Points are shared, today, to
clarify how sin is associated with finite will and self-will. Among angels
within the heaven, and men upon the earth, various attitudes, behaviors, goals,
life experiences, and purposes may be described as expressions of sin, and
violations of sacred law. Sin is not itself a form of spiritual energy, and is
not an aspect of divinity such as faith, holiness, longsuffering, love, wisdom,
and wrath against sin. Sin may operate upon ones own inner consciousness,
spirit matter, and ability to act and move. However, sin is not properly what
we may call a form of “will-power”. Typically, sin becomes recognizable and
visible through fixed and recurring operations of awareness, finite will, and
self-will. The “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Minetto” (Level 6 with
22,556 points, a member since Minetto July 19, 2007) posted the
following:
Why is it that all who ever lived and all
who are alive are siners ?
If God gave us free will why is it no one is
without sin. If we have free will some one must have decided not to
sin.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Know ye
not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into
his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like
as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we
also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in
the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of
his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with
him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with
Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being
raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For
in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto
God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive
unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your
mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your
members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield
yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members
as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6: 3-13,
KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Is
Sin a Matter of Temptation? (04/22/2015); Slaves to Sin? (04/13/2015); Power
Against Sin? (04/12/2015); The Sin Covered By Salvation? (12/28/2014); Mortality
Is Required Because of Sin (12/29/2014); Sin and the Great Flood (11/03/2014);
Remembering Lot’s Wife? (11/04/2014); Not Told in Advance? (10/11/2014);
Catholics, Protestants and the Trinity? (10/12/2014)
“Minetto”, your question is like asking, Since
there are so many dictionaries why do people still misspell “sinners”?
Believers must “discover” everything to their own satisfaction, and no one can,
should or will explain everything to someone else’s liking. Even so, here are a
few points to consider that strengthen and support Christian belief:
(1.) The operations of sin go beyond dominating
and manipulating awareness and self-will that exist within created beings and
living creatures. Sin is no material object, physical thing, or life essence
(we say, spirit) created by divinity. Sin is an influence having direction,
effect, and presence, yet, sin has no measurable dimensions (e.g.,
circumference, diameter, height, length, weight) or independent existence as a
person, place or thing.
(2.) Sin pertains to the eternal continuation of
divine law that appears as the expressed will of deity, yet, is not a living
entity. Sin is an artifact (we also say, a by-product) of independence and
integrity for the living through separation from the Law Giver, who is GOD. Sin
opposes the permanence and perfection of law as well as the continued existence
of Creation, and all divine order established and maintained through sacred
law.
(3.) Sin is contrary to the divine nature, is
self-destructive, yet, appears as appropriate, natural, normal, and ordinary.
For mankind, there are three possibilities for expression of ones character and
inborn nature: the animal, the human, and the divine. Part of the seriousness
of sin is that, death may interrupt and terminate sin committed by a living
person. Where not cut off by divinity, the consequences and outcomes of sin
attitudes, behavior and conduct continue and endure for an indefinite period
long after the sinner is removed.
(4.) There is no “free” will; there are finite and
self-will. Such tools as intellect, logic, mathematics, philosophy, and science
can not eliminate sin, and do not permit the living to recognize sin as
constricting, debilitating, external, and foreign. In addition, such elements
as family honor, higher education, and military training do not establish the
will power to resist sin; and are not enough to end sin upon the earth. Sin is
a form of bondage and enslavement; and those not divinely released from sin are
not empowered to be free through their own makeup, and indwelling
spirit.
There is far more to be said, correctly understood,
and spiritually taken into account. (For example, (5.) Multiple limitations
upon will (we also say, will power) are fixed for finite, living forms as
aspects of their existence like the sky above and the earth below. Thus, mere
verbal complaints can not be used where action (obedience) is required.
Begging, cries for mercy, and tears could not stop the rain that fell in
judgment at Noah’s Flood. More than this, there can be no substitute for the
crucifixion of Jesus Christ to impart atonement, eternal life, forgiveness,
inheritance, rebirth, resurrection, sanctification, and aspects of the divine
will through gifts of the Holy Spirit.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be
useful. Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual
maturity.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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