Sin and Sins

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
A little crooked s makes a great difference in many things. In the Word of God we find sin and sins clearly distinguished. “Sin” is the root that produces the bad fruit— “sins.”
God judged sin; God forgives sins.
God condemned sin in the flesh, making His Son, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, by His dying in the likeness of sinful flesh on the cross (2 Cor. 5:2121For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)). And now He remits the sins or all who believe on Him.
Do you want forgiveness, and think you must utter many prayers to obtain it? Nay, God is offering you pardon; beseeching you, by His servants, to be reconciled to Him (2 Cor. 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)). Sin in has been judged. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and your sins are forgiven for His Name’s sake. (1 John 2:1212After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. (John 2:12)), for He bore the sins of all who believe, in His own body on the tree (1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)).
And, if a believer, you have done with sin, you are to have nothing more to say to it (1 Peter 4:11Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (1 Peter 4:1)). But perhaps you will say: “Suppose I sin again, Do I not then need to pray for forgiveness?” Let God’s own Word supply the answer: “If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:11My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1).
“If we confess our sins” (not pray for forgiveness), “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
It is very easy for a naughty child to say: “Father, please forgive me.” But it is quite another thing for the child to see its wrong as the father sees it, and to come before him in true self-judgment, confessing it. So is it between God and His children. We ought not to sin; but if we do, we are exhorted to come before Him in self-judgment and heartfelt confession.
Keep to Scripture. Every word has a meaning.