The BIG Picture (Q&A)

QUESTION: Are we committing sin when we do something we do not know is a sin? ANSWER: You should generally know if you sinned because of the condemnation you will experience in your heart. Paul says the following: Rom.14:22 Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. However, from a different perspective, consider this: We have ALL sinned and fallen short of God. It does not really matter if you are not sure if you committed a sin or not, because from the day you were born you entered into sin. What is more important is how to find righteousness before God, and the only way to get to this position is by hearing and responding to the grace gospel. When you are saved, you stand before God utterly forgiven and cleansed. You are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and your sins have been nailed to the cross. Even though we might fall in a moment of weakness, (since we still live for this time-being in a sinful world), our sin is not counted against us and ...

When it comes to advice on choices or decisions in life, Paul provides some incredible information in Romans 14. Rom 14:5 Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Also, Rom 14:22-23  Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.  (23)  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat [do], because he eateth [does] not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. The above verses have nothing to do with feelings. They have to do with conviction. Feelings are fickle and can change depending on your mood. Conviction is stable, as it has to do with your faith, or an inner truth (conscience) of right or wrong. In addition, the above verses have nothing to do with laws or rules which is the very thing that brings condemnation. In your question, you mention condemnation, which tells me that you made some human rule in your mind about reading the Word and now because you failed to live up to the r...

Question: According to the Bible, if you know what to do and you refuse it’s a sin . So, I’m asking if you know you have to study and you don’t study is it a sin? Answer: The Bible has a lot to say about what is wrong and what is right. These are typically connected to being moral in the eyes of God and/or man. For instance, the Bible says it is wrong to lie, or steal, or commit adultery. Nobody has debates and arguments about these sins as they are clearly defined in the scriptures. But what about not studying? What about smoking? What about not stowing the shopping cart in the parking lot because you don’t have time? The Bible says nothing about these, yet we might feel bad if we do, or do not, do these. Are these sins if I feel bad afterwards? This is what the Bible says in times like this, Rom.14:5 Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. … 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is...

Asking for forgiveness... There is nothing wrong in asking for forgiveness if you know you have fallen into sin or had a moment of weakness. It is completely natural to want to apologize for your wrongdoings, but, realize that this does NOT ever affect your positional stance with God. Through a faith response to the grace gospel of Jesus Christ, and His cross work, you are once and forever cleansed from sin. As grace believers, our sins have been nailed to the cross of Christ, and we have, by the grace of God, received in its place, the imputed righteousness of Christ. Nothing can change our position in Christ and before the Father, so asking forgiveness, or not asking forgiveness, does not change or affect our standing before God. The grace believer's salvation is forever secure and they are "sealed with the Spirit." (Rom. 5:1-2, 8:29-39, 6-8; Eph. 1:13-14, 4:30; Phili. 1:6; 2Tim. 1:12). "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of ...

A person that blatantly sins and does not feel bad about it is (1) either not saved, or (2) they have responded to the gospel but have a badly seared conscience (1Tim.4:2), or a rebellious mind that desperately needs to be renewed by the life and love of the Word of God. To start answering your question, I must draw your attention to the fact that we have the known moral (or universal) sins like, murder, stealing, adultery, bearing false witness, coveting, etc. The Bible is clear that these are sins and any spirit-led believer will know that they sin if they do these, whether they feel bad or not! But, what about sins that are not clearly listed in the Bible? How do we actually know "what is sin?" In other words, if you do not know you are sinning, you will not feel bad! Right? If you are not being convicted of doing wrong, by that 'bad' feeling, then are you actually doing wrong? Well, no ——unless its those moral sins listed above! So, to answer "what is sin...

The bible clearly lists various things as sins and therefore it is easy to know that these things are morally wrong. Things like, idolatry, greed, covetousness, lying, gluttony, complaining, murder, bribery, stealing, gossip, jealousy, adultery, etc. These and many more are either a violation of God's moral laws or a violation of moral and ethical laws set out by an authority like a government or ruling entity. Violating these causes you to fall into sin and probably face some form of consequences. But what about things that are not so obvious? Is smoking a sin? Is drinking a sin? What about anger, or not giving to the needy, or hurting someone's feelings? Do I sin if I choose not to go to church or if I want that extra piece of cake? What happens if I get a speeding ticket? Have I sinned in God's eyes for violating a law on the road? The list can go on and on, so the question remains, how do I know when something is a sin , especially if it is not as obvious, and not neces...