QT 5 Aug 19, 1 Tim 1:10,13, Sin is defined by God, not man

1 Timothy 1:10 (ESV) — 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:13 (ESV) — 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

NOTE: These verses are interesting, the first thought is that Paul places the practice of homosexuality with those who enslave (slavery). Paul is very clear in his opposition to these, despite the fact that they were common practice in Rome at the time. The true church fought against the practice of slavery. The religious fought for it because of the need for cheap labor. The religious used passages in the bible to defend their position, even though in context, those passages describe a practice but do not in any way teach slavery. Here, Paul makes his opposition to slavery very clear.

But there is one other thing that we must remember with anyone who lives immorally -- Paul lived immorally and God was merciful to him because of his ignorance. So today, we must be gentle with the ignorant. Sin remains sin, but the individual is made in the image of God and is worth of respect and dignity.

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes to sin as you define it. We have watered down what we don't like to call sin. We have shamelessly and "proudly" paraded what we think is not sin. And we have create separate categories for sin that we absolutely detest. While the latter is not wrong, we would do well to remember that all sin is sin in your eyes. And any one sin separates us from you for eternity. Only faith in Jesus can save us from our predicament.