Today, thoughts are shared on the methods for defining “sin” used among Christian believers. All sin must be known and understood as contrary to the existence, active presence, and sovereign will of GOD. Many of us began knowing what sin is by answering a list of forbidden attitudes, behaviors, and things people say. Even so, in the same way only learning to recite the ABCs does not make a child able to read and write complete words, becoming an independent and mature believer requires more than simple information that describes a few of the many negative conditions, offenses, patterns, and situations that call forth divine wrath against sin. Wrath against sin is not an emotion or feeling that GOD experiences from time to time. Anger and disgust directed against disobedience, evil, and wickedness are permanent and inseparable aspects of the full character, makeup, and substance of the Creator. Created beings and living creatures who sin are not yet annihilated because divine wrath must also be in balance with other sacred elements such as compassion, forgiveness, impartiality, joy, longsuffering, and mercy. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “chaindropz” (Level 4 with 3,074 points, a member since September 10, 2007) posted the following:
How do Christians determine what act is a sin?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (Romans 13: 8-12, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Law and Sin (06/07/2017); Atonement, Repentance and More (06/06/2017); Sin to Cover Sin? (02/24/2017); Knowing GOD and Sin? (02/03/2017); Divine Presence and Spirit (01/18/2017); Eternal Life From GOD (10/24/2016); The Cross and Creation (03/24/2016); Condemned by the Church? (08/19/2014); Principles of Correct Belief? (08/20/2014)
“chaindropz”, many mature Christian believers agree that divine instruction regarding sin is necessary for new life within the church. Among small children, young people, and sinners who are just beginning to acquire the sacred knowledge, and develop godly concentration through regular sacred practices (we say, sacraments), sin often is known primarily on the basis of divine law, prohibitions (statements like “thou shalt not”), and ones intuited, diffuse, inner sense of right and wrong/good and bad. Sin seems to be no more than an abstract, immaterial force, or influence. Correctly understood, sin is no common object you may hold in your hand, or slip into your pocket; and sin can not be eliminated or destroyed by merely retracing/reversing a persons actions. (The death of a sinner will stop them from committing more sins, however, the consequences and outcomes from their deeds will continue long after they are dead and gone.)
For mature Christian believers, the divine operations for responding to sin also include using special tools from GOD. There must be discernment (using ones own spirit content to recognize and respond to spirit substance from divinity appearing within events, oneself, other persons, prophecies, holy writings, etc.), judgment (applying the precepts and principles of divine law as standards to assign meaning, quality, and value; to resolve conflicts; and to settle disputes) as well as incarnation (the embodiment of spirit substance using flesh and blood).
Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and the divine order that serves as the platform of this universe. More than simply promoting death, sin generates non-existence, and the return to conditions of chaos and formlessness that were in place before Creation. Sin has direction, effect, and presence; and sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures. The will of GOD is not subject to sin; thus, provision of fresh endowments of divine spirit through the ministry of Jesus Christ is an important “solution” in the full response of GOD to sin. Sin can not be controlled or erased by simply listing all the specific acts and behaviors that are offensive to GOD. Finite tools such as intellect, logic, carnal reason, philosophy, science and human willpower are not enough to eliminate sin.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, through operations of the Holy Spirit during baptism there are the death, burial, and resurrection of ones inborn spirit. All believers must become “born again,” so to speak, from divine seed, and have fresh deposits of Spirit from the makeup of GOD. Inseparable aspects from the character, nature, and spirit content of GOD are imparted. Included are faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Every one who becomes “born again” also must “grow up again” while living on the earth, and is to become ripe for harvest (mature; fit to meet the Lord in the air at his Second Coming). As vessels of divine substance these will be received as sons and daughters of GOD, divine offspring, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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