Sin is an evil power that has spread all over the world. The root cause of sin is the severance of the bond with God. The term sin includes man’s wickedness and immoral acts. A number of words are seen in the Bible to denote sin. It is not easy to form a definition for sin from the various words that signify sin, but each word manifests a defining quality of sin. All sin is against God. “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51: 4). Romans 8: 7 says, the sinful mind is hostile to God. In short, forsaking the commandments of God is sin. Sin denotes doing evil and the breakage of the link with God as one surrenders to sin. Sin removed man from God so much that it is impossible to be near a righteous and pure God. Though it is difficult to define sin we can thus give meaning to sin from the various words in the Bible. Sin is the power of evil that is against God. Sin is pictured time and again in the Bible from the time the serpent prompted man to sin. But it should be considered that even before that this evil power called sin was there in this world (Genesis 3: 1, John 8: 44, 2 Peter 2:4, 1 John 3:8, Jude 6). Though the beginning of sin is disobedience and the forsaking of the commandment of God, still, not doing the things that ought to be done can also be interpreted as sin. That is both iniquity and transgressions are sin.But like how sin entered the world through one man, redemption entered the world through the righteousness of one man (Romans 5: 14- 47). If death was the punishment of sin through first Adam, through the last Adam who bore the death, man received righteousness and life. The redemption that is thus gained through Christ is indeed fortunate. “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered”(Psalm 32:1). Take a look at a few verses that depict sin- 1. “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!” (Proverbs 21: 4). 2. “The schemes of folly are sin” (Proverbs 24: 9). 3. “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” (Romans 14: 23). 4. If you show favoritism, you sin (James 2: 9). 5. “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (James 4: 17). 6. “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness (I John 3: 4).7. “All wrongdoing is sin (I John 5: 17).

1. Remorse and Redemption (2 Samuel 12: 1-14)
A heart of remorse is required for redemption. When we confess our sin to God, he forgives us (Psalm 32: 5). The sin that David committed, and his remorse is quite famous (2 Samuel 12 Psalm 51). David’s remorse has made way for many people even now to come to repentance. Confession of sins and the receiving of the forgiveness of sins is an integral part of our worship. We are all sinners in many ways. This incident prompts us to recognize that we are sinners and to repent and be renewed everyday.

2. The Redemption that a Prayer of Repentance gives (Acts 8: 9- 25)
When we repent and pray we receive forgiveness of sins. With Philip’s ministry at Samaria many believed in Jesus. Simon who practiced sorcery also believed in Jesus. But when he saw that the Holy Spirit came upon people when they laid their hands on them, he offered them money to attain this gift. Peter strongly told him to repent of his sin and to pray to God (Acts 8: 9- 24). “You are full of bitterness and captive to sin” is what Peter says about Simon. Simon implores Peter to pray for him.

3. Repentance- a Blessing that God alone gives (Mark 2: 1- 12)
Only God has the authority to give redemption. Man’s rituals and religious beliefs have no power to redeem one from sins. Only God can redeem us from our sins. Like how sin entered the world through one man, redemption also entered the world through one man (Romans 5: 12 -17). “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15: 22). Sin is described as Adam’s breaking of command (Romans 5: 14), one man’s trespass (Romans 5: 15)and, one man’s sin (Romans 5: 16). But the final Adam (Christ) gives repentance to the whole of mankind. It was for healing that a paralytic was brought to Jesus. But Jesus forgives his sins (Mark 2: 5). Through this Jesus is trying to prove that he has the authority to forgive sins (Mark 2: 9). Redemption from sins is the most paramount blessing that mankind should receive and this is exactly what is promised through Christ.