那不勒斯足球俱乐部

In the most general sense, a sinner is a person who commits sin (Luke 18:13). The Greek term translated 鈥渟inner鈥� in the Bible carries the idea of a person who is 鈥渕issing the mark,鈥� as in an archer who misses his target. Thus, a sinner is missing God鈥檚 mark and is in fact missing the whole point of his or her life.

Ordinarily, we think of a sinner as someone who is severely immoral, evil, or wicked. But the Bible tells us that every person is a sinner: 鈥淔or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God鈥� (Romans 3:23). Through Adam鈥檚 original act of disobedience, all human beings inherited a sinful nature (Romans 5:12–14) and were credited with the guilt of Adam鈥檚 sin (Romans 5:18). Only Jesus Christ was sinless: 鈥淗e committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth鈥� (1 Peter 2:22).

In theological terms, it鈥檚 correct to understand the word sinner not as a moralistic designation or judgment but, rather, as a relational word. Everyone who is separated from God through sin is a sinner. Sinner defines the broken state of one鈥檚 relationship with God. Sinners are those who have broken God鈥檚 law (1 John 3:4). Sinners are slaves to sin (John 8:34). They face the judgment of God (Jude 1:14–15). They are on the road to death and destruction (Ezekiel 18:20; James 1:5).

The gap between sinners and God could only be bridged through the Lord鈥檚 act of redemption—by God Himself coming to the human side of the gap through Jesus Christ (who is 鈥淕od with us鈥�) and the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent in His place. On the human side of the divide, the kindest, most virtuous people are sinners, and the vilest, most evil people are sinners as well. All are sinners. But God loves sinners and sent His Son to die for them (Romans 5:8).

Those who believe in Jesus Christ have their sins forgiven and are granted eternal life: 鈥淔or God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him鈥� (John 3:16–17).

The Bible portrays sinners in various states and modes of existence. People who do not live according to the laws of God are considered sinners (Psalm 1). Those who were unfaithful to Israel鈥檚 covenant with God and pursued other gods are described as sinners by the prophets (Hosea 1—3).

Religious Jews regarded Gentiles as sinners (Galatians 2:15) as well as anyone who did not keep the traditions and ceremonial prescriptions of the Pharisees. Transgressors who break the law are called sinners in the Bible (1 Timothy 1:9). People stained by certain crimes or vices were viewed as sinners (Luke 15:2; 18:13; 19:7). Sinner was a term used for heathen people (Matthew 26:45), the especially sinful (Galatians 2:17), and women with a bad reputation (Luke 7:37).

When Jesus entered humanity, He challenged the dominating views of His day about sinners, particularly those of the religious elite. Jesus rocked the status quo by sharing close fellowship with sinners: 鈥淣ow the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 鈥楾his man welcomes sinners and eats with them鈥欌�� (Luke 15:1–2). The Pharisees in turn accused Jesus of being a sinner (John 9:24).

Christ鈥檚 mission on earth, His fulfillment of God鈥檚 eternal purpose, was the restoration and salvation of sinners. Jesus said, 鈥淚t is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners鈥� (Mark 2:17; see also 1 Timothy 1:15). Nothing brings more joy to the Lord鈥檚 heart or more rejoicing in heaven than when a sinner is restored to right relationship with God (Luke 15:7, 10).

As sinners, we all miss the mark. We all stand guilty as charged: 鈥淚f we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us鈥� (1 John 1:8). Sin—rebellion against God, disobedience, the violation of God鈥檚 law—must be punished. Sinners cannot pay the penalty of sin without perishing, because the punishment required is death (Romans 6:23). Only Jesus Christ鈥檚 sinless, spotless perfection hits the divine mark. Christ has made the full payment for sin. Through His death on the cross, Jesus satisfied God鈥檚 justice, perfectly vindicating and freeing from condemnation all sinners who receive Him by faith (Romans 3:25).