The Bible uses three different words to describe the human condition and each of them reveal something important to us, about ourselves.
- Khata, the most common word meaning to miss the mark
- Transgression is how we break trust with others
- Iniquity is behavior that’s crooked
All of us have been hurt by someone…and each of us have hurt someone else. Why are we like that and how does a relationship with God make any type of difference in this?
“Transgression” comes from the Hebrew word, “Pesha” and the Greek word “paraptoma” and they both mean the same thing
- Sometimes translated as “rebellion” and in old translations as “trespass”
- All of these words = violate the trust of others
[Matthew 6:14-15]
“If you forgive those who PARAPTOMA against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your PARAPTOMA.”
The Bible = long story about God and the people who Pesha with Him
[Romans 5:12, 15-18]
“12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin [rebellion, broken trust] brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned [rebels, breaks trust]. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.
16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.
[Luke 15:20-24]
“20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. ’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”
[Luke 7:47]
47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
When you understand just how much you have PESHA’d, it makes you look at mercy a little differently. And THAT causes you to look at OTHERS differently.