Excuses
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S
Sin is more than just one thing. Sin is a state (separation from God); sin is an act that creates that state. There isn't a simple definition, because the Bible gives us things that are wrong - i.e., the Law - and then says that we are spared from the law, which creates a nebulous definition - or a very simple one.
I prefer the simpler definition, because it's not nebulous at all. Sin is separation from God and anything that creates that separation. If I steal, then I do so against the Spirit - unless the Spirit guides me to do so. I'm not suggesting the Spirit would do so! However, as a trite (and well-known?) example, consider:
A man's wife is sick. He knows the medicine that can save her life; he knows a pharmacy that has this medicine, but he cannot afford it and the pharmacy will not give it to him. His choices are: let his wife die, or steal the medicine. What is right?
Well... I can't say.
First off, we all can recognize the situation is highly unrealistic; a pharmacy would probably say "here, have the medicine," or a hospital would give it to her. Plus, he'd have to be at the literal end of his credit tether, and I imagine something could be worked out. Deconstructing the question is painfully easy, and not the point.
I would say that *probably* the Spirit would say "save the life, steal the medicine," or at least I'd hope so if it was *my* wife. The edict is to save a life above all; that would be *my* guideline, I'd happily go to jail for the theft of the medicine if my wife's life was saved. That said, I don't know for sure, because it's a hypothetical; I'd pray about what to do, if the situation occurred, and try to obey the Will of God. If that Will was that my wife should die, well... that's tragic, and I'd have a very hard time with it. But the Will of God will be done in all things, in accordance with His plan.
However, the point remains: God *could* tell such a man that he is to steal the medicine. Would it be sin, in that case? I say no - because God told him to, and his stealing the medicine would be in God's Will and His heart. Yet it'd be a sin according to a strict set of rules.
I prefer the simpler definition, because it's not nebulous at all. Sin is separation from God and anything that creates that separation. If I steal, then I do so against the Spirit - unless the Spirit guides me to do so. I'm not suggesting the Spirit would do so! However, as a trite (and well-known?) example, consider:
A man's wife is sick. He knows the medicine that can save her life; he knows a pharmacy that has this medicine, but he cannot afford it and the pharmacy will not give it to him. His choices are: let his wife die, or steal the medicine. What is right?
Well... I can't say.
First off, we all can recognize the situation is highly unrealistic; a pharmacy would probably say "here, have the medicine," or a hospital would give it to her. Plus, he'd have to be at the literal end of his credit tether, and I imagine something could be worked out. Deconstructing the question is painfully easy, and not the point.
I would say that *probably* the Spirit would say "save the life, steal the medicine," or at least I'd hope so if it was *my* wife. The edict is to save a life above all; that would be *my* guideline, I'd happily go to jail for the theft of the medicine if my wife's life was saved. That said, I don't know for sure, because it's a hypothetical; I'd pray about what to do, if the situation occurred, and try to obey the Will of God. If that Will was that my wife should die, well... that's tragic, and I'd have a very hard time with it. But the Will of God will be done in all things, in accordance with His plan.
However, the point remains: God *could* tell such a man that he is to steal the medicine. Would it be sin, in that case? I say no - because God told him to, and his stealing the medicine would be in God's Will and His heart. Yet it'd be a sin according to a strict set of rules.
Be careful the line you cross friend. Does the spirit direct against His own counsel?
Does the Spirit contradict itself? If the Spirit says do not steal then there is no reason to do so.
Your question causes an emotional reaction that no one should make a decision about. Either God wrote do not steal or he did not.
If he did then there is never a reason to steal. and He will never tell you to. Is God divided against himself? God forbid brother.
God will provide and we must have Faith in that. IF you take any line of reasoning that goes against the revealed will of God in His word. then you have followed a strange spirit that is not of God.
If the Spirit says that it is ok to steal then we can be sure it is not the Spirit of God. for God is not divided against himself. We must test the spirits to the word. if they speak not according to this then they are false.
God gave us the word for our protection, so that we will not be deceived.
The question you asked promotes a feeling reaction that is not consistent with Gods revealed will. Trust in the Lord and he will provide. that Is a promise of God. If we love him and follow Him he will look after our needs. but if we disobey him even if we think it is him telling us yet we know his word on the matter, then we should not expect anything form God.
If God is, then God is able to supply. for He knows what we need. and he is able to deliver the Godly out of temptation.
Blessings.
Does the Spirit contradict itself? If the Spirit says do not steal then there is no reason to do so.
Your question causes an emotional reaction that no one should make a decision about. Either God wrote do not steal or he did not.
If he did then there is never a reason to steal. and He will never tell you to. Is God divided against himself? God forbid brother.
God will provide and we must have Faith in that. IF you take any line of reasoning that goes against the revealed will of God in His word. then you have followed a strange spirit that is not of God.
If the Spirit says that it is ok to steal then we can be sure it is not the Spirit of God. for God is not divided against himself. We must test the spirits to the word. if they speak not according to this then they are false.
God gave us the word for our protection, so that we will not be deceived.
The question you asked promotes a feeling reaction that is not consistent with Gods revealed will. Trust in the Lord and he will provide. that Is a promise of God. If we love him and follow Him he will look after our needs. but if we disobey him even if we think it is him telling us yet we know his word on the matter, then we should not expect anything form God.
If God is, then God is able to supply. for He knows what we need. and he is able to deliver the Godly out of temptation.
Blessings.
quick point to add to last post.
Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
these Guys had the right attitude. God can save us but even if he does not, we will do what is right.
blessings.
Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
these Guys had the right attitude. God can save us but even if he does not, we will do what is right.
blessings.
S
gotime, I'm not disagreeing with what you say, but don't forget: the Law (the bit that says "you shall not steal") is no longer penultimate for Christians. I'm not saying stealing is "right!" I'm saying that God guides us in all things - and THAT is what defines 'right.'
The ethical quandary isn't meant to provoke an emotional response, although it certainly would - the point is to think about what is *right*, not what is desired. I do not know what God would want of me in that situation, nor do I know what He would want of you - but that's not the point, to plan out a response. The point is to think about what God *might* say to such a man, and what the man's proper responses are.
Personally, I'd hate the choice; my gut feeling is that God would not advocate theft of the medicine. But like I said, the situation was purely hypothetical; no hospital or pharmacy would refuse to offer the medicine in the situation.
The ethical quandary isn't meant to provoke an emotional response, although it certainly would - the point is to think about what is *right*, not what is desired. I do not know what God would want of me in that situation, nor do I know what He would want of you - but that's not the point, to plan out a response. The point is to think about what God *might* say to such a man, and what the man's proper responses are.
Personally, I'd hate the choice; my gut feeling is that God would not advocate theft of the medicine. But like I said, the situation was purely hypothetical; no hospital or pharmacy would refuse to offer the medicine in the situation.
MY point is this. there really is no question to answer. either obey God or don't, that is what it really comes down to. God says "do not steal" so its very clear and simple.
As for the law being for Christians I will let the scripture speak also.
Rom 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Paul who taught the Gentile Christians also taught them that they should obey Gods command to not steal. In fact he said that this is the same as "love your neighbour as yourself.
So scripture is very clear on the matter. stealing is against what God has already commanded.
so then what is left?
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
we are not to worry but to seek first Gods kingdom and His Righteousness. then we can be sure that he will provide all that we need.
I have found this to be 100% true in my own life. honour God and keep his ways and he will take care of everything els.
Blessings
As for the law being for Christians I will let the scripture speak also.
Rom 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Paul who taught the Gentile Christians also taught them that they should obey Gods command to not steal. In fact he said that this is the same as "love your neighbour as yourself.
So scripture is very clear on the matter. stealing is against what God has already commanded.
so then what is left?
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
we are not to worry but to seek first Gods kingdom and His Righteousness. then we can be sure that he will provide all that we need.
I have found this to be 100% true in my own life. honour God and keep his ways and he will take care of everything els.
Blessings
I agree Gotime with this
"I have found this to be 100% true in my own life. honour God and keep his ways and he will take care of everything els."
I take care of my Mom who is a stroke victim which has left her compleatly dependent upon me, and our mutual faith, and there are times
when I can't afford her perscriptions, she is in alot of pain most of the time, But I have never thought to steal, but have
had to learn to lean on God for EVERYTHING she needs. And with no insurance, and not very much help from this world.
And He has Never let me down, it may be, right to the minute, or hour, maybe be a couple of days, but He
always comes through for us no matter what we need.
And I love to see Him Work in our lives, and the way He does things, is Amazing.
Blessings
"I have found this to be 100% true in my own life. honour God and keep his ways and he will take care of everything els."
I take care of my Mom who is a stroke victim which has left her compleatly dependent upon me, and our mutual faith, and there are times
when I can't afford her perscriptions, she is in alot of pain most of the time, But I have never thought to steal, but have
had to learn to lean on God for EVERYTHING she needs. And with no insurance, and not very much help from this world.
And He has Never let me down, it may be, right to the minute, or hour, maybe be a couple of days, but He
always comes through for us no matter what we need.
And I love to see Him Work in our lives, and the way He does things, is Amazing.
Blessings