Excusing Certain Types of Sins (1)
Comfort Doctrine: A teaching that gives false spiritual comfort to one who does not want to be held accountable for sinful activity.
Excusing certain types of sins Sins of ignorance Sins of weakness “As long as we are sincere, our sins are covered.” Such reasoning can lead to sinful conduct that is tolerated or ignored
Sins of Ignorance
From Greek word, a(marti/a (harmartia) – “a missing of the mark” (Vine’s) IN the Bible, reference to one who misses God’s mark in His word. He fails to obey! About Sin
Categories of sin Doing what is forbidden – 1 John 3:4, James 1:20 Failing to do what is commanded – James 4:17 Acting in doubt – Rom. 14:22- 23
About Sin When we sin we are separated from God and need to take care of it - Rom. 6:23, Isa. 59:2 To deny that we sin is foolish – 1 John 1:8-10, Rom. 3:23
About Sin When we sin we must take care of it: Obey the gospel – H-B-R-C-B Ac. 2:38-40, Mk. 16:16,… As Christians Acts 8:22, 1 John 1:9
About Sin We CANNOT sin and be pleasing to God! (Be faithful) 1 John 3:4-9 2 Cor. 5:17 A new creation Rom. 6:1 Shall we continue in sin?” NOTE: These passages addressed to Christians!
About Sin Every Christian needs to strive to live without sin to the best of his ability! Don’t EVER justify sin in any form! BUT some teach that God overlooks certain types of sins providing false comfort
Sins of ignorance Reasoned that if one has never heard the gospel it is unfair to condemn such a person. Reference will be made to a tribesman in the remote jungle Appeal to Psalm 19:12, etc. Is ignorance an acceptable excuse?
The Bible and ignorance Under the Old Law: Leviticus 4 & 5 "If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity.” (Lev. 5:17)
The Bible and ignorance Ezekiel 3: The “watchman” is accountable to warn "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered”
The Bible and ignorance 1 Timothy 1:13-15 – Paul was “chief of sinners”, having acted in ignorance. Acts 17:30-31 – Now commands men to repent
The Bible and ignorance Matt. 7:21-23 – Ignorance will not get you to heaven – obedience will! Ephesians 5:17, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
What about the remote tribesman? WARNING: When you hear “What if…”, proceed with caution! What is the motive?
What about the remote tribesman? We CANNOT Biblically justify such an individual. He will stand before God and be judged by Him. Let us be content to let God be that judge. I CANNOT say he is acceptable!
What about the remote tribesman? IF we say he will be saved, we have created TWO ways salvation – the cross and ignorance! Acts 4:12, 2 Thess. 1:8, … DOES this argument really apply to the one making it – who has heard the gospel and seeking “comfort” for sins of ignorance?
What about the remote tribesman? IF ignorance is “bliss” then why seek to teach others (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10-11 ). Isn’t the tribesman better off being ignorant? THOUGHT: What are YOU AND I doing to reach the lost?
What about the remote tribesman? Even David realized he needed to acknowledge his “secret sins” – Psalm 19:2
Making application Honestly, how do we view ignorance? Do we truly believe God will hold us accountable for FAILING to seek His will? Do we depend on our preacher and teachers to tell us what we need to know?
Comfort God does NOT want us to be ignorant! He has provided us with His word – 2 Pet. 1:3 But it is up to us to seek Him! Matt. 7:7, Jas. 1:5-8
Comfort IF one is seeking, I believe God will provide Him opportunity! Are we ready to be used by Him? Are we LOOKING for those who are SEEKING? We can KNOW His will for us
Conclusion: May we NEVER seek to dismiss sinful conduct! Don’t be like the Jews during the time of Paul – Rom. 12:1-3