When we sin we are not displaying and demonstrating our freedom, but proving our slavery. "If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Do not be "entangled again in a yoke of bondage," but don't take advantage of grace either and misuse it. A Christian ought to be free, yet not flaunt it or rub it in to make others envious: "You shall know the truth, and truth shall set you free" (John 8:32).
We should set aside the "sin which so easily besets" us and pray for deliverance from "willful" or "presumptuous" sins. Some call this intentional sin and we are all guilty of it. A good rule of thumb is whether we are in control of it or it controls us. Habits are hard to break but any ungodly habit should be overcome. A man is not totally free until he has conquered himself. The psalmist prayed not to "let any sin rule over him." Paul said, in 1 Cor. 6:12 that "all things are lawful for him, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but I will not be enslaved by anything." He also said that "not all things are constructive [edifying or for our good]."
We are also limited by our brother's conscience. The legalist sees "sins" and doesn't see that the root problem is "sin," his fallen nature, and this must be dealt with, transformed, and renewed from the inside out. Do not offend his idea of right and wrong on questionable matters and leave room for difference of opinion. Don't repress his sense of "ought" and code of conduct. Weaker brothers have more scruples or qualms than you do and you should respect their code of conduct and conscience, and not show off!
The stronger brother needs to grow in love to not offend the weaker brother, who may have qualms about something. The weaker brother needs to grow in knowledge and be set free. Remember, not all possess "knowledge" and that "knowledge puffs up, but love edifies" (1 Cor. 8:1). Don't think you know it all, have a monopoly on wisdom, or have cornered the market on truth because Scripture says, "If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he does not know as he ought to know" (1 Cor. 8:2).
You can say that many things are sin if you just say the body is a temple, and, therefore any mistreatment is a sin (for instance, being sedentary is unhealthy, too). The Bible says that exercise is profitable, but we are not to exalt the body, nor mistreat it. You may approve of something others may not, and you should keep your faith to yourself. You could say that eating meat is sin because it has cholesterol--but everything is bad for you except vegetables; even Jesus exercised moderation in all things and abstinence in some things.
We like to show off that we are not religious, but there comes a time when we must take a stand for what's right and stand up for Jesus. Being sensitive to sin (and the more sense of sin, the less sin) keeps us humble. I relate to a great believer who said, "I am a great sinner, but I have a great Savior." John Bunyan wrote Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. When we point the finger, three are aiming back at us, so he that is without sin should cast the first stone, as Jesus said--we all have feet of clay (having weaknesses not readily apparent) and live in glass houses that can be vulnerable.
The closer you approach God, the more of a sinner you feel you are. Peter said in Luke 5:8: "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man." In summation, sometimes we feel it is our duty to point out some one's sins trying to make them go into a guilt trip, but only the Holy Spirit can convict of sin and He will choose which ones--not use. Each individual must act according to his own conscience, not his brother's. Soli Deo Gloria!
We should set aside the "sin which so easily besets" us and pray for deliverance from "willful" or "presumptuous" sins. Some call this intentional sin and we are all guilty of it. A good rule of thumb is whether we are in control of it or it controls us. Habits are hard to break but any ungodly habit should be overcome. A man is not totally free until he has conquered himself. The psalmist prayed not to "let any sin rule over him." Paul said, in 1 Cor. 6:12 that "all things are lawful for him, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but I will not be enslaved by anything." He also said that "not all things are constructive [edifying or for our good]."
We are also limited by our brother's conscience. The legalist sees "sins" and doesn't see that the root problem is "sin," his fallen nature, and this must be dealt with, transformed, and renewed from the inside out. Do not offend his idea of right and wrong on questionable matters and leave room for difference of opinion. Don't repress his sense of "ought" and code of conduct. Weaker brothers have more scruples or qualms than you do and you should respect their code of conduct and conscience, and not show off!
The stronger brother needs to grow in love to not offend the weaker brother, who may have qualms about something. The weaker brother needs to grow in knowledge and be set free. Remember, not all possess "knowledge" and that "knowledge puffs up, but love edifies" (1 Cor. 8:1). Don't think you know it all, have a monopoly on wisdom, or have cornered the market on truth because Scripture says, "If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he does not know as he ought to know" (1 Cor. 8:2).
You can say that many things are sin if you just say the body is a temple, and, therefore any mistreatment is a sin (for instance, being sedentary is unhealthy, too). The Bible says that exercise is profitable, but we are not to exalt the body, nor mistreat it. You may approve of something others may not, and you should keep your faith to yourself. You could say that eating meat is sin because it has cholesterol--but everything is bad for you except vegetables; even Jesus exercised moderation in all things and abstinence in some things.
We like to show off that we are not religious, but there comes a time when we must take a stand for what's right and stand up for Jesus. Being sensitive to sin (and the more sense of sin, the less sin) keeps us humble. I relate to a great believer who said, "I am a great sinner, but I have a great Savior." John Bunyan wrote Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. When we point the finger, three are aiming back at us, so he that is without sin should cast the first stone, as Jesus said--we all have feet of clay (having weaknesses not readily apparent) and live in glass houses that can be vulnerable.
The closer you approach God, the more of a sinner you feel you are. Peter said in Luke 5:8: "Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man." In summation, sometimes we feel it is our duty to point out some one's sins trying to make them go into a guilt trip, but only the Holy Spirit can convict of sin and He will choose which ones--not use. Each individual must act according to his own conscience, not his brother's. Soli Deo Gloria!
The reason for this post is that we shouldn't preach against such things as smoking, but God work on each believer individually. Who are we to say when they've crossed the line and need to be set free?
ReplyDeleteWe are all in bondage to our sin nature before coming to know the Lord and we need to be set free. We don't need free will; we wills set free!
ReplyDeleteBefore coming to know the Lord we are enslaved to sin and particularly our old sin nature which is inherited from Adam. We don't need free will; we need wills set free! "If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed."
ReplyDeleteCharles Swindoll says that Satan only accuses us of sin, but the Holy Spirit convicts of an open and shut case, leaving no doubt that it is sin in our minds. Everyone must be fully convinced in their own mind, according to Paul.
ReplyDelete