The BIG Picture (Q&A)

As we navigate the complexities of Christian living, we often find ourselves at crossroads, unsure of how to navigate the nuances of faith and practice. In Romans 14, the Apostle Paul addresses a crucial aspect of Christian relationships, urging believers to walk in love and unity amidst differing convictions. As we explore this chapter, we're reminded that our faith is not only a personal matter but also one that requires consideration for others. In this lesson, we'll dive into the heart of Paul's teaching, culminating in the profound statements in verses 22-23, which serve as a guiding principle for navigating disputable matters. The context of Romans 14 is centered around the issue of "weaker brethren" (Romans 14:1), those whose faith is not as mature or robust as others. Paul exhorts believers not to "despise" or "judge" these weaker brethren (Romans 14:3, 10), but rather to receive them with open arms, just as Christ has received us (Roma...

Paul tells us that our conscience can get  seared , 1Tim.4:2. This mostly applies to unsaved people, but it does not disqualify those who are saved but who have never grown up in the Word. The saints at Corinth are a good example, being saved, but flagrantly carnal and worldly as babes in Christ. Being seared in conscience means that we become insensitive to what is wrong, and it does not bother us when we fall in its traps. In direct contrast to this is a saved person who spends time in the Word, studying it, allowing it to renew their minds, and giving themselves over to obeying it. Such a person becomes  ‘unseared’,  being sensitive to the will of God and to godliness. The remedy to a seared conscience is not practicing law or having righteous willpower, but the knowledge of grace through the work of Christ which we find in the doctrine of Paul’s epistles. This can only come to us by spending time in the Word. It is the Word of God that prunes, and cuts away, discerns ...

Answer Request: Can we say "conscience" is an impact wired into every human as a result of the fruit of the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" that Adam and Eve ate in the garden of Eden? Although the Bible does not provide confirmation on such thinking, I can agree with it in a logical way. The knowledge of good and evil that we received by partaking of that tree in the garden would certainly have imparted a spiritual compass of right from wrong innately within us. I can see how the conscience could be connected to this event and its result.  The Old Testament does not say much more on this topic but Paul does provide us with some more insights. The New Testament portrays the conscience as a witness. Paul says the Gentiles have consciences that bear witness to the presence of the law of God written on their hearts, even though they did not have the Mosaic Law, Romans 2:14-15 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained...

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...