So This Is Sin Too?

Alba 6-26-2022

SO THIS IS SIN TOO?

Romans 14:22-23

A man went to see a psychiatrist and told him, "I’ve been doing some bad things, Doc, and my conscience is troubling me."

The psychiatrist thought about that and then said: "And you want something that will strengthen your will power?" But the man replied, "Well, no. I was thinking of something that might weaken my conscience."

Someone said that when he was a kid, he used to pray to God for a bicycle. When he realized it didn’t work that way, he stole one and prayed for forgiveness! It is very unhealthy for people to have such a casual approach to sin. But sadly it is often the case today.

We think that God is nothing but a God of love, and that He loves us so much He will forgive us of anything. That is only partly true. God will forgive us - if we are trying to live for Him.

In 1973, the world-renowned psychiatrist Karl Menninger wrote a book entitled: “Whatever Became of Sin?” In his book the doctor projected the day would come when sin would no longer be an element of the human vernacular.

He speculated that the explanation of sin and wrongdoing would be replaced by rationalizations excusing individual accountability.

Menninger predicted the term sin would be replaced with words like illness, disorder, dysfunction, syndrome, etc. The human condition would be excused as a product of biochemistry, environment, experience, and trauma.

He projected that even crime would go unpunished as criminal activity would be justified and minimized as the result of some medical abnormality for which one could not be held responsible.

According to Menninger’s prognostication, the day was approaching when practically everyone would be considered sick and their conduct pardonable.

No longer would there be any liability for human error, choice, and willful conduct. Everyone would be innocent, vindicated through biology, psychiatry, and humanistic reasoning.

Aren’t we just about there? The good doctor was a pretty good prophet! The problem is, the Bible still is quite plain about the existence and dangers of sin.

For the Christian, sin can crop up in unusual places. Romans chapter 14 deals with differences of opinion about whether one should eat meat or only vegetables, and about observing special days.

The conclusion of that discussion in chapter fourteen is that neither position has to do with salvation, so both are permissible and acceptable to God.

But then the chapter ends with these words of warning in verses 22 and 23. 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 condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

As Christians we know a lot about sin. Not necessarily because we do it so often, but if we have been reading our Bibles and paying attention to sermons and Bible lessons, we have heard a lot about sin. So we know what it is! In fact we know that there are lists of various sins in the Bible. One is in Ephesians 5:3-5

It says there, 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

We look at that list and think, “Well, I'm glad that I'm not guilty of most of those things!” Especially when we read the next verses that say, 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

As I said in my previous sermon on Romans 14, in order to know right from wrong, we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Word. Because scripture, when taken without the manipulation and interpretation of man, clearly defines what God expects from us.

There are certain things that are wrong. In the Bible, it’s always wrong to tell a lie. According to the Bible, it’s always wrong to commit adultery.

According to the Bible, homosexual behavior is always wrong. According to the Bible, it’s always wrong to murder, always wrong to steal. You can’t ever get around it.

But also in the Bible, there are some things that are right. It is always right to be faithful to your mate. It is always right to be honest. It is always right to be loving. It is always right to honor and respect your parents. There is wrong, and there is right.