SIN IS LAWLESSNESS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1877

SIN IS LAWLESSNESS.

What is the exact nature of sin? The word used by one of the New Testament writers signifies etymologically lawlessness. A sinner is called an outlaw. Sin is to be reckoned only by a standard, and that standard is the immutable enactment of God’s will. Sin may be best defined as “any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God.” That law is clearly revealed.

We call to mind an exquisite statue of Law, as we once saw it in the area out before an Eastern court of justice. Fair and majestic the figure rose in stone out of its lofty pedestal. Her head was covered with a helmet, to show she was shielded when attacked. In one hand she held a sharpened sword, to make known she had power to punish. But with the other she scattered gifts among the people; and her kind eye was always on the horn of plenty rather than on the edge of her weapon. And oh! what gifts were these for human enjoyment and need,—peace and prosperity, arts and learning, commerce and manufactures, truth to men and purity to women and shelter to children. Under her reign all was beneficence and quiet; life was tranquil, joyous, and noble.

Even this was beautiful—wondrously beautiful—only human law, gentle and just to all. But what marble could befit the image of divine law, or what skill could fashion the figure of its benignant majesty—Heaven come down bodily, with its serene order and peace on the earth, wearing the regalia of God! “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”

Into this vision of celestial peace come the rush and tumult of war. Sin is defiance of divine law. Sin covets the sword rather than the horn of plenty. If each sin had its first wish and legitimate result, it would overthrow the order of the universe, raise insurrection, destroy government, and introduce anarchy through all the ranks of intelligent existence. It would debase truth, debauch honor, fire baleful passion, lash forward relentless desire, and kindle the world with the flames of hell. Hence sin is serious business. To mock at it is to trifle with life and death, time and eternity; it is to jest with things highest and holiest, things deepest and grandest. Let sailors look over the ship’s side and laugh at the mischievous insects which bore holes in the planks between them and the waves. Let miners smile at the children who pluck away the strands of the cable by which they hang over the unfathomable abyss of the shaft. But he that mocks when sinners defy the law of God is a fool. “Fools make a mock at sin.”—Christian Weekly.