This title, of course, is a trick question. From divine viewpoint, there is no such thing as a “little” sin.
The perception of there being some sins (and sinners) that are categorized as being worse than others makes sense to human viewpoint, and is promoted in religious circles.
In most of the administration of justice systems here on earth, crimes are classified, prosecuted, and punished according to their perceived “seriousness”. At least one popular Christian religion, classifies sins as being menial or mortal, with the mortal ones carrying greater consequences.
With one exception, Scripture (James 2: 10) teach that sin is sin and with equal consequences. The one exception, being the sin of disbelief (John 3: 18), carries with it the spiritual death (separation from God) sentence that will eventually be experienced by unbelievers in the lake of fire for all of eternity (Rev. 20: 15). This is more “serious” than all other sin because this sin (committed here on Earth) will never be pardoned throughout all of eternity.
All other sin (1John 2: 2) was atoned (paid for) by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ while ON the cross. It was by divine design, and NOT a deficiency in the atoning work, that left the sin of disbelief unatoned for by the work on the cross.
It is for the ONE sin of disbelief that a departed soul will eventually find him/herself in the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 15).
This does not mean that God is “ok with” other sins.
Although the gift of salvation, freely given to those who believe (John 3: 16) the Gospel Message is irrevocable (Romans 11: 29), there is still divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth, and forfeiture of rewards (1Cor. 3: 12-15) and denial of privileges (Rev. 2, Rev. 3) to be experienced as a result of post (after) salvation sin that is committed here on Earth by born again believers.
Divine discipline here on Earth can range in anything from living with a guilty conscience (Psalms 32: 3, 4), up to and including physical death (Acts 5/1Cor. 11: 30).
The forfeiture of rewards is the result of the time spent out of fellowship with God, during which times there was no divine good being produced.
The denial of privileges (Rev. 2/Rev. 3) is the result of never “overcoming” the spiritual challenges of the post salvation spiritual life.
* * *
Divine viewpoint (1Cor. 2: 15/Habakkuk 1: 13) says that sin is sin. As James 2: 10 NASB puts it, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth (of the matter) is not in us (1John 1: 8 NASB italics mine).”
In addition to the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament (*of which nine still apply), there are more than 300 “laws” in the New Testament alone that apply to individuals living here in the Church Age.
*Church Age believers no longer acknowledge the Old Testament command to cease work and to worship beginning at sundown on Friday through sunset on Saturday. Nor are Church Age believers commanded to make animal sacrifices, even though such things were required of Old Testament believers.
Religion has erroneously re-introduced the concept of such things as “holy” buildings, physical altars, officiating priests after having put a “Christian” spin on them, assigning spiritual significance and functions that did not come from God for the Church Age.
The same thing has happened with rituals and practices (e.g. the lighting of candles/prayers addressed to personalities other than God) that originated in the pagan world, especially when there was a large influx of pagans coming into the “Christian Community.”
The concept of making the Christian Community one big happy family sounds noble, but not when it requires compromises that defies or denies Scripture (Isa 55: 8 ,9/Prov. 30: 6/MRK 7: 7).
* * *
For the spiritually dead unbelievers of every race, gender, social class and nationality, there is the law requiring that one must be born again (John 3: 7) if he/she is to enter the kingdom of God. No alternative of Man-made religion can circumvent this law of God.
For the born-again believer, there are many, many, laws (300+) that are in place to govern his/her daily life under the umbrella of discipleship. Compliance with these laws does NOT increase the integrity of the salvation that a born-again believer has already received, but compliance with these laws has much to do with the identification and execution of the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship.
No one can become any more saved than he/she did the moment he/she first believed in a presentation of the Gospel Message, but the level of one’s spiritual maturity (knowledge and application of the Word of God) can increase or decrease at any given time.
In the spiritual realm, one is either moving forward or is in reverse along the road to spiritual maturity. There is no neutrality or rest areas along the way.
Addressing post (after salvation) sin has got NOTHING to do with retaining salvation, but has EVERYTHING to do with the execution of the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship. Retaining salvation requires no more from a born-again believer that what he/she has already accomplished. Discipleship, on the other hand, requires much, much more.
Post (after) salvation sin does not impact the integrity of one’s salvation, but greatly impacts one’s desire and productivity in his/her post salvation spiritual life.
As we just noted, according to James 2: 10, a violation of any one of Gods (300+) laws causes the violator to be out of fellowship with God and to take a seat in the same stinking, sinking, boat of sin as ANY other sinner!
The confession process offered by Christian religion does not provide the sinner with immediate availability.
Some practitioners of religion will begin by informing an attending priest how long it has been since their last confession. The edified believer, makes his/her confession to God, with both parties already knowing how long he/she has been out of fellowship with God.
Initially, the need for (post (after) confession of sin will actually increase as the advancing disciple becomes more and more aware of what sin actually is, and the need to confess it in order to move forward in the plan of God. In time, the periods of time spent out of fellowship will decrease as one forsakes former sin.
“The “holier than Thou” crowd are only “holier” in their own minds! The advancing disciple is fully aware that as long as he/she remains on Earth, he/she is will always be a sinner who has been saved by the unmerited grace of God.
* * *
Let’s take a look at just a few of the Laws of God that are so easily rationalized away via human viewpoint.
Unless compliance would compromise one’s walk with the Lord (Acts 5: 29), there is a law (Romans 13: 1) requiring those who identify themselves as “Christians,” to submit to all forms of authority. Among these areas of authority include marital (Eph. 5:22-24), parental (Eph. 6: 1), governmental (Romans 13:1), and labor Eph. 6: 5.
Disrespect for authority is the beginning of the end of any family, society, or organization, but it begins in the home with the wife/mother setting a negative example. Politicians, Popes, religious groups, and pastor teachers have all been quoted saying that however goes the family, so goes the society, the nation, the world.
A Christian husband/father is commanded to be the type of husband (Eph. 5: 25) and father (Eph. 6: 4) that Christian Marriage requires.
Failure on the part of partner/party does not, in itself, excuse those in positions of subordination to respect and comply with authority.
The one exception to compliance with a person in a position of legitimate authority is when the subordinate ones are told to do something that amounts to sin.
In the family plan of God, the husband is subordinate to God; the wife is subordinate to the husband; and the children (while under the parent’s roof) are subordinate to both parents. When there is no one person in a position of final authority, then no one is in charge, leaving all issues open to debate or rejection by those in a position of subordination.
* * *
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain (Ex. 20: 7 NASB).”
When most Church Age believers hear of taking the Lord’s name in vain, thoughts of using His name as a swear word/phrase, or when cursing comes to mind.
This is of course an awful sin and extremely offensive in the ears of an advancing disciple, but taking the name of the Lord in vain goes far beyond that.
Taking on the name/title of Christian (Acts 11: 26), and then choosing not live as a Christian should, is one way in which one can violate the principle of Ex. 20: 7.
What a Christian should or shouldn’t do is clearly documented in Scripture. Living, as a Christian should, begins with learning what the Word of God has to say, and then applying it to how one thinks, speaks, and conducts him/herself. This is a never-ending and on-going process that takes place throughout the course of one’s post salvation spiritual life.
To place no significance on learning and applying the written (2Tim. 3: 16) Word of God has to say, is to place no significance on what the Living (John 1: 1) Word of God (the Lord Jesus Christ) has to say. When a “Christian” places no significance on either the Written or the Living Word of God, he/she has taken on the name of the Lord in vain.
Church Age believers demonstrate what degree of significance they place on the Word of God by their level of desire to learn, and their willingness to apply the Word of God (2Pet. 3: 18/James 1: 22).
Grow-i-n-g (an on-go-i-n-g process) in the knowledge of the Lord (2Pet. 3: 18) and apply-i-n-g (an on-go-i-n-g process) what we have learned to how we think, speak, and otherwise conduct ourselves (James 1: 22) are two of the 300+ laws of God, for which we will give a personal accounting of to God (Rom. 14: 12).
* * *
There is a law (Phil 2: 14) that applies to those who bear the name Christian requiring them to do all things without grumbling or complaining. This is self-explanatory. Some of us are not even up and out of bed before violating this one, and most of us will violate this one soon enough in the course of the day.
* * *
There is a law (Luke 9: 23) that applies to those who identify themselves as His disciples requiring them to pick up his/her cross and follow the Lord on a daily basis.
Every disciple is a Christian, but not all Christians are disciples. A disciple is a born-again believer who centers his/her life around the study of the Word of God. This study is initially for one’s own edification, but with the long-term objective of sharing it with others.
Sharing the Gospel Message with unbelievers and principles of doctrine with fellow believers is what the Great Commission and the earthly life of a Christian disciple is all about.
Deviating from these marching orders has brought many areas of the Christian Community to engage is alternative agendas that the Church was never commissioned to address. Engaging in politics on the local, national, and international level has brought large sections of the Community to and through some of the darkest periods of its infamous history.
The principle of separating Church and State was clearly taught by the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 12: 17).
The Church (that God designed) was/is commissioned to proclaim The Gospel Message to unbelievers in all the nations, be they princes or paupers, and to make disciples (students and appliers of the Word of God) out of those who choose to be born again.
The Church (that God designed) was never commissioned to become a political or military entity, nor was it commissioned to entangle itself in world politics. Such entanglements have led large portions of the Christian Community to and through some of the darkest periods of it infamous history.
The Church that God designed makes its position clear, but does NOT force its position on anyone.
It is its ordained function to make the Gospel Message and doctrines clear, but compliance or rejection of the information is a matter of choice and matter between God the soul(s) involved.
It is by no coincidence that time alone would make it impossible for apostolic candidates to meet the (Acts 1: 22) qualifying “eye-witness of the risen Lord” requirement. The Apostle Paul fulfilled this requirement in the most unusual ways (Acts 8/Gal. 1: 12, 17/1Cor. 11: 23), AFTER the Lord’s ascension (Acts 1: 9).
With the physical death of the last apostle, the highest position of authority in the Church that God designed rests with the pastor-teacher in each separate local assembly/ministry. Scripture clearly documents what it takes for a pastoral candidate to qualify and function as a pastor teacher of the Church Age, long before seminaries, Bible Colleges, and “religious” organizations came along.
Pastoral authority does not extend beyond the walls (physical or proverbial) of each local assembly. Financial and missionary support is provided with the long-term objective of establishing local assemblies, self-supporting, independent of each other.
The cross spoken of in Luke 9: 23 is often misidentified and misunderstood.
This cross is NOT the adversity common to all men, nor is it the self-induced misery that we bring upon ourselves as a result of the negative choices we or others make.
The cross being spoken of in Luke 9: 23 is the personal adversity, rejection, and persecution that is the direct result of participating in the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20).
The Great Commission involves the sharing of the Gospel Message with unbelievers, and/or the sharing of Church Age Doctrine with fellow believers.
The cross spoken of in Luke 9: 23 involves denying oneself anything that gets in the way of discipleship (Luke 14: 26), as well as any of the suffering (1Pet. 2: 20, 21) or persecution (2Tim 3: 12) that taking a stand for God and/or the things of God will bring.
You can’t jump into water and not get wet. You can’t enter the battlefield of spiritual combat and not encounter adversity. If one is not subjected to suffering or persecution from time to time, he/she might want to consider a 2Cor. 13: 5 SELF examination!
One can participate in the Great Commission directly in the role of an evangelists, a pastor-teacher, a Sunday School teacher, chaplain, etc., or indirectly by rendering financial, logistical, or practical service to a local assembly or ministry that is so engaged.
Furthermore, every advancing disciple will develop the ability to identify and willingly respond to opportunities he/she is given to share the Gospel Message and/or Church Age Doctrine in a one on one setting. When spiritually mature, discussing spiritual matters for the edification of others will become second nature to us, accepting whatever adversity it generates as his/her Luke 9: 23 cross to bear.
At the very least, every born-again believer should have a pastor teacher or a ministry to whom he/she can direct others seeking spiritual answers.
* * *
There is a law (Matt. 7: 12) that applies to those who bear the name Christian requiring them to do unto others as he/she would want others to do him/her. Note that the Christian behavior is not determined by how he/she is treated by others, but how the Christian DESIRES others to treat him/her.
If this principle, aka The Golden Rule, were to be universally applied, there would be no need for any other laws governing human behavior.
* * *
There is a law that applies to those who bear the name Christian requiring them to forgive others (Col. 3: 13), and to do so, as God does (Heb. 10: 17/Psalms 103: 12). When God forgives, He never brings up the matter again to the offender or anyone else, unless it is for the purpose of edifying the one being spoken to or spoken about.
Forgiving those who have deeply hurt us (or those we care for) can be a spiritual hurdle that is not easily overcome. What the born-again believer must ask him/herself is rather or not committing the sin not forgiving others worth taking oneself out of fellowship with God.
For the advancing disciple, the answer is, “No!”
* * *
There are laws that apply those who bear the name Christian requiring them not to take revenge (Romans 12: 19), or to gloat when our enemies fall (Prov. 24: 17).
Stealing from the collection basket/plate in Church would be considered a terrible sin. Taking what belongs to another is stealing and makes the one doing it a thief.
OK, but what has revenge got to do with stealing from God?
Vengeance belongs to the Lord (Deut. 32: 35)! If we take what belongs to the Lord, we are no better than the thief who would take what belongs to the Lord from the collection/offering basket/plate.
Is the satisfaction of taking revenge worth taking oneself out of fellowship with God by stealing what belongs to Him?
For the advancing disciple, the answer is, “No!”
Is the momentary or seasonal pleasure (Heb. 11: 25) derived from the sin of gloating worth taking oneself out of fellowship with God?
For the advancing disciple, the answer is, “No!”
* * *
There is a law requiring those who bear the name Christian, not to engage any conversation (gossip/maligning/reviling) that does not build up the one being spoken to or being spoken about. (Eph. 4: 29).
Just because what is being said may be factually true, it does not make it all right for a Christian to repeat it. Talking behind the backs of others does NOT edify the one being spoken of in the conversation.
To gossip means to spread the latest “dirt,” or to rehash the old, when there is no edification of the one being spoken about.
To malign means to bad mouth someone behind his/her back, speaking of true events, but not for the purpose of their edification. Maligning is also used as the means to make oneself look better in the eyes of others.
To revile is use abusive and highly insulting language towards another individual.
An argument can be made that this principle (speaking unless for edification) can apply to persons alive and/or dead, as the ones being spoken of can no longer be edified!
Are such (gossip/maligning/reviling) conversations worth taking oneself out of fellowship with God?
For the advancing disciple, the answer is, “No!”
* * *
There is a law (Phil 2: 4) that applies to those who bear the name Christian requiring them to consider the needs of others as more important that his/her own.
Such a mindset is a hard find in this “hurry for me” society in which we are presently living. Even when acts of human good are in view, they are often done with the idea of getting something out of it for themselves.
Putting God (Exodus 20: 3) or others (Phil. 2: 4) first is not the natural (Romans 8: 7) thing to do. But the post salvation spiritual life is not about doing was is natural, but accomplishing what is supernatural (John 15: 5) with the enabling power that God provides.
I chose these examples as they are ones that most of us find challenging on a day to day basis, or ones that violate by second nature, often times giving little thought to the spiritual damage taking place.
In truth, the list of examples could go on and on until all of the 300+ plus ways in which one could sin on any given day has been addressed.
When any sin becomes a lifestyle, one is then living in sin, regardless of what the nature of that sin may be.
The longer one lives in sin, the less likely we are going to be open to edification. Harboring one sin necessitates the committing of others.
Since we can (and often do) violate any one of these 300+ laws by the way we think, what we say, what we do, or fail to do, many of us have already sinned in one way or another before are even out of bed in the morning! The rest of us will surely follow suit soon enough!
Some of us can’t even handle the daily traffic commute without engaging in sinful attitudes and behaviors.
Never disregard the impact that either a positive smile or a negative gesture can have on another individual.
Either one might be just the spark that sets off a series of events in motion than can result in others being greatly blessed, or setting off a negative emotional explosion or implosion, wreaking havoc in the lives of others.
* * *
While a zero-tolerance of ANY type and degree of sin can be seen as portraying God as being unapproachable in His holiness (1Tim. 6: 16/Habakkuk 1: 13, God did provide Fallen Man with the means (John 3: 16) to establish and retain a relationship with Him. God also has plan (1John 1: 9) that allows us to immediately restore fellowship with Him.
Pointing to the holiness of God, and promoting obedience of His laws, is NOT legalism.
Legalism is an attempt to make oneself right with God by what we do (or don’t do), whereas Christianity is all about placing our trust and confidence in what God has done, is doing, and will do for those who believe.
The legalist is usually uptight and restless, whereas the spiritual and edified man is relatively relaxed and calm (Phil. 4: 7, even in the worst of scenarios that life here on Earth can generate.
When in fellowship with God, one will have the desire to obey Him (John 14: 15). Born again believers will, never-the-less, fail and sin along the road to Heaven, and be in need of making a 1John 1: 9 confessions (to God), and to forsake the same sin (John8: 11, in order to receive on-going forgiveness and to restore and retain the fellowship lost when we choose to sin. Note that it is fellowship and not salvation that is lost and restored.
All born-again souls are “Christians,” but not all Christians consistently walk in fellowship with God, taking on His name in vain. (Ouch!)
There is divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth and loss of rewards (1Cor. 3: 12-15) and privileges (Rev. 2, Rev. 3) for born again believers who sin, and for those who fail to “overcome” the spiritual challenges of the post salvation spiritual life.
1Cor. 3: 12-15 speak of the rewards given to those involved in the production of divine good (John 15: 5), symbolized as silver, gold, and precious stones. Rev, Chapters Two and Three, speak of privileges that advancing disciples will receive for having overcome certain challenges of the post salvation spiritual life.
Every soul that chooses to (believe) place his/her personal trust and confidence in the Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (explained in the Gospel Message) is born-again. Every born-again believer will have a home in Heaven and will enjoy the general environment that Heaven provides.
However, some born again believers will forfeit some or all of the rewards spoken of in 1Cor. 3: 12-15 (See vs. 15), and some or all of the privileges spoken of in Rev. 2 and 3. Such rewards and privileges are reserved for born again believers who identify and successfully execute the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship.
Heaven is a place of equality opportunity (based on the equal opportunity that all born again believers have to identify and to execute the post salvation spiritual life here on Earth. Equal opportunity does not mean equal results. Born again believers will not all have the same rewards and privileges that will impact their experience in Heaven.
It is what each and every born-again believer chooses to do with his/her opportunity to identify and to execute the post salvation spiritual life that determines what (if any-1Cor. 3: 15) rewards and what (f any – Rev. Chapters 2, 3) privileges he/she will either receive or forfeit.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever (good or evil) a man sows, that shall he also reap (Gal.6: 7 NASB italics mine).”
This sowing/reaping principle applies to matters here on Earth, and will impact that takes place in Heaven that will last for all of eternity.
For the advancing disciple, the post salvation spiritual life is not primarily identified or executed for what earthly or heavenly benefits he/she will receive. It is identified and executed for the glory of God. By glorifying God, the advancing disciple fulfills the primary purpose for which God created him/her and placed him/her here on Earth.
Until one as been born again (John 3: 5: 7), he/she is spiritually dead and out of fellowship with God. This is true no matter how otherwise religious or moral one may be.
One can be religious, and relatively moral for a variety of (health, social standing, professional advancement, etc.) reasons, but never-the-less be spiritually dead.
Without a doubt in my mind, the day after Eve was deceived and Adam sinned, they were both very surprised to find themselves still alive. The verbiage of Gen. 3: 2,3 confirms that Eve understood that the pending death result applied to her, as well.
The devil had already planted the seed of thought (Gen. 3: 4) that Adam would not die, as God had warned. To “sweeten the deal,” the devil convinced Eve that she and Adam would benefit by becoming like God (Gen. 3: 5), if they ate of the fruit.
God had made it clear that on the day they sinned, they would “surely die (Gen. 2: 17 NASB)”.
What they likely did, and many of us today do is to fail to realize that God was speaking of spiritual death. Physical death would eventually be one of the consequences of the Fall of Man (Gen.3; 22-24), but it was spiritual death that God spoke of and imposed on the day they sinned.
Man has strived to preserve and extend the physical life span of the human experience, and to address the spiritual destiny of the soul through religion. Never the less, we all have an appointed time to depart this earth (Psalms 31: 15/Heb. 9: 27/1Thess. 4: 17). There are no religious activities or human good deeds that can take the place of Man’s one and only means of salvation, articulated in the Gospel Message.
It is easier for some to acknowledge his/her sin if and when it becomes socially accepted. Tolerance, and even approval, of what the Bible refers to as sin in a morally-declining society, can be a satanic trap.
It encourages one to respond to the desires of his/her fallen nature once the “social stigma” of the activity has been removed.
In some cases, not only are the secular laws that coincided with the laws of God repealed, but new laws sanctioning such activity are passed and enforced.
Calling good evil, and evil good (Isa. 5: 20) does NOT come from God, and is promoted by the one who desires to destroy (1Pet. 5: 8).
Keep in mind, that from God’s perspective, sin is sin, and can only be addressed by the plan (1John 1: 9/John 8) He has established.
There is no greater relief from the power, fear, and the grip that sin can generate than what God can provide.
One of the ways that God can turn disaster into great good is when one repents, confesses, and forsakes a former area of sin, and becomes one who can then best minister to others who choose to walk the same path (1Cor. 6: 9-11).
Religious rituals and social acceptance cannot wash away the stain, and continuing on in sin just digs one in deeper and deeper.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Gal. 6: 7 NASB).”
The laws of Man and even some rules, policies, and traditions of religion have been altered to accommodate “political correctness,” but the laws of God remain in place until their purpose has been achieved.
The laws that God established for the Church Age will remain in force until the end of the Church Age takes place. The Church Age does NOT end until the Rapture (1THess. 4: 16, 17) takes place.
* * *
Spiritual death is not the absence of existence. In spiritual death, the soul never dies, but exists while outside of a relationship with God.
The soul is the part of us that was created in God’s likeness (Gen. 1:26). The soul is like God in that it never dies, and will never have an end. The soul is unlike God, in that every soul has a beginning. The soul’s beginning takes place when God creates it and places it in the body that the biological parents reproduce (John 3: 6). God, on the other hand is eternal, meaning that He did not have a beginning.
Upon leaving the body at the moment of physical death, every soul is destined to live on throughout all of eternity in ONE of TWO very different locations and accompanying environments, based on the spiritual choices he/she made while here on Earth.
There is NO soul in ANY corpse, funeral parlor, morgue, grave, cemetery, urn, etc. There are decomposing (Gen. 3: 19) bodily remains. Scripture (1Thess 4: 16) speaks of there being a bodily resurrection, when the remains or dust are transformed and raised in resurrection form.
NOTHING on Earth can take place or fail to take place that will prevent God from transforming the dust or bodily remains of a born-again believer into his/her resurrection form at the appointed time.
In the meantime, the departed souls of born again believers are absent from the body and with the Lord (2Cor. 5: 8), in “buildings (2Cor. 5: 1),” (interim bodies) in Heaven.
Moses, whose earthly body was buried by the Lord Himself (Deut. 34: 6) long before, appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration in his interim body, and conversed with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The departed souls of unbelievers are in the Torments of Hades, where they shall remain until the Rev. 20: 13, 15 event takes place when they are all cast into the lake of fire for all of eternity.
Here in the Church Age, which location and environment is determined by the fact that one has or has not been born again (John 3: 5, 7).
Until one is born again, he/she does not have a post salvation spiritual life, as the post (after) salvation spiritual life does not begin until after one has already been saved.
One’s post (after) salvation spiritual life takes place here on Earth. It begins the second one is born again, and comes to an end when the soul of the believer goes home to be with the Lord (2Cor. 5: 8).
Every born-again believer has “a” post (after) salvation spiritual life.
There is a world of a difference, however, between having “a” post salvation spiritual life, and “the” post salvation spiritual life outlined in the Scripture.
Sin takes the born-again believer out of fellowship with God.
Since fellowship (2Cor. 13: 14) is a key factor in the execution of the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship, identifying, avoiding, confessing, and forsaking sin plays a major role in the life of a disciple.
Accordingly, there is no such thing as a little sin, as ANY sin (James 2: 10/Hab. 1: 13), since it is any sin is that takes the born-again believer out of fellowship with God.
Until any known sin in confessed, the born-again believer remains out of fellowship. The length of time that a born-again believer can remain out of fellowship with God can be as brief as the few seconds it takes to confess the sin (to God), or can be as long as the rest of his/her post salvation spiritual life.
The lack of production of divine good that takes place when out of fellowship denies the glory that God would have otherwise received. This lack of production is what results in the believer’s loss of rewards that he/she would have otherwise received for the divine good he/she would have otherwise produced if he/she had not lost fellowship with God.
The one resource that can NEVER be recovered is the accumulated time that is wasted out of fellowship with God.
In conclusion, what a “little” sin can do is to take the believer just as far out of fellowship with God, as any other sin.
What a “little” sin can do is open the door to making any form of sin a lifestyle.
What a “little” sin can do is destroy the productivity of his/her post salvation spiritual life.
What a “little” sin can do is result in the forfeiture of many 1Cor. 3: 12-15 rewards that one could have otherwise received in Heaven.
What a “little” sin can do is stop us from going forward along the road to spiritual maturity and consequently being denied the Rev. Chapters 2 & 3 privileges awaiting those who “overcome” the spiritual challenges of the here and now.
Once one has experienced genuine fellowship with God, the loss of it will cause the born-again believer to feel like a fish out of water. That alone, will be enough to motivate him/her to address the sin(s) involved and return to fellowship.
If you have never been born-again, my prayer for you is to click on and read the Gospel Message.
If you choose to believe (that is to put your full trust and confidence in it), you will not only forever address the issue of your salvation, but will for the first time allow you to experience genuine fellowship with God. If you have already been born again, but are out of fellowship with God, my prayer for you is that you will confess your sin(s) to God, and recover the fellowship that you have lost.
There is NO other solution or remedy for post salvation sin. The debt cannot be “worked off” through good deeds, by doing penance, or engaging in more “religious” activity.
If you find yourself struggling to consistently remain in fellowship with God, know that this is a part of the spiritual warfare (Eph. 6: 12) that is common to all advancing disciples.
Spiritually dead unbelievers would not know what it means or feels like to be in personal fellowship God. One does not “miss” what he/she has not yet experienced, but one sense that something is missing in his/her religious life.
Once a born-again believer has experienced personal fellowship with God, there will always be a feeling that something is missing in his/her life when he/she is out of fellowship with God.
The same can be said regarding the Phil. 7: 4 peace that surpasses all human understanding. This type of peace is not the absence of adversity, but peace of mind in the midst of all the adversity that life here on Earth can generate.
The more any born-again believer spiritually matures (glorifying God), the greater a target of interest he/she becomes on Satan’s radar screen, and the more frequent and intense the attacks (Eph. 6: 16) will be.
These “flaming arrows (Eph. 6: 16 NASB)” can come from a variety of sources, but all promote human viewpoint and/or “religious” alternatives that run contrary to Scripture and promote the cause of the kingdom of darkness.
The devil enjoys parading the “success” of those who openly engage and promote sin, but the most effective sources are the ones who present themselves and are perceived to be spokespersons for God (2Cor.11: 13, 14).
When (if) a born-again believer develops and applies the, “the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2: 16 NASB), he/ she will come onto conflict with those who promote false religious doctrines and practices.
If one does not see the evil or the harm that sin can do, and/or does not experience the inevitable internal and external spiritual conflicts that these opposing viewpoints generate, it’s likely because the devil already has him/her right where he wants him/her to be.
The devil is wise enough not to upset the apple cart when he is ahead of the game. He won’t try to “fix” what (religion/human viewpoint) works for him, and is all too pleased to promote it.
The Lord desires that all unbelievers would listen to and to respond to the Gospel Message, whereas the desires that all unbelievers remain as spiritually dead as the day they came into this world.
The Lord desires that all born again believers hear and respond to the post (after salvation) call to discipleship, whereas the devil will do all that he can to impede, stop, or reverse any forward progress that a born again believes makes along the road to spiritual maturity.
For the believer, the devil wants them to be and remain out of fellowship with God, being fully aware of its significance.
The devil has a plan consisting of both “blessings” (Luke 4: 6) and adversity (1{et. 5: 8) to achieve these goals in the life of every soul that God has created for His glory.
The Apostle Paul (Romans 7) wrote of his personal battle with the fallen nature still within him, almost 30 years AFTER he was born again, and towards the END of his outstanding ministry here on Earth.
For the advancing disciple, the battle does not get easier; it gets harder. The battle of the post salvation spiritual life will continue on until we take our last breath on Earth, as long as we choose to engage in it.
The army of God is an all-volunteer outfit.
Learning what God defines as sin, and addressing it His way, plays a major role in executing the post salvation spiritual life.
From divine viewpoint, there no such thing as a “little” sin. Sin is sin (James 2: 10). Anything that can take a believer out of fellowship with God is by no means a little matter in the eyes of the One who we will all give an accounting to (Romans 14: 12).
As we have noted, salvation can will not be lost (Romans 8:1/1Cor. 3: 15). Never-the-less, there are both earthly and eternal consequences for all of the post salvation sins that we choose to commit.
This title, of course, is a trick question. From divine viewpoint, there is no such thing as a “little” sin.
The perception of there being some sins (and sinners) that are categorized as being worse than others makes sense to human viewpoint, and is promoted in religious circles.
In most of the administration of justice systems here on earth, crimes are classified, prosecuted, and punished according to their perceived “seriousness”. At least one popular Christian religion, classifies sins as being menial or mortal, with the mortal ones carrying greater consequences.
With one exception, Scripture (James 2: 10) teach that sin is sin and with equal consequences. The one exception, being the sin of disbelief (John 3: 18), carries with it the spiritual death (separation from God) sentence that will eventually be experienced by unbelievers in the lake of fire for all of eternity (Rev. 20: 15). This is more “serious” than all other sin because this sin (committed here on Earth) will never be pardoned throughout all of eternity.
All other sin (1John 2: 2) was atoned (paid for) by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ while ON the cross. It was by divine design, and NOT a deficiency in the atoning work, that left the sin of disbelief unatoned for by the work on the cross.
It is for the ONE sin of disbelief that a departed soul will eventually find him/herself in the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 15).
This does not mean that God is “ok with” other sins.
Although the gift of salvation, freely given to those who believe (John 3: 16) the Gospel Message is irrevocable (Romans 11: 29), there is still divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth, and forfeiture of rewards (1Cor. 3: 12-15) and denial of privileges (Rev. 2, Rev. 3) to be experienced as a result of post (after) salvation sin that is committed here on Earth by born again believers.
Divine discipline here on Earth can range in anything from living with a guilty conscience (Psalms 32: 3, 4), up to and including physical death (Acts 5/1Cor. 11: 30).
The forfeiture of rewards is the result of the time spent out of fellowship with God, during which times there was no divine good being produced.
The denial of privileges (Rev. 2/Rev. 3) is the result of never “overcoming” the spiritual challenges of the post salvation spiritual life.
* * *
Divine viewpoint (1Cor. 2: 15/Habakkuk 1: 13) says that sin is sin. As James 2: 10 NASB puts it, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth (of the matter) is not in us (1John 1: 8 NASB italics mine).”
In addition to the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament (*of which nine still apply), there are more than 300 “laws” in the New Testament alone that apply to individuals living here in the Church Age.
*Church Age believers no longer acknowledge the Old Testament command to cease work and to worship beginning at sundown on Friday through sunset on Saturday. Nor are Church Age believers commanded to make animal sacrifices, even though such things were required of Old Testament believers.
Religion has erroneously re-introduced the concept of such things as “holy” buildings, physical altars, officiating priests after having put a “Christian” spin on them, assigning spiritual significance and functions that did not come from God for the Church Age.
The same thing has happened with rituals and practices (e.g. the lighting of candles/prayers addressed to personalities other than God) that originated in the pagan world, especially when there was a large influx of pagans coming into the “Christian Community.”
The concept of making the Christian Community one big happy family sounds noble, but not when it requires compromises that defies or denies Scripture (Isa 55: 8 ,9/Prov. 30: 6/MRK 7: 7).
* * *
For the spiritually dead unbelievers of every race, gender, social class and nationality, there is the law requiring that one must be born again (John 3: 7) if he/she is to enter the kingdom of God. No alternative of Man-made religion can circumvent this law of God.
For the born-again believer, there are many, many, laws (300+) that are in place to govern his/her daily life under the umbrella of discipleship. Compliance with these laws does NOT increase the integrity of the salvation that a born-again believer has already received, but compliance with these laws has much to do with the identification and execution of the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship.
No one can become any more saved than he/she did the moment he/she first believed in a presentation of the Gospel Message, but the level of one’s spiritual maturity (knowledge and application of the Word of God) can increase or decrease at any given time.
In the spiritual realm, one is either moving forward or is in reverse along the road to spiritual maturity. There is no neutrality or rest areas along the way.
Addressing post (after salvation) sin has got NOTHING to do with retaining salvation, but has EVERYTHING to do with the execution of the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship. Retaining salvation requires no more from a born-again believer that what he/she has already accomplished. Discipleship, on the other hand, requires much, much more.
Post (after) salvation sin does not impact the integrity of one’s salvation, but greatly impacts one’s desire and productivity in his/her post salvation spiritual life.
As we just noted, according to James 2: 10, a violation of any one of Gods (300+) laws causes the violator to be out of fellowship with God and to take a seat in the same stinking, sinking, boat of sin as ANY other sinner!
The confession process offered by Christian religion does not provide the sinner with immediate availability.
Some practitioners of religion will begin by informing an attending priest how long it has been since their last confession. The edified believer, makes his/her confession to God, with both parties already knowing how long he/she has been out of fellowship with God.
Initially, the need for (post (after) confession of sin will actually increase as the advancing disciple becomes more and more aware of what sin actually is, and the need to confess it in order to move forward in the plan of God. In time, the periods of time spent out of fellowship will decrease as one forsakes former sin.
“The “holier than Thou” crowd are only “holier” in their own minds! The advancing disciple is fully aware that as long as he/she remains on Earth, he/she is will always be a sinner who has been saved by the unmerited grace of God.
* * *
Let’s take a look at just a few of the Laws of God that are so easily rationalized away via human viewpoint.
Unless compliance would compromise one’s walk with the Lord (Acts 5: 29), there is a law (Romans 13: 1) requiring those who identify themselves as “Christians,” to submit to all forms of authority. Among these areas of authority include marital (Eph. 5:22-24), parental (Eph. 6: 1), governmental (Romans 13:1), and labor Eph. 6: 5.
Disrespect for authority is the beginning of the end of any family, society, or organization, but it begins in the home with the wife/mother setting a negative example. Politicians, Popes, religious groups, and pastor teachers have all been quoted saying that however goes the family, so goes the society, the nation, the world.
A Christian husband/father is commanded to be the type of husband (Eph. 5: 25) and father (Eph. 6: 4) that Christian Marriage requires.
Failure on the part of partner/party does not, in itself, excuse those in positions of subordination to respect and comply with authority.
The one exception to compliance with a person in a position of legitimate authority is when the subordinate ones are told to do something that amounts to sin.
In the family plan of God, the husband is subordinate to God; the wife is subordinate to the husband; and the children (while under the parent’s roof) are subordinate to both parents. When there is no one person in a position of final authority, then no one is in charge, leaving all issues open to debate or rejection by those in a position of subordination.
* * *
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain (Ex. 20: 7 NASB).”
When most Church Age believers hear of taking the Lord’s name in vain, thoughts of using His name as a swear word/phrase, or when cursing comes to mind.
This is of course an awful sin and extremely offensive in the ears of an advancing disciple, but taking the name of the Lord in vain goes far beyond that.
Taking on the name/title of Christian (Acts 11: 26), and then choosing not live as a Christian should, is one way in which one can violate the principle of Ex. 20: 7.
What a Christian should or shouldn’t do is clearly documented in Scripture. Living, as a Christian should, begins with learning what the Word of God has to say, and then applying it to how one thinks, speaks, and conducts him/herself. This is a never-ending and on-going process that takes place throughout the course of one’s post salvation spiritual life.
To place no significance on learning and applying the written (2Tim. 3: 16) Word of God has to say, is to place no significance on what the Living (John 1: 1) Word of God (the Lord Jesus Christ) has to say. When a “Christian” places no significance on either the Written or the Living Word of God, he/she has taken on the name of the Lord in vain.
Church Age believers demonstrate what degree of significance they place on the Word of God by their level of desire to learn, and their willingness to apply the Word of God (2Pet. 3: 18/James 1: 22).
Grow-i-n-g (an on-go-i-n-g process) in the knowledge of the Lord (2Pet. 3: 18) and apply-i-n-g (an on-go-i-n-g process) what we have learned to how we think, speak, and otherwise conduct ourselves (James 1: 22) are two of the 300+ laws of God, for which we will give a personal accounting of to God (Rom. 14: 12).
* * *
There is a law (Phil 2: 14) that applies to those who bear the name Christian requiring them to do all things without grumbling or complaining. This is self-explanatory. Some of us are not even up and out of bed before violating this one, and most of us will violate this one soon enough in the course of the day.
* * *
There is a law (Luke 9: 23) that applies to those who identify themselves as His disciples requiring them to pick up his/her cross and follow the Lord on a daily basis.
Every disciple is a Christian, but not all Christians are disciples. A disciple is a born-again believer who centers his/her life around the study of the Word of God. This study is initially for one’s own edification, but with the long-term objective of sharing it with others.
Sharing the Gospel Message with unbelievers and principles of doctrine with fellow believers is what the Great Commission and the earthly life of a Christian disciple is all about.
Deviating from these marching orders has brought many areas of the Christian Community to engage is alternative agendas that the Church was never commissioned to address. Engaging in politics on the local, national, and international level has brought large sections of the Community to and through some of the darkest periods of its infamous history.
The principle of separating Church and State was clearly taught by the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 12: 17).
The Church (that God designed) was/is commissioned to proclaim The Gospel Message to unbelievers in all the nations, be they princes or paupers, and to make disciples (students and appliers of the Word of God) out of those who choose to be born again.
The Church (that God designed) was never commissioned to become a political or military entity, nor was it commissioned to entangle itself in world politics. Such entanglements have led large portions of the Christian Community to and through some of the darkest periods of it infamous history.
The Church that God designed makes its position clear, but does NOT force its position on anyone.
It is its ordained function to make the Gospel Message and doctrines clear, but compliance or rejection of the information is a matter of choice and matter between God the soul(s) involved.
It is by no coincidence that time alone would make it impossible for apostolic candidates to meet the (Acts 1: 22) qualifying “eye-witness of the risen Lord” requirement. The Apostle Paul fulfilled this requirement in the most unusual ways (Acts 8/Gal. 1: 12, 17/1Cor. 11: 23), AFTER the Lord’s ascension (Acts 1: 9).
With the physical death of the last apostle, the highest position of authority in the Church that God designed rests with the pastor-teacher in each separate local assembly/ministry. Scripture clearly documents what it takes for a pastoral candidate to qualify and function as a pastor teacher of the Church Age, long before seminaries, Bible Colleges, and “religious” organizations came along.
Pastoral authority does not extend beyond the walls (physical or proverbial) of each local assembly. Financial and missionary support is provided with the long-term objective of establishing local assemblies, self-supporting, independent of each other.
The cross spoken of in Luke 9: 23 is often misidentified and misunderstood.
This cross is NOT the adversity common to all men, nor is it the self-induced misery that we bring upon ourselves as a result of the negative choices we or others make.
The cross being spoken of in Luke 9: 23 is the personal adversity, rejection, and persecution that is the direct result of participating in the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20).
The Great Commission involves the sharing of the Gospel Message with unbelievers, and/or the sharing of Church Age Doctrine with fellow believers.
The cross spoken of in Luke 9: 23 involves denying oneself anything that gets in the way of discipleship (Luke 14: 26), as well as any of the suffering (1Pet. 2: 20, 21) or persecution (2Tim 3: 12) that taking a stand for God and/or the things of God will bring.
You can’t jump into water and not get wet. You can’t enter the battlefield of spiritual combat and not encounter adversity. If one is not subjected to suffering or persecution from time to time, he/she might want to consider a 2Cor. 13: 5 SELF examination!
One can participate in the Great Commission directly in the role of an evangelists, a pastor-teacher, a Sunday School teacher, chaplain, etc., or indirectly by rendering financial, logistical, or practical service to a local assembly or ministry that is so engaged.
Furthermore, every advancing disciple will develop the ability to identify and willingly respond to opportunities he/she is given to share the Gospel Message and/or Church Age Doctrine in a one on one setting. When spiritually mature, discussing spiritual matters for the edification of others will become second nature to us, accepting whatever adversity it generates as his/her Luke 9: 23 cross to bear.
At the very least, every born-again believer should have a pastor teacher or a ministry to whom he/she can direct others seeking spiritual answers.
* * *
There is a law (Matt. 7: 12) that applies to those who bear the name Christian requiring them to do unto others as he/she would want others to do him/her. Note that the Christian behavior is not determined by how he/she is treated by others, but how the Christian DESIRES others to treat him/her.
If this principle, aka The Golden Rule, were to be universally applied, there would be no need for any other laws governing human behavior.
* * *
There is a law that applies to those who bear the name Christian requiring them to forgive others (Col. 3: 13), and to do so, as God does (Heb. 10: 17/Psalms 103: 12). When God forgives, He never brings up the matter again to the offender or anyone else, unless it is for the purpose of edifying the one being spoken to or spoken about.
Forgiving those who have deeply hurt us (or those we care for) can be a spiritual hurdle that is not easily overcome. What the born-again believer must ask him/herself is rather or not committing the sin not forgiving others worth taking oneself out of fellowship with God.
For the advancing disciple, the answer is, “No!”
* * *
There are laws that apply those who bear the name Christian requiring them not to take revenge (Romans 12: 19), or to gloat when our enemies fall (Prov. 24: 17).
Stealing from the collection basket/plate in Church would be considered a terrible sin. Taking what belongs to another is stealing and makes the one doing it a thief.
OK, but what has revenge got to do with stealing from God?
Vengeance belongs to the Lord (Deut. 32: 35)! If we take what belongs to the Lord, we are no better than the thief who would take what belongs to the Lord from the collection/offering basket/plate.
Is the satisfaction of taking revenge worth taking oneself out of fellowship with God by stealing what belongs to Him?
For the advancing disciple, the answer is, “No!”
Is the momentary or seasonal pleasure (Heb. 11: 25) derived from the sin of gloating worth taking oneself out of fellowship with God?
For the advancing disciple, the answer is, “No!”
* * *
There is a law requiring those who bear the name Christian, not to engage any conversation (gossip/maligning/reviling) that does not build up the one being spoken to or being spoken about. (Eph. 4: 29).
Just because what is being said may be factually true, it does not make it all right for a Christian to repeat it. Talking behind the backs of others does NOT edify the one being spoken of in the conversation.
To gossip means to spread the latest “dirt,” or to rehash the old, when there is no edification of the one being spoken about.
To malign means to bad mouth someone behind his/her back, speaking of true events, but not for the purpose of their edification. Maligning is also used as the means to make oneself look better in the eyes of others.
To revile is use abusive and highly insulting language towards another individual.
An argument can be made that this principle (speaking unless for edification) can apply to persons alive and/or dead, as the ones being spoken of can no longer be edified!
Are such (gossip/maligning/reviling) conversations worth taking oneself out of fellowship with God?
For the advancing disciple, the answer is, “No!”
* * *
There is a law (Phil 2: 4) that applies to those who bear the name Christian requiring them to consider the needs of others as more important that his/her own.
Such a mindset is a hard find in this “hurry for me” society in which we are presently living. Even when acts of human good are in view, they are often done with the idea of getting something out of it for themselves.
Putting God (Exodus 20: 3) or others (Phil. 2: 4) first is not the natural (Romans 8: 7) thing to do. But the post salvation spiritual life is not about doing was is natural, but accomplishing what is supernatural (John 15: 5) with the enabling power that God provides.
I chose these examples as they are ones that most of us find challenging on a day to day basis, or ones that violate by second nature, often times giving little thought to the spiritual damage taking place.
In truth, the list of examples could go on and on until all of the 300+ plus ways in which one could sin on any given day has been addressed.
When any sin becomes a lifestyle, one is then living in sin, regardless of what the nature of that sin may be.
The longer one lives in sin, the less likely we are going to be open to edification. Harboring one sin necessitates the committing of others.
Since we can (and often do) violate any one of these 300+ laws by the way we think, what we say, what we do, or fail to do, many of us have already sinned in one way or another before are even out of bed in the morning! The rest of us will surely follow suit soon enough!
Some of us can’t even handle the daily traffic commute without engaging in sinful attitudes and behaviors.
Never disregard the impact that either a positive smile or a negative gesture can have on another individual.
Either one might be just the spark that sets off a series of events in motion than can result in others being greatly blessed, or setting off a negative emotional explosion or implosion, wreaking havoc in the lives of others.
* * *
While a zero-tolerance of ANY type and degree of sin can be seen as portraying God as being unapproachable in His holiness (1Tim. 6: 16/Habakkuk 1: 13, God did provide Fallen Man with the means (John 3: 16) to establish and retain a relationship with Him. God also has plan (1John 1: 9) that allows us to immediately restore fellowship with Him.
Pointing to the holiness of God, and promoting obedience of His laws, is NOT legalism.
Legalism is an attempt to make oneself right with God by what we do (or don’t do), whereas Christianity is all about placing our trust and confidence in what God has done, is doing, and will do for those who believe.
The legalist is usually uptight and restless, whereas the spiritual and edified man is relatively relaxed and calm (Phil. 4: 7, even in the worst of scenarios that life here on Earth can generate.
When in fellowship with God, one will have the desire to obey Him (John 14: 15). Born again believers will, never-the-less, fail and sin along the road to Heaven, and be in need of making a 1John 1: 9 confessions (to God), and to forsake the same sin (John8: 11, in order to receive on-going forgiveness and to restore and retain the fellowship lost when we choose to sin. Note that it is fellowship and not salvation that is lost and restored.
All born-again souls are “Christians,” but not all Christians consistently walk in fellowship with God, taking on His name in vain. (Ouch!)
There is divine discipline (Heb. 12: 6) here on Earth and loss of rewards (1Cor. 3: 12-15) and privileges (Rev. 2, Rev. 3) for born again believers who sin, and for those who fail to “overcome” the spiritual challenges of the post salvation spiritual life.
1Cor. 3: 12-15 speak of the rewards given to those involved in the production of divine good (John 15: 5), symbolized as silver, gold, and precious stones. Rev, Chapters Two and Three, speak of privileges that advancing disciples will receive for having overcome certain challenges of the post salvation spiritual life.
Every soul that chooses to (believe) place his/her personal trust and confidence in the Person and the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (explained in the Gospel Message) is born-again. Every born-again believer will have a home in Heaven and will enjoy the general environment that Heaven provides.
However, some born again believers will forfeit some or all of the rewards spoken of in 1Cor. 3: 12-15 (See vs. 15), and some or all of the privileges spoken of in Rev. 2 and 3. Such rewards and privileges are reserved for born again believers who identify and successfully execute the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship.
Heaven is a place of equality opportunity (based on the equal opportunity that all born again believers have to identify and to execute the post salvation spiritual life here on Earth. Equal opportunity does not mean equal results. Born again believers will not all have the same rewards and privileges that will impact their experience in Heaven.
It is what each and every born-again believer chooses to do with his/her opportunity to identify and to execute the post salvation spiritual life that determines what (if any-1Cor. 3: 15) rewards and what (f any – Rev. Chapters 2, 3) privileges he/she will either receive or forfeit.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever (good or evil) a man sows, that shall he also reap (Gal.6: 7 NASB italics mine).”
This sowing/reaping principle applies to matters here on Earth, and will impact that takes place in Heaven that will last for all of eternity.
For the advancing disciple, the post salvation spiritual life is not primarily identified or executed for what earthly or heavenly benefits he/she will receive. It is identified and executed for the glory of God. By glorifying God, the advancing disciple fulfills the primary purpose for which God created him/her and placed him/her here on Earth.
Until one as been born again (John 3: 5: 7), he/she is spiritually dead and out of fellowship with God. This is true no matter how otherwise religious or moral one may be.
One can be religious, and relatively moral for a variety of (health, social standing, professional advancement, etc.) reasons, but never-the-less be spiritually dead.
Without a doubt in my mind, the day after Eve was deceived and Adam sinned, they were both very surprised to find themselves still alive. The verbiage of Gen. 3: 2,3 confirms that Eve understood that the pending death result applied to her, as well.
The devil had already planted the seed of thought (Gen. 3: 4) that Adam would not die, as God had warned. To “sweeten the deal,” the devil convinced Eve that she and Adam would benefit by becoming like God (Gen. 3: 5), if they ate of the fruit.
God had made it clear that on the day they sinned, they would “surely die (Gen. 2: 17 NASB)”.
What they likely did, and many of us today do is to fail to realize that God was speaking of spiritual death. Physical death would eventually be one of the consequences of the Fall of Man (Gen.3; 22-24), but it was spiritual death that God spoke of and imposed on the day they sinned.
Man has strived to preserve and extend the physical life span of the human experience, and to address the spiritual destiny of the soul through religion. Never the less, we all have an appointed time to depart this earth (Psalms 31: 15/Heb. 9: 27/1Thess. 4: 17). There are no religious activities or human good deeds that can take the place of Man’s one and only means of salvation, articulated in the Gospel Message.
It is easier for some to acknowledge his/her sin if and when it becomes socially accepted. Tolerance, and even approval, of what the Bible refers to as sin in a morally-declining society, can be a satanic trap.
It encourages one to respond to the desires of his/her fallen nature once the “social stigma” of the activity has been removed.
In some cases, not only are the secular laws that coincided with the laws of God repealed, but new laws sanctioning such activity are passed and enforced.
Calling good evil, and evil good (Isa. 5: 20) does NOT come from God, and is promoted by the one who desires to destroy (1Pet. 5: 8).
Keep in mind, that from God’s perspective, sin is sin, and can only be addressed by the plan (1John 1: 9/John 8) He has established.
There is no greater relief from the power, fear, and the grip that sin can generate than what God can provide.
One of the ways that God can turn disaster into great good is when one repents, confesses, and forsakes a former area of sin, and becomes one who can then best minister to others who choose to walk the same path (1Cor. 6: 9-11).
Religious rituals and social acceptance cannot wash away the stain, and continuing on in sin just digs one in deeper and deeper.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Gal. 6: 7 NASB).”
The laws of Man and even some rules, policies, and traditions of religion have been altered to accommodate “political correctness,” but the laws of God remain in place until their purpose has been achieved.
The laws that God established for the Church Age will remain in force until the end of the Church Age takes place. The Church Age does NOT end until the Rapture (1THess. 4: 16, 17) takes place.
* * *
Spiritual death is not the absence of existence. In spiritual death, the soul never dies, but exists while outside of a relationship with God.
The soul is the part of us that was created in God’s likeness (Gen. 1:26). The soul is like God in that it never dies, and will never have an end. The soul is unlike God, in that every soul has a beginning. The soul’s beginning takes place when God creates it and places it in the body that the biological parents reproduce (John 3: 6). God, on the other hand is eternal, meaning that He did not have a beginning.
Upon leaving the body at the moment of physical death, every soul is destined to live on throughout all of eternity in ONE of TWO very different locations and accompanying environments, based on the spiritual choices he/she made while here on Earth.
There is NO soul in ANY corpse, funeral parlor, morgue, grave, cemetery, urn, etc. There are decomposing (Gen. 3: 19) bodily remains. Scripture (1Thess 4: 16) speaks of there being a bodily resurrection, when the remains or dust are transformed and raised in resurrection form.
NOTHING on Earth can take place or fail to take place that will prevent God from transforming the dust or bodily remains of a born-again believer into his/her resurrection form at the appointed time.
In the meantime, the departed souls of born again believers are absent from the body and with the Lord (2Cor. 5: 8), in “buildings (2Cor. 5: 1),” (interim bodies) in Heaven.
Moses, whose earthly body was buried by the Lord Himself (Deut. 34: 6) long before, appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration in his interim body, and conversed with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The departed souls of unbelievers are in the Torments of Hades, where they shall remain until the Rev. 20: 13, 15 event takes place when they are all cast into the lake of fire for all of eternity.
Here in the Church Age, which location and environment is determined by the fact that one has or has not been born again (John 3: 5, 7).
Until one is born again, he/she does not have a post salvation spiritual life, as the post (after) salvation spiritual life does not begin until after one has already been saved.
One’s post (after) salvation spiritual life takes place here on Earth. It begins the second one is born again, and comes to an end when the soul of the believer goes home to be with the Lord (2Cor. 5: 8).
Every born-again believer has “a” post (after) salvation spiritual life.
There is a world of a difference, however, between having “a” post salvation spiritual life, and “the” post salvation spiritual life outlined in the Scripture.
Sin takes the born-again believer out of fellowship with God.
Since fellowship (2Cor. 13: 14) is a key factor in the execution of the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship, identifying, avoiding, confessing, and forsaking sin plays a major role in the life of a disciple.
Accordingly, there is no such thing as a little sin, as ANY sin (James 2: 10/Hab. 1: 13), since it is any sin is that takes the born-again believer out of fellowship with God.
Until any known sin in confessed, the born-again believer remains out of fellowship. The length of time that a born-again believer can remain out of fellowship with God can be as brief as the few seconds it takes to confess the sin (to God), or can be as long as the rest of his/her post salvation spiritual life.
The lack of production of divine good that takes place when out of fellowship denies the glory that God would have otherwise received. This lack of production is what results in the believer’s loss of rewards that he/she would have otherwise received for the divine good he/she would have otherwise produced if he/she had not lost fellowship with God.
The one resource that can NEVER be recovered is the accumulated time that is wasted out of fellowship with God.
In conclusion, what a “little” sin can do is to take the believer just as far out of fellowship with God, as any other sin.
What a “little” sin can do is open the door to making any form of sin a lifestyle.
What a “little” sin can do is destroy the productivity of his/her post salvation spiritual life.
What a “little” sin can do is result in the forfeiture of many 1Cor. 3: 12-15 rewards that one could have otherwise received in Heaven.
What a “little” sin can do is stop us from going forward along the road to spiritual maturity and consequently being denied the Rev. Chapters 2 & 3 privileges awaiting those who “overcome” the spiritual challenges of the here and now.
Once one has experienced genuine fellowship with God, the loss of it will cause the born-again believer to feel like a fish out of water. That alone, will be enough to motivate him/her to address the sin(s) involved and return to fellowship.
If you have never been born-again, my prayer for you is to click on and read the Gospel Message.
If you choose to believe (that is to put your full trust and confidence in it), you will not only forever address the issue of your salvation, but will for the first time allow you to experience genuine fellowship with God. If you have already been born again, but are out of fellowship with God, my prayer for you is that you will confess your sin(s) to God, and recover the fellowship that you have lost.
There is NO other solution or remedy for post salvation sin. The debt cannot be “worked off” through good deeds, by doing penance, or engaging in more “religious” activity.
If you find yourself struggling to consistently remain in fellowship with God, know that this is a part of the spiritual warfare (Eph. 6: 12) that is common to all advancing disciples.
Spiritually dead unbelievers would not know what it means or feels like to be in personal fellowship God. One does not “miss” what he/she has not yet experienced, but one sense that something is missing in his/her religious life.
Once a born-again believer has experienced personal fellowship with God, there will always be a feeling that something is missing in his/her life when he/she is out of fellowship with God.
The same can be said regarding the Phil. 7: 4 peace that surpasses all human understanding. This type of peace is not the absence of adversity, but peace of mind in the midst of all the adversity that life here on Earth can generate.
The more any born-again believer spiritually matures (glorifying God), the greater a target of interest he/she becomes on Satan’s radar screen, and the more frequent and intense the attacks (Eph. 6: 16) will be.
These “flaming arrows (Eph. 6: 16 NASB)” can come from a variety of sources, but all promote human viewpoint and/or “religious” alternatives that run contrary to Scripture and promote the cause of the kingdom of darkness.
The devil enjoys parading the “success” of those who openly engage and promote sin, but the most effective sources are the ones who present themselves and are perceived to be spokespersons for God (2Cor.11: 13, 14).
When (if) a born-again believer develops and applies the, “the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2: 16 NASB), he/ she will come onto conflict with those who promote false religious doctrines and practices.
If one does not see the evil or the harm that sin can do, and/or does not experience the inevitable internal and external spiritual conflicts that these opposing viewpoints generate, it’s likely because the devil already has him/her right where he wants him/her to be.
The devil is wise enough not to upset the apple cart when he is ahead of the game. He won’t try to “fix” what (religion/human viewpoint) works for him, and is all too pleased to promote it.
The Lord desires that all unbelievers would listen to and to respond to the Gospel Message, whereas the desires that all unbelievers remain as spiritually dead as the day they came into this world.
The Lord desires that all born again believers hear and respond to the post (after salvation) call to discipleship, whereas the devil will do all that he can to impede, stop, or reverse any forward progress that a born again believes makes along the road to spiritual maturity.
For the believer, the devil wants them to be and remain out of fellowship with God, being fully aware of its significance.
The devil has a plan consisting of both “blessings” (Luke 4: 6) and adversity (1{et. 5: 8) to achieve these goals in the life of every soul that God has created for His glory.
The Apostle Paul (Romans 7) wrote of his personal battle with the fallen nature still within him, almost 30 years AFTER he was born again, and towards the END of his outstanding ministry here on Earth.
For the advancing disciple, the battle does not get easier; it gets harder. The battle of the post salvation spiritual life will continue on until we take our last breath on Earth, as long as we choose to engage in it.
The army of God is an all-volunteer outfit.
Learning what God defines as sin, and addressing it His way, plays a major role in executing the post salvation spiritual life.
From divine viewpoint, there no such thing as a “little” sin. Sin is sin (James 2: 10). Anything that can take a believer out of fellowship with God is by no means a little matter in the eyes of the One who we will all give an accounting to (Romans 14: 12).
As we have noted, salvation can will not be lost (Romans 8:1/1Cor. 3: 15). Never-the-less, there are both earthly and eternal consequences for all of the post salvation sins that we choose to commit.