Is It Okay If I Don't Define It As Sin?

[Digging4Truth]

Many of the discussions that I involve myself in are over issues that I do practice myself and hold to them with much affection. But the issue, to me, is whether something is labeled a sin.

Something doesn't have to be labeled a sin, in my mind, for me to refrain from it. I will do one thing or refrain from doing another simply because I feel it would be a way of living that would be pleasing to my God or would help me reflect Him more in the way I live my life.

Must I call it a sin? Is a thing a sin? Or does that true definition not come from the condition of the heart?

Can I not be saved by Grace and faith and let all other things fall into the category of a lifelong search for His perfect and majestic will?

That is, often, my issue. We want to label actions as sin and people as sinners even though they are walking in all they know as I am walking in all I know. I do things... or don't do things now that I once didn't yet understand. But I wasn't lost. I have just learned more and now I walk in it. I will learn more about Him and His nature and I will fulfill those things as I learn them. But I'm not a sinner now because I don't yet walk in what I have not yet understood.

I just fall short in my understanding of why we must label everyone and everything per how they stand against our own current understanding when all of those saved by His Grace are in a constant state of discovery concerning his endless wisdom.

What ludicrous things have been labeled sin? Bubble Gum, Coffee, Beards (Which your Christ wore). It amazes me sometimes but as I type I can hear the labeling machines clicking away.

[Cindy]

So we each define our own sin?

[Socialite]

You were saved, you are being saved and you will be saved.

It falls in that category. The truth is, there is MORE that should be labeled sin, not less. The Pharisees thought they had this sin thing all summed up.... until Jesus came and told them even the lustful thought in their heart condemned them.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Cindy

So we each define our own sin?

No.

We each search out God with fear & trembling.

That is, actually, the very point isn't it?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Socialite

You were saved, you are being saved and you will be saved.

It falls in that category. The truth is, there is MORE that should be labeled sin, not less. The Pharisees thought they had this sin thing all summed up.... until Jesus came and told them even the lustful thought in their heart condemned them.

Exactly. My point... again.

They thought they had it all labeled. Every little tidbit of sin... labeled out. But they found that having the law written in their hearts called them out before labeling could occur.

It is a better covenant.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Exactly. My point... again.

They thought they had it all labeled. Every little tidbit of sin... labeled out. But they found that having the law written in their hearts called them out before labeling could occur.

It is a better covenant.

[aegsm76]

"Laying aside every weight and sin."
I would say this means that some things are not sin, but are "weights" that may lead us to sin.
Thoughts?

[jediwill83]

good stuff...I love discussions like this...makes me feel more at peace instead of being scared all the time...you get to the point where you are just spiritually and emotionally burnt out...makes me wonder if thats why some left church cause there was such a huge push for "perfection"...to where some said I just cant do it...not in like a "i just wanna make excuses so I can get away with sin" kind of thing but in a "if its not done exactly like this you're gonna burn" type of thing.

[OneAccord]

I have a saying. Goes something like this... "Just because I CAN do something, that doesn't mean I SHOULD do it." Theres things that I don't and won't do, even though I haven't seen any Scripture against the practice. As Christians, our #1 priority should be to do what we feel pleases God. And to refrain from the things that we feel might be displeasing to Him.

Example: I find no Scripture condeming the drinking of wine in moderation. But I don't drink wine because doing so may hurt my Christian witness. And, how can I drink wine and turn around and tell a recovering alcoholic that he can't? And, while drinking wine, I may do something stupid that displeases the Lord. So I don't drink wine. Which brings me to my next point.

I don't see anything as " a sin". Television is not a sin. What I watch on TV (or how I react to what I watch), could be a sin. Sin is not a noun (the name of a person place or thing). Its a verb (action word). Television is not a sin. Watching ungodly TV shows is, IMO, a sin. Wine, in and of itself, is not a sin. Drinking wine and getting drunk and doing something stupid is the sin.

Do I commit sins? I'd be a liar if I said no. But, one thing I am thankful for. I have an advocate with the Father.

Besides, who needs wine to do stupid stuff? I don't- I do stupid stuff all the time, and I'm as sober as A.A. Allen. Opps...scratch that, I'm as sober as Billy Graham

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

I have a saying. Goes something like this... "Just because I CAN do something, that doesn't mean I SHOULD do it." Theres things that I don't and won't do, even though I haven't seen any Scripture against the practice. As Christians, our #1 priority should be to do what we feel pleases God. And to refrain from the things that we feel might be displeasing to Him.

Example: I find no Scripture condeming the drinking of wine in moderation. But I don't drink wine because doing so may hurt my Christian witness. And, how can I drink wine and turn around and tell a recovering alcoholic that he can't? And, while drinking wine, I may do something stupid that displeases the Lord. So I don't drink wine. Which brings me to my next point.

I don't see anything as " a sin". Television is not a sin. What I watch on TV (or how I react to what I watch), could be a sin. Sin is not a noun (the name of a person place or thing). Its a verb (action word). Television is not a sin. Watching ungodly TV shows is, IMO, a sin. Wine, in and of itself, is not a sin. Drinking wine and getting drunk and doing something stupid is the sin.

Do I commit sins? I'd be a liar if I said no. But, one thing I am thankful for. I have an advocate with the Father.

Besides, who needs wine to do stupid stuff? I don't- I do stupid stuff all the time, and I'm as sober as A.A. Allen. Opps...scratch that, I'm as sober as Billy Graham

Oh boy, that's a whole separate thread. But I'll respect your right for abstinence. However, I can have plenty to say to the alcoholic and plenty to say as a witness to Christ!