Ellen Gould White
What does Ellen White write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "How do I explain sin to a non‑Christian?"
Answer
To explain sin to a non‑Christian, one can define it as a breach of the divine order, which is essentially designed for love and harmony. The Bible defines sin directly as the “transgression of the law,” which means acting against God's moral principles. Ultimately, sin is a form of disloyalty to God, causing separation and suffering, but it can be overcome through Jesus Christ.
The biblical definition of sin
»Sin is the transgression of the law. Christ appeared in our world to remove transgression and sin and, instead of the covering of fig leaves, to put on the pure garments of His righteousness. The transgression of God's law in a single case, in the smallest detail, is sin. Sin is disloyalty to God and deserves punishment.«
Sin as the opposite of love and order
»Our only definition of sin is the one given in the Word of God: it is “the transgression of the law”; it is the effect of a principle that is at war with the great law of love, which is the foundation of divine governance. Before the entrance of evil, peace and joy reigned throughout the universe. Everything was in perfect harmony with the Creator's will.«
The law as a standard for character
»What is sin? The only definition given in God's Word is: “Sin is the transgression of the law”; and the Apostle Paul explains: “Where there is no law, there is also no transgression.” The law is the great standard that will measure the character of every person. God has given us the revelation of His will.«
The purpose of recognizing sin
»The sinner cannot be convinced of his guilt if he does not understand what sin is. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” Through the law comes the knowledge of sin. It serves to uncover sin; it discovers the flaws in moral character and shows that sin is exceedingly sinful by revealing it in all its ugliness.«
Sin translated into simple language
»Teach the youth that sin in any form is defined in Scripture as “transgression of the law.” Teach them in simple language that they must be obedient to their parents and give their hearts to God. Jesus Christ is waiting to receive and bless them when they come to Him and ask Him to forgive all their transgressions and take away their sins.«
Sin and the natural laws
»A continual transgression of the natural laws is a continual transgression of God's law. All this misery has accumulated from generation to generation because fallen humanity breaks God's law. Sins of the greatest magnitude are committed through the indulgence of a perverted appetite.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
