What "IS" sin? I understand a Scriptural definition of sin, however what defines something one may do that is sin? When does doing something become sin? If a believer does something defined by the law as sin, is it in fact a sin or something that may be unprofitable, yet now defined as lawful?
1 COR 6:12.."All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (NKJV)
1 COR 10:23.."All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify." (NKJV)
and Romans 14:23 says, "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin."
So we see Paul saying all things are lawful. Obviously if Paul was still under the law, he could not have made this statement. He also says whatever is not from faith is sin. Should we continue to be sin focused and sin conscious? Romans 14:4 tells us that it is God who is able to make us stand, not us..."Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand."
Hebrews 10:1-3.." For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year."
This passage appears to be saying that had the sacrifices offered under the law truly cleansed and made them pure, they would have ceased to be offered and that they would no longer even have consciousness of their sins. But they still had a reminder year after year. We have now had the perfect sacrifice and have been made pure through Jesus Christ and His blood shed. The ultimate and final sacrifice. Why do we continue in reminder of sins? Why do we still have consciousness of sins? Scripture also states later in same chapter, verses 17-18.." then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin"
Are sins today so much what we do as much as who we are? We read lists of sins, liars, fornicators, murderers, drunkards, etc which prevent those from entering the Kingdom, however are these things we do? Or are these referring to a specific people?
1 John 3:15,,"Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
1 John 2:22.."Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son."
Could it be that the lists of "sins" is not a list of what not to do but a description of "WHO", not "what"? A list showing who will not enter, not if one of His own should fall and do one of these that this one shall not enter? I do not believe a true child of God desires to "do" any of these, but is this truly the issue and even the context of said passages?
Just a thought and encouragement for all of us to search to see if such things are so.
In Christ, Your brother David John (NewJerusalem)
