The Truth About Sin
What does the Lord require of you?
ne of the most common forms of false
argumentation involves the use of miss-definitions. For example, in
Watchtower literature, Jehovah's Witnesses will often miss-define the
Trinity and then criticize that definition. This is called "the straw man
argument." It works through the process of misrepresenting a teaching -
creating "a straw man" - and is followed by a demolition of that
misrepresented teaching. In the case of the Watchtower, if a reader is not
aware of the correct definition of the Trinity, they will be more likely to
consider the arguments valid and therefore reject the Trinity. In my
conversation with Hank Hanegraaff, one of the main difficulties was with
definitions. In the following I hope to show that Hank's criticisms against
the doctrine being discussed are based on miss defining what obedience
really is. In this case, Hank defines obedience falsely (thereby creating a
straw man), and then proceeds to say that, according to this definition,
consistent obedience is impossible (destroying the straw man). As a result,
when people infected with this idea read various verses exhorting us to
obedience, they assume that it is not possible for them to respond.
Unfortunately, people who want their "ears tickled" cling to this, as it
relieves them from a sense of obligation. In the same way, a homosexual
clings to the idea that he can't change because of a genetic predisposition.
In the same way a counselor tells a man that the reason he beats his wife is
because his upbringing was dysfunctional. Excuses always give a false sense
of relief, since the person considers that he is not really responsible and
therefore not really under obligation to change. This approach is successful
in providing some comfort to the conscience of guilt ridden
souls, but as we will see it is false, and better suited to the instruction of
psychopaths than saints."How then can you comfort me with empty words, since falsehood remains in your answers?" - Job 21:34
Ability
In my
conversation with
Mr. Hanegraaff, I stated that while God requires
much of us, it does not necessarily carry the implication that His
requirements are impossible to obey. Hank's reply? "Oh, yes it does!".(1) Hank seems to believe
that our Lord's commands are so extravagant that it would be outrageous for
anyone to think it possible to obey them fully. To prove this point, he
quoted Proverbs 3:27 to me, which states:
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I'll give it to you tomorrow' when you have it with you."
It should be noted
that the very wording of this verse implies that it is only binding insofar
as we have the ability to obey, or "the power to act." Hank declared that we
can't always obey this teaching. However, if you can't "do it" at any point,
obviously you don't have "the power to act". This verse teaches obligation
based on ability; it is only for those who can act. If you "can't do it,"
you're not obligated, meaning Hank's argument is worthless. Clearly, this
proverb is in the Bible for our instruction, rather than merely being an
exercise in memory dynamics. The disciples as recorded in Acts 4:25
definitely obeyed this injunction - even going beyond what was asked. Look
at the poor widow in Luke 21:2 who gave all she had to live on. Does God
require more than this? No, In fact, it's obvious that the widow gave even
more than what was required by the letter of the law. According to 1 John
3:17-18, James 2, and the book of Proverbs, it is a sin not to help the poor
who approach you when you have the power to do so. God does not require that
you give to the point that you yourself are needy - you won't be much good
to anyone if you're starving. But he does require you to give, and thereby
store your treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:2, 1 Cor. 8,9). We should work to
supply for our own needs (1Thess. 4:11-12), and the needs of our family (1
Tim. 5:8); then we should do what we can to help others - rather than
storing up treasures here on earth (Matt. 6:19).
Not Even a Burden
Hank would say that it is impossible and unreasonable to expect anyone to
obey God consistently, but as I touched on before, the Bible does not
represent obedience as impossible, nor does it represent God's commands as
unreasonable. In fact, the Bible says that they are not even a burden for
those who love God "all of his paths are pleasant ways and all of his paths
peace." If you believe that God requires more of you than is possible, of
course you'll view it as impossible to obey Him. But if He is your strength
and requires only what is within your ability to do, then surely in Christ you
can obey Him.
"God made us, and God is able to empower us to do whatever he calls us to do. Denying that we can accomplish God's work is not humility, it's the worst kind of pride."
If you read 1
Corinthians 4:9-13, all of chapter 9, as well as II Corinthians 6:3-10, you
will see that Paul not only did what was required of him, but in some cases
more than what was required of him. The Lord is not like an over-demanding
parent. He does have high expectations; but all of it is perfectly
reasonable. God has given us principles to follow, none of which should be
interpreted in a legalistic way as the Pharisees did. The letter kills, but
the Spirit gives life.
Loving God
In the CRI perspective
on perfection, Hank assumes that we cannot obey the Great Commandment.
Indeed, Calvin himself defined the command to love God in such a way as to
imply that obedience is impossible. Calvin said:
"The precept of the law is - ‘Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart'. That this command may be fulfilled, we must previously be divest of every other perception and thought, our heart must be free from all desires; and our might must be collected and contracted on this one point" (2)
There are two ways to
understand this verse. Calvin understood it as commanding constant exertion,
while the alternate view understands it to command constant purpose and consecration. I find Calvin's view on this point to be incorrect for the following
reasons:
1) If that is what it means to love God, then it would be a sin to love your neighbor or family.
2) God does not, here or anywhere, command us to love Him with more strength than we possess. He commands us to love Him with the strength that we do have. Clearly, Calvin's misinterpretations of this command requires more strength than we have at our disposal.
3) It would be completely unreasonable; no one could endure it for very long, because we must eat, rest, and sleep. God is infinitely righteous and wise, but such a command would not be wise, just, or rational.
4) Jesus obeyed the Law perfectly, yet he still slept, shed tears, and felt pain. The prophet Isaiah described him as a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He exerted energy and strength in being a carpenter. He was even tempted! However, his priority was to please God in everything he did. His heart was devoted to doing the will of the Father. At this point it disgusts me to even have to address this argument. If Calvin's foolish definition of the Great Commandment was correct, even Jesus would have been declared a sinner!
Summing It Up
This command simply
does not imply that we constantly have to exert all of our physical, mental,
and emotional strength "collected and contracted on this one point". I am
very glad that Calvin is wrong in this issue, for if he were correct, it
would clearly imply that the highest degree of obedience would be best
sought in caves and monasteries! Calvin's interpretation implies that every
perception and thought other than those focused exclusively on God are
inconsistent with loving God. If this is true, then when the Bible tells me
to rebuke those who are in error, it is actually telling me to sin, because
that will of course cause me to think of something besides God. If Calvin is
right, much of what the Bible tells me to do would cause me to sin,
including loving my children! How can one consider a teaching as ridiculous
as this without feeling complete revulsion? God's concern is how we respond
to desires; the Bible does not tell us to be free "from all desires".
(This is authentic Buddhist teaching.)
However, it does wisely tell us to abstain from sinful desires which war against
our soul (1 Pet. 2:11). It is not wrong to feel the war, but we should stop
fraternizing with the enemy. In Luke 4, Jesus has given us the best example
of how to respond to tempting thoughts and desires. This whole topic will be
addressed in more detail in another section.
Citations
1. Hank Hanegraaff, Live program, The Bible Answer man Broadcast, (San Juan Capistrano, CA), 1 March 95.
2. John Calvin, Commentary, "1 Thes 5:23".
"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires."
Romans 6:12
" For the
time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to
suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of
teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
2 Timothy 4:3
"To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to
another one talent, each according to his ability". Matt 25:15
" Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Gal 6:10
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light." Matt 11:28-30
The ability to act
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Not even a burden
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"Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At
morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it."
Mic 2:1
A Rational Command
"Yet your countrymen say, `The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their
way that is not just. If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and
does evil, he will die for it. And if a wicked man turns away from his
wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so." Ezek
33:17-19
"I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have
not denied my name." Rev 3:8-9
"Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?"
Job 40:8
