Understanding Sin: Conviction, Repentance, and Salvation

The first step to true repentance is a thorough conviction of the enormity and terribleness of sin. Without conviction, the sinner will not repent. Conviction was made possible by the cross of Christ (John 6:44)..no man can come to the Father except through Me(Christ)………….And if I be lifted up from the earth I will draw all men unto me(John 12:31-33). Conviction is revealed by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-11)

After Conviction comes repentance. Repentance is necessary because of the judgement that is to come. God commands all men everywhere to repent. Wherefore as by one man sin entered the world and death by sin, so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12). No one can be saved without repentance (Acts 17:30,31). 

What is sin? The Bible says all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17a). Whosoever commits sin, transgresses the law. For sin is the transgression of the law; therefore; to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin (James 4:17). All people who have not repented are sinners. Therefore; you must repent! Romans 3:9-2, Luke 1:68-69, Mark 6:12, Acts 3:17-19.

There are different ways sin is portrayed in the scriptures

1.      Sin - an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil. (Psalms 51:1, Romans 2:23).

2.      Iniquity – an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not (Romans 1: 21-23)

3.      Error – a departure from right (Romans 1:18, 1 John 3:4)

4.      Missing the mark – failure to meet the divine standard (Romans 3:23)

5.      Trespass – the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority (Ephesians2:17)

6.      Lawlessness – spiritual anarchy (I Timothy 1:19)

7.      Unbelief – an insult to divine veracity (John 16:9)