Sin is the separation of our very beings from God. When we choose to fulfill our Earthly desires over the desires of our Father in Heaven, we are sinning. But it is so confusing sometimes. Often times, it is hard to distinguish between what is sin and what isn't. For any person who finds themselves in such a situation, the best advice I can give is that they delve into scripture, as well as communicate with the Father as often as possible. If you do not do these things, I would expect the only way to discover if something is sinful in nature is to experience it. Become separated from Christ.
Becoming separated from Christ is perhaps the hardest thing than anyone can experience. And I would definitely advise that one would take whatever measures necessary to refrain from becoming separated from Him.
But what I wish to talk about in this Blog is not the difference between right and wrong, but what to do once you have made that distinction. If you know that something is wrong, is it okay to just experience it anyway? That way we can learn from the experience and embrace our youth at the same time.
Recently I have encountered a situation in which a young teenager, who wishes to expand their faith and strengthen their walk with God, found themselves desiring certain aspects of the World over their Heavenly Father. As I talked with this student, they brought up several questions that I would like to address.
1. In my discussion with this student, they stated that they wanted to postpone their spiritual growth until later in order to have more fun over summer. They thought that going to parties and consuming alcohol just over summer would be okay, because they will not continue to live this way after summer ends. I told the student that it is not okay to drink, especially at such a young age. They responded by saying, "It's not that bad."
Now, in rebuttal to the student's claim, I would like to break down their response. When they say it is not that bad, what am I to make of that? This would first of all show that the student understands that what they are doing is wrong, and sinful by nature. Now, if what they are doing is sinful by nature, then it is safe to say that it is a sin, yes?
Yes. Okay, in James 2:10 it says, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
What I see in this verse is that it doesn't matter how small the sin may seem, it is equally as evil as all other sins. No sin is greater than another. They all separate you from God. Do not make the mistake of assuming that your sin is special, or that it is better than any other.
Now, if all sins are equal, then there is nothing for this student to compare their sin to. So, it would be permissible for us to remove the "that" from the sentence. What do we get? "It is not bad."
In Romans 13:1-2 it says, "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves"
Right here it tells us that obeying the laws of the land is a command from God. Now, what is the legal age to drink alcohol in America? That's right, 21. Not 16. Wait 5 more years, then knock yourself out. It is bad to drink before you are 21, because it is illegal.
2. As I continued to talk with this student, they asked me the question, "Why do you want me to change who I am?"
All things were created BY God, FOR God, which means, He desperately wants us to live lives that seek His face, and bring Honor and Glory to His name. Our identity should be found in Christ alone, and nothing else. Then Christ would become Who we are. If anyone finds their identity in anything other than Christ, that is Idolatry, which is also a sin. Look it up, it's in the Ten Commandments. So to answer your question, why do I want you to change who you are; Because a life devoid of Christ is a life that is not worth living.
I wrote a small metaphor or parable... Whatever you want to call it, which I believe fits right in to this particular subject.
There were once two flowers who lived in the woods. They were planted firmly in soil. The soil was fertile, and the flowers were pure. But one flower grew envious as it watched the tall trees reach up to the sky. It too wanted to reach such heights, but the flower thought it impossible for as long as it was planted in the ground, it was stuck. So the flower uprooted itself and the wind blew it away. The wind carried it high above the trees, and it soared above the entirety of the woods. But the wind died down, and the flower came crashing to the ground. Since the flower was no longer planted in the soil, its petals withered, and its color faded to grey. Meanwhile, the other flower which remained firmly planted in the ground, watched the sky day and night, and was determined to one day reach those heights. But it waited patiently. The rain brought water and fed the flower, and the soil allowed the flower to grow taller and taller until eventually it reached higher than the highest tree in the woods. Its petals flourished in the Sun, and its color shone bright for all to see. And the flower was filled with Joy.
God does not hold us back. He is here for us to help us grow. He wants us to reach those heights, He just wants us to do it His way. And as far as I am concerned, He deserves our obedience. Because the last time I checked, He died on the cross for our sins.
He loves us so much, and He wants us to seek Him. If we put Him first in our lives, and if we make Him the foundation of all that we hold dear, then we will succeed in all our endeavors.
Is it okay for us to partake in a sin that we know is wrong just to gain experience? No. It is not okay to partake in any sin under any circumstance.
If you are about to touch a hot stove and your Mother tells you not to touch it, and that it is too hot, you'd have to be an idiot to touch the stove.
Experience may be the greatest teacher, but it is the most brutal one also.
Awesome thoughts to what your friend is going through. As you talk to him about all of this make sure you put I Corinthians 13:1-3/Galatians 6:1-2 into play...let all you do be done in love. I know you will because I know your heart. You Da Man!
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