What if there was no such thing as sin?

Question

As if the Ten Commandments were't enough, Christians have added countless other sins to the list over the centuries and everyone has to avoid those sins or ... BUSTED!

If sin was retracted, like, if there was an announcement that humans had paid their debt to God and they were finally in the black as far as sin was concerned ... what "sins" are really too petty to you and you think you'd maybe let slide through once in a while, or even ALWAYS!

What sin is just not worth sweating over?
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Answer 1

Good news! Sin is a null concept. There are, of course, values and morals and ethics and all those good things, but sin the way the Christians use the term is just not valid. No heaven for reward, no hell for punishment.

One thing that needs to be understood, however, is that you are always balancing one value against another. Sometimes it's the value to me versus the value to someone else, sometimes it's one over another inside myself.

So what would I, on balance, let slide? "White" lies, for example. There are times when it is valid to lie. Telling someone you are not feeling well as an excuse to beg off an engagement is valid if the alternative is "I just don't care enough to get dressed and go out," or "I've never yet gone to one of those functions that I didn't regret," or perhaps even more honest, "I wish I'd never agreed to go, but you pestered me into it."

Also lies to people in authority when you do not feel their authority is legitimate, or when you are reasonably confident that it's not going to hurt anyone for you to lie. You should not have been asked that question, it is too private, but you will be in trouble if you don't say anything. So of COURSE I never smoke marijuana, NATURALLY I was not exceeding the speed limit, OBVIOUSLY I simply forgot to pay my taxes.

Another one I think has to be judged fairly is stealing. Yes, there are even exceptions to that. Have you read "A Tale of Two Cities"? Clearly in most circumstances it is wrong to steal. But if you've got hungry children at home and you really can't think of any other way, I think stealing a minimum amount of food has to be regarded as better than letting those kids starve. Of course, better yet would be to be able to go to a charity that distributes free food to the needy. But what if no such exists in your area, and you have no transportation?

A rule is really not fair if it does not recognize exceptions. It's up to us, however, to judge those exceptions honestly, not to use them as an excuse when a better alternative is available. And "I didn't think" is not an excuse. It may be an explanation at times, but it will never, ever function as an excuse. If you did something you know is wrong because you didn't stop to think, then you must apologize and make amends, because you have done wrong AND because you did not stop to think.

Answer 2

There is no need to sweat over sin. The "added countless other sins" issue was addressed with Christ. He blasted the hypocritical excesses of law in place and resulting condemnation by religious leaders. Christians live under Grace not Law. That means that while everything is permissible, not everything is beneficial. Christians are forgiven for repented or unintentional sin. With the coming of Christ, sin was atoned for, so believers are already able to experience the freedom which you refer to as an absence of sin despite living in a world sunk in sin.

Answer 3

There is no such thing as sin. That's just religious propaganda designed to keep people fearful and keep the money coming in.

Answer 4

god determined that "sin" was worth sweating over - and bleeding over- and dying over. Jesus Christ did just that.

There is no such thing as a "little" sin. Sin is horrendous and compelled Jesus Christ to die on the cross....

godbless

Answer 5

If there wouldnt be such thing as sin, the world would be perfect, but it is not, so, sin exists..

Answer 6

if you obey the 10 commandments you will prevail over evil and you will be saved

Answer 7

I got news for you, my friend.

Jesus already made that announcement....on the cross....two thousand years ago....