Even if something is not a sin, in and of itself, if we believe it is and do it anyway, it reveals a heart that is willing to sin against God and therefore sinful. That willingness can cause us a great deal of unrest emotionally and spiritually. Could it actually lead to “apparently uncaused fear and anxiety” such as the panic attacks that so many people experience today?
Also, read about:
What Job had to say about living right in light of all His suffering.
The only question that will matter when we stand before God.
Why we should sing “a new song” and why we need to be careful with the songs and prayers we love the most.
Today’s Readings:
Job 21 & 22
Psalm 96.1-6
Proverbs 23.6-8
Romans 14.1-23
Whatever Is Not Done in Faith is Sin
Romans 14.1-23:
Whatever Is Not of Faith
One person believes she is free to have a glass of wine with dinner. Another believes it is a sin. One believes it is OK to eat pork. Another believes the Old Testament dietary laws should still be adhered to. One believes a certain book, or movie, or TV show is allowable; another’s conscience is offended by it. One thinks “Christian contemporary music” is great, and another believes worship should be mostly hymns.
How is it that Christians who love the Lord can see certain things so differently? And what should be our concern about those differences?
Apparently Uncaused Fear & Anxiety
Certainly, there are lifestyle choices that are clearly right and wrong, things that clearly are sinful. But there is also a great deal of freedom in Christ. Whatever we do, however, we need to be able to do it in faith:
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin (v. 23).
Even if something is not a sin, in and of itself, if we believe it is and do it anyway, it reveals a heart that is willing to sin against God and is, therefore, sinful.
Rich Thomson in his book The Inner Workings of the Human Heart: How the Word of God is Sufficient (The Heart of Man & The Mental Disorders Book 1) says:
Romans 14 deals with the issue of questionable things – the “gray areas” of the Christian life, those things which Scripture neither affirms as right nor condemns as wrong. While Christian freedom is the rule here (as well as in 1 Cor. 8 and 10), there are other factors involved. The chapter ends with the statement, “he who doubts is condemned if he eats [meat offered to idols, in this case], because his eating is not from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom. 14.23).
He explains in his book that much of what is considered “uncaused fear and anxiety” actually has a cause. It comes from violating what we know or believe to be God’s holy standard. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were afraid and hid themselves because they knew they were guilty. When we have unconfessed sin or a sinful heart that is willing to do something we believe is sin, we are guilty before God. And we’ll experience the same emotions as that first couple.
If you’re vacillating about what some might consider a gray issue, spend some time studying God’s Word and praying. Settle the issue in your own heart one way or the other. If necessary, seek help from a pastor or biblical counselor.
True freedom isn’t to be found in the freedom to do things that weigh on your conscience and hinder your relationship with God. True freedom is having peace with God and joy that’s found only in complete surrender to Him.
Love for Our Brothers & Sisters in Christ
One more key point in this chapter is that, even when we do believe we have freedom in Christ in some area, we should be willing to forego that freedom if it could be offensive or a stumbling block to someone else (Rom 14.13; Phil. 2.3-4).
For more on this subject, you might want to read:
“Should Christians Drink Alcohol?”
And if you’d like to read more about fear and anxiety from a biblical perspective, you might check out the following posts:
Handling Fear & Worry Biblically: Acceptable Sins?
Handling Fear & Worry Biblically Part 2
One Cause of Paranoia, Stress & Anxiety
*Thomson, Rich. The Inner Workings of the Human Heart: How the Word of God is Sufficient (The Heart of Man & The Mental Disorders Book 1). Biblical Counseling Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 1852, Alief, Texas 77411. Kindle Edition.
Today’s Other Readings:
Job 21 & 22:
What Did You Do About My Son?
In chapter 21 Job tries to convince his friends that their conclusion about his suffering was wrong. He reasoned that because the wicked are not always punished in this life, they couldn’t say good is always rewarded and evil is always punished. He pointed out that, at times, even people who shake their fists at God seem to do so with impunity.
We have probably all witnessed instances where that appeared to be true and it would have been easy to look around and say, “Why Bother Living Right?” but as Job said in verse 30, “the wicked are reserved for the day of doom …”
While sometimes the wicked prosper in this life, there will be a day of accounting when all the riches, all the success, and all the fame will count for nothing!
Hardly a month goes by that we don’t hear of the death of some celebrity or politician or other wealthy or influential person. And, while some of them may be saved, there is often nothing to indicate that was true. When they stand before God, He won’t be impressed with their money, their political clout, or their excellent acting talent! The only question that will matter is “What did you do about my son?”
Psalm 96.1-6:
Sing a New Song
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! (v. 1)
While this primarily refers to the praise offered in the future millennial kingdom, we should have a “new song” attitude in our worship today. I heard someone say the reason we are commanded to sing a “new song” is so we will think about the words of our praise.
The speaker said that when we sing music with which we are overly familiar it can easily cease to be “praise” and become nothing more than “nostalgia” for us. This is true for the same reason prayers that are repeated over and over can cease to be prayer and become “vain repetition,” something Jesus condemned.
It’s not that it is wrong to sing a favorite hymn or worship song, any more than it is sinful to pray “the Lord’s Prayer” or some other familiar prayer, but it is important to think about what we are singing or praying. It should be an act of worship to the Lord, offered thoughtfully and intentionally.
Proverbs 23.6-8:
Eating with a Selfish Man
In verses 1-3, we were warned to be on guard when we sit down to eat with a ruler and not desire his “delicacies.” In verses 4-5, we were warned against lusting after wealth. And here in verses 6-8, we are told to not eat the bread of a “miser” or the NASB says, a “selfish man.” We should be careful not to take advantage of generous people, but we should be especially careful with selfish people. Not only is it not given joyfully, but they begrudge you every bite.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about how to know whether to admonish a sinning brother or sister, whether spanking is outdated, 7 ways to avoid a roller coaster of emotions and habits that rob us of God’s blessings. We will also ask the question, “If you died tonight, do you know for sure where you would spend eternity?”
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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