In the grand narrative of Scripture, one might grapple with the question:
“Why can’t God just forgive and forget the sins of humanity, especially the original sin of Adam without reparation?”
I had the same question too. After much research, bible studying, and disciplining, I realized, among other things, that it is a query that delves into the very heart of God’s nature, his justice, and the gravity of sin and its consequences.
So, let’s explore why sin cannot simply be a bygone and why there are consequences.
The Seriousness of Sin.
Sin, in the biblical context, is not a minor infraction but a transgression against God, oneself, and the natural order. It disrupts our relationship with God, ourselves, and creation.
Understanding the seriousness of sin is crucial to grasping the need for atonement. Genesis 3, which recounts the fall of humanity, reveals that sin brings separation from God and disharmony within ourselves and our environment.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” – Genesis 3:6-13.
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. – Genesis 3:22-24.
Read also: A Beginner-friendly exegesis of the Fall of Man bible story
Sin’s Impact on the World.
Sin not only affects our relationship with God but also has far-reaching consequences in the world. Romans 8:22 describes how creation itself groans under the weight of sin and longs for redemption:
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
Sin’s impact on the natural order underscores the need for atonement and restoration.
The Debt of Sin and Its Consequences.
Sin incurs a debt that demands repayment. The Bible uses metaphors of slavery and indebtedness to illustrate this concept. In Matthew 18:23-25, Jesus tells a parable about a servant who owed an immense sum to his master:
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. At this, the servant fell down before him and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay back everything.’ Then the master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave him the debt.”
Here, Jesus illustrates that our sins are like a debt we owe to God, and without forgiveness, we remain enslaved to that debt. This parable reflects the gravity of sin and our inability to repay it on our own.
Romans 6:23 underscores the consequences of sin: “For the wages of sin is death…” Sin leads to spiritual death and separation from God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God’s Justice and the Need for Atonement.
God, as a just and righteous judge, upholds the law and requires atonement for sin. Leviticus 17:11 instructs:
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
This verse emphasizes that atonement for sin is made through bloodshed, highlighting the seriousness of sin and the need for a costly sacrifice. God, in his holiness and justice, cannot simply ignore or dismiss sin; it must be atoned for.
Romans 3:21-26 highlights that God provided a way of atonement through Jesus Christ, demonstrating his righteousness and fairness:
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had passed over the sins committed beforehand.”
Atonement and the Victory over Sin.
Atonement is necessary because sin has power, and without intervention, we remain enslaved to it. Romans 6:16-18 explains that we are slaves to whichever master we obey, whether sin or righteousness:
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. – Romans 6:16-18.
Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are set free from the mastery of sin and given new life in him.
Redemption and Forgiveness through Christ.
God, in his infinite love and mercy, sent his Son, Jesus, as the ultimate sacrifice. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we are offered redemption and forgiveness. Isaiah prophesied about this aspect of God’s plan:
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God – Isaiah 40:1-3.
Jesus bore our sins and made an offering for our guilt, as Isaiah 53:5 also foretells:
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.
Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven and set free from the power of sin, as John 8:36 assures us:
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. – Ephesians 1:7
Here, we find that our sins are forgiven, and we are redeemed through the blood of Christ.
Conclusion: The Beauty of Redemption.
In conclusion, sin cannot be taken lightly because it goes against the very nature and character of God. However, God, in his love and mercy, provided a way of atonement through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through faith in him, we are forgiven, redeemed, and freed from the power and consequences of sin. This act of atonement showcases God’s perfect justice and boundless mercy toward us.
As believers, we can rejoice in the knowledge that our sins are forgiven, and we are no longer enslaved to the debt of our transgressions. We are set free and made new through the power of the cross, with a hope-filled future ahead of us.
Supporting Bible Verses:
- Genesis 3:6-13, 22-24
- Matthew 18:23-25
- Romans 3:21-26, 6:16-18, 6:23, 8:22
- Leviticus 17:11
- Isaiah 40:1-3, 53:5
- John 8:36
- Ephesians 1:7
- Romans 6:23