THE ORIGIN OF SIN


A. THERE IS MUCH PERPLEXITY AND CONFUSION OVER THE ORIGIN OF SIN
  1. Some would blame God for it:
  2. But that is impossible: Hab. 1:13; 1 John 3:5
  3. Others attempt to deny that sin is a reality; that when you deny it, it disappears:
  4. But this theory is totally unrealistic and false:
    1. If that theory were true then Christ died in vain - 1 Cor. 15:1-3
    2. It would make the sacrifice on the cross a mockery.
    3. These Bible references would be untrue - Matt. 1:21; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 2:24; 1 John 1:7-9; John 3:16; Rom. 3:23
B. BIBLE FACTS ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF SIN
  1. Christ points to Satan as the author of sin:
    1. John 8:44; 1 John 3:8
    2. What Christ says is eternally true - John 14:6; Matt. 24:35
  2. Who is Satan or the Devil?
    1. Lucifer, who was created a beautiful being, perfect in all his ways - Ezek. 28:15-17
    2. There are many imaginary theories about Lucifer altogether untrue - 2 Cor. 11:14; Ezek. 28:12-18
    3. He was next to Christ in position and influence; very gifted - Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 34-42; Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, pp. 17-23
  3. How sin came into being:
    1. Pride and self-exaltation came before the fall.
    2. And with pride came contention - Prov. 13:10; 16:18; Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:12-18
    3. Unholy ambition - Isa. 14:12-17
    4. Envy against the Son of God became the flame of hatred - Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 34-38
C. WHY WAS SIN PERMITTED?
  1. The Bible makes it crystal clear:
    1. That the government of God is based upon love - "God is love" - 1 John 4:8
    2. His character and will are expressed in His laws - Ex. 20:3- 17; 1 John 3:4; Ps. 19:7; Rom. 2:17
  2. Lucifer declares that God's laws are arbitrary and unjust:
    1. That is how he persuaded a third of his fellow beings to forsake their habitation and follow him into exile - 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6
    2. That is how he succeeded to create doubt in the minds of our first parents - Gen. 3:1-6
  3. Lucifer's position and influence necessitated his own full exposure to the universe:
    1. God allowed Satan to carry on his work to prove that he was a free moral agent.
    2. Had God destroyed Lucifer some of the unfallen beings would never have understood God's action.
    3. The lie of Satan and his full exposure came when the Son of God lived and died in this world to reveal God's love to His subjects - John 3:16; Rom. 8:31-33
    4. The blackness of Lucifer's lies was never more evident than when the Son of God cried on the cross, "forgive them; for they know not what they do" - Luke 23:34
    5. Unfallen beings saw God's love in all its bright colors - 1 Tim. 3:16
  4. End of Lucifer:
    1. He will be judged - 1 Cor. 6:1-3
    2. He will be turned into ashes - Ezek. 28:18; Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41


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