What do you see as the difference between sins and trespasses? I have always looked at them as synonomous.
Peace!
Commission of SIN and TRESPASS are BOTH Transgressions AGAINST "something".
So, in that respect sin and trespass would be synonymous.
However, when one examines WHO is involved, the TRUTH becomes to the forefront
One who "Commits"...is specific to A MAN.
A Transgression...
...Committed AGAINST GOD..is a SIN.
A Transgression...
...Committed AGAINST A man..is a Tresspass.
God is the One Offended BY a commission of SIN AGAINST HIM.
God is the One with Authority to FORGIVE SIN AGAINST HIM, committed BY men.
Men are the ones Offended BY a commission of TRESPASS AGAINST THEM.
Men are the ones with authority to FORGIVE other men WHO HAVE committed a TRESPASS AGAINST THEM.
AND ALL OF THIS...
APPLIES TO a man "NOT UNDER THE LAW".
Meaning, SOME MEN Believe JESUS Fulfilled the Law.
THIS DOES NOT APPLY..
TO a man WHO "REMAINS UNDER THE LAW"...
Because "UNDER THE LAW"..."according" TO THE LAW...men SINNED, Against God...AND "according" to the Law...ALSO Sinned Against Other men.
I am NOT UNDER the LAW...
Thus...I CAN ONLY commit "SIN" Against God.
And....I CAN ONLY commit "TRESPASSES" Against men.
However for me Personally...I elected to confess My SIN and REGRET of Having had Disbelief IN God, and confessed My heartfelt Belief IN God, IN Christ....and was Forgiven For my Sin of Disbelief...BY thee Lord God Himself, to which MY offence was Against.
I accepted His Forgiveness and accepted His provision for my body to be curcified with His body, and accepted His Offered gift of restoring my soul, and accepted His Offered gift of His SEED, and accepted His Offering, of giving me a new heart, quickened born again spirit and His Forever Indwelling Spirit and His Power within me to KEEP me Forever Faithful TO HIM.
My SIN was Against God, and my SIN Against God is resolved...According to HIS Acceptable WAY.
I certainly CAN Trespass against men, and they against me...
And I certainly DO have the power to ask men for forgiveness of my Trespass Against them, as well I certainly do have the power to FORGIVE men who Trespass Against me.
THAT ^ is between men...and does not require Gods Involvement.
A man was not taught to TELL God all the Trespasses he has committed against men...
God already knows everything.
A man was not taught to ASK God to forgive the man for Trespassing Against another man.
Scripture taught...what men who trespass Against a man SHOULD DO...and IF the man DOES what Scripture TAUGHT...
Scripture already notifies us, God ALSO would forgive the mans acts of Trespassing AGAINST other men.
(Which has NOTHING to do with the Forgiveness of SIN, BY GOD, TO the man, FOR having "had" Disbelieved IN God)
Glory to God,
Taken