I've been in a bit of a stagnation point in my faith lately. I think it's largely because I've been so busy with day to day tasks and pastimes that I haven't given myself adequate time to spend with God.
Regardless the cause, I've definitely felt the effects of it. Backsliding into some of my old habits, physical, verbal, and mental, has been an inevitability. And of course, not giving myself enough chance to think it through has only worsened the condition. Now, as I assess my life as it is, I'm bothered to see the degradation.
Ultimately, it was the very fact that I'm bothered, and the way that that perturbance culminated, that led me back into a state of questioning. Not questions of belief or anything - I'm not going through another crisis. More like questions about how sin is defined. Generally, "Is it actually sinful to do this and that?" is a pretty accurate template for my inquiries.
Frighteningly enough, that phrasing, from my own mind, reminded me of an infamous exchange between a woman and a serpent. Realizing this, I was faced with the reality of how much danger I was in. So, per my nature, I did a bit of research.
Just a heads up: this isn't a new revelation. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've written about it before.
Among the first of my perspectives that needed to change when I began following Christ was my take on what's considered "sinful." The key, I realized even then, was that it's not about which behaviors and mentalities are sinful, so much as which ones glorify God.
We have to approach the issue from the positive perspective: giving ourselves a legitimate reason to live in a certain way, rather than reasons to not live in another. This course keeps us safely out of the risk of falling into sin. With eyes fixed on God, we need not even consider whether or not something is offensive to Him, because we're already preoccupied with living in such a way that glorifies Him. The sinful ways can't even find their way in.
if you never did anything that didn't directly outright glorify God, which of your common or even uncommon activites would be completely removed from your life?
ReplyDeleteof those that would be removed, how many would your church leaders unanimously agree are sinful?
here's my favorite one: consider all the things you may have done in the past and may do in the present, which you have felt and may now be feeling guilty for which are not sinful but also not directly outright glorifying to God. what effect does that guilt have on your health and your life?
Your point is a valid one. But the word "outright" is important. After reading up on it a bit, I think I understand a little better that it's not so much the action itself, so much as the way that action is being performed that matters.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, I could sing my heart out during a worship service, and yet if my chief concern is making myself sound good for my own pride, that's sinful. Conversely, I could play a fighting game with non-Christian friends in such a way that does glorify God, through my behaviors and words during the time spent with them.
There are, however, behaviors that will never glorify God, no matter what the context is. Those things are inherently sinful, simply because they contradict direct commands that God has given. Things like gossip, pornography, and acts of revenge (see Col 3:5-8) fall into that category.
All that said, I don't believe it's God's intention for us to feel guilty for having done things that are sinful. But the notion is, if we're actually remorseful for the sinful things, there will be repentance hand-in-hand with acceptance of grace.
A helpful article: http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-to-drink-orange-juice-to-the-glory-of-god