Is Faith Only A Sin?
The question:
Here's one for u 2 ponder: based upon the bible definition of sin, can you (commit) sin by faith only?
The Response:
The Bible definition of sin: "sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4), and "All unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17). Righteousness is God's standard of what's right (Romans 10:1-2). Those who do not abide in God's righteousness, establish their own, i.e., self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is not God's righteousness, therefore it is "unrighteousness," and sin.
2 John 9, says, "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching the same hath both the Father and the Son."
Therefore, as Matthew 7:21 clearly states, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven," and James expressly stated, "Thou believeth that God is one; thou doest well, the demons also believe, and shudder. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called a friend of God. Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith" (Emp. mine, ret).
Conclusion: An individual cannot hold to, or teach a "faith only" doctrine, and abide "in the teaching of Christ."
Here's one for u 2 ponder: based upon the bible definition of sin, can you (commit) sin by faith only?
The Response:
The Bible definition of sin: "sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4), and "All unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17). Righteousness is God's standard of what's right (Romans 10:1-2). Those who do not abide in God's righteousness, establish their own, i.e., self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is not God's righteousness, therefore it is "unrighteousness," and sin.
2 John 9, says, "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching the same hath both the Father and the Son."
Therefore, as Matthew 7:21 clearly states, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven," and James expressly stated, "Thou believeth that God is one; thou doest well, the demons also believe, and shudder. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called a friend of God. Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith" (Emp. mine, ret).
Conclusion: An individual cannot hold to, or teach a "faith only" doctrine, and abide "in the teaching of Christ."
My only point was that as you cannot obey God by 'faith only'; neither do you disobey God by belief only. Sin is the committing of an act. God's righteousness resides in the commands He has given. Those commands must be obeyed. Failure to obey or as Paul stated in Rom. 10:1-4, going about to establish your own righteousness is obeying your OWN will; nonetheless, you act; you do something. Sin is also knowing to do good and DOING it not; you "DO NOT" via transgressing a command that was meant to be obeyed.
Anyway, just offering some food for thought; good sp. food fodder. Keep up the good work.
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