What is sin? According to
Got Questions, "sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18)." In other words, sin is when we do something wrong, which is against God. All human beings are born with a sinful nature, ever since the first human beings Adam and Eve who sinned, so it is natural for us to sin. According to the
Jack Van Impe Prophecy Bible, "Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). All sin results in judgment - the pay off is death and eventually, the
Great White Throne Judgment (Romans 1:24-32; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Galatians 5:19-21). Revelations 21:8 and 22:15 provide a comprehensive picture of those who are damned for all eternity. They are:
the fearful - those who do not accept Christ to escape being ridiculed (Matthew 10:32).
unbelievers - those who do not believe in and receive the Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:24)
the abominable - those who engage in wicked practices (Titus 1:16)
murderers - those who kill others or hate (1 John 3:15)
whoremongers - those who engage in fornication or consort with prostitues (Ephesians 5:5-8)
sorcerers - those who practice witchcraft, demonism, and follow after the occult. sorcery comes from the Greek word pharmakeia, meaning "enchantment with drugs." thus, drug users and even pushers are included in the guilty verdict for judgment.
idolaters - those who worship or reverance anyone or anything other than the living and true God.
liars - (John 8:44)
dogs - false professors (2 Peter 2:21,22)
homosexuals - (Romans 1:18-32)
the unrighteous - those who trust in self, works, a false religious system, or mere "religion" for salvation (Titus 3:5)
fornicators - those who engage in premarital and extramarital sex (1 Corinthians 6:9, 14-18)
the wicked - those who disregard all morality and moral standards
the covetous - those who desire all things for themselves, especially that which belongs to others (Ephesians 5:5-8)
the malicious - those who willfully seek to destroy the person and property of others (James 1:26)
the envious - those resentful of others
debaters - those who would rather argue with God than accept His truth
deceivers - those who purposely mislead or betray others (2 Timothy 3:13)
maligners - those who speak evil of, defame, or slander others (James 3:2-3).
whisperers - those who gossip
backbiters - those who constantly find fault with others and speak maliciously about them
haters of God.
despisers - those filled with contempt toward God and man
the proud - those possessing an excessively high opinion of themselves
boasters - those who exalt self
inventors of evil things
the disobedient to parents
those without understanding (resulting from unconcern or rejection of the truth)
covenant breakers - those who do not keep their word
those whose affections are contrary to the laws of God and nature
the implacable - those exhibiting extreme stubbornness to the point of refusing to yield to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 1:24-28; Acts 7:51,52)
the unmerciful - those who lack compassion (Ephesians 4:32)
adulterers - those who practice extramarital sex (1 Corinthians 6:9,10)
the effeminate - generally younger persons in the process of becoming homosexuals or sodomites
abusers of themselves with mankind - hardened homosexuals (Genesis 19:5)
thieves - (1 Corinthians 6:10)
drunkards - those given to and overcome by alcohol (Proverbs 20:1, 23:20,21; Luke 21:34, Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 6:10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18)
revilers - those who use abusive or contemptuous language
extortioners - those who exact money from or take advantage of others through violence, threats or misuse of authority.
Persons who have practiced these sins, then, and who are still contaminated by the guilt of them, because they have not come to Christ, will be the ones judged before the
Great White Throne.
Is there hope?
And such were some of you....but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 1:7; John 3:17).
There is not a sin that can keep a true believer out of heaven. God's Word clearly states that some Christians will be saved 'so as by fire.' They lose everything except their salvation. Because of it, they will be "ashamed" in Christ's presence (1 John 2:28). If believers were left behind at the
Rapture because of some sin in their lives, who would the "ashamed" be at that investigative session?
Rewards are lost because of disobedience and disobedience is sin (Romans 5:19; James 4:17)."
So, for those who are saved because they hold faith in Jesus then they are forgiven of their sins past, present and future. Although the believer may lose out on some
heavenly rewards, they will still be saved and be safe with God for all eternity. For those who are not saved because they do not believe in Jesus for their salvation then they will, very tragically, be judged for all of their sins and receive no forgiveness for they had never believed on Jesus for their salvation when they had the opportunity to do so. It will not matter what good they had done in life (Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9) if they had never received forgiveness of their sins. Repent and believe today. Faith is a free gift of God because He loves you and He made it possible.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus) so that whoever believes in Him should not perish (go to hell) but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Footnotes
Impe, Dr. Jack Van. "Your Future - An A-Z Index to Prophecy." Jack Van Impe Prophecy Bible: King James Version : Red Letter Edition. Windsor, Canada:
Jack Van Impe Ministries International, 1999. 97-99. Print.
"What Is the Definition of Sin?" Bible Questions Answered.
Got Questions Ministries. Web. 14 July 2011.
http://www.gotquestions.org/definition-sin.html>.
