The Doctrine of Sin - Part 4

As noted from part one of this series, sin is defined as an offence; the determination of human nature in hostility to God; action opposed to the divine ordinance that corresponds with what is right; a contradiction to what is right; anything that contradicts God’s character of holiness.  These are not Webster's dictionary definitions but original language from the Bible definitions.  Understanding what sin is and how it operates helps soldiers of God to overcome their enemy more often. 

In studying sin, one must understand there are different types, or classifications, of sin.  This does not reflect that one sin is more egregious than the other, but different categories of sin.  The first type of sin to be discussed is the sin of omission.  The sin of omission is the rebellious attitude in purposefully not doing what God’s Word requires.  The heart of this type of sin is found in James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin".  The New Living Translation of this verse says, "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it". 

When people purposefully choose not to do what God's Word requires, it is counted as sin to them.  This can be not loving one's neighbor as themself, withholding the truth from a situation, or other situations when something is omitted illegitimately.  The sin of omission could be thought of as either a sin of laziness or arrogance.  Laziness due to the lack of action based on desire or arrogance due to the heart feeling as if the rules do not apply to them. Either way, this is a sin of omission when not conducted as God has designed or required. 

Next on the list is the sin of ignorance.  Yes, there is a sin of ignorance.  Lacking understanding is not the issue of this sin, but the lack of zeal to continue to grow in the things of God, removing ignorance from one's life.  The same requirement is demanded of those who have been established in the faith, and those who are new to the faith (Numbers 15:29).  As faith and consecration continue to grow in one's life, the sin of ignorance is not being committed.  It is when a person chooses not to grow in faith or in consecration, seeking God to lay aside the weights and sins that do beset us (Hebrews 12:1-2), that constitutes the sin of ignorance. 

Laziness and selfishness choose to be ignorant in preparation for an excuse.  This is even reflected in Jesus' teaching from Luke 12:48, when He discusses someone who does not know and then does something wrong, they will be punished lightly.  There is still a judgment due to a lack of understanding based on laziness or selfishness. 

More concretely defined, the sin of ignorance is the use of a lack of wisdom or understanding as an excuse for accountability.  Willful ignorance is defined by a hardness of heart (Ephesians 4:18), a rejection of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), a desire without knowledge (Proverbs 19:2), a lack of asking God for one's need (James 1:5), a lack of preparing one's mind for action (1 Peter 1:13), disobedient children (1 Peter 1:14), and not submitting to God's righteousness (Romans 10:3). 

Christians need to ensure they are not allowing the sin of omission or the sin of ignorance to be within their lives.  The lack of discipline to root these sins out may have a higher price than what one may realize until it is too late.  It is best to use the knowledge from the Word of God to overcome such sins and be more pleasing unto God through a life of faith.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.