “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. -- 1 Corinthians 15:56”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 3:5: Mortify therefore your members,.... Not your bodies, as the Ethiopic version reads, nor the members of the natural body, but of the body of sin, indwelling sin; which as a body consists of various members, which are parts of it, rise out of it, and are used by it, as the members are by the body; and intend the sins of the flesh, or sinful actions, which are generally performed by the members of the natural body, in which the law of sin is, and by which it operates; so that the mortification the saints are here exhorted to, in consideration of having a spiritual lif”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:24: Being defiled, both with original sin and actual transgressions; for God's elect, whom Christ loved and espoused from everlasting, fell in Adam with the rest of mankind; and, in their natural state, live in sin as others do; and so are under the guilt, and in the pollution of it, as others be: Christ gave himself for them, that he might deliver them out of this state; he gave himself a sacrifice for them, that he might expiate their sins and make atonement and satisfaction for them; he shed his blood that he might cleanse them from them; and he wrought out a righte”
- Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 3:9: And be found in him - Be found a believer in Christ, not having mine own righteousness - not trusting in any thing I have done or could do, in order to my salvation; relying on no scheme of justification, set up either formerly by myself or by others. But that which is through the faith of Christ - That justification which is received by faith through the atonement made by Christ. The righteousness which is of God - God's method of justifying sinners through faith in his Son. See the notes on Rom 3:21, Rom 3:23 (note), Rom 3:25 (note), where this subject is trea”