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.
