The Old Testament is a history of sin.
The cause: Adam and Eve.
The history: Genesis 1:6.
“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5)
430 years in Egypt
40 years in the desert
400 years of Judges “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”
(Judges 21:25)
Israel, the Northern Kingdom, 9 dynasties, 200 years of kings, all of them evil
Judah, another hundred years of increasing evil
From Malachi to Jesus, another 400 years of sin
Sin defined:
“And where there is no law there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15b).
“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness” (I John 3:4).
Sin is ubiquitous.
“As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one'” (Romans 3:10).
“All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12).
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
Sin earns death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17).
I have been an observer of sin in newspapers, novels, history books, movies, internet, and personal contact. I have also been a participant. In other words, I have seen both minor and gross sins in great quantity.
Does this make me cynical or despairing? Not at all!
See the next post.
In the Lord Jesus Christ,
Jim Wilson
The cause: Adam and Eve.
The history: Genesis 1:6.
“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5)
430 years in Egypt
40 years in the desert
400 years of Judges “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”
(Judges 21:25)
Israel, the Northern Kingdom, 9 dynasties, 200 years of kings, all of them evil
Judah, another hundred years of increasing evil
From Malachi to Jesus, another 400 years of sin
Sin defined:
“And where there is no law there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15b).
“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).
“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness” (I John 3:4).
Sin is ubiquitous.
“As it is written: 'There is no one righteous, not even one'” (Romans 3:10).
“All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12).
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).
“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
Sin earns death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17).
I have been an observer of sin in newspapers, novels, history books, movies, internet, and personal contact. I have also been a participant. In other words, I have seen both minor and gross sins in great quantity.
Does this make me cynical or despairing? Not at all!
See the next post.
In the Lord Jesus Christ,
Jim Wilson
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