[Biblemat] A: Have You Sinned This Way?

[Jack Wise]

HAVE YOU SINNED THIS WAY?

 

            Sin is not limited to transgressions of the law or lawlessness.
Before anyone calls the firing squad, hear the explanation. There is a realm
of consciousness that, if violated, is sin. It could be something simple
like hanging out with friends on a corner. The sin is not standing at the
corner with friends per se, but what the corner has a reputation of or what
people may think about those who hang out at the corner! Someone may say
"I'm a good person and what others say doesn't fit me."  Even if that is
true, truth has been pushed aside by the world because of how they may view
that particular corner! And when we involve or associate ourselves in such a
way that the world thinks we condone what they consider shady, then we have
sinned. 

            Innocence doesn't make a person righteous. Consider: even though
you don't butcher cows, if you stand in the slaughter house long enough you
will smell like the butcher! So what do we do with areas of unsurety where
we can't seem to put a scripture on? What is our "rule of thumb" in those
situations? There a few passages that should guide us in these situations.
Hope they are helpful!

NEVER VIOLATE YOUR CONSCIENCE!

When in doubt, don't!

"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all
things." (1 John 3:20)

            Those Gentiles who lived outside the Jewish laws were
accountable to the law of nature. "Which shew the work of the law written in
their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the
mean while accusing or else excusing one another;" (Rom 1:15) According to
this passage, people know by their own conscience the activity they
participate in is right or wrong because the conscience either excuses or
accuses!

NEVER LOOK FOR LOOP HOLES!

Be content with truth!

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain." (Titus 3:9)

 

When teaching bible truths, some try to find an escape route, or "loop
hole", to justify sinful practice (s). It happens with unlawful divorce and
marrying another, public dancing, drinking alcohol, taking God's name in
vain, forsaking the assemblies of the saints, holding back giving to God was
is rightfully His, lying, cheating, practicing discipline to the erring,
using mechanical instruments while singing praises to God, by rewriting
bible passages and bible terminology, and the list could go on. While
speaking to the Jews that believed on Him, three times those Jews found a
"loop hole" against the words of Jesus! (John 8:31-47)

Jesus informed them if they kept His word they would be His disciples indeed
and the truth would make them free. He said those who commit sin are the
servants of sin and the Son shall set them free. Their "loop hole" was they
said "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man:"

Jesus said "I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that
which ye have seen with your father." Instead of acknowledging the errors of
their fathers, their "loop hole" was justifying their actions by saying
"Abraham is our father."

Jesus tells them if they were of Abraham, then why do they seek to kill Him,
something Abraham would never do. Their "loop hole", they said they were not
born of fornication but have one Father, even God!

NEVER KEEP EVIL COMPANY

Birds of a feather flock together!

"Do not be deceived, Bad company corrupts good morals" 

(1 Cor 15:33, NASB) 

            If the conscience is violated, or the friendship is justified by
"loop holes", then it is the wrong companions! The conscience could be
violated because of what the company stands for. The "loop hole" could be
the one wanting to make friendship says he/she is stronger than the
companions and they would never do something wrong. Or they say they are an
adult, they know what they are doing. However we end up in bad company,
remember...

Sin crouches at the door waiting to serve you! (Gen 4:7)

 

Jack Wise

 

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