IF THE BIBLE DOES NOT CALL IT SIN, WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO CALL IT SIN?

IF THE BIBLE DOES NOT CALL IT SIN, WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO CALL IT SIN?

One of the most dangerous things that can happen in Christianity is when we begin to treat our personal convictions, church traditions, denominational standards, and cultural preferences as though they are the commandments of God.

Think about it.

If Scripture clearly calls something sin, then we have no authority to rename it. Sin is sin, whether society accepts it or not.

But what happens when the Bible does not call something sin, yet we confidently condemn another believer for doing it?

What exactly are we standing on?

Is it Scripture or simply what we were taught?

There are Christians who sincerely believe that anyone who does not worship the way they worship, dress the way they dress, pray the way they pray, observe the things they observe, or follow the standards of their particular church must be compromising with the world.

But Christianity is not a competition to see who can create the longest list of things other believers are forbidden to do.

Paul asked a powerful question:

“Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.” Romans 14:4

Notice that Paul did not say Christians should ignore sin.

He was addressing believers who were judging one another over matters where conscience and practice differed.

This is where maturity is required.

There is a difference between “The Bible says this is sin” and “My church taught me that this is sin.”

There is a difference between biblical holiness and religious conformity.

There is a difference between conviction and condemnation.

And there is a difference between correcting someone with Scripture and judging someone because they do not look or practice Christianity exactly as you do.

Romans 14:10 says

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?”

The question is not whether Christians should pursue holiness. We absolutely should.

The question is: Who defines holiness?

If God has spoken, we must obey.

If Scripture condemns it, we must not defend it.

But if God has not called something sin, we must be very careful before we place our personal standard on another person's conscience and call them a sinner.

Not everything you dislike is sin.

Not everything your church forbids is necessarily a biblical commandment.

And not every Christian who does something differently from you is compromising with God.

Before you call another believer a sinner, ask yourself.

“Can I open Scripture and show exactly where God calls this sin or am I simply calling it sin because that is what I was taught?”

That question may expose more than we are willing to admit.

Biblical holiness must never be replaced with religious standards.