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What is Sin?

When God created the world he declared it to be ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31).

But quickly it became very bad (Genesis 3:14-19). Why?

We all know it was because of Adam – Eve – the serpent.

Adam (and Eve) had effectively said to God ‘I want to do what I want to do: I don’t want to do what you want me to do. And that is the basis of all sin.

God had made mankind ‘In his own image’ (Genesis 1:27) – perfect and holy. But since sin had spoilt his creation, Adam’s children were born ‘in his own likeness, in his own image’ (Genesis 5:1-3) and everyone since has inherited his sinful nature.

The book of Romans clearly states that sin’s extent is universal: ‘there is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one does good, not even one’ (Romans 3:10-12).

The result is that man – God’s perfect creation – is now separated from God. More than that, God warned Adam that there would be a punishment for sin (Genesis 2:17); and this is still true today: ‘For the wages of sin is death’ (Romans 6:23).

In order to fulfil our purpose, we need a way back to God and only God could provide it. But mankind would have to wait for the right time (John 7:6) – until then God gave Moses detailed instructions for a sacrificial system where symbolically the life of an animal would be given to atone for the sin of his people.

But the priesthood and the sacrificial system could never provide an acceptable sacrifice that would permanently deal with the problem of sin. Only with the death and resurrection of Jesus could Paul write ‘Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus’ (Romans 8:1).

But the Christian Jews in Jerusalem were reluctant to give up totally a sacrificial system which had been a major part of their lives since birth. It seems that in the years leading up to the destruction of the Temple in AD70, and under intense persecution, they were in danger of returning to their old traditions.

So the letter to the Hebrews was written; and we don’t know who the author was, but it probably wasn’t Paul.

Read Hebrews 1:1-4

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Do we sometimes feel that our sins are separating us from the love of God? Have we ever felt we are not pure enough to take communion? Do we ever feel like the Jews in Jerusalem that we need to do something to amend for our past sins?

Hebrews sets out to explain that it was simply because we cannot attain to God’s high standards that he sent his Son Jesus into the world.

What does it tell us about Jesus? (Verses 2 to 4.)

• He is heir of all things – everything in the universe, including us, belongs to him. (v2)
• Everything was actually created by him in the first place. (v2)
• When we look at Jesus we see exactly what God is like in the brilliance of his glory. (v3)
• The universe only holds together by the power of his word. (v3)
• This ultimate power humbled himself and suffered humiliation and death as the supreme sacrifice to purify us from all our sins (v3).
• To demonstrate that his work was full, final and complete he sat down at God’s right hand. (v3)
• He is superior even to the Angels. (v4)

But the book will move on from who Jesus is, to what he has done. We will see that he is both priest and King – providing the complete answer to all our needs. We will also see that it is only because of God’s unfailing love for us that he has provided a way for us to come back to him – one way – Jesus.

But there was another problem in the early church, and that centred on the role of angels. To the early believers, angels had a high place in their thinking, some even considering that angels were superior to Christ.

So we are now given seven Old Testament passages that refute these beliefs.

Read Hebrews 1:5–14

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’?

(Psalm 2:7)

Or again,

‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son’?

(2 Samuel 7:14,  1 Chron. 17:13)

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

(Deut. 32:43 Septuagint)

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

‘He makes his angels spirits,

and his servants flames of fire.’

(Psalm 104:4)

8 But about the Son he says,

‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.’

(Psalm 45:6-7)

10 He also says,

‘In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

12 You will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

and your years will never end.’

(Psalm 102:25-27)

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

‘Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet’?

(Psalm 110:1)

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

People were confused. Who was Jesus? Where did he fit into what they thought about Heaven? Was he a particular angel?

The best way to answer difficult questions is to search the Scriptures (in their case just the Old Testament); some of which were already accepted as referring to the coming messiah.

So we find that God has a Father-Son relationship with Jesus (v 5).

And the angels are to worship the Son (v 6)

The angels are impressive (v 7), but the Son is God and King for ever (v8).

Jesus made the universe (v 10; see v 2), and he’ll end the universe (v 12).

Angels are God’s servants, but the Son has the highest place of honour – sitting at the Father’s right hand.

Nowadays there are plenty of philosophies and religions which refuse to accept that Jesus could be God’s son, let alone be part of the Godhead; and as we interact with ordinary people do we often face plain unbelief and doubt?

If we are to be unwavering in upholding the fundamentals of our faith it may well be costly in terms of our own personal sacrifice and the opposition we will face from others.

In that we are in exactly the same position as the first readers of this letter.

How do we respond to society’s demands for a multi-faith culture that requires us to not only tolerate lifestyles that are opposed to our Christian beliefs, but actually accept them?

This is a short study and could be combined with the next one.