Dec 28, 2011

Judgment and Sin

The Fall of Man



Matt. 7:1-2 - Judge not, that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:...

Luke 6:37 - Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

The word used here for judge means to distinguish, and by implication means to try, condemn or punish. We are told not to condemn others as followers of Christ. This is not the same as separation. Jesus called us to follow Him into holiness.

One of the main purposes of a Christian’s life is to be holy. (Rom. 12:1-2, 2 Cor. 6:14-17, James 4:1-4, 1 Jn. 2:15-17) We are told not to closely associate with those who commit evil. The Lord does give direction to pray for them, to be a witness to them, and to be kind to them when they do evil to us. (Luke 6:35, Matt. 5:44-45, Rom. 12:20, 1 Pet. 3:9) However we are clearly told to separate from them. (1 Pet. 1:15-16) This is holiness/sanctification.

What did Jesus do in His life on earth? He preached to men to turn to the Lord and turn from their evil ways. His life was full of acts of kindness and mercy, but their will be no mercy available to those who reject the Lord. As followers of Christ, we need to do just that; follow Him, not the world.

If we choose to maintain close relationships to those who are not believers, we are endorsing their acts and views. We are all called to make a choice.

Below is a list of sins found in the New Testament that we are told not to do/practice. We are also told not to maintain friendships or close relationships with those who practice such things. Our responsibility is to witness to them (constantly if needed) that they might repent and be saved. If they choose not to, then we have to separate from them. This is sanctification. If you read the following chapters, you will see the Lord clearly wants us to separate ourselves from these sins and not to "walk" or live daily in these things. (1 Cor. 5, Gal. 5:16-26, Eph. 5:1-16, Col. 3:1-17)

From 1 Corinthians 1:6
unrighteous - wicked
fornicators - sexual relations outside of marriage
idolaters - (see Col. 3:5)
adulterers
effiminate - those living for unnatural sexual relations
sodomites - homosexuals
thieves
covetous - greedy/gluttonous
drunkards
revilers - those who speak badly of others
extortioners

Galatians 5 adds these sins
uncleanness - impurity
lasciviousness - extreme lust and shameful behavior
witchcraft
hatred - hostility
variance - quarreling, fighting
emulations - extreme jealousy
wrath
strife
seditions - intentionally causing division
heresies - following the teachings of men against God’s word
envying
murder
revellings - partying, carousing

Ephesisan 5 adds these sins
filthiness - obscenity, shameful behavior
foolish talking - silly talking
jesting - negative or raunchy humor
whoremongers - using or being a prostitute
Colossians 3 adds these sins
inordinate affection - giving in to emotions that desire sinful things
evil concupiscence - evil desires, lusts

Revelation 21 adds these sins
fearful - timid
unbelieving
abominable - to make unclean or foul
liars