The Sin of the World

Dear Brethren,

John the Baptist said of Jesus Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) The verse does not say, "sins," plural, but "sin," singular. What is the "sin of the world?" The Catholics believe that an "original sin" has been passed down to us through our parents. The Scriptures do not support that heresy. It would be grossly unjust of God to judge a person for another's sin. Let's not be deceived, sin and death did enter the world through Adam, but all of us have personally sinned on our own (1John1:8). "Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12) What sacrifice can take away all sin - how can so much sin be dealt with?

With the exception of Jesus, all men who have ever lived have sinned (Romans 3:23). That is a lot of sin. If we took all the cruelties and wars of history, all the hate, selfishness, adulteries, all the idolatries and paganism, the thefts and dishonor, wickedness, pride and iniquities of the world, and lumped all sin, past, present and future all into one transgression – how great a sin would that be? Death now reigns over all men because all have sinned. How could so much sin be forgiven?

The Greek word that is translated, "takes away," means to remove, to bear, to expiate, and to put away. Not only does Jesus Christ remove the guilt – He removes the sin as though it never existed at all. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." (Ephesians 1:7) "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1Corinthians 15:22)

How did Jesus take away our sin and pay our debt of death? "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover [Lamb] is sacrificed for us." (1Corinthians 5:7)

Jesus knew from the foundation of the world that He would be slain for the sin of the world (Revelation 13:8). "For He [the Father] hath made Him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus]." (2Corinthians 5:21) "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness." (1Peter 2:24)

The only way that the sin of the world could be remitted, absolved or canceled out, was by the spilling of the blood of Jesus, who as Creator, is worth more than the universe and all that is in it - including mankind. "Almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Hebrews 9:22) "[You were redeemed] with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1Peter 1:19) "...Thou [Jesus Christ] are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." (Revelation 5:9)

God the Father provided the sacrificial Lamb who's life and blood would take away the sin of the world. " For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, [as our sacrificial Lamb to pay for our sins and redeem us] that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Isaiah was inspired to prophesy how Jesus would take away the sin of the world. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth... For He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; He hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul [life] an offering for sin... He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:4-11)

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Sermon:  "The Sin of the World"      
This is #5 in the series: A Blending of the Gospel Accounts.


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