Kat,
Once again, I do not think we are on seperate paths here; however, we have digressed from my original topic: What is sin?
I want to just spend a moment on the differences / similarities of evil and sin.
Can one be evil and never sin? I think not.
Can one sin and have no evil? Once again, according to Paul, one cannot.
Rom 7:19
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
To my knowledge Paul, here is saying that he does evil actions, all be it, unwittingly. The question, was Paul sinning? The answer must be yes.
So the final question is: If there were no evil, would there be then no sin?
This is a very good question, because neither Adam nor Eve, were evil prior to the temptation of Satan, but not a single man apart from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has lived free of evil and of sin.
I think I might have said sin is evil; when infact sin is the fruit of evil, be it unpure thoughts, words or actions.
Surely there is no middle ground between perfection and inperfection. You either are perfect or you are not. Does this make sense?
Your quote from Ray is great!
What it does say is that:
MAN IS NOT A GOD WHO CAN DO THESE THINGS INDEPENDENTLY AND FREELY FROM THE INTENTIONS AND PURPOSE OF HIS CREATOR!! THAT’S what the Bible really says!
What are the Scriptures saying? It is saying that man can do NOTHING independantly and freely from the intentions (purpose/will) of God.
Kat, this now brings us right back to my original post. If every action, word or thought is according to Gods purpose, then what then is sin?
How can we as enlightened followers of truth, see a sinful act, regardless of how depraved and feel anything but love for all involved, including the inflictor. Did the inflictor, commit this crime on his/her own, independanly from God's purpose? If the answer is NO, then did the person sin? Well of course.
So what then is sin? It is an action, word or thought that is not pure or perfect.
Surely, no blame can be placed on the crime, for they were not responsible for their actions, because they were merely living according to God's purpose, just as we all are.
But just as God, holds us accountable, so too must we hold gross sinners accountable for theirs.
Are we to feel remorse, sorrow, hate, distain, etc for the sinner? Why feel anything other than comfort because life is occuring according to the purpose of God. If this is not true, then why then do we pray for God's will to be done in the "Lord's Prayer" of the church. Why pray for it then get all wraught up, when it happens outside of our expectations.
The reason that neither you or I (I hope) have committed such horrendous crimes, is because it was not God's purpose for us.
Does this make sense?
Thanks for your comment
Love to you and all reading this.
Darren