SIN, TRANSGRESSION AND INIQUITY!!!
This write-up intends to explicate sin, transgression
and iniquity for clarity and simplicity, and to show that they are different
despite the fact that they have the same price if one dies in any
of them without given his or her life to Christ. It is very pertinent for us to
know the differences between these three key words and examine our present
position and stand in the journey towards the celestial city. There are several bible passages that gave a clear
distinction between sin, transgression and iniquity. The book of Daniel
9:24 reveals that “Seventy
weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the
TRANSGRESSION, and to make an end of SINS, and to make reconciliation for
INIQUITY, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision
and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” This indicates that sin, transgression and iniquity are different
in some way. In fact, they represent increasing
levels of falling “short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The book of Leviticus 16:21 also
says that “And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and
confess over him all the INIQUITIES of the children of Israel, and all their
TRANSGRESSIONS, even all their SINS; and he shall put them upon the head of the
goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a man that is in readiness into
the wilderness:” From these two bible passages, it is evident that
these terms are different.
Sin as defined biblically is “Whosoever
commits sin transgresses also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law”
(I John 3:4). Adding to this, the bible also says in James 4:17 that “To him that
knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” Biblically, sin can
be committed willfully or ignorantly. Transgression is “The act of passing over or beyond any law or rule
of moral duty; the violation of a law or known principal of rectitude; breach
of command” It is connected to trespass, which is a willful violation of the
law. The bible says that “If thou kill,
thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:11). Lastly, Iniquities are second nature sins,
which drive us to repeatedly, continually commit sin. Iniquity revolves more
about the underlying attitudes: Idolatry,
Racism, Gluttony, Covetousness, Unrighteousness, wickedness, lawlessness. The
bible says that “The vile person… his
heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy…” (HYPOCRISY) - Isaiah 32:6. In Ezekiel 33:13
the bible clarifies that “If he trusts to
his own righteousness, and commit iniquity.” (SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS).
From
the above analysis, we can see that SIN and TRANSGRESSION are Verbs
and things we do: INIQUITY is a Noun and is the bent
condition of what we are. That
is to say that sin and transgression deal primarily with tangible violations, iniquity
on the other hand leans toward the intangible.
UNDERSTANDING WHERE YOU BELONG: The serpent deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden using this
same analogy. The bible says in Genesis 3:6 that “When the woman saw
that the fruit of the tree was good for food (SIN) and pleasing to the eye (TRANSGRESSION) and also desirable for gaining wisdom (INIQUITY) she took some and ate it. She also
gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” Adding to this
scripture, the bibles says that “For
everything in the world, the cravings of sinful man (SIN), the
lust of his eyes (TRANSGRESSION) and the boastful
pride of life (INIQUITY) comes not from the Father
but from the world. Sin, when repeated against the knowledge of God becomes
transgression which, if it continues long enough, eventually becomes iniquity
which perverts the flesh. This perversion changes the DNA/RNA structure of the
“flesh” and “beliefs” or “attitudes” resulting in genetic changes that are
passed on from generation to generation. This is the way high blood pressure,
alcoholism, sexual perversions, jealousy, anger, fear , etc. are passed down
from generation to generation. Racism, Greed, Idolatry run in families. Sinners
and transgressors have deep sorrow and anguish for their sin and will
experience forgiveness when they repent, but those that practice iniquity
justify their sin and may even become habitual in their sin, experiencing no
forgiveness while they practice iniquity. No wonder the bible says that “Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not PROPHESIED in thy name? and
in thy name have CAST OUT DEVILS? and in thy name DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS?
And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, YE THAT WORK
INIQUITY.” (Matt 7:22-23). As you are reading
through this write-up now, dear friend; where do you belong? But wait a
minute! What has the sacrifice of Jesus done for us in regard to the matter of
sin, transgression and iniquity, corresponding to our soul, body and spirit?
THE SACRIFICE OF
JESUS:
In Isaiah 53: 5, 10
“He was wounded for our TRANSGRESSIONS,
he was bruised for our INIQUITIES:
……thou shall make his SOUL an
offering for sin…” It is evident that the offering of Jesus’ soul (HIS SOUL)
paid for the forgiveness of our Sin,
His wounds (HIS BODY) blot out our
transgression, and His Bruises (HIS SPIRIT) was made a pardon for our Iniquity. Jesus saved us from sin, transgression and
iniquity when He died on the CROSS. It happened all in one day i.e. over 2000
years ago, and not on different occasions. In Isaiah 53: 10, God the Father made JESUS’ SOUL AN OFFERING FOR
SIN. Our Soul is the Battle ground between the Spirit and the Flesh where
our emotions and desires are born. Isaiah
53: 5 says that he was WOUNDED FOR
OUR TRANSGRESSIONS. A wound, by definition, is a break in the skin. A
transgression, by definition, is a break in the law (James 2:11). This is
visible to all. In Isaiah 53:5 the
bibles says that The LORD WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES. A
bruise is not a break in the skin but rather a general area of discoloration
under the skin. It is not seen as are our attitudes. This fits the term
iniquity as a general attitude or spirit of a collective people (Psalms 32:2; Leviticus 10:17).Having
brought us to this understanding; you will realize that sin relates to our soul, transgression relates to our body, and
iniquity relates to our spirit. The Sacrifice of Jesus was complete, and a
complete package for our SALVATION/FREEDOM.
After
looking at the above clarifications, the question is that have you been brought
to this full and complete salvation package? The bible says that “For
in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ YOU
have been brought to FULNESS…” (Col. 2:9-10b). A total dealing with our
sins, iniquities and transgressions was made complete when JESUS SACRIFICED
HIMSELF for us. All three (Sin, transgression and Iniquity) had to be accounted
for, for our salvation to be complete. The Lord Jesus Christ
will “Finish the TRANSGRESSION, and…
make an end of SINS, and… make
reconciliation for INIQUITY, and…
bring in everlasting righteousness” as stated in Daniel 9:24 to your life if and only if you will genuinely receive Jesus as your LORD and
SAVIOUR. He bids you come! Don’t
postpone today, for you don’t know what awaits you the next minute…! God Bless You.
