Sin, in the biblical context, is understood as any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God's perfect standard of holiness and righteousness. It is a transgression against the divine law and a rebellion against God's authority. The concept of sin is introduced in Genesis with the disobedience of Adam and Eve, which brought sin into the world and resulted in the fall of humanity (Genesis 3). The Apostle Paul succinctly states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Sin is not merely an external act but also an internal condition of the heart. Jesus emphasized this in the Sermon on the Mount, where He taught that sin includes not only actions like murder and adultery but also the attitudes of anger and lust (Matthew 5:21-28). The Bible categorizes sin in various forms, including sins of commission (doing what is forbidden) and sins of omission (failing to do what is required).

The consequences of sin are severe, leading to spiritual death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). However, the Bible also presents the hope of redemption through Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty of sin on the cross, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to those who believe in Him (1 Peter 2:24).

Righteousness

Righteousness in the Bible refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable before God. It is a central theme throughout Scripture, highlighting the character of God and the standard He sets for humanity. The psalmist declares, "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds" (Psalm 145:17).

Human righteousness, however, is insufficient to meet God's standards due to the pervasive nature of sin. Isaiah states, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Therefore, the Bible teaches that true righteousness is not achieved through human effort but is a gift from God, imputed to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul explains, "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Romans 3:22).

The life of a believer is marked by a pursuit of righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This involves living in accordance with God's commandments and reflecting His character in one's actions and attitudes. The pursuit of righteousness is both a response to God's grace and a demonstration of faith (James 2:18).

Judgment

Judgment in the biblical sense refers to the divine evaluation and decision regarding the moral conduct of individuals and nations. It is an expression of God's justice and holiness, ensuring that righteousness is upheld and sin is addressed. The Bible affirms that God is the ultimate judge, as seen in Abraham's declaration, "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25).

Scripture reveals that there are both temporal and eternal aspects of God's judgment. Temporal judgments are seen throughout the Bible, such as the flood in Noah's time (Genesis 6-9) and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). These serve as warnings and calls to repentance.

Eternal judgment is a future event where all individuals will stand before God to give an account of their lives. The New Testament emphasizes this in passages like Hebrews 9:27, "Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment" . Believers in Christ are assured of salvation and eternal life, as their sins have been atoned for by Jesus' sacrifice. However, they will still face a judgment of rewards based on their faithfulness (2 Corinthians 5:10).

For those who reject God's offer of salvation, the Bible warns of a final judgment leading to eternal separation from God, often referred to as the "second death" (Revelation 20:14-15). This underscores the urgency of the gospel message and the call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.