Article IX

Article 9 – Sin

1. Sin is any lack of conformity to the will of God;
   1. 1 Jo. 5:17a; All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
   2. James 4:17; Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
2. Or any transgression of the law of God.
   1. 1 Jo. 3:4; Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
   2. James 2:10; For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
3. Sin separates man from God, incurring His wrath and judgment, and is manifest in the selfishness, rebellion, unbelief and total depravity of man’s being.
   1. Eph.2:1-3; And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
   2. Rom.1:18-21; For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
   3. Rom. 3:10-12, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
   4. Rom 8:7-8; Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
4. Sin is the cause of the curse on and defilement of the created universe.
   1. Rom. 8:22; For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
   2. Gen. 3:17,18; And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;