The word translated as “sin” in 1John 3:4 is the Greek word “hamartia” which means, in Greek, “missing the mark” or target; goal, in relation to the glory of God.
(Romans 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Because of this, such a sin transgresses also the law, where sin is “anomia” that being the Greek word that means in English: “evil”, “iniquity”, “lawlessness.”
That is the underlying structure of 1John 3:4, where sin, being any evil, any iniquity, and any lawlessness also transgresses the law that produces wrath (Romans 4:15) and gives strength to sin (1 Corinthians 15:56) so that sin condemns the sinner, where all have sinned, as referenced above, resulting in standing guilty before God (Romans 3:19).
There is a possible scenario which even Jesus touched on, where it was possible to transgress the law but not because one sinned. Quite the contrary.
(Luke 6:9) Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
(Matthew 12:10-14) And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. °And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? °How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. °Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. °Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
Jesus’ works were the opposite of sin. They were good works; works of love and compassion that met the requirement of “hitting the mark” in relation to the glory of God. They were, in fact, works done to the glory of God.
But how did the evil Pharisees interpret Jesus’ works that were not sin; that were right on target with the glory of God, done on the Sabbath?
To them, “any” work done on the Sabbath was evil, iniquitous, and lawless because they were works done on the Sabbath. Any work on the Sabbath was evil, iniquitous, lawless and was missing the mark; the target and goal of achieving the glory of God.
The Pharisees, being evil children of the Devil, had no interest in the glory of God and what achieved it. They were only interested in the law; the letter of the law that said “any” work on the Sabbath was sin; missing the mark/goal/target regarding the glory of God. They, as a result of Christ Jesus’ working on the Sabbath, doing lawful works, sought to destroy Him over good works that were performed as a function of the Holy Spirit; works of the Spirit that Paul pointed out there existed no law against them, including the Decalogue and the Sabbath commandment in the law.
Adventists and other Sabbatarians, insist Jesus didn’t really “work” despite Jesus’ declaration to the contrary. The ‘conditioned response’ is often made that, had Jesus actually worked on the Sabbath, He would have sinned, thereby disqualifying Himself as the Saviour. In other words, modern day Sabbatarians do not recognize good works on the Sabbath any more than did those evil Pharisees who Jesus said were children of the Devil, doing the will of their father the devil.
(Matthew 12:28) Works of the Spirit; fruits of the Spirit that can ONLY be good works/fruits, are summarily labeled as sin: Evil, iniquitous, lawless works that miss the mark in relation to the glory of God so that the working of the Holy Spirit through one in possession of the Holy Spirit, results in blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Casting out devils would be a good work, done to the glory of God; not an evil work, and Christ attributes such a good work as being the inner workings of the Spirit of God.
By denying Jesus worked on the Sabbath; doing good works to the glory of God on the Sabbath; works that reflect the attributes of the Spirit such as love and compassion, done on the Sabbath to the glory of God, denied by those children of the Devil, how is this not blasphemy of the same Spirit?
I’ve often wondered why Jesus had John the Baptist baptize Jesus who, being the only begotten Son of God had no need of baptism, yet the narrative points out that the Holy Spirit descended and came to rest upon Jesus. Jesus said it was to fulfill all righteousness. It also seals the fate of those who would accuse Him of sin for having worked on the Sabbath; works Jesus Himself attributed to the Spirit.
What then are the works of a Christian, in whom now dwells the Holy Spirit? Are they good works, or evil? Are they works done to the glory of God, or do they “miss the mark?” According to Jesus; God Incarnate who judges according to the heart where the Holy Spirit is that new heart acquired through the new birth, born of the Spirit (John 3:5-6) all their works are thus seen as being only good; good trees producing only good fruits of the Spirit.
(Galatians 4:29) But what do we witness when it comes to the Sabbath and works?
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
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It is important that you understand; Everything on this blog is based on the current understanding of each author. Never take anyone's word for it, always prove it for yourself, it is your responsibility. You cannot ride someone else's coattail into the Kingdom. ; )
Acts 17:11
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