Here are five things God says about sin in the Bible.

1. Our sins are offences against God. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Sin is not an occasional lapse in standards we set for ourselves. It is our consistent falling short of the life to which God calls us.

2. Our sins alienate us from God. “They are… alienated from the life of God” (Eph. 4:18). This is the reason why the default human experience is that God seems far away.

3. Sin makes us antagonistic toward God. “The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law” (Rom. 8:7). The more a person sins, the more resentful and resistant toward God he or she will become.

4. Sin makes us unfit for the presence of God. “Strive for… the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Sin will keep us out of heaven unless it is removed.

5. Sin makes us liable to the judgement of God. “The wrath of God is revealed… against all ungodliness” (Rom. 1:18). Sin is not something in us that is “slightly off.” It is a complete breakdown in our relationship with God, to whom we must all give account.

Sin’s consequences are catastrophic. And nothing in us can rectify the problem. This is why Jesus died for our sins. All that was due to us on account of our sins was laid on Him so that all that was due to Him on account of His perfect life should be freely given to us.

Which of these 5 things have you, personally, experienced?