Thursday, January 23, 2014

Sinners List



          Man’s imperfection has convinced him that morality exists in multiple shades of gray. God does not share this view. He does not weigh good and evil against one another on a balance because He is not looking for balance. As far as God is concerned good and evil are mutually exclusive all the way down to the thoughts and intents of the heart. There are no “little white lies” with God. A good deed done for an evil end is still sin. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” With God there “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” For all the scenic splendor and color of His creation, God’s moral universe is black and white. Therefore, sin is more than a collection of behaviors.
          Nevertheless, because we are a stiff necked people, God has made a few lists available. You will find these lists contain as many attitudes as actions. These lists are not exhaustive, but should give you the general idea of what constitutes sin. All these lists are from the New Testament.
          “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
          “Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
          “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
          “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

          “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” It is compassion, not hatred that warns men away from sin. There is no degree of sin; sin is sin and the end of sin is death. Likewise, the love and grace of God that brings forgiveness has no degrees. God gave all to save all and the gift of God is eternal life.        

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