
The crucifixion of Jesus is a central tenet of Christianity, with Jesus dying for the sins of humanity so that our souls could live on. Jesus was sent to Earth by God as the final sacrifice, with his death absolving the sins of those who believe in him as the Son of God. Jesus was without sin and was completely perfect in every way. His crucifixion was the ultimate sacrifice, an act of pure love, and the highest form of love. Jesus's death means that the punishment for sin has already been paid for, so God considers sinners righteous.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of sins | 7 |
First sin | Arrogance |
Second sin | Hating that which is good |
Third sin | Religious prejudice |
Fourth sin | Envy or jealousy |
Fifth sin | Loving money |
Sixth sin | Lying |
Seventh sin | Being unwilling to stand for the Truth |
What You'll Learn
The sin of arrogance
Jesus died for the sin of arrogance, among others. Arrogance is defined as being full of or characterised by excessive pride or self-esteem. It is the opposite of humility. The Bible states that "The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished" (Proverbs 16:5, NLT).
Another example is Belshazzar, who was arrogant and defiant against the Lord of heaven. He was cursed because he refused to change his ways and became arrogant. Similarly, Pharaoh was arrogant and proud, refusing to obey the voice of the Lord and let Israel go. Saul, the first king of Israel, was also arrogant and stubborn, which led to his rejection by God and the loss of his kingdom.
Arrogance is a dangerous sin that can lead to destruction and God's condemnation. It is important for individuals to examine their own lives for signs of arrogance and to seek forgiveness and humility.
Jesus died for the sin of arrogance, offering forgiveness and salvation to those who repent and believe. It is up to individuals to accept this gift of forgiveness and turn away from their arrogant ways.
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The sin of hating that which is good
Jesus died for the sins of humanity, and one of those sins is "the sin of hating that which is good". This sin is committed when people reject and oppose the love and goodness of God, setting themselves against Him and His people. Hate is a toxic and pernicious force that damages everything it touches, as it allows people to see their fellow man as less than human and made in the image of God.
The Bible describes hate as "ill will or resentment that is usually mutual: prejudiced hostility or animosity". It is a selfish emotion that leads to discord, disharmony, malice, and anger, and it is a motivator for wicked behaviour. Hate is not just an emotion, but a state of being that involves choices, behaviours, and thoughts. It is an active decision to otherize and separate oneself from another, and it can lead to people not seeing the object of their hatred as fully human, justifying bad behaviour.
Jesus addressed hate during the Sermon on the Mount, clarifying that sin is not just outward behaviour but begins with the state of someone's heart. Hate starts with anger and resentment, and even if it is never acted upon, it is still a sin. Jesus knew what it was like to be hated, and despite this, He did not hate His enemies. Instead, He taught His followers to "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you".
Hate is dangerous because it is the desire to eliminate the humanity of another. It is intimately tied to death, and Jesus called someone harbouring hate a murderer in their heart. Hate can lead to spiritual, relational, or even physical death. Therefore, it is crucial to embrace God's love and let it empower us to love, rather than give in to the temptation to hate.
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The sin of religious prejudice
Jesus died for the sins of the world, and among those sins was religious prejudice. This type of prejudice is a serious sin, and it is not something that God takes lightly. Religious prejudice is when individuals are treated differently or unfairly because of their religious beliefs or background. It is a sin of having a closed mind and being unwilling to accept or even consider the truth of another person's religious beliefs.
Throughout history, religious discrimination and prejudice have led to tragic consequences, including violence, persecution, and even execution. For instance, during the Islamic Golden Age, Jews, Christians, and Mandaeans living under Muslim rule were subjected to religious discrimination as second-class citizens, forced to pay special taxes and denied various rights and freedoms. Similarly, during the Roman Empire, Christians were persecuted and discriminated against for their refusal to worship the Roman gods, facing slaughter, imprisonment, and the destruction of their churches and scriptures.
Religious prejudice often stems from fear or discomfort with differences and can be influenced by socialization experiences, group identity, and cultural learning styles. It is a prevalent issue that can be found all over the world, and it is essential to recognize and address it.
To combat religious prejudice, it is crucial to confess and acknowledge one's biases and actively seek to understand and empathize with people of different faiths. By treating others as God does, looking beyond outward appearances and into the heart, individuals can begin to see others as He does and work towards reconciliation.
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The sin of envy or jealousy
Jesus died for the sins of the world, and among those sins was envy or jealousy.
Envy and jealousy are often considered minor sins, easily dismissed as insignificant. However, they are mentioned in the Bible's catalogue of sins, and are included in the seven deadly sins of Roman Catholicism, along with pride, wrath, lust, greed, gluttony, and sloth. Envy is described as resentment or sadness at another's good fortune or excellence, accompanied by a desire to possess that advantage for oneself. It is more than simple jealousy, as it involves the belief that another's excellence diminishes one's own, and it can lead to the destruction of another's good fortune.
In the Bible, envy and jealousy are depicted as toxic to happiness and can manifest as material envy (resentment towards others' material possessions) and spiritual envy (resentment towards others' spiritual goodness). Material envy is considered less evil than spiritual envy, which is seen as a sin against the Holy Spirit.
Examples of envy and jealousy in the Bible include:
- Cain's murder of Abel, driven by envy and wrath due to God favouring Abel's sacrifice.
- Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery out of jealousy, as he was their father's favourite.
- King Saul's envy of the future king David, which led him to try to kill David.
The Bible addresses the dangers of jealousy and provides encouragement for those struggling with this sin:
- Job 5:2: "Surely vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple."
- 1 Corinthians 3:3: "For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?"
- James 3:14-16: "Where jealousy and selfish ambitions exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
- Proverbs 14:30: "A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."
While jealousy and envy are sins, there is grace and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to seek a lifestyle of contentment, focusing on their relationship with God rather than worldly desires.
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The sin of loving money
Jesus died for the sin of loving money. In Christian tradition, the love of money is condemned as a sin, based on texts such as Ecclesiastes 5:10 and 1 Timothy 6:10. The apostle Paul, in his first letter to his young disciple Timothy, wrote, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:10). This verse is often misquoted as saying, "Money is the root of all evil." The correct interpretation is that it is the love of money, not money itself, that is a source of all kinds of trouble and evil.
Wealth is morally neutral; there is nothing inherently wrong with money or possessing it. However, when money becomes our primary focus and starts to control us, it can lead us astray from our faith and cause us to make decisions that go against our values. Greed, or the excessive desire for money, can lead people to lie, steal, cheat, gamble, embezzle, and even commit murder.
Jesus himself addressed this issue in the Sermon on the Mount, saying, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Matthew 6:24). Jesus equates the love of money to idolatry, where money becomes a "master" that we serve instead of God. This goes against the first commandment, which commands us to have "no other gods" before the one true God (Exodus 20:3).
The love of money can be a significant obstacle to faith in Christ. Wealth can become a slave master, driving us further away from God and leading us into sin. However, it's important to note that Jesus died for this sin, and through his sacrifice, forgiveness is available to those who repent and believe.
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Frequently asked questions
Jesus was sent to Earth by God to be the final sacrifice so that our souls could live on. Jesus was ridiculed, beaten and crucified by the Romans. He died as the sacrifice for the sins of those who believe he is the son of God.
Jesus died for all sins. His sacrifice was completely sufficient to pay for the sins of the entire world.
The Bible says that Christ was the sacrifice for all sin. It also says that forgiveness only comes to an individual when he or she repents and believes.
Jesus was the faithful one who obeyed God to the full extent, all the way unto death, even death on a cross.