“Realized Sin”

Through the years, many times, I have been asked: “How can I know when I have sinned?” The passage cited above, tells what sin is and when it happens: “4 Whosoever commit sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is a transgression of the law,” I Jno. 3:4, (KJV). This passage tells me when I sin, I have violated a law God has given. The way I can know what is required and what is not required is by reading the New Testament and learning what the law of Christ is, Gal. 6:2, and what it is not. Paul declares in Eph. 3:4, ”4 Whereby when you read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ,” We are told what to do and what not to do; and thereby, we can know what is sin and what is not sin. When we do that which God told us not to do, it is sin – a transgression of the law. This is why John said in I Jno. 5:13: “13 These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that you have eternal life,” The “Law of Christ,” is written that you may read and know what to do and what not to do; thereby, knowing what is and is not sin!

James, in the book of James, states a fact concerning sin: “10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all,” Jas. 2:10. James is not saying, in this text, that when one commits a sin, he is guilty of all sins that can be committed; but rather, when one sins he falls under condemnation of law and he becomes one guilty of sin. To be guilty of any sin that may be committed is to place one under the condemnation of the Law and needs to be redeemed. When one lies, this does not make him guilty of murder; but rather, he is condemned because he has become a transgressor of the law. So, when one cusses, he is not guilty of being covetous – he is a transgressor of the Law and thus stands condemned.

Often, there are those who say, “I am not a wife beater,” or someone will say, “I do not use the Lord’s name in vain.” Whatever you do that is a violation of the “Law of Christ,” Gal. 6:2, is sin. This was the problem with the people to whom James was writing, they did not lie, cheat, or steal, and thus thought they were acceptable in the Lord’s eyes; but, Peter charged them with being a “respecter of persons” and thus, sinners: “9 But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors,” Jas. 2:9. Any sin committed will cause one to be under condemnation of the “Law of Christ.”

James shows the intent of a person to sin and is thus responsible for his own sin: “14 But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. 15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death,” Jas. 1:13-14. Was this not what the Lord was talking about in Matt. 15:11, “11 Not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the man; but that which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man.” Notice the Lord’s explanation of the parable: “17 Perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth into the mouth passeh into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: 20 these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man.” Matt. 15:17-20. All things are developed in each man’s heart by the man himself!

Now, how can I know when I have violated the “Law of Christ?” What I have read and studied gives me a sense of direction of what is right and what is wrong. Consider what Paul said in Heb. 5:14: “But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their sense exercised to determine good from evil.” Caa …..

Carl Adon Allen
1115 E. Houston Ave.
Crockett, Tx. 75835 – 1760
(936) 544-3614
carladonallen@gmail.com