What is sin? It might sound simple at first, but if you had to answer using only Scripture, how would you respond? Can you define sin the way Yahuah does?
As followers of Yahuah, it is essential that we base our understanding on His Word, rather than on opinion or tradition. Let’s explore how Scripture defines sin and what it means to walk in obedience.
Sin Defined: 1 John 3:4 tells us: "Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness."
Sin is the breaking of Yahuah’s law—His commands. From the beginning, He gave instructions on how to live rightly, starting with Adam and continuing through Noah, Abraham, and ultimately through Yahushua. (Genesis 2:3, 4:2-3, 7:1-2, 18:19 are a few examples)
Two Greatest Commands: Yahushua summarized the entire Torah in two key commandments (Matthew 22:36-40):
- Love Yahuah with all your heart, soul, and strength.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
All of the Torah and Prophets hang on these two commands. Everything else flows from them.
How Do We Love Elohim? 1 John 5:3 tells us plainly: "For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands."
The first four of the Ten Commandments show us how to love Yahuah:
- Have no other elohim
- No idols or images
- Do not misuse His Name
- Remember and keep the Sabbath day set apart
If we want to love Yahuah, we must obey Him. His commands are not burdensome. Start by asking yourself: Am I walking in love as He defines it? Next, we’ll explore what it looks like to walk in obedience after receiving salvation.
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