Not Really Sin At All

Greetings Dear Reader,

In my young days as a Christ follower I attended a very conservative church. The foundations for my faith had some excellent and some rotten pillars. One of the things that my early spiritual leaders did that was a grave error was that they majored on things that are minor. In doing this I was inducted into a system of legalism that does not reflect the grace and love of Christ very well.

An example of the misapplication of what is taught in the Bible is the conservative approach to alcohol consumption. I was taught, and many still are taught that all drinking is wrong. There are so many books, articles, and sermons that try to twist things into a “biblical prohibition” regarding drinking. The Old Testament law actually makes provision for “strong drink” within limits. One of the allowances for the tithe of joy is that one can buy wine or strong drink as they desire to share with the family (Deut. 14:26).

Some more conservative sects insist on things that Christ never intends when he speaks of modesty or separation from that which is doctrinally in error. The thrust of the Gospel is more in line with love, patience, and caring for one another than in measure my spirituality by my adherence to a list of church made laws. It has been said that these laws keep us from the sin that follows their abuse. I would respond to that with the fact that making a hedge around the law does not teach people to follow the laws of God with their hearts.

Following Christ is not doing what a body of individuals says you should do. Rather, it is looking into who Christ is and imitating him in love and compassion. If we focus on the needs of the poor, the widows, and the orphans then we will accomplish great things. If we spend our energy frustrating those seeking Christ by giving them a spiritual to do list so they can measure up, then we will hinder their progress. We are to be example of love, acceptance, and grace as filtered through the teachings of Christ. If I choose to sit on my stoop with my pipe and snifter to ponder how better to do these things, it is no sin at all.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure store."