If I don't believe in the Bible's version of sin (ten commandments) does that mean I am not a sinner? Are we only held accountable to what we believe?
2007-11-06 15:48:09 · 15 answers · asked by Mark 7 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You touch a live wire and are electrocuted. Does it matter whether or not you knew, or believed it was a live wire? You're still dead.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God....
2007-11-06 16:06:26 · answer #1 · answered by johnson88 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, the Bible's version goes beyond merely doing right and wrong. Sin is a nature, not any particular act that we commit. Sin is something we are; that is why Paul, in II Timothy, wrote, just before he died that "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." If sin was measured by something we did Paul at the end of his life would not have been one; but because it is a part of who we are he states that he was the worst sinner. Also the Bible says in Romans that everything was created by God for the purpose of making people believe that their is a God that they are accountable to. So regardless of whether or not you believe in sin, the Bible or God; all three are very real and present. It does not matter what you believe or do not believe it matters what the Bible says. If I jump off the Grand Canyon believing I will not die when I hit the bottom, I am still going to die when I hit the bottom. It is not about what you believe to be true, it is what you know to be true. I know that gravity is true. That is why I will die when I jump off the Grand Canyon. The Bible is truth; accept it or not; I really do not care. I did not write it so you will not answer to me for rejecting the only begotten son of the Father.
2007-11-06 23:59:51 · answer #2 · answered by (SL) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, the 10 Commandments are not the defining sins of the Bible. They are a list of, well, ten commandments. Sin can be anything that separates you from God, from your true potential being. Jesus was pretty clear that you could keep all the commandments to the letter and still not be all that God wants you to be.
Jesus was also pretty clear that you would be judged by the measure in which you judge others; by your own words you will be commended / condemned. The standards you hold others to will ultimately be the standard by which you yourself are judged. This doesn't have to be a hell-fire type of judgment either. Think of people like Larry Craig or Ted Haggard - they're JUDGED for engaging in homosexual behavior, because that's precisely what they condemn in others. So Jesus' point is don't judge others, lest you be judged. In the end, it's only between you and God how well you measure up to your Christ-like potential.
Peace to you.
2007-11-07 02:21:41 · answer #3 · answered by Orpheus Rising 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are held accountable to the Word of God. Whether we choose to believe it or not. God decides who is a sinner or not. But we do know right from wrong, especially adults. Most things are just basic common sense. The 10 commandments are a good example. In answer to your question. We are held accountable to what God expects from us whether we like it, don't like it, or even choose to believe it.
2007-11-06 23:56:32 · answer #4 · answered by paula r 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a parent tells their child, not to touch something that is hot or else they'll get burned, even if the child doesn't believe it's true, it doesn't change the fact that fire is hot and if you touch it, no matter who you are, if a child ignores warnings and disobeys and touch it anyway because he/she didn't believe it, it'll still burn because fire is hot.
It's the same with God who is our heavenly Father. Without the 10 commandments and the Holy Bible,which is God's Word, how would man know what is sin/wrong to do according to God, who is our Judge?
Would it be fair and just of Him to hold us accountable without first telling us exactly what sin is? Without Jesus Christ and the Bible, how would anyone know what is righteous, and good to do.......Infact, Jesus teaches that Love fulfilled the whole law, and gave a new commendment, "That you love one another"
If you love someone, you don't want to lie to them, steal their things, sleep with their spouse/commit adultery or do anything to hurt them.
He said the two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. He said,"On these two hang the whole law".
If you love God in this way, and you love others as yourself, you won't have any desire to break any of the 10 commandments and are able to keep them effortlessly.
Everyone was given a conscience and although you have a choice not to listen to it and refuse to believe it, it doesn't change God's mind. And He will judge the world according to HIS laws, based on what HE says, not what we say or think about it, irregardless who ignores it or rejects it, doesn't believe it.
Prisons are full of people who didn't believe the laws of the land applied to them either, just because you don't believe something, doesn't make it any less wrong when you do it. Many claim to be "innocent" and justify the wrong they've done, and then get out only to do it again. If they truly, and honestly believed that what they were doing was wrong, and would be accountable for it, they wouldn't do it. People who deliberately break the law believe they'll never get caught.
What we choose to believe or accept as the truth or not doesn't change the results or consequences of what we do and it doesn't make it false.
If a man kills someone, he/she is a murderer, if someone steals they are a thief, if they lie they are a liar, if they commit adultery they are an adulterer, etc, someone who sins is a sinner. People who violate the laws are considered criminals according to the law and have a criminal record of every wrong
Unbelief gives a person a way to excuse sin and justify what they do,and gives a false sense of security, that it's not a sin, that If I don't believe the commandments then I'm not a sinner if I break them, thinking it doesn't apply to "me",
Does it make a thief or a murderer less guilty for not believing the laws of the land? Does that mean they are not a criminal, a murderer or a thief? Are they only held accountable to what they believed at the time they committed their crimes or are they held accountable for the wrong they've done?
Just because someone opts to disbelieve it, doesn't make them sinless in God's eyes, they may think they are in their own eyes, infact, many Scriptures speak about unbelief and unbelievers and what God says about choosing to not believe Him.
What matters is what God will say and do about these things, because we are accountable to God for everything we have done and ever said, "By your words, you will either be justified or condemned"
The truth is, we are all sinners and guilty. that's why Jesus Christ is the Mediator between us and God. He paid the price for ours sins on the cross and He gives us a clean slate, and perfect record with God who is our Judge, to whosoever will receive Him.
Each one must give an answer to what we have done with the life He's given us. Scriptures says He will either say one of two things, either He will say "Well done! Enter in......." or "Depart from Me, I never knew you"
2007-11-07 01:48:39 · answer #5 · answered by cas1025 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes and no, it depends what you believe. if you are truly a good-natured human being, then you should know the difference between right and wrong, and what you would believe as morally wrong is what you would consider sinning. however, most ppl are sinners, and you would know deep down inside whether you are one or not, according to ur def. of a sinner.
2007-11-06 23:52:56 · answer #6 · answered by helpmehelpyou 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Salam
Ignorance is not escuse nice try. You read enough to be held accountable already so nice try agian. I think you have a get out of jail card dont' you, well I didn't see anywhere that it says get out of sin card does it? LOL! You will be held accountable for your deeds in goodness and badness to the weight of an atom. How about that can you deal on atom scale? You can run but you can't hide and you will run from Allah SWT and you will surely run right back to Allah SWT that is one thing you can take to your grave Al hamdoullah!
2007-11-07 00:01:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are only held accountable if you don't have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
You are guilty of breaking the 10 commandments, just like everyone else.
2007-11-06 23:55:55 · answer #8 · answered by Sweet Suzy 777! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 10 C's stem from avoidance of deadly sins. No gods before Me, idols, Lord's name, Sabbath, and honor parents all protrude from pride. Murder from wrath. Adultery from lust. Stealing and coveting from greed. Lying from sloth. Envy and gluttony are among the worst, too. But the filthiest is pride.
2007-11-06 23:57:37 · answer #9 · answered by Sidereal Hand 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of us who had an unsaved loved one die has asked this question.
We ARE held accountable for obeying what we believe is God's Word, but "refusing to believe" is NOT a handy cop out!!!
Trust God, and obey Him as best you can.
God has eternal standards, but we have an independant mind to apply His Word to our lives honestly and sincerely.
The Holy Spirit will guide you, if you let Him. Do your best!!!
2007-11-07 00:08:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋