No Loopholes: How to Combat the Justification of Sin

By Corey Meyers

How often do we get frustrated when someone wrongs us? Sin has a way of entering into our hearts in ways that we may or may not even notice. It is our job to be watchful of those instances. If we can acknowledge and identify those areas, we can be better equipped to stand firm in our faith and our fight against sin.

This book dives into what sin is, why we sin, and how sin is effecting our daily living. Corey Meyers dive into both general and specific examples of how we justify our sins to the point where we may feel we are doing the right thing. We may have our own reasons for our actions in this physical world, but we must be aware that sin is still sin. We cannot make sin right. We cannot make sin an acceptable behavior. How can we know what sin is if we are never taught what is right and wrong? Reading the Bible and prayer are essential in our walk with Jesus.

This book is by no means the ultimate truth but a guide to help in our understanding of sin and ways we can be mindful of paths we choose to take. There is no question that we are humans full of sin. There is no question that we live in a sinful world that is full of temptation and false truth. We must use Scripture to guide us. If we are not equipped in the spiritual truth, we will fall into temptation and sin.

Sin can be defined as anything against God. Sin that is of human nature is our instinctive reactions that go against the Word of God. Sin that is of human intent is our willingness to serve something that is not God. This book contains questions that you may or may not be going through in this very moment, and I believe that alongside the Scriptures, this book can help you understand the sinful world we live in, as well as the sins that are growing in your heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890438171

Book preview

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No Loopholes

How to Combat the Justification of Sin

Corey Meyers

ISBN 979-8-89043-816-4 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89043-817-1 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Corey Meyers

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

In memory of Dr. Michael Thompson—professor, advisor, and friend.

Preface

Chapter 1

What Is Sin, and Why Do We Sin?

Chapter 2

What Does Sin Do to Our Lives?

Chapter 3

Why Do We Justify Sin?

Chapter 4

If I Do Not Know That I Am Sinning, Is It Still a Sin?

Chapter 5

If No One Gets Hurt, Is It Still a Sin?

Chapter 6

If It Is Just a Thought with No Actions, Is It Still a Sin?

Chapter 7

If We Are Both Single, Is It Still Adultery?

Chapter 8

If I Pray to Myself, Do I Still Need to Go to Church?

Chapter 9

If I Always Confess, Should I be Okay with Sin?

Chapter 10

If They Love Me No Matter What, Is It Still Harmful?

Chapter 11

If It Is Legal, Is It Still a Sin?

Chapter 12

There Are No Loopholes with Sin

Chapter 13

How Do We Live in a World with Sin?

Epilogue

References

About the Author

In memory of Dr. Michael Thompson—professor, advisor, and friend.

Preface

There is no doubt that sin is a controlling factor over our human lives. There is no doubt that we as humankind fall under the temptation of what is offered to us through sin. Scripture tells us about how sin is defined, but one thing we miss is that sin has multiple meanings. Throughout my training and experience, I have learned that sin can be interpreted not only as human nature but as intent as well. The difference of the two can be a critical element in where we go for our eternal life after our first death. We all will experience two births, but we strive to only experience one death.

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexual immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8 NKJV)

The second death belongs to those intentionally living in sin. You might ask about how we are all forgiven for our sins. The answer is yes; those of human nature are forgiven. Can we be forgiven for sins we intentionally commit? Yes, we are born again into the coming kingdom of God, but that road is a long road that we must take heart and courage in traveling.

Throughout my life, I have experienced an abundance amount of hardship in the church. I have witnessed the lives of many be changed in both positive and negative ways. In my training at Ashland Theological Seminary, as well as many church internships and jobs, I have noticed a common theme on why change in the church begins and ends. Most occurrences revolve around a shift in theology that is based on cultural terms regarding sin and the nature of sin versus free will. These changes in the church have become so political that the church has a new meaning that is completely lost and unbiblical.

Churches today need to stay true to the Scriptures for both its congregation and community. As a fellow believer, I know that it is not my job to change the church but to seek out the nations and to those who still need to hear the Word of God. Our every action and reaction can be a critical point to a new believer's motivation and sincerity in their personal walk with Christ. We must be well equipped to serve God wherever we are at in life. Our understanding of the biblical text, as well as the new-age cultural elements, are crucial in our own steps of our faith walk. If we are empty and ill-prepared, so will our ministry.

As humans, we tend to justify our every move, even when we do not notice it. The term tolerance comes to mind when we think of how easy it is to sin. Tolerance to sin, in my definition, is the natural allowance of sin in our lives. We tend to build up a tolerance over time to the point where we do not even recognize that we are sinning or even allowing sin into our hearts. We fill our spirit with that of the flesh so often that we no longer can identify sin to be a problem. This book will dive into some elements and questions regarding sin and the elements of life that we act on in our everyday pursuits. Sin is, bluntly, anything against God. We are not perfect, nor are we blameless for our transgressions in the eyes of the Lord. How we react to sin is just as important than sin itself. For those coming to church, as well as those who have never stepped foot inside the church walls, we must take hold of the truth of what Scripture tells us about who God is. God is merciful, but he is also just. That sense of the word, just, is often misused in most churches. We live in a society and culture that God's love trumps God's just.

Alongside this misconception, we become complacent in our misunderstanding of who God is and how sin has made its way into our hearts. This book is by no means the ultimate truth. Scripture is our sole truth, but I hope that through these texts, I can help guide you through some cultural elements in the spiritual presence of today.

Chapter 1

What Is Sin, and Why Do We Sin?

There is no doubt that we live in a world that is completely inhabited by sin. We know from the very beginning of the Book of Genesis that sin is of the world. Adam and Eve were thrown out of the garden for the mere mistakes of disobedience and shame. If sin can do this much damage to the hearts of man, why do we still feel the need to keep sin alive? Sin can be summed up as anything against God. Sin is the sole reason why individuals will not enter into eternal life in heaven. Sin, or even just the thought of it, can be very concerning.

When we speak about our sin, we may feel conflicted, and the Holy Spirit may begin to work within us. Our physical bodies tend to reject the spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit, due to the same shame that Adam and Eve felt when they covered up their naked bodies, as well as when God called Moses to act in reverence while in the presence of the Father. Their shame caused them to turn away from the presence of God. When God came down to the garden, Adam and Eve hid.

When God first called Moses at the burning bush, Moses turned his face away.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by