Understanding God's Sovereignty and Human Sin

Sin is defined as "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" ^[1]. This includes both internal states and outward actions, whether through omission or commission ^[1]. The Bible describes sin as originating from the heart ^[5], being a product of lust ^[5], and ultimately a rebellion against God ^[5]. It is not merely a violation of natural law but an offense against a personal, moral lawgiver ^[1].

The concept of sin is deeply rooted in the biblical account of the Fall of Man, recorded in Genesis 2 and 3 ^[2]. This event describes the revolt of the first parents, Adam and Eve, from God, which resulted in sin and misery for them and all their descendants ^[2]. This history is understood as literal and foundational to all revealed truth ^[2]. Through Adam's disobedience, humanity became subject to sin ^[6]. Consequently, all human beings are born with a sinful nature ^[11], are considered children of wrath ^[6], and possess hearts that are evil ^[6] and minds that are depraved ^[6]. The Fall led to a state where humanity is born in the image of Adam, rather than solely in God's image ^[6].

Scripture consistently portrays the pervasive nature of sin:

Universal Sinfulness Romans 5:12 states that "sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned" ^[3]. Paul elaborates on this universal sinfulness, arguing that both Gentiles and Jews are "under sin's power" and cannot earn God's favor through their own actions ^[13].
Consequences of Sin Sin incurs God's condemnation ^[3]. The "soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment" ^[1]. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) ^[3]. This condemnation is universal due to Adam's offense ^[3].
Manifestations of Sin Sin is described in various ways throughout scripture: it is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4) ^[5], it comes from the devil (1 John 3:8) ^[5], and all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17) ^[5]. Even the omission of known good is sin (James 4:17), and anything not done in faith is sin (Romans 14:23) ^[5]. The thoughts of foolishness are sin (Proverbs 24:9) ^[5]. Deliberate sins are committed with an insolent or arrogant attitude, representing rebellion against God ^[12].

The Bible also addresses the human experience of sin. David confesses, "My sin is constantly before me" (Psalm 51:3) ^[10], and "My sin I cause Thee to know, And mine iniquity I have not covered" (Psalm 32:5) ^[8]. Daniel likewise confessed his own sin and the sin of his people (Daniel 9:20) ^[7]. Even after conversion, individuals may still commit actual sins ^[14]. The apostle Paul describes an internal struggle, stating, "with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law" (Romans 7:25) ^[9].

God's sovereignty is evident in His response to sin. God's anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst but a necessary response to sin ^[13]. However, God also offers forgiveness of sin, which is a constituent part of justification ^[4]. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from condemnation, removing the guilt of sin and the liability to eternal wrath, based on the work of Christ ^[4]. This forgiveness is freely offered to all in the gospel ^[4]. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in convincing individuals of sin, demonstrating that they are sinners, and showing them what sin truly is ^[16]. Through Christ, believers are claimed by God ^[15] and delivered from condemnation ^[3].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fall of man — An expression probably borrowed from the Apocryphal Book of Wisdom, to express the fact of the revolt of our first parents from God, and the consequent sin and misery in which they and all their posterity were involved. The history of the Fall is recorded in Gen. 2 and 3. That history is to be literally interpreted. It records facts which underlie the whole system of revealed truth. It is referred to by our Lord and his apostles not only as being true, but as furnishing the ground of all God's subsequent dispensations and dealings with the children of m”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Condemnation — The sentence of God against sin -- Mt 25:41. Universal, caused by the offence of Adam -- Ro 5:12,16,18. Inseparable consequence of sin -- Pr 12:2; Ro 6:23. Increased by Impenitence. -- Mt 11:20-24. Unbelief. -- Joh 3:18,19. Pride. -- 1Ti 3:6. Oppression. -- Jas 5:1-5. Hypocrisy. -- Mt 23:14. Conscience testifies to the justice of -- Job 9:20; Ro 2:1; Tit 3:11. The law testifies to the justice of -- Ro 3:19. According to men's deserts -- Mt 12:37; 2Co 11:15. Saints are delivered from, by Christ -- Joh 3:18; 5:24; Ro 8:1,33,34. Of the wicked, an example ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sin — Is the transgression of the law -- 1Jo 3:4. Is of the devil -- 1Jo 3:8; Joh 8:44. All unrighteousness is -- 1Jo 5:17. Omission of what we know to be good is -- Jas 4:17. Whatever is not of faith is -- Ro 14:23. The thought of foolishness is -- Pr 24:9. All the imaginations of the unrenewed heart are -- Ge 6:5; 8:21. Described as Coming from the heart. -- Mt 15:19. The fruit of lust. -- Jas 1:15. The sting of death. -- 1Co 15:56. Rebellion against God. -- De 9:7; Jos 1:18. Works of darkness. -- Eph 5:11. Dead works. -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. The abominable thing that Go”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
Daniel “While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God; -- Daniel 9:20”
Psalms “Psalms 32:5 (YLT) — My sin I cause Thee to know, And mine iniquity I have not covered. I have said, `I confess concerning My transgressions to Jehovah,' And Thou--Thou hast taken away, The iniquity of my sin. Selah.”
Romans “I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law. -- Romans 7:25”
Psalms “For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me. -- Psalms 51:3”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 16:9: Of sin - Of the sin of the Jews in not receiving me as the Messiah, though my mission was accredited by the very miracles which the prophets foretold: see Isa 35:3-6. This was literally fulfilled on the day of pentecost, when the Spirit was given; for multitudes of Jews were then convinced of this sin, and converted to God. See Act 2:37. If we take this prediction of our Lord in a more general sense, then we may consider that it is one of the grand offices of the Holy Spirit to convince of sin, to show men what sin is, to demonstrate to them that they are sinners, and”

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