The TRUTH about SIN

In Awe of Him

In Awe of Him

All these posts about sin and repentance have me thinking...

What is the TRUTH about SIN??

Most people look at sin as something we MUST NOT/ SHOULD NOT do.... and of course... this is correct.... HOWEVER... there is a DEEPER understanding that I think some either don't think about or talk about.

WHY is SIN so BAD??

I think there is a deeper level to this topic than simply... BECAUSE God said NOT to.... and I am NOT watering down the importance of OBEDIENCE to GOD's WORD... or theTRUTH of this.... That is indeed the NUMBER 1 reason.... however there is MORE.

The thing about legalism that is so UNATTRACTIVE and DAMAGING is that it approaches the topic of sin with simply a DON'T do it attitude... without any explanation into the DEPTHS of the actual EFFECTS of sin upon us.

SIN is BAD for us... SIN lies to us... entices us... seduces us into behaviours that then ENTRAP us and keep us CAPTIVES.

We've all heard this scripture...

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~2 Corinthians 3:17

I love the Message Bible version of this SCRIPTURE.

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

This is how I look at sin... It's bad for us... it hurts us... it keeps us SLAVES... it STEALS our JOY.... it manifests GUILT and SHAME.... and that is NOT what GOD wants for HIS CHILDREN. HE came to SET the CAPTIVES FREE.
DO you understand how MARVELOUS and MAGNIFICENT this is??

Sin is a lie from SATAN
Sin is an ABOMINATION to GOD
Sin is a TRAP
Sin keeps us oppressed... suppressed and depressed
Sin hurts God's CHILDREN.

The above reasoning ( for me )... has a much larger and deeper EFFECT than simply.... DON'T DO IT because I SAID SO. It explains WHY HE says don't it.
 
There is another dimension to sin that most people don't think about because their focus is on the negative--don't do it. There are also sins of omission.

"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
(James 4:17 NKJV)

In its most basic definition, sin is any disobedience toward God by either doing wrong or failing to do right.
 
In Awe of Him said:
All these posts about sin and repentance have me thinking...

What is the TRUTH about SIN??

Most people look at sin as something we MUST NOT/ SHOULD NOT do.... and of course... this is correct.... HOWEVER... there is a DEEPER understanding that I think some either don't think about or talk about.

WHY is SIN so BAD??

I think there is a deeper level to this topic than simply... BECAUSE God said NOT to.... and I am NOT watering down the importance of OBEDIENCE to GOD's WORD... or theTRUTH of this.... That is indeed the NUMBER 1 reason.... however there is MORE.

The thing about legalism that is so UNATTRACTIVE and DAMAGING is that it approaches the topic of sin with simply a DON'T do it attitude... without any explanation into the DEPTHS of the actual EFFECTS of sin upon us.

SIN is BAD for us... SIN lies to us... entices us... seduces us into behaviours that then ENTRAP us and keep us CAPTIVES.

We've all heard this scripture...

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ~2 Corinthians 3:17

I love the Message Bible version of this SCRIPTURE.

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

This is how I look at sin... It's bad for us... it hurts us... it keeps us SLAVES... it STEALS our JOY.... it manifests GUILT and SHAME.... and that is NOT what GOD wants for HIS CHILDREN. HE came to SET the CAPTIVES FREE.
DO you understand how MARVELOUS and MAGNIFICENT this is??

Sin is a lie from SATAN
Sin is an ABOMINATION to GOD
Sin is a TRAP
Sin keeps us oppressed... suppressed and depressed
Sin hurts God's CHILDREN.

The above reasoning ( for me )... has a much larger and deeper EFFECT than simply.... DON'T DO IT because I SAID SO. It explains WHY HE says don't it.
Click to expand...

Good morning, In Awe of Him;

Thank you for writing this good topic and the posts submitted will help us all learn more about The TRUTH about SIN.

God bless you.

Bob
 
The truly destructive nature of sin, is that it's first against our own souls:

Pro 8:36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

It's the nature of sin to lust against the true Spirit of life, and so brings death to ourselves:

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The active sins and trespasses are only the outward symptoms of inward lust. It's darkness seeking to be filled with pleasures, that do not satisfy the soul.

Only God's Spirit of grace can give life and light to the soul. We are created to be in His image, and only in His image can we live forever, which is now only by Jesus Christ:

Col 1:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2Pe 1:3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We can become wholly newborn sons of God, with the freedom and liberty of His Spirit from lusting against Him, and have His love and mind working in us:

2Co 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,

2Co 3:17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I.e. by His grace and the power of resurrection, we are made free from the bondage of lust to sin against God, our neighbors, and especially ourselves.
 
Godhelpus said:
The truly destructive nature of sin, is that it's first against our own souls:

Pro 8:36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

It's the nature of sin to lust against the true Spirit of life, and so brings death to ourselves:

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The active sins and trespasses are only the outward symptoms of inward lust. It's darkness seeking to be filled with pleasures, that do not satisfy the soul.

Only God's Spirit of grace can give life and light to the soul. We are created to be in His image, and only in His image can we live forever, which is now only by Jesus Christ:

Col 1:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2Pe 1:3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We can become wholly newborn sons of God, with the freedom and liberty of His Spirit from lusting against Him, and have His love and mind working in us:

2Co 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,

2Co 3:17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I.e. by His grace and the power of resurrection, we are made free from the bondage of lust to sin against God, our neighbors, and especially ourselves.
Click to expand...
YEAH..... I actually understood this. HA.
 
In Awe of Him said:
YEAH..... I actually understood this. HA.
Click to expand...
I feel your pain. I really do. I know I can be off-putting as being too clinical. It's just how I'm wired by training. I actually find it difficult to just talk like a person, rather than a facts-only machine. That's why I'm not good with an audience, but only with a pen. As a historian, my mentor tried to help me write on a personal level, But the best I can do is teach in plain words as possible.

2Co 3:12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

I actually now find it presumptive when people use 'scholarly' words and theological terms, that must be learned, in order to use them.

In any case, I try to keep my own personal opinions and emotions out of the teaching, and so I naturally fail to take into account those of others. The problem with handling the Bible that way, is that the God of the Bible is all about the souls and feelings of men and women.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;

I can say one thing with personal feeling and emotion, that your point is spot on: Sin destroys us, and grieves God.

1Jo 4:10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Rom 8:3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

No one knows more what it's like to be lost and then saved, than us who have been lost and are now saved.

Sin is a hole and deep pit, that is conscience. Salvation is light and fullness of the Spirit of Christ, and we know it, because we know Him:

1Jo 5:20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
 
Godhelpus said:
I feel your pain. I really do. I know I can be off-putting as being too clinical. It's just how I'm wired by training. I actually find it difficult to just talk like a person, rather than a facts-only machine. That's why I'm not good with an audience, but only with a pen. As a historian, my mentor tried to help me write on a personal level, But the best I can do is teach in plain words as possible.
Click to expand...

Hello Godhelpus;

I understand. As to what your mentor taught or helped you with, the potential is still there for you. You have shown this as a Bible student and as a student of ancient history. I read your posts and whether I agree or disagree is beside the point.

Speaking for myself, my problem was as a younger man of God, was the opposite. Before the internet and posting, I was always up front and talked too much "testimony" without knowledge. One of Jesus' teachings in the New Testament is "those who have ears to hear". Slowly I began to put my ears to use and listened but I also began to teach the Bible with patience, (this took years) to all ages.

I wish you and I had an opportunity to sit, face to face and have a conversation over coffee. I prefer talking over writing, but that's me. I find that live testimony helps in the areas we are challenged.

The beautiful thing with God is He is not limited in growing us in the areas He can use us. At the moment I have my own challenges "off the site" mostly with people. This can hinder my sharing the Gospel. But God is right there, ready to guide me through the thicket.

God bless you, Robert.

Bob
 
Godhelpus said:
I feel your pain. I really do. I know I can be off-putting as being too clinical. It's just how I'm wired by training. I actually find it difficult to just talk like a person, rather than a facts-only machine. That's why I'm not good with an audience, but only with a pen. As a historian, my mentor tried to help me write on a personal level, But the best I can do is teach in plain words as possible.
Click to expand...
Godhelpus said:
In any case, I try to keep my own personal opinions and emotions out of the teaching, and so I naturally fail to take into account those of others. The problem with handling the Bible that way, is that the God of the Bible is all about the souls and feelings of men and women.
Click to expand...
It was profoundly moving and humbling ( for me ) to read these words. I suspect they were difficult for you to share... and so that makes them even more PROFOUND and precious. These words articulate that you KNOW THYSELF.... and oh what a beautiful thing that is.... to KNOW THYSELF. To understand how GOD has wired us... and what our short-comings and limitations are.... as well as our STRONG points is SO very important and yet.... I have so often run across those who seem to lack this ( to me ) very basic necessity.

I am thankful that Bob replied to you before I had a chance to.
bobinfaith said:
I was always up front and talked too much "testimony" without knowledge. One of Jesus' teachings in the New Testament is "those who have ears to hear". Slowly I began to put my ears to use and listened but I also began to teach the Bible with patience, (this took years) to all ages.
Click to expand...

I suspect that this MIGHT be me... HAHA.... however.... I would like to explain a bit about WHERE I am at... and how I SEE things.

My simplistic view of life... and faith is NECESSARY for me. I do NOT have the luxury of OVER complicating things because my entire life was lived on FIGHT or FLIGHT mode. There was NEVER any down time for me to assess my experiences.... and that lasted till I was 58 years old. My entire existence was SURVIVING due to severe CHRONIC DEPRESSION. THERE was NO living... and so... in many ways.... I am truly a NEW CREATION since these last 4 years... since my healing. I have finally had the time to UNWIND from this TIGHT KNOT of BEING that was so bound up in misery... guilt... shame and condemnation.

So.... when I got here to the forums almost 2 years ago... I was in the middle of this NEW experience of feeling overflowing JOY for the first time in my life. I was NOT yet ready to receive INSTRUCTION from anyone.
And... as you and I briefly discussed in private message when you first arrived... I have SEVERE trust issues from my trauma. That is not a complaint... it is simply a FACT.

All that to say.... I arrived to the forums a very WILD MESS.... I have NO idea what people thought of me when I first arrived here... I was a scatter brained creature who seemed so UN-SERIOUS about life.... and I truly did not believe I would last longer than a month. Somehow.... GOD chose this place for me to experience FAMILY and FELLOWSHIP.

I too have had my challenges... however.... I am beginning to see the EFFECTS of long term CARE over a person.
It changes things to be LOVED... cared for... and ACCEPTED... it allows a soul to rest and to open their hearts... which is the BEGINNING of LEARNING.

And so... I would like to THANK YOU for taking the time to write what you did ABOVE. It has fallen upon my heart.

bobinfaith said:
The beautiful thing with God is He is not limited in growing us in the areas He can use us. At the moment I have my own challenges "off the site" mostly with people. This can hinder my sharing the Gospel. But God is right there, ready to guide me through the thicket.
Click to expand...
And I will end this with Bob's beautiful words..... GOD is NOT limited in growing us in the areas HE can use us. THAT is such GOOD NEWS.

WELCOME to the FORUMS Godhelpus. You will find that IF you are occasionally WILLING to expose a tiny bit of your human side... that it will not only BLESS us.... but perhaps also bring something of worth and relevance to YOUR life.

Most tenderly, and IN CHRIST.... In Awe of Him
 
bobinfaith said:
Hello Godhelpus;

I understand. As to what your mentor taught or helped you with, the potential is still there for you. You have shown this as a Bible student and as a student of ancient history. I read your posts and whether I agree or disagree is beside the point.

Speaking for myself, my problem was as a younger man of God, was the opposite. Before the internet and posting, I was always up front and talked too much "testimony" without knowledge. One of Jesus' teachings in the New Testament is "those who have ears to hear". Slowly I began to put my ears to use and listened but I also began to teach the Bible with patience, (this took years) to all ages.

I wish you and I had an opportunity to sit, face to face and have a conversation over coffee. I prefer talking over writing, but that's me. I find that live testimony helps in the areas we are challenged.

The beautiful thing with God is He is not limited in growing us in the areas He can use us. At the moment I have my own challenges "off the site" mostly with people. This can hinder my sharing the Gospel. But God is right there, ready to guide me through the thicket.

God bless you, Robert.

Bob
Click to expand...
Thanks much, and you hit on something important. When it comes to being only 'tactical', I'm only talking about public teaching. But over a cup of coffee, I am entirely personable. That's because it's now entirely personal.
 
bobinfaith said:
The beautiful thing with God is He is not limited in growing us in the areas He can use us. At the moment I have my own challenges "off the site" mostly with people. This can hinder my sharing the Gospel. But God is right there, ready to guide me through the thicket.
Click to expand...
we are all a W.I.P WORK IN PROGRESS im glad he doesn't through the clay away
 
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