The ABC's of Holiness Part 2

BLJ: We continue looking at The Nature of Sin from the ABCs of Holiness.

8. To what extent is a man guilty for the acts of sir in his life?

He is fully responsible for these acts of sin and as a consequence he is guilty of sinning and is brought under the penalty of his sin.

9. Is there any way by which man may free himself from the nature and guilt of sin?

Man is helpless to free himself. He cannot purge his nature of its sin, nor can he atone for his own acts of sin, or free himself from the penalty of the broken law. "By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight ... A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:20, 28).

10. Have some means been provided by which man may be forgiven of his sins and cleansed from the sinful nature?

There have been. It is through the sacrifice and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is evident that if man cannot save himself he must seek some higher source of deliverance. Since sin is twofold; namely, sin in the nature of man and also transgressions or acts of sin; we must have a Saviour who can not only forgive these transgressions but who also can cleanse the nature from inherited sin. Such a Saviour Jesus is.

11. Is this nature of sin progressive in principle?

It is. "It waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit" (Eph. 4:22, R.V.) "Sin [i. e., the nature of sin] working death in me" (Romans 7:13). The more a person sins the more sinful or polluted he becomes.

12. Cannot this nature of sin be restricted in its operation?

It can. Through proper training, education and discipline one may keep this sinful nature in check so he may not commit the grosser sins. But, nevertheless, this principle of sin is still active in the nature of man being manifested in selfishness, conceit, pride, and similar perversions of the soul. It is exhibited in some form of sin or perversion in all people.

13. If this nature of sin may be restricted in its operation may not the individual through stricter discipline and more careful training eliminate it from his being, or may he not through processes of sublimation correct this proneness to evil?

No. This nature of sin will not lend itself to this process. In essence it is lawless -- not subject to rulership by law. "The carnal mind [i.e., sinful nature] is enmity against God: for it is not' subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7).

14. What is the penalty of sin?

The penalty for sin is death. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:20). "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).