When it comes to the subject matter of Scripture there are a plethora of verses that deal with the same subject and each have some similar aspects to others and some are specified under certain conditions. This is how we grapple with the full counsel of God, by comparing parallel verses on the same topic.

Through examining other verses on the same or similar topic, we can better comprehend the full counsel of God and not merely one aspect of any specific verse.

Take for example the topic of sin, an extremely valuable and essential topic of understanding for every serious believer. The extreme value comes with the understanding of God’s complete spectrum of knowledge in any given area of study, in which we ought to become familiar. With this new understanding, we become better equipped to handle questions and challenges that come up in everyday life.

The subject matter may not be complex, however, if there is incomplete understanding, the lessons to be learned may become convoluted.

For the topic of sin there are several lessons God’s Word teaches that are imperative to our comprehension. How do we discern these seemingly antagonistic notions? How can we follow God’s Statutes and Precepts without a more complete understanding? We cannot.

Therefore, this article attempts to challenge our knowledge concerning the subject of sin.

First we must define it. Sin is anything that we do outside the framework and boundaries of faith, as the Apostle Paul instructs through this Romans verse:

“But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith, for whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

Sin is anything done in error or on purpose that comes against God, that is why it is impossible to please God without faith in JESUS, for without faith we are doomed to continue in sin. That is why we shout “Thanks be to You GOD for sending us a SAVIOR, our LORD JESUS CHRIST! We can do nothing without HIM. WE are helpless to please Him without faith in Christ:

“I am the Vine and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Certain verses say that we are all sinners, but some say we cannot sin if we are in Christ Jesus. Then there are the verses that describe and even list those things that God abhors, ones that describe freedom in Christ and declares that all things are lawful.

“Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23)

The above verses parallel the fact that man is incapable of living a sinless life; only Jesus is able! We all start out as hopeless sinners without God and we will all continue to sin, however, once we have been perfected in Christ Jesus through a willing heart toward obedience, we no longer abide in sin or regularly practice it. We are prone to error, nonetheless; still imperfect, but God sees us as perfect, not requiring repentance over error, for we are obediently living in Him and for HIM:

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” (1John 3:9)

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2Corinithians 12:9)

Through this second verse, Paul is teaching his church through a vision, that although we all come from sin and are under it without Christ Jesus; we are made free from the power of it, in Him:

“But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” (Galatians 3:22)

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2Corinthians 3:17)

Moreover, being we all come from the same condition and propensity toward sin; we are given to humility. No one ought to see the need to judge another; God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11-12) and no one is above the allure of sin.

That takes care of the first two of these intricacies, the second two are perhaps even more eye-opening.

Let us examine the lists of abominations that God has declared in order that we who believe may be made able to understand, that although there is freedom in Christ, there are things that are born of evil and are utterly bound in sin. Therefore God commands that we avoid those things, for our own good! For not only will we be led down a dangerous path in practicing such things, we also reject the only One who can save us in these things, for they are the things of evil.

Furthermore, it’s instinctive for believers to know that God has no fellowship with sin, for sin is of the devil:

“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” (1Peter 4:3)

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerer, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 22:5)

“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)

“And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15)

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambition, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like: of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in times past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21)

“One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.” (Proverbs 28:9)

“Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.” (Proverbs 12:22)

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.” (Proverbs 15:8)

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1Corinthians 6:9-11)

ALSO SEE: Romans 1:18-27

Given this understanding of abominations that God warns us to avoid, the next set of parallels allow us to see that in and of itself, there is nothing that is unlawful, for it is not about what we engage in, but the why behind the things we choose in which to engage.

For example, for a severe alcoholic even a drop of alcohol is a sin to him, but to someone who is not under the spell of alcohol, to him a moderate intake of alcohol on occasion is perfectly fine and not a sin; providing it is not habitual and addictive to him whatsoever.

God considers motive as well. For someone who says something with good intentions, but still offends another, it is not sin for him. (Although that would fit with the sin of error; not requiring repentance. See Luke 15:7.) However, for someone who has set his mind to hurt someone’s feelings just for the ungodly pleasure, that is a definite sin. The Bible uses several examples of this motive-based teaching primarily through a discussion regarding eating certain foods when there is someone joining the group that has an issue with something that is being served, and also eating foods offered to idols.

SEE Romans 14.

“I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself, but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.” (Romans 4:14)

However, as with parallels, another highly explanatory of these is found in 1Corinthians 6:12—

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

ALSO SEE: Colossians 2:20-23

Through this verse the freedom we have in Christ is so apparent:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

 

CONCLUSION: The Intricacies of Sin

1). Sin, by its very definition, is falling short of the mark of perfection that only God can attain. In the case of error/mistakes, there is no need for repentance, if we are in Christ Jesus, our Mediator, who makes intercession for us.

2). Motive-based, need for repentance regarding anything done outside the framework of our faith: works of the flesh, everything committed out of pride/self-seeking satisfaction.

3). Abomination—Satan cannot create anything under his own power, but what he does is take the righteous things of God and pervert them and disguise them before men, so that they may become his followers. Bad becomes good and good becomes bad, as we read in Isaiah 5:20. Therefore, even desiring to do the things of evil can cause a person to become hell bound.

4). Freedom in Christ—All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. This principle brought to us by the Apostle Paul’s lesson in what matters is why we do what we do in 1Corinthians 10:23. The indwelling Holy Spirit reveals to every believer who pays attention, every detail, one step at a time; in godly leading of the path that is right for him or her.

 

CONCLUSION: Discerning Scriptural Parallels

1). Gather and review all pertinent verses on the topic of interest; comparing them as parallels. Just searching them on any browser or using the Blue Letter online Bible is highly useful.

2). To order to receive the full counsel of God, evaluate what verses should be categorized, and discern the meaning of the overall principle at hand by not leaving any pertinent verses out. Review the similarities as well as the differences; noting the emphasized conditions and other variables. Searching out commentary written by scholars can also, at times, be helpful. And, of course, continuing to pray that the Holy Spirit open up the meaning of Scripture is always appropriate.

3). For an added note: Always interpret the Scripture in its literal sense. And in the case of metaphoric verses, that cannot be taken literally keep in mind that these are not less meaningful. The creative expression of the writer illustrates with poetic language in order to enhance the beauty of God’s Love and emphasize any additional messages, and in no way has made light of the meaning of the principle expressed in the verse.

 

 

 

NKJV