1 John 3:4-5 Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.… I. SIN IS DENOUNCED AS A TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW. How fitted is such a representation to warn us against it! It teaches us what sin is. The very fact that a law exists to direct our conduct is enough to claim our attention. "Do this, and live; in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die": these announcements may be regarded as beacons set up to warn us against shipwreck on the sea of life, or lights to guide us into a safe and peaceful haven. Not only, however, is it a solemn thing to know there is a law to which we are subject, but the responsibility is greatly increased when we remember it is the law of God. He is the lawgiver, and knows what to require, and has authority to enjoin it. It is the transcript of His mind, and to disobey it must be rebellion against Him. In its nature the law is absolutely perfect, being alike worthy of God and adapted to advance the best interests of those who are subject to it. It is holy — distinguishing in all cases between right and wrong, good and evil. It is just — never claiming anything beyond what God is justified to require and man is bound to render. And it is good — securing the highest advantages to all who obey it. It is well for time, and better for eternity. This law it is the purpose of God ever to maintain. No change in man can produce a change in it. It never was and can never be broken without entailing sorrow and suffering on the transgressor. Sin has been the cankerworm at the root of human happiness and prosperity. We must esteem it the enemy of God, the enemy of holiness, justice, and goodness; the enemy of man, of his peace and prosperity; the prolific source of all sorrow, because the transgression of that law which God has established as the directory of man and the safeguard of righteousness. II. In pursuance of his argument, the apostle declares that THE VERY PURPOSE OF CHRIST'S MISSION WAS TO DESTROY SIN. III. It strengthens these views still further to observe that THE APOSTLE REPRESENTS THE BELIEVER'S UNION WITH CHRIST TO BE PRODUCTIVE OF THE SAME RESULT (ver. 6). IV. THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CHRISTIAN IS DECLARED TO BE RIGHTEOUSNESS. "He that doeth righteousness." He does it. He has laid the law of God before him, and seeks to walk in conformity to it. (J. Morgan, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.WEB: Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness. |
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