Everyone else's sins

People do what they will. Alcohol is a bit in the grey area because some denoms condemn it entirely, others just advocate moderation.

I think the number one sin here is homosexual activity, and I don't think people can look beyond that. But then again I don't really think they should. It's basically the same as premarital sex, and both actions are no-nos for most Christians. Or ones who own Bibles, anyway.

/post

I heard some sins referred to as uber sins.....and yeah, here I think it's homosexuality more than premarital sex. The only people I know that have an issue with premarital sex are on this board. In real life, I know no one that takes a stance opposed to it...and I know a fair share of "religious" folks..including two good friends that are ministers.

Its something God has been working on in me.

I don't know that I've ever been uber legalistic, but I definitely have my areas of pride that I need to break down. Romans 14 has become one of my favourite passages actually because it is so convicting and so edifying at the same time in this area.

There are so many things in mainstream Christianity that are taken for granted as something good Christians should and shouldn't do, and growing up I bought into a lot of that. Its just now that I'm examining my beliefs to see if they're based more on man's tradition or on Scripture. Sadly, more often than not its based on tradition. I understand about personal conviction and even encourage those who are convicted about certain things I may not be to stick to those convictions, but I don't want to be one of those believers that takes the convictions of others as my own because thats whats expected of me or the kind that pushes my own convictions on others.

Its a long road but by the grace of God He'll get me there.

We should be united in the firm foundation of our faith and not the foundation of legalism.

Aino said:

Really? I'm surprised..

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I wouldn't be personally, it's one of the good old fashioned make sure you come down hardest on the sins your most unlikely to commit.

Aino said:

I bumped into this thread about condemning every christian to hell who ever dares *gasp* set their foot in a bar and then being all holy because of that. I had to laugh because it was so true, I can't believe how often I've witnessed the attitude that some people have: that people who drink are the source of all evil - right next to Satan himself - and that everyone else is practically an angel. [In the US having premarital sex would probably be a better example for a commonly most hated sin, I guess.]

So can we sometimes try minding our own business and striving for our own good habits instead of looking down on other people who have other weaknesses then ourself? And instead of fighting about minor issues such as whether or not it's appropriate to have a beer every now and then focusing on the things we have in common, such as our God for example? Just saying... Have a nice evening all!

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I agree with your sentiments, though you kind of defeat the purpose by mocking and chiding them on with your characterizations.

I'd say the most hated sin would be molesting children, but thankfully that's not very commonly committed.

"So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another." (Romans 14:1-13)

There's a difference between judging people, and judging actions and their effects, and doctrines. We can say "promiscuity is immoral" without saying "thou heathen" to a promiscuous person. But it can be easy to cross over from judging actions and doctrines to judging the people associated with them, and if one tends to do that it is probably better for that person to keep his or her mouth shut.

Yeah, I agree with that .

MacFall said:

There's a difference between judging people, and judging actions and their effects, and doctrines. We can say "promiscuity is immoral" without saying "thou heathen" to a promiscuous person. But it can be easy to cross over from judging actions and doctrines to judging the people associated with them, and if one tends to do that it is probably better for that person to keep his or her mouth shut.

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very true. We, as The Body, need to learn how to speak the truth boldly in love. You can't help turn a brother or sister from sin if you're hellbent on tearing them down because they actually sin, and you can't be used by God to lead unbelievers to Him if you look down on them for being sinners.


Its a fine line of recognizing and addressing sin, and becoming prideful and holier than thou.

And let us not forget we are all sinners with our own planks to deal with. So when discussing sin...we should have more "I" statements than "you" statements.

Aino said:

[I'm not sure how to interpret "looking beyond that"... Like does it mean you think you should be open about your despise of those said activities or that we just shouldn't justify doing those things because it's "normal"? ]

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We shouldn't be justifying sinful living in a Christian community such as a church.

As LT said rather well:

little_tigress said:

we, as The Body, need to learn how to speak the truth boldly in love.

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How is it said again? "Hate the sin, love the sinner." You have to not let these things go on, or else I'm going to find someone to have premarital sex with because it isn't wrong. Because that is far more preferable than all this crap we have to deal with.

Aino said:

I bumped into this thread about condemning every christian to hell who ever dares *gasp* set their foot in a bar and then being all holy because of that. I had to laugh because it was so true, I can't believe how often I've witnessed the attitude that some people have: that people who drink are the source of all evil - right next to Satan himself - and that everyone else is practically an angel. [In the US having premarital sex would probably be a better example for a commonly most hated sin, I guess.]

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Thanks for reminding me of one negative aspect to Christian community. It's probably better coined *human community...but it seems more prevelant in Christianity. Who hasn't been guilty of Spiritual Pride? I know I have...and it's a terrible feeling. It equates to self - justification, which, by definition, is anti-Christian.

...And it's different from just hating sin. The Pharisee loudly proclaims his righteousness, a dirty rag, before God and others. His show of vanity is measured by a comparison to others, rather than by a comparison to God's law and precepts alone. He differs from the tax collector in a very important aspect. The Tax Collector knows true grace. The self justifying and competative person can never know grace.

But this may be so because Pride is elusive. It is much easier to identify obvious sin, proclaim other's sins for reasons other than holy, than to identify inner pride.

It also, I strongly suspect, has to do with maintaining public appearances and perception, rather than a true and quiet core of maintaining obedience.

We are told to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed. We are also told to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. That to me- does not mean judging, although I have to admit I am capable of this at times- not always intentional, but it jumps out and I have to deal with that.

We should encourage and point people to Jesus.

This forum would be so dull if there was no judging by conservative hypocrities. It can be hurtful - I'm straight, and some of the anti-homosexuality rants really bother me, so I can't imagine what'd be like to be gay and on this board, either posting or lurking - but it'd be a bit of a snooze otherwise.