The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-10-30

EN four OF the detini-
zA 81 M tions which the
- -AzA Bible gives OF sin;
In the light OF
these may We see ourselves and seek
him who knows the way out-"A God
on cross, that is all my theology"
Unrighteousness.
i. All unrighteousness is sin, John
5;1. This is the most comprehensive
term, and in the Bible is placed in OPP
/ position TO truth" (Rom 2:S) God
is true, and anything which departs
one hairs breadth from that standard
is unrighteousness. or sin. Therefore.
In this definition we have TO do with
sin as state of the soul, the original
purpose OF which was TO be visible
reflection OF the mind OF God. Man
was 10 glorify God in his body, soul
and spirit, but alas. what a failure
there has been; and this failure is sin.
Man has failed TO hit the aim or object
of his being. His body is sinful, his
mind is diseased, his soul is warped
! by sin. "All have sinned and come
short OF the glory OF God" Even our
righteousness is as filthy rags" In
this sense sin is amy lack OF conform
| ity to the will OF Cod
Transgression.
2. Sin is the transgression OF the
law. Il John 3:4) From the state OF
the soul we pass TO the overt act. In
the days OF the dispensation OF con-
science anC before the giving OF the
law, sin was against the character OF
God. IL was unrighteousness, or un-
godliness, and not, strictly speaking.
transgression; and yet. there was sin.
because death came, which Is the
wages OF sin, the result OF Adams sin,
disobedience to positive command.
But when the law has come, when the
commandment has been given, then
sin passes from the unrighteousness TO
positive transgression. God has put
down a line. and by deliberate choice
man steps over the line-transgresses
and becomes a sinner by commission
or violation OF the will OF God"
You say you do not sin. yod are do
ing the best you can. Yes. but you
have a very low idea OF sin. Bring
your crooked life, which seems so good
TO you, side by side with the straight
line of Gods sinless life and his holy
law, and you must cry out, God be
merciful TO me the sinner" You may
look good TO yourself, you may appear
good to your neighbors, but in Gods
sight you belong TO the wicked. Think
OF your many sins against God--lack
OF perfect love, some idol in your
heart, neglect OF his Sabbath. hateful
or angry feelings, lack OF forgiveness
or apology. misrepresentation. false
hood, deceit, slander. repeated refusal
20 obey some clear command OF God
say, do you not need TO cry out, "Un-
clean, unclean?"
Omission.
3. To him that knoweth 10 do good
and doeth IL not, ii is sin. (James 4:17D
Many a man defends himself because
he is not an outbreaking sinner he
does not commit any fragrant crime,
he is outwardly decent and moral. But
what about Gods estimate OF you?
Man looketh on the outward appear. |
ance, but God looketh on the heart"
Does that man have the love OF God |
In his heart? Does he love the Word /.
and prayer? Does he serve his fel- I
lows unselfishly? II not, and he knows /
all these things, he is a sinner Re |
fuse 10 use medicine when you are /
sick, and you will die. and that with. |
out the use OF the knife or poison. |
When we sit alone with our con |
sciences we find sins OF omission 20 be /
a large item in the account against us. /
Unfaith.
4. Whatsoever Is not OF faith In sin. /
Rom. 14:23) Here we enter the do /
main OF questions OF conscience, the
things which may be right for others,
but which would be sin in US; for /
there is a difference between things /
wrong in themselves and things wrong
under certain circumstances. This
question OF conscience was raised In
Pauls day about the eating OF meat
which had been offered TO idols and
afterwards offered for sale in the mar.
kets OF the city. Paul says that every
man Is TO give an account OF himself
unto Cod. and sets forth the principle
that n anything seems 10 you 90 be
sinful and wrong, then for you 10 do
such a thing Is sin in you. In this
category must be placed questionable
amusements. etc. and Paul says: Let
not your good be evil spoken OF
happy is he that condemneth not him
self in that thing which he aloweth.
And be that doubte,h is condemned
II he eat, because he eateth nor OF
faith; for whatsoever Is not Of faith