What exactly is sin?
The bible says that sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). In other words, sin is not adhering to any law or standard as we know it.
sin is the trespassing of the Laws that came through Moses. For example, the Laws that came through Moses say that it is a sin to eat meat from any detestable animal. Check Deuteronomy 14:3-8 below for a list of animals that you can eat without sinning if you are under the Law.
Deuteronomy 14:3-8
3 “You shall not eat any detestable thing. 4 These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, 5 the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the mountain goat, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. 6 And you may eat every animal with cloven hooves, having the hoof split into two parts, and that chews the cud, among the animals. 7 Nevertheless, of those that chew the cud or have cloven hooves, you shall not eat, such as these: the camel, the hare, and the rock hyrax; for they chew the cud but do not have cloven hooves; they are unclean for you. 8 Also the swine is unclean for you, because it has cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud; you shall not eat their flesh or touch their dead carcasses. NKJV
As you can see, there are very few types of animals that are not detestable according to the Laws of Moses. Therefore, those who are under the laws that came through Moses cannot eat pork, chicken, or any meat that does not come from an animal that chews the cud (eats grass), and has a split hoof like a cow without sinning.
When I say “those who are under the Laws of Moses” I mean that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are still under the Law and have not “fulfilled the Law” through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-15).
Romans 3:19-20
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. NKJV
So, for those who fulfill the law (fully meet it requirements) through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 13:8-10), sin is a little different. Sin is not taken into account (imputed) where there is no law (Romans 5:13), and so apart from the Law, sin is dead (Romans 7:8). For these people, all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17), anything that is not from faith is sin (Romans 14:23), and anyone “who knows” the good they should do and doesn’t do it sins (James 4:17).
For those who are still under the Laws of Moses, there are hundreds of everyday things that are considered sin. Read the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy for a complete list of the Laws God gave to Moses to give the people. There are way too many to list here.
For more about the Law and how it prevents a person from stopping sin in their life, see chapter four of my book, “How To Stop Sinning.” Those who do not fulfill the Law through faith in Jesus Christ will not only “not” be able to stop sinning, but they will have sin as their master (Romans 6:14).
Romans 6:14
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. NKJV
Sinful passions are aroused by the Law, or in other words they are aroused “by what the Law makes sin” (Romans 7:5). In fact, the strength (power) of sin is the trespassing of the Law (1 Corinthians 15:56), or the more a person falls short of what the Law requires, the more power sin will have to control them. That makes perfect sense when you keep in mind that the Law made sin increase (Romans 5:20).
So, for those who do not fulfill the Law through faith in Jesus Christ, the more they eat chicken the more power sin will have over them to control them. For many who attend church every week, this teaching alone is probably the only thing they need in order to stop sinning because they’ve done everything else.
That’s because there are many churches and entire denominations today that still require their members to serve by following parts of the Laws of Moses. Just by trying to be justified by law they fall away from grace (Galatians 5:4-6).
Galatians 5:4-6
4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. NKJV
We have to die to the laws of Moses in order to serve in the new way of the Spirit.
Romans 7:4-6
4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another — to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. NKJV
We can’t mix Law and grace. It doesn’t work that way. If we continue in the Law we set grace aside.
Galatians 2:19-21
19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” NKJV
You see Law and grace don’t mix. Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17, Luke 16:16). If we do not fulfill the Law through faith in Jesus Christ, which means that we will love one another because Jesus commanded us to love one another (John 13:34-35, 1 John 2:23), then we will make our faith void and not be heirs with Christ.
Romans 4:13-15
13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. NKJV
So then my friend, know that through this way (faith in Jesus Christ) we fulfill the Law, meeting all of its requirements through faith (Galatians 5:13-15, Romans 13:8-10), and therefore Christ is the end of the Law “for those and only for those who believe.”
Romans 10:4
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. NKJV
In this way He healed us! Understand that those who are under the law cannot possible obey the whole Law (Romans 3:20) and so all who are under it are subject to its curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Both healing and our ability to stop sinning are connected to fulfilling the Laws of Moses through faith in Jesus Christ. For more on this subject, see my latest book “Stop Sinning and Be healed.” It’s only .99 cents on Amazon.
Many people always quote “by His strips we are healed,” but most have no idea what they are talking about. If we die to sins and live for righteousness, by His strips we are healed (1 Peter 2:24). Praise God, I have seen it over and over.
This isn’t everybody’s problem who is in need of healing, but this teaching alone would put a huge dent in health care. We have to mix faith with every part of the Gospel because if we do not it will not be of any value to us.
Hebrews 4:2
2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. NKJV
So now for the person who lives by faith in Jesus Christ, and only for the person who lives by faith, this is how they eat chicken, pork, or whatever else.
1 Timothy 4:1-5
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. NKJV
Do you see the difference? In the last days some people will depart from the faith and follow the teachings of demons. That’s happening today, and that’s why I am telling you to stick with what is written in the Bible and only that. Those who know the truth and live by faith can eat anything they give thanks for and bless, but let me warn you about this. At whatever point you do not obey Jesus Christ and stop remaining in love, you are right back under the Law and subject to its curses for disobedience.
James 2:8-13
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. NKJV
Okay, I’ve given you enough to live by, or you can read the rest in my book, “How To Stop Sinning.” If you have any questions, Lord willing I will answer them. I serve believers for free.
