Actus Reus – Illegal Act
Mens Rea – guilty mind
Unintentional sin
This is a controversial issue. There are some Christians who believe that it is possible to not sin once Jesus lives in you. This is heresy in my opinion when looking to the scriptures for answers:
1 John 1:10 if we say we have not sinned we make Him(God) a liar
Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-
But, there are still some who are Christians and non-Christians who think they have done nothing wrong. They feel that God is not angry with them because they do not sin. This is very far from the truth. We all sin, whether it is intentional or not, we are born into sin
it is who we are; Sinners
Rom 2:12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Rom 3:10 as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one;
Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-
Whether you have done nothing or everything wrong in your life, You are a sinner, I am a sinner, we are all sinners. No one can escape it, it is who we are.
Now that that has been established, I would like to go over some legal terms that will help make this case understandable today. Actus reus is an act that is illegal(sin). Mens rea is a guilty mind(intentional sin). Without the fusion of the act and the intent, it is an unintentional sin. Example:
I was talking with my wife and doing something else at the same time not really listening to her. When she says, “were you listening to me?” I reply with, “YES,” instantly, without realizing I am lying!!! Unintentional, the response just comes out. We have a sin nature that we cannot escape.
Now if the act and the intent is there, it is an intentional sin. Example:
Someone asks me if I did the thing they asked and I answer, “yes,” knowing fully that I did not do what they asked!
If Actus reus(sin) occurs without Mens Rea(intent), I still sinned, I just didn’t mean to. If I am going ten mph over the speed limit and I get pulled over, the cop still gives me a ticket, I am still guilty. There is still a punishment, no matter the intent, if their were not how could the concept of justice still apply? There is a payment for our sin, Jesus Christ. Whether intentional or not, lets call sin what it is; SIN.
Christ be glorified
