Is Worry REALLY a Sin?

For by grace are ye saved through faith...

I never understood that. Does it mean that Jesus died for our sins and therefore we will not be held accountable for our faults and misdeeds; i.e., He already paid the price for us?

The rest of Eph 2:8 clarifies; "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

Grace refers to the grace of God. The section after the semicolon means that we are not saved "of ourselves", i.e., something we merited. We did not earn the salvation, by some work that we did or by some deserving trait of ours. It can only be understood as a free gift. If someone just walks up to me, and it's not my birthday, and they just say here, here's a gift and gives me something, I did not merit the gift, they simply decided to bestow it on me.

If we did merit salvation ourselves - we would not need the free gift, we would have it due to us for our merits. This is heresy; it makes Christ's work on the cross unnecessary, God forbid. We are unworthy to be in God's presence because of our sin; it is only by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ that a man is not destined for damnation.

So God, in his Grace, at his sovereign pleasure, decided to bestow a gift on the true believer, one who is counted among the elect. Very often people say what's this "elect" group - that's mean to say that God chose some people to save, and he chose to not save others. They dispute that election (God's election, not ours) is unscriptural. A quick search of biblegateway.com for the word elect will provide dozens of references to the election, and they all convey the same fact, that God has his elect. We simply can't stand the idea of not having control of our own destiny; yet what such feelings prove is only the presence of original sin, in that we are unwilling to submit to God. What people don't understand is that we do not have future knowledge. If I'm sitting there contemplating this, it may be that I am among the elect - I need to keep seeking.

We must keep in mind the perfection of God's justice. God requires a price of blood for sin. It's not like human justice, where the convicted can get a light sentence. It's perfect justice - we are born into sin (study of Genesis is needed to answer questions on that), we therefore can not avoid sinning. We have committed sins during our lives and the price must be paid for us to be in the presence of God. Rom 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Blood atonement was required of the ancient Israelites for sin. The Old Testament has that message throughout - the sacrifices were absolutely required, and Jesus says very clearly that the moral Law has not been abrogated; he came to fulfill it. Atonement for sin has always been required by God; he is unchanging, it is always required. The Old Testament sacrifices also foreshadow Christ's sacrifice - He is our Passover Lamb. That is what John the Baptist meant when he exclaimed "Behold the Lamb of God".

1 Peter Chapter 1:
"19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,"

The sacrifices all had to be the best there was to offer, not leftovers, or second best. The lamb was to be without blemish. What kind of sacrifice is it if it is only what was cheap or to be discarded ? That's an insult, a cheap way out. No, God demands a sacrifice. He also demands the first. The firstborn is always special in the Old Testament. Christ is the firstborn among the elect.

We must understand that salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit of God. As one seeks, it is actually the Holy Spirit that is drawing the seeker to be interested in God's Law Word. If it were up to our sinful minds, spirits and bodies, we would reject the Gospel. As a human, I myself would be too lazy and complacent to seek. I can only surmise that the Holy Spirit moves me to seek.

I was taught from the age of six that I am responsible if I break the laws of God and the laws of my church.

Salvation is not a license to sin in the future. Throughout the New Testament, the person forgiven is told to "go and sin no more". Sin must be repented of. When we admit that we have sinned, even though Christ died for our sins, we still must repent. Repentence requires acknowledgment, regret and resolve to refrain from the sin in the future.

Much of the New Testament is Epistles, letters written to congregations. They were included in the canon because they address doctrinal questions that had arisen then - and still arise today. One place the question of sinning after conversion is addressed directly is in Romans.

Rom 6:1-2 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

Once one truly experiences a conversion, that is the "born again" part of doctrine. The New Testament tells us that a man will put off the old man, that is, there will be a complete change within the believer. The Bible tells us this "old man" is crucified so that we should not serve sin.

But how can man, who has a sinful mind, spirit and body avoid sin ? A wonderful part of the good news is that the Holy Spirit dwells within the believer.

1 Corinthians 6:19 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

It is what brings about what we externally see in the believer as godly behavior; the Apostles confirmed this, even in themselves. This is the "fruit of the Spirit"; and conversion certainly brings about in a person an obedience to Christ.

John 14:15
" If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Hence we Christians, like ancient Israel, rely on God; we know what he desires of us through his Word.

We must study the Bible for answers, that's what the Reformation was all about. This is all straight from the Bible, IMHO, it is best to read the KJV original version and get familiar with the older English meanings by using a study Bible or guide that clarifies the older words in modern terms. Modern translations have actually changed the meanings that the translators of the KJV did such a good job at translating from the original languages. There are a few issues that quality scholarship raises with the KJV, but very few; conservative scholars agree that for most purposes, it's the best translation.

Blessings.

Subservience. We must choose to let God take command of our lives and be Lord over us. God does not control us - but we choose to follow His leadership and direction.

So you don't agree with Ephesians 2:8 ?

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

How do you arrive at that? Of course I believe I am saved by grace. What do you think motivates me to make Him my Lord and follow His direction in my life?

Just noting that in the phrase "We must choose to let God" the word "let" means "allow", or "permit". Almighty God, being maker of Heaven and Earth and sovereign over his creation, is not subject to a person "letting" him do something.

Interestingly the first post included "God does not control us - but we choose to follow", in effect, that the work of saving us was our own, i.e., we made the right choice.

But in the second post there is the phrase "What do you think motivates me to make Him my Lord and follow"

Certainly I can't first initiate my salvation and God also first initiate my salvation as well - one or the other must be the original cause, which the second post intimates.

Perhaps the wording of the Westminster Confession can summarize well:

"The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,[1] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[2] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,[3] by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.[4]"

The following proof texts are used:

[1] HEB 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
[2] 2CO 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak. EPH 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.

Just thought I’d offer, FWIW, my own little story.

I for one know that I did not choose. I was a “procrastinator”, for over 30 years I thought I was a “good person”, had never studied Scripture seriously, sort of thought that I would one day. I kind of “knew the Bible was true”, felt like I would get to studying it some day when I had some time to set aside. I was not a “bad guy” I reasoned, how could I not go to heaven ? I understand “lukewarm” Christianity because that was me, idiot that I was.

I had a failed marriage to a professing but rather lax Christian a few years ago. This kind of got me thinking a bit about “getting around to” studying the Bible and trying to get right with God. But of course, I did nothing. I did not study the Bible, I did not attempt to attend a Church.

I was researching my ancestry about a year later, not thinking at all about the Bible. I was supposed to be part Armenian. I found that to be wrong after researching; there simply was a woman named Arminia and miscommunication; this was confirmed by other researchers. When we are children sometimes we don’t quite understand things older folks are saying; by the time we’re old, sometimes we’ve completely confused what we “remember”. Family stories have a way of “Elizabeth Warrening” out of control. But I digress...

One thing led to another in my ancestry research and soon I was touching on parts of European history that I found interesting. I started reading about the Reformation and found myself getting drawn into reading about theology and history of the Reformation. It’s not that I wanted to do this, but I could not stop from reading about it. I had remembered from my youth I had once thought that to truly profess Christ would be the most serious profession; even as a child I realized that much, that it seemed to be an “all-or-nothing” proposition, since denying Christ is such a grave sin. So my study prompted me to try attending a few Churches, looking for one that had some kind of Reformed doctrine. I began to really study the Bible. I became severely distraught over my past sins. This started to very much impact my ability to function in life in a negative way. I gave up and simply agonized for a few days. Finally it dawned on me that this was the idea, that the “good person” needs Christ for salvation; the total depravity started making sense. But still I hesitated. I had learned enough to know that I must not lie and profess faith if I do not truly understand and mean what I am professing; I knew that this was a no-going-back idea, that if I, in the future, slid back into my old ways, or ever denied Christ, even in a life-and-death situation, then I would be back to questioning myself.

Truth be told, I did not really “decide” anything. I never really did. I noticed that I had really changed my ways. What I knew now to be sins that I used to be unable to resist I now was disgusted by the thought of. I found myself praying daily and studying Scripture several days a week. Over the next few weeks it became apparent that my “professing” was done. I simply was changed. I knew I was certainly not relying on msyelf to avoid sin, and I found such continual joy in the Bible. Many things make me miserable, afraid, etc., even more so than ever, but I just daily am aware of Christ and God’s Word and it comforts me to the point of happiness. I just don’t see how at any time I said to myself “It’s now or never, I’ve got to get right with God”, or something like that. I came to understand just how weak a man is, that there’s no way I could rely on myself to resist temptation. It’s just a different situation now; sins that used to be tempting to me are now repugnant. Of course, now that I’m reading the Bible - the bar is raised a bit. So I always seem to find some way to fall short which, of course, requires repentence.

I don’t see any rational “earthly” explanation for a person to change so dramatically. These were changes that I never set out or intended to have happen. What’s even more amazing is that they took no effort on my part. I really had lost control instead of gaining control. It’s analagous to a person with a half dozen lifetime addictions one day just finding them all disgusting and quitting them all cold turkey. No way Dr. Phil is going to get that done in a few months. Prior to my conversion experience, for the good things I had done, they were far more offset by my sins. If it were purely up to me I would not have the goodness and strength within me to choose righteousness on my own; instead, I would be taking the easy way out, living for the here and now. Yet now it continually is impressed on my conscience that I am bought with a price. I can only give all credit to God for anything and for everything good that becomes of me from here on.

Now in terms of the doctrine of free will, all along, of course - I was completely aware of the Bible. I had a brain, I could read and think and I had, all along, every mental and physical capability to make the right choice. So I have no excuse for not reading, trusting in and obeying God’s Word many years ago.

Perhaps we are on the same page.

I searched the Bible for the word “chosen”, came up with a few pertinent verses:

2 Thessalonians 2:13
“But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

Ephesians 1:4
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”

James 2:5
“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

2 Timothy 2:1-4
“1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

1 Peter 2:9
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;”

Grace and Peace, Texan !

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