Not only does the Bible describe sin as “missing the mark” as noted last week in Theology 101, but it also describes sin in terms of crossing boundaries.
Perhaps you have passed a piece of property or a building that has a sign posted: “No Trespassing.” That message is a warning about crossing the boundary that surrounds the property or entering the building. The common biblical term for crossing boundaries is “transgression.”
If God in Holy Scripture declares concerning some attitude, “Thou shalt not,” if a person crosses the forbidden boundary, that person has transgressed.
Lawlessness
In fact, 1 John 3:4 labels this as lawlessness, saying, “Whoever commits sins also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”
On the other hand, Romans 4:15 allows, “Where there is no law, there is no transgression.”
The Bible identifies some behaviors about which God has issued the negative commandment, “No trespassing,” worded, “Thou shalt not.”
For example, eight of the Ten Commandments contain “No Trespassing” signs about certain actions and attitudes:
- You shall have no other gods.
- You shall not make a carved image.
- You shall not take God’s name in vain.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness.
- You shall not covet.
‘No trespassing’
God has set other boundaries. For example, Titus 3:1–3 says, “ … be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”
It is immediately evident that God says “No trespassing” by speaking evil of others, being prideful, malicious, lustful or showing ill will or hatred toward others. To ignore these prohibitions by crossing the boundaries is sin.
Share with others: