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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