 | Senior Pastor Tom Hawks, of Glenn Park Christian Church for the last 30 years, was born in Wichita. He has lived here most of his life. He has been married to Ellen for 24 years. They have two children and three grandchildren. His favorite pastimes are spending time with his family, fishing and studying the Word of God. You may contact Pastor Hawks at (316) 943-4283. |
Religion
2006-10-01 12:27:00
How can something be a sin for some and not for others?
QUESTION: My question is about sin. Some religions believe a certain action is a sin. Some do not. Some religions believe a certain action is a serious sin, some do not. Quite often, even clerics within a particular religion disagree about whether or not something is a sin, or a serious sin. How will one be judged when there are so many different interpretations?
ANSWER: The question is, “How will one be judged when there are so many different interpretations about what is sin and which sin is worse.” That is an easy answer for me because of my belief that all sin is wrong and equal in the sight of God (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Colossians 2:13, Hebrews 7:27, 8:12, 10:12) and Christ came to die for all sin, for all man, for all time.
What we need to do is not to worry about what others think and be concerned with what God thinks. But “how do I know if something might be sinful, but I don’t find it covered in the Bible?”
Let me give you some tests I use in my own life to avoid missing God’s mark.
Test #1 - The test of conscience ~ Romans 14:23
Test #2 - The test of duty ~ (James 4:17)
Test #3 - The test of influence ~ (Matthew 18:6, Romans 14:1-23)
Test #4 - The test of Prayer ~ (Colossians 3:17)
Test #5 - The test of Preparedness…Would I do this if Jesus were here?...He is! (Luke 12:40)
Test #6 - The test of Perfection ~ does what I’m contemplating move me toward or away from Christ? (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
I’m grateful that Jesus died for me, rose for me and will take me to Him someday. I’m grateful He loves me and accepts me as His own. I’m glad sin is sin and He died to set us free!
