The Gospel According to God By John MacArthur – Chapter 8 Reflection:
How would you define sin?
To sin is to fail to bring, or to deny, God glory.
What scripture would you use to support your definition of sin?
God created us for His glory.
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made. (Is. 43:7)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pt. 4:10-11)
If, therefore, it is true that God created us for His glory, then failing to bring glory to God is sin.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Rm. 1:18)
Looking Deeper
Lawlessness is sin.
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. (1 Jn 3:4)
In an overarching way, lawlessness denies the authority of God; lawlessness denies the sovereignty of God. To deny God’s sovereignty or any part of God’s nature is to deny Him glory.
Additionally, looking closer at lawlessness, we can see how the laws God has put in place protect His glory.
-
- Idolatry (Ex. 20:3-6)
- Only God deserves glory
- The Lord’s name in vain (Ex. 20:3:7)
- God’s name should only be accompanied by His glory.
- Remember the Sabbath (Ex. 20:8-11)
- Remember the glory of God.
- Honor your mother and father (Ex. 20:12)
- Family is an institution created by God. The parental relationship is a picture of our relationship with God, the Father. As such, honoring our earthly parents glorifies our heavenly Father.
- Murder (Ex. 20:13)
- Humankind was created in the image of God. To strike down, another person is to strike down the image of God. Furthermore, as we’ve already discussed, man’s purpose is to bring God glory. To cut man’s life short is to deny God the glory that man’s life may bring Him.
- Adultery (Ex. 20:14)
- Marriage is an institution created by God. The marriage relationship is a picture of our relationship with Christ. Our faithfulness in marriage is a picture of our faithfulness to Christ, and it glorifies Him.
- Stealing (Ex. 20:15)
- To steal is say that God isn’t sufficient to provide. Thus denying Him the glory of provisioning.
- Bear false witness (Ex. 20:16)
- As image-bearers of God, to lie is to misrepresent His character and His glory.
- Covetousness (Ex. 20:17)
- Covetousness displays a lack of contentment. Similar to stealing, covetousness says to God that He isn’t sufficient to provide for us and therefore robs Him of Glory.
- Idolatry (Ex. 20:3-6)
Lack of faith is sin.
But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Rm. 14:23)
This one is summed up in our failure to act on God’s prompting in our lives. When God prompts us to move, when He asks us to do something, it is always for His glory. When we fail to act, when we fail to move, as God prompts us, we deny Him the resulting glory.