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Forums » Mental and Spiritual Restoration » Ask Pastor Dan
 What is sin? |
| Posted On Jun 17, 2008 at 12:26 PM |
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metasgirl
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My understanding is that God does not hold us accountable for being born into a sinful world with a sinful nature. However, He does hold us accountable for the choices we make as soon as we are able. Therefore, sin is choosing to rebel against God, rebel against our parents, mistreat our bodies and those around us. Through Christ's power and grace we can develop characters like that of Jesus - but our sinful natures do not go away until the Second Coming. Is this perception correct? Is it therefore sin for me to mistreat my body by stuffing it full of flesh foods, dairy and other things God did not design it to process? At least is it sin, after I have learned that God's best plan involves eating a plant-based diet, exercising to keep our physical muscles strong and exercising our spiritual muscles through daily intimate communication with Christ?
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| Re: What is sin? |
| Posted On Jun 19, 2008 at 9:11 AM |
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GabbyLG
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Good questions precious friend! In my current understanding of the Christian experience your perceptions would be correct for each individual who has been led to this conclusion from their study of God's word to personally know and become more like Jesus. James 4:17; 1 John 3:2,3. However, it would be most unfortunate if someone were applying this understanding to other people's lives to the neglect of their own personal self-examination and application of the Word. Matthew 7:3-5; 2 Corinthians 10:12; 13:5; James 1:22. I once read that "Jesus was the most conservative Man who ever lived; in Him no sin could be found. But Jesus was also the most liberal Man who ever lived; He rejected no one." What a joy to walk in His footsteps! 1 John 2:5,6. May our gracious God and Savior continue to richly bless you as earnestly pursue an intimate and vibrant love experience with Him. Courage! Jeremiah 31:3; 33:3.
Last edited on Jun 30, 2008 at 1:07 PM by GabbyLG.
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| Re: What is sin? |
| Posted On Jun 25, 2008 at 11:25 AM |
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metasgirl
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Thank you Pastor for your insightful words. I was trying to convey my own personal understanding of sin in MY life. I do understand the principle Jesus taught about planks and specks - and not judging others by the understanding I have gained in my Christian walk.
Jesus died on Calvary for every single one of us. But since freedom is the basis of God's government, of His way of thinking, He leaves it totally up to us as to whether we accept His sacrificial substitution for us.
I would like see see a better understanding of this concept of free choice within the Christian world. If all Christians truly understood the freedom that God gives each of us - to accept Him or reject Him or even beat Him, pluck out His beard, mock Him and nail Him to a tree - then there would be more acceptance of one another, less judgment and criticism of others.
May God pour His grace upon all of us.
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| Re: What is sin? |
| Posted On Jun 30, 2008 at 1:04 PM |
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GabbyLG
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Thank you my precious sister - I would fully agree with the picture you are painting of a living love affair with Jesus Christ.
This picture certainly doesn't give us an excuse to neglect the beautiful responsibility of doing our best to lead a hurting brother or sister into a restoration experience with our Savior and Lord (Galatians 6:1,2), but it does encourage the God-given freedom we have in our approach to giving that brother or sister total freedom to decide how they are going to respond to the call of a loving God who longs to have them safe in His care-filled will rather than precariously perched on the edge of the pain-filled precipice of of self-will which leads to eternal death. Romans 6:16.
How thankful I am for a loving God Who, by choice, made a way for us to escape the eternal consequences of our personal sin through His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23), and longingly calls to our hearts with the plea found in Ezekiel 33:11, "...why will you die...?"
I am personally very thankful for the freedom to daily, moment by moment, make the choice to continue to respond to Christ's call to our hearts found in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Jesus truly does offer a restful peace-filled experience even in this world of chaos and pain. John 14:27; 16:33.
Thank you my sister for your input. I pray God will continue to richly bless your life with hope, joy, and peace. Romans 15:13.
Courage,
Pastor Dan
Last edited on Jun 30, 2008 at 1:11 PM by GabbyLG.
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| Re: What is sin? |
| Posted On Jul 2, 2008 at 4:51 PM |
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Roberta
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Pastor Dan: How important your comments are that we all have a personal responsibility to God - and that we are empowered by Him to lead others in the same direction. I wonder, though, if anyone else out there feels like they want to take a loved one by the scruff of the neck and say: Just straighten up and get it right, God loves you!!! But, as you say, each person who has ever lived on the earth does have total freedom to decide how to respond.
But we must not forget that we have an enemy like a roaring lion out there looking to devour someone - anyone he can find in fact. I see the key to that text being that Peter (or is it Paul) says the enemy is "Like" a roaring lion - as Pilgrim's Progress so aptly points out, he is in fact a toothless, clawless lion because he was defeated at Calvary by Jesus. All he has is a roar - but that can be mighty scary at times.
Thank you for your encouragement.
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| Re: What is sin? |
| Posted On Jul 13, 2008 at 10:45 AM |
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GabbyLG
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Thanks for you insights Roberta - sorry for the slow response. I am so thankful that Jesus' death on the cross not only paid the wages our sins have earned us, but also defeated the enemy making him a toothless lion with a crusty roar. Hebrews 2:14,15 also reveals the fact that Jesus offers us deliverance from the fear of death that keeps so many in a state of bondage. How does this happen? Through partaking of His perfect love which casts out fear. 1 John 4:18. As we by faith persistently practice keeping God's word, not only obeying it, walking as Jesus walked (v6), but also keeping it hid in the heart of our minds (Psalm 119:11), the Lord promises to perfect His character of love in our lives! 1 John 2:5,6; 4:8. And His perfect love casts out fear regardless of the type! More of God's love in - more fear out! Praise God! Courage to you! Pastor Dan
Last edited on Jul 13, 2008 at 11:21 AM by GabbyLG.
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