Sin of itself is unreasonable and in a sense illogical. Why would Adam and Eve, well-cared-for and without a sinful nature, rebel against God? Why would a creature want to rebel against the Creator? The prophets find Israel’s rebellion absurd; even animals know better. “The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand” ( Isa 1:3 ).

Although sin is negative and irrational, sin is also a power. It crouched at Cain’s door, ready to devour him ( Gen 4:7 ). It compelled Paul to do the evil he does not wish ( Rom 7:14-20 ). It moves and is moved by demonic and societal forces. It enters a man’s heart, so that wickedness rises up spontaneously from within ( Matt 15:17-19 ). Its stronghold is the all but instinctive tendency to put one’s own interests and desires first. From the selfish heart comes rebellion, godlessness, cursing, lies, slander, envy, greed, sensuality, and pride ( Matt 12:34-37 ; Rom 1:18-32 ).

Three factors compound the tragedy of sin:

1.It takes over the entire person and no sphere escapes, because the heart of the sinner is corrupt ( Psalm 51:5 ; Jer 17:9 ; Rom 8:7 ).

2. Evil resides in the heart of the crown of God’s creation who are the bearers of God’s image and the ones appointed to rule the world for God. Mankind has the remarkable capacity to think, plan, persuade, and train others enables wickedness to become clever and strong.

3. Sin is proud and it resists God and His salvation and offers a counterfeit salvation instead ( 2 Thess 2:2-4 ).

In spite of all the dismal qualities of sin, sin does make one contribution. Due to the fact that God chose to redeem His people from it, sin has been the catalyst for God’s demonstration of His amazing patience, grace, and love ( Rom 5:6-8 ; Gal 2:17-20 ; 1 Tim 1:15-17 ). On this basis the study of sin need not merely grieve the Christian. By looking at sin from a post resurrection perspective, sin indirectly gives opportunity to praise the creating and redeeming Lord for His gracious deliverance ( Rom 11:33-36 ).

Erick Bouwmeester