I Am Not Ashamed: How Do I Know if it’s Sinful?

I want us to revisit this theme of Christian Liberty one more time before we move out of Romans, chapter 14. The Apostle has laid down a Scriptural principle for us: When it comes to disputable matters Christians need to offer grace to each other when it comes to conduct or issues that the Word of God does not specifically address. Paul’s examples include the “three-D’s” — diet and drink, and days, i.e., days that one Christian believes more sacred than others. In my life time, disputable matters within the Church have included; card playing, board games that use dice, attending movies, watching television, dancing, the uses of cosmetics, smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, nose rings, men sporting ear studs, tattoos, eating certain foods, drinking certain beverages, "mixed bathing", women wearing slacks, women wear skits ... that are too short, pledging allegiance to the American Flag, shopping on Sunday, and celebrating certain religious days (like Christmas or Halloween).

In the Apostle can’t be any clearer on the issue. “The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.” (, NIV). When is comes to these disputable matters, Paul says that each of us is a servant of Christ, and we are accountable to him alone. “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand ... “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (, NIV).

The ultimate goal in these disputable matters is not which side is right and which side is wrong, but peace within the local church, and the mutual edification of believers. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (, NIV). That’s the Apostle’s way of saying, “It ain’t about you!” In this area of disputable matters where the Scriptures do not speak clearly speak to a behavior being right or wrong, Paul writes that we do not destroy the work of God (vs. 20) over hills that ain’t worth dying over. Love for the brethren is better than liberty of the believer.

It’s that last two verses of I want us to look at this morning. If you are struggling with a conduct or issue that you’re not sure is sinful for you or not, how do you decide? My purpose is to give you some guidance in deciding.

I. THE NATURE OF SINFUL CONDUCT

1. let me say it one more time ... the bible refers to three kinds of behavior

a. there is some behavior that, for the confessing Christian, is always wrong

b. there is some behavior that, for the confessing Christian, is always right

c. there is some behavior that, for one confessing Christian, is wrong because it violates their conscience, but for another confessing Christian is permissible because it doesn’t violate their conscience

violates their conscience, but for another confessing Christian is permissible because it doesn’t violate their conscience

2. what do we do when we have such a profound difference of opinion over whether-or-not a behavior is sinful when the bible says nothing about it?

not a behavior is sinful when the bible says nothing about it?

a. this is what the apostle addresses in this chapter

A. SIN DEFINED

1. before we go any further, we need to understand what sin is

a. just a generation ago there was fairly wide unanimity in our culture as to what was sinful

sinful

1) now, not so much

ILLUS. For example, Gambling and divorce, both once considered serious sins, are now broadly accepted. At the worst our society might consider them problematic, but certainly not sinful. Americans are quickly losing their notion of what sin is, and when that is gone it will be difficult to share a Gospel that celebrates Jesus’ atonement for sin when so few think they are actually committing it.

now broadly accepted. At the worst our society might consider them problematic, but certainly not sinful.

Americans are quickly losing their notion of what sin is, and when that is gone it will be difficult to share a Gospel that celebrates Jesus’ atonement for sin when so few think they are actually committing it.

2) people have to see themselves as sinners — alienated from God and unable to save themselves — for Christ's sacrifice to be essential

save themselves — for Christ's sacrifice to be essential

2. there are any number of words in the Scriptures that describe the nature of sin, but one word gets at its essence ... Transgression

one word gets at its essence ... Transgression

a. sin is the transgression of the law of God; it is any conduct that is contrary to God’s will

will

1) that word transgression essentially means stepping out of bounds —

a) God has drawn a line in the sand, and says “You will not cross this line without suffering eternal penalty.”

suffering eternal penalty.”

b) God has put us in a box, and says “Here are the boundaries for behavior, and if you step out of bounds their will be temporal and eternal ramifications.”

if you step out of bounds their will be temporal and eternal ramifications.”

b. the problem, of course, is that we’re all guilty of doing exactly what God has forbidden ... we’ve all stepped out of bounds ... we’ve all crossed the line

forbidden ... we’ve all stepped out of bounds ... we’ve all crossed the line

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (, NIV)

• “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (, NIV)

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (, NIV)

1) ever since mankind’s fall into sin in the Garden of Eden, sin has been woven into our character

our character

a) we are not sinners because we have sinned

b) we sin because we are sinners, and sinning for sinners comes as naturally as

b) we sin because we are sinners, and sinning for sinners comes as naturally as breathing

breathing

c) sin is rooted in our nature, and what is inside merely comes out in the sins we sin

sin

ILLUS. Have any of you ever bitten into a freshly picked piece of fruit only to discover a worm in it, yet when you inspected the fruit you found no hole by which the worm worked its way into the fruit? That’s because the worm did go from the outside in, but from the inside out. Scientists have discovered that certain moths will lay an egg on a peach blossom or and apple blossom. As the blossom becomes a piece of fruit, the egg gets encapsulated in the fruit, and when the larva hatches in the heart of the peach it then begin to eat its way out. Sin, like the worm, begins in our core and works its way out thorough our thoughts, words, and actions.

discover a worm in it, yet when you inspected the fruit you found no hole by which the worm worked its way into the fruit? That’s because the worm did go from the outside in, but from the inside out. Scientists have discovered that certain moths will lay an egg on a peach blossom or and apple blossom. As the blossom becomes a piece of fruit, the egg gets encapsulated in the fruit, and when the larva hatches in the heart of the peach it then begin to eat its way out. Sin, like the worm, begins in our core and works its way out thorough our thoughts, words, and actions.

c. sin has forever marred the imago dei — the image of God — in man

1) we are, according to the Scriptures dead in trespasses and sins, and accordingly are children of wrath destined for a sinner’s hell unless something intervenes ()

are children of wrath destined for a sinner’s hell unless something intervenes

()

3. so then, sin is the transgression of the law of God; it is any conduct that is contrary to God’s will

God’s will

B. THE BIBLE ALONE DETERMINES WHAT IS SINFUL

1. we don’t have to read through the Scriptures long to begin learning what behaviors God considers sinful

God considers sinful

a. it include both outward behavior and inner attitude

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (, NIV)

• “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (, NIV)

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (, NIV)

• “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (, NIV)

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (, NIV)

b. these are obviously very specific attitudes and conducts that God condemns

2. God has made known to man what is required of us through His moral and ethical Law written on our hearts, and revealed in His written word

written on our hearts, and revealed in His written word

a. because of Adam’s sin, however, the Law written on man’s heart had been defaced, and therefore is no longer a clear or reliable guide

and therefore is no longer a clear or reliable guide

1) the old adage, let your conscience be your guide just isn’t helpful in a society where the secular culture exerts more influence on a man’s conscience then does religious faith

where the secular culture exerts more influence on a man’s conscience then does religious faith

2) this is why the new birth is so important — in saving our souls, the Holy Spirit also gives us the mind of Christ so that our minds might be renewed and our conscience may be guided by the Word of God

also gives us the mind of Christ so that our minds might be renewed and our conscience may be guided by the Word of God

3. for this reason Christians must look to the written Word of God as the only infallible rule for determining what is sinful

rule for determining what is sinful

a. neither men nor churches have the right, independently of the Bible, to declare a given act as being either lawful or unlawful in the eyes of God

given act as being either lawful or unlawful in the eyes of God

1) the Bible is the only and all-sufficient rule for determining such matters

b. therefore, no Christian ought to regard any rule or law as binding on his conscience if it cannot be substantiated by the written Word of God

if it cannot be substantiated by the written Word of God

1) in other words, the bible is the only authoritative rule for the faith and practice of God’s people

God’s people

2) most of the time it is very clear

4. but then we have the issue of disputable matters

“Pastor, is the occasional glass of wine wrong?”

• “I enjoy Friday-night poker with some buddies from work — is that permissable?”

“I enjoy Friday-night poker with some buddies from work — is that permissible?”

• “My wife and I love to go dancing pastor — is it sin?”

“My wife and I love to go dancing pastor — is it sin?”

• “Preacher, all my friends have a piercing. Is it wrong if I get one?”

“Preacher, all my friends have a piercing. Is it wrong if I get one?”

a. the Apostle ends this section by saying “ ... and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” (, NIV)

faith is sin.” (, NIV)

b. well thanks Paul, that’s not a lot of help

1) actually, it’s of more help than you might think

II. THE TESTING OF CONDUCT TO DETERMINE IF IT’S SINFUL

1. for three weeks now we’ve looked at the issue of disputable matters — how do we determine if some conduct is sinful when the Bible does not specifically forbid it

determine if some conduct is sinful when the Bible does not specifically forbid it

a. AND AGAIN, let me remind you that in this area of disputable matters the conclusion you reach about a certain conduct may not be the same conclusion another Christian reaches about the same conduct

conclusion you reach about a certain conduct may not be the same conclusion another Christian reaches about the same conduct

b. we’ve got to allow for the grace of Christian Liberty

2. so how do you go about determining what is sinful for you when the Bible does not specifically speak to an issue or conduct that you may be questioning or struggling with?

specifically speak to an issue or conduct that you may be questioning or struggling with?

a. let me give you some diagnostic questions to ask yourself

A. Diagnostic Question #1: DOES THE BIBLE FORBID ME DOING THIS?

1. does the bible give me an explicit warning?

a. does God’s word precisely and clearly say this is sin, leaving nothing to implication?

1) then don’t do it

ILLUS. No Christian should ever have to ask, “I wonder if it’s OK to sleep with my boyfriend before we’re married?” (see point #1)

boyfriend before we’re married?” (see point #1)

2) the bible explicitly say no to that

2. does the bible give me an implicit warning?

a. even though there may be no specific verses forbidding a certain conduct, do other verses infer something is wrong even though it’s left unsaid?

verses infer something is wrong even though it’s left unsaid?

ILLUS. One of the heady issues of our day is Gay Marriage. One of the arguments you hear from fellow Christians who support it is that, “Jesus never spoke to the issue, let alone condemned it.” It’s a shallow argument. At one point the Pharisees came to Jesus asking about divorce — was it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason whatsoever? It is here that Jesus reminds them of God the Father’s eternal plan for His creation. “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (, NIV). In that passage Jesus implicitly deals with the issue by unqualifiyingly telling us what God’s will is.

you hear from fellow Christians who support it is that, “Jesus never spoke to the issue, let alone condemned it.”

It’s a shallow argument. At one point the Pharisees came to Jesus asking about divorce — was it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason whatsoever? It is here that Jesus reminds them of God the Father’s eternal plan for His creation. “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (, NIV). In that passage Jesus implicitly deals with the issue by unqualifiyingly telling us what God’s will is.

b. marriage between one man and one woman is the implicit command revealed in that passage, and everything else is simply out of bounds

that passage, and everything else is simply out of bounds

3. does the bible give me an propositional warning?

a. even though there is no explicit or implicit warning, are there verses that establish a standard or principle, for regulating, and/or guiding conduct or practice

standard or principle, for regulating, and/or guiding conduct or practice

ILLUS. I believe that gambling is pernicious conduct. I believe it’s sinful. I’m thoroughly dismayed that so many states — including Missouri — have turned to it as a means of revenue for state treasuries. I’m thoroughly dismayed that so many people — including confessing Christians — play the Lottery and don’t give it a second thought. However, there are no explicit or implicit warnings against it. So why is it such an offence to me? I believe it’s being disobedient to the words of Jesus in : “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (, NIV). Playing the lottery, or gambling at a cassino is, I believe, a violation of the Golden Rule. Gambling is treating one’s neighbor as a means to an end. Christians don’t do that; we don’t treat our neighbor as a means to an end. If I’m going to win lots of money, then a lot of other people have to loose lots of money. Often they are losing money they can’t afford to lose. I choose not to be a part of a system that depends on my hoping that my neighbor loose money so that I can win it.

dismayed that so many states — including Missouri — have turned to it as a means of revenue for state treasuries. I’m thoroughly dismayed that so many people — including confessing Christians — play the Lottery and don’t give it a second thought.

However, there are no explicit or implicit warnings against it. So why is it such an offence to me? I believe it’s being disobedient to the words of Jesus in : “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (, NIV). Playing the lottery, or gambling at a cassino is, I believe, a violation of the Golden Rule. Gambling is treating one’s neighbor as a means to an end. Christians don’t do that; we don’t treat our neighbor as a means to an end. If I’m going to win lots of money, then a lot of other people have to loose lots of money. Often they are losing money they can’t afford to lose. I choose not to be a part of a system that depends on my hoping that my neighbor loose money so that I can win it.

b. so even though there is no explicit or implicit warning about state lotteries, there are verses that, I believe, establish a standard or principle, for regulating, and/or guiding my conduct or practice in this area

verses that, I believe, establish a standard or principle, for regulating, and/or guiding my conduct or practice in this area

c. for me to purchase a lottery ticket, or to hit the slot machines at a casino would be a sin because it would be a violation of the principle that the Apostle lays down in — my conscience would condemn me because it would not be a conduct flowing out of faith

sin because it would be a violation of the principle that the Apostle lays down in — my conscience would condemn me because it would not be a conduct flowing out of faith

4. Diagnostic Question #1: Does the Bible Forbid Me Doing This Either Explicitly, Implicitly, or Through Principles Found in the Scriptures?

Implicitly, or Through Principles Found in the Scriptures?

B. Diagnostic Question #2: ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A SIN IN ITSELF, WOULD MY DOING THIS LEAD ME INTO TEMPTATION AND CAUSE ME TO SIN?

DOING THIS LEAD ME INTO TEMPTATION AND CAUSE ME TO SIN?

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (, NIV)

1. Jesus plainly taught that Christians are under obligation to avoid occasions of temptation to sin

temptation to sin

a. the words are not to be understood literally — Jesus does not expect his people to mutilate their bodies

mutilate their bodies

b. he does mean that believers are to “cut off” occasions of temptation to sin

2. it is important to notice that the command is conditional

a. if your eye causes you to stumble, and if your hand causes you to stumble

b. what is an overwhelming temptation for one Christian may be no temptation at all for another Christian

for another Christian

ILLUS. Consider, for example, that case of two Christians. One, a foreign missionary who has ministered in Taiwan for thirty years. The other, a Taiwanese national who grew up a practicing Buddhist. For a Taiwanese national, just converted from Buddhism to Christianity, keeping a small brass image of the Buddha in his house would be to tolerate a serious occasion of temptation to sin. For that Christian the only safe course is to rid his home of anything that might tempt him back into idolatry. For the missionary to have an image of the Buddha in his house as a curio reminding him of his place of ministry would not be a temptation to worship anyone other than Jesus. For one Christian it’s just a piece of brass, but for another it’s a constant invitation to return to the old ways.

who has ministered in Taiwan for thirty years. The other, a Taiwanese national who grew up a practicing Buddhist. For a Taiwanese national, just converted from Buddhism to Christianity, keeping a small brass image of the Buddha in his house would be to tolerate a serious occasion of temptation to sin. For that Christian the only safe course is to rid his home of anything that might tempt him back into idolatry.

For the missionary to have an image of the Buddha in his house as a curio reminding him of his place of ministry would not be a temptation to worship anyone other than Jesus. For one Christian it’s just a piece of brass, but for another it’s a constant invitation to return to the old ways.

3. every believer must judge for himself what constitutes a temptation to him and thus what needs to be avoided by him

what needs to be avoided by him

ILLUS. Your boss invites the office staff to his home for a dinner party. During the meal everyone is served a glass of wine. Would it be wrong for the Christians attending to drink it? The answer could very well be “yes” for one and “no” for the other. One believer might put into practice the Apostle Paul’s advise, “If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.” (, NIV). But suppose one of the believes in attendance is an recovering alcoholic? It simply would not be safe for that person. What is no temptation for one believer might be a serious temptation for another.

everyone is served a glass of wine. Would it be wrong for the Christians attending to drink it? The answer could very well be “yes” for one and “no” for the other. One believer might put into practice the Apostle Paul’s advise, “If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.” (, NIV). But suppose one of the believes in attendance is an recovering alcoholic? It simply would not be safe for that person. What is no temptation for one believer might be a serious temptation for another.

4. Diagnostic Question #2: Although it Is Not a Sin in Itself, Would My Doing this Lead Me into Temptation and Cause Me to Sin?

into Temptation and Cause Me to Sin?

C. Diagnostic Question #3: WOULD DOING THIS CAUSE ME TO OFFEND A BROTHER SO AS TO MAKE HIM STUMBLE?

C. Diagnostic Question #3: WOULD DOING THIS CAUSE ME TO OFFEND A BROTHER

SO AS TO MAKE HIM STUMBLE?

1. in Romans, chapter 14, we find that a Christian is not only obliged to avoid acts of sin (things forbidden by the Bible), and the occasions of temptation to sin (thing not sinful within themselves, but which could lead to sin), but he is also to avoid practices which wold offend a brother who is weaker in the faith if it might cause him to stumble

(things forbidden by the Bible), and the occasions of temptation to sin (thing not sinful within themselves, but which could lead to sin), but he is also to avoid practices which wold offend a brother who is weaker in the faith if it might cause him to stumble

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” (, NIV)

• “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.” (, NIV)

“It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.” (, NIV)

a. the question for the mature Christian is not, “Can I do this with a clear conscience?” but rather, “If I do this, how will it affect another believer’s conscience?”

but rather, “If I do this, how will it affect another believer’s conscience?”

2. in the end this chapter is all about Christian love and not Christian liberty

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”” (, NIV)

a. Paul is challenging us to be builders instead of demolishers

1) my highest priority in Christian relationship should be to edification — building up — and not demolition — tearing down

— and not demolition — tearing down

“Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.” (, NIV)

ILLUS. It’s a lesson I learned as a new relatively new Christian. BSU and playing Spade in the BSU.

Spade in the BSU.

2) now, I also need to say that there is some responsibility on the part of the weaker brother

brother

a) if you are convinced that vegetarianism is the only correct dietary option, and you’re going to have a hissy-fit, and get offended every time the Church has a barbeque, you either need to stay home on those nights or find a congregation of vegetarians!

you’re going to have a hissy-fit, and get offended every time the Church has a barbeque, you either need to stay home on those nights or find a congregation of vegetarians!

D. Diagnostic Question #4: IS GOD DISHONORED BY IT?

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (, NIV)

E. Diagnostic Question #5: WOULD I BE ASHAMED IF JESUS RETURNED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT?

MIDDLE OF IT?

“And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” (, NIV)

Let me sum up verses 22-23 for you: When in doubt, throw it out. “ ... Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” (, NIV). The messages from have essentially been for Christians. How do I balance my Christian liberty against my love for the brethren? Paul is clear, at any given time in any culture where God’s people are found there are going to be differences of opinion regarding certain conduct that the Bible does not clear speak about. The temptation is to respond with one of two extremes: License that says, “I agree with Paul ... all things are lawful for me so I’m going to do whatever my conscience allows, and the hell with what you think.” The other extreme is Legalism that says, “The bible doesn’t say anything about this, and this, and this, so we’re going to establish our own rigid rules, and if you don’t tow that line, well, you’re just going to hell.” Chapter 14 is the Apostle warning us against these two extreme responses to disputable matters. Remember the admonition of the 16th Protestant Reformer. Philip Melancthon was famous for this observation on Christian liberty. 1) In the essentials, there must be unity, 2) In the nonessentials, there must be liberty, and 3) In all things, there must be love.

In the end, we need to remember the wonderful good news; when we sin — and we will sin — we have an advocate with the Father. His name is Jesus. “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (, NIV).

When I sin, knowingly sin, flagrantly sin, robustly sin, I have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

• When I sin, by omitting to do the things I should do, I have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

When I sin, by omitting to do the things I should do, I have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

• When I sin, having exercised my Christian liberty to do something I’m thoroughly convinced is permissible, but in doing so I’ve offended a brother in Christ whose faith is weaker than mine, I have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

When I sin, having exercised my Christian liberty to do something I’m thoroughly convinced is permissible, but in doing so I’ve offended a brother in Christ whose faith is weaker than mine, I have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

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