Re: Wise Christian perspectives.
Submitted by hopesalive on November 1 2001 22:05:09
In reply to Wise Christian perspectives. submitted by 194 on November 1 2001 16:21:54
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I think this is the verse I had in mind when I wrote that: Romans 14: 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. It is important to read the verse in its entirety to get some context here. It largely comes down to that anything not done in faith is sin (Romans 14:23) and anything done in faith is done to the Lord. This is the new way of judging after Jesus came. We must be dead to the law, but our actions will follow God's commands and be clean if we mold our actions by His will. This chapter in particular focuses on our love for our brothers, saying that even if something is not wrong in and of itself, we must see from a bigger perspective of how it affects others. If putting on gloves is hurting somebody because they have a fetish for gloves, put those gloves back in the drawer! Something doesn't have to be sinful in ANY context to be sin, it just has to be wrong in that situation. So, sin is acting against God's will as it is expressed to you, which is molded by your love for Him, your brothers, and your situation. This was surprising to me at first, but if God said it I believe it! There is a lot in Romans to describe this "new" way of seeing sin and holiness apart from the law. I suggest you read the whole chapter (or Book, really) for proper perspective. It systematically takes arguements that might arise and explains why these ideas don't conflict. |
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