1 John 3:4 (KJV):

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

 

In our previous post, we discussed some of the different attributes of our Triune God. Knowing His attributes is essential in our daily walk, in our daily lives, and especially when we talk about our salvation and spiritual life. In this post, we will discuss one of the topics most people don’t want to talk about — and that is sin.

 

I. What is Sin?

In our key verse, 1 John 3:4, the apostle John clearly defines what sin is: “Sin is the transgression of the law.” The word transgression is synonymous with violation, disobedience, or breaking of a rule. So, in other words, sin is the violation of the law. But what law? Whose law?

It clearly refers to God’s Law — His moral law. God’s moral law refers to His unchanging and universal standards of right and wrong, which reflect His holy and righteous character. The moral law was originally given to Moses and the Jews, but this does not mean that Gentiles are exempt. According to Romans 2:14–15, everyone — Jew or Gentile — has the law written on their hearts, and the conscience bears witness to what is right and wrong. So basically, this unchanging law is binding to every human being. Now, what is this law?

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Exodus 20 summarizes it in what we call the Ten Commandments:

1. You shall have no other gods besides the one true God.

2. Do not make or worship idols.

3. Do not misuse the name of God.

4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. Honor your father and mother.

6. Do not kill.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Do not steal.

9. Do not bear false witness (lie).

10. Do not covet.

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Breaking or violating any one of these commandments is called sin.

 

II. Who Has Sinned?

Let us examine ourselves truthfully. Ask yourself in light of the Ten Commandments: Have I obeyed all of these completely?

James 2:10 says:

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

This means that breaking even one commandment makes us guilty of breaking the whole law. So let me ask again: Do you consider yourself perfect — without sin? If you say yes, then you have broken the 9th commandment, because claiming a righteous and sinless life is a lie. (1 John 1:8–9) So, who has sinned? The answer: all of us.

We have inherited this sinful nature from our first human father, Adam.

 

Romans 3:10 says:

“There is none righteous, no, not one.”

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Romans 3:23 says:

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

 

No one in the universe can say, “I am perfect and righteous” — except God alone.

 

III. What is the Penalty of Sin?

Romans 6:23 says:

“For the wages of sin is death…”

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That is the truth. All of us have an appointed time, and after that comes judgment.

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Hebrews 9:27 says:

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

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When that day comes, will you be found not guilty? If God judged you today, based on His law, would you be set free or would you face eternal punishment? The truth is: we will be condemned, because God is just and righteous. He will not let sin go unpunished. So the question is: Who then can be saved? Who can escape the penalty of sin?

 

IV. Who Can Escape the Penalty of Sin?

This is the Good News, my friend. By His mercy and grace, God Himself provided a perfect sacrifice — Jesus Christ.

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John 1:29 says:

“Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

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Jesus Christ lived a righteous life — the only one who perfectly fulfilled the law of God without any violation. He suffered, died on the cross, and paid the full penalty of sin with His blood.

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Romans 5:9 says:

“Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

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On the cross, He became sin for us, so that we could be made righteous in God’s sight through Him.And on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead — conquering sin and death.

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1 Corinthians 15:57 says:

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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Because of this, Jesus offers us eternal life (John 11:25, John 3:16, John 3:36).

 

So again: Who can escape the penalty of sin?

The answer:

Those who repent of their sin (Luke 13:3) and put their faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9, John 3:16). No amount of good works can save you. You need someone who is truly righteous — someone whose pure blood can pay the full penalty of your sin. You need someone who conquered death — and that is Jesus Christ alone.

Acts 4:12 says:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Romans 10:13 says:

“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

So run to Him.

Call upon His name.

Trust in Christ alone.