When Does It Become Sin

Issue 16          [May 30, 2010]

Sin
1. transgression of theological principles: an act, thought, or way of behaving that goes against the law or teachings of a religion, especially when the person who commits it is aware of this
2. shameful offense: something that offends a moral or ethical principles.

3rd person present singular sins)
1. knowingly do wrong: to commit a sin, especially by knowingly violating the law or teachings of a religion
2. commit shameful offense: to commit a serious moral or ethical offense n (plural sins)  3. estrangement from God: in Christian theology, the condition of being denied God's grace because of a sin or sins committed

Trans·gres·sion  
1. action violating law or code: a crime or any act that violates a law, command, or moral code
2. commission of wrongs: the committing of acts that violate a law, command, or moral code
3. overstepping limit: an act or the process of overstepping a limit


     What is sin? It is a transgression against Gods law. What is transgression? It is violating that law or overstepping a limit. It is knowingly or unknowingly committing an act which is contrary to Gods will. The best way to get an accurate understanding of sin is look at the fruits of the flesh.

    Galatians 5:19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.


   Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.


    Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

     There is a broad listing of sin, and to better understand what they are, get down your dictionary and Bible to study it out more fully.
I want to discuss a subject of making sin out of nothing at all. You may be wondering where I am going with this, so sit back and I hope you enjoy the ride.

    There is one thing that I did not list “explicitly” for the purpose of saving the best for last. S Scripture says in Hebrews chapter 13:7 “Remember them which have the .” Then in the 17^th verse it reaffirms the same thing by saying “

     For those who don’t know me I am NOT a bible scholar or some theologian. I am a learned man only from experience and the street. Thankfully life (and common sense) has taught me to understand what this means in the 17^th verse. Obey them that have the rule over you - parents is a given, but if you are a Christian and claiming to be a member of your local assembly this also applies to your pastor. It goes on to say to submit yourselves. What does submit mean? It means to yield or accept somebody else authority. You have to be in compliance with what they ask of you.

     They watch for your souls - meaning they are pouring out blood, sweat, and tears, and are crying out for your soul. They are giving everything they have to help you make Heaven your home. They are there to HELP you, not to rule over you with a iron thumb. A real pastor that loves you will not subject you to un needed harnessing in your life. He will ask you to refrain from only the things that may be harmful to your walk with God.

     They must give an account - when they stand before God, they will be held responsible for what they told the congregation, or what they did NOT tell the congregation and so on. We will stand before God sitting on the throne and if they can not give a good report about us then it will be unprofitable for us at the day of judgment. I shouldn’t have to break that sentence down for you.

     I said all that to say this. If your pastor asks you to refrain from something, leave it alone. I don’t care if it is a Heaven or Hell issue, and I don’t care if it will send you to Hell or not. It may not even be sin or sinful. But if you partake of the things that your pastor asks you not to, THEN it becomes sin.

   JUST AS AN EXAMPLE ONLY:   
   If your pastor asks you not to go to Wal-Mart on Sunday, you do not need to go to Wal-Mart on Sunday. Is this something that will send you to Hell? No, normally it will not. It will only send you to Hell when your pastor asks you not to and you sneak around and do it anyway.

     We not only have “doctrinal” issues such as holiness dress and things of that nature to obey, but there are things that this pastor may ask you to steer clear of that is only “church” teaching. This is what he feel that HIS local congregation should refrain from.

     There are preachers who feel to refrain from coffee, or neck-ties, or that preachers only wear white shirts, or ladies shouldn’t wear colored stocking, or to wear a watch, or don’t have internet in your home, and so on. These are things which may not be a “Heaven or Hell” issue. They only become a “Heaven or Hell” issue when your pastor asks you to leave them alone and you DO NOT!

     All this basically breaks down to is obedience to your man of God. Obey the teachings and support your man of God. Back your man of God, even if you don’t full understand or agree 100 percent with what he says. Pray about it and ask God to help you understand. If you still have a lack of understanding, go to your pastor and ask him (privately) to help you better understand the situation. I assure you that if you go and ask him to help you understand he will be more than willing to see where he is coming from.

     We as faithful saints may not see the nose in front of our face but God will help the pastor to see a bit farther than we can. The watchman in the tower should be able to see the enemy coming afar off and will warn us before they come banging down our door.

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Scripture For Your Basket:
[tranz grésh'n] (plural trans·gres·sions) n  rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversationObey them that have the  rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”I Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Ro 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Ro 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction

Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
Pr 1:27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Pr 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Pr 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Pr 1:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Pr 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
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Editors Comments:
     Always remember I am never asked or coerced by anyone (other than God) to write about what it is I write about. No one tells me church gossip, and no one is keeping tabs on your life or what you do. If this hits home for someone then take it up with the "Big Man" upstairs.

     Water follows the path of least resistance, so does sin. Never forget that anyone can go with the flow and live like the world but it takes a real man (or woman) to stand up for the righteous and live for the Lord. May I provoke you to search for your backbone?!