Succinctly stated by the Jesuits, sin is that which removes the warmth and light of God from our lives. Man's law are mutable, changeable over time for context, progression and evolution. We no longer keelhaul people or burn them alive in iron armor.
Sins, on the other hand (again, according to the Jesuits), are absolute. Stealing was a sin 2,000 years ago, it's a sin now and it will be a sine 2,000 years from now. Be wary when using the Bible to help clarify this. You've been told a story about something at a bar the next day and come to find out that wasn't at all what happened? Now apply that accuracy to more than 40 authors over 3,000 years in varied lands with varied audiences and varied goals. By 1450, we already had 33 separate translations from the original language and text. Words like abomination, sin, unclean and forbidden tend to get all kinds of mixed up.
IMO, broken laws are serious and should carry appropriate penalties and where dangers exist, they must be removed. But when we discuss men and women of faith, character, devotion, loyalty, empathy, reserve...these are the results of leading a wholesome life free of the struggles with one's own desires.
