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Dear bro. Turner:
 Do
Christians sin when, through ignorance of the Scriptures, they
use the piano in worship or support other unauthorized
activities? Does the Bible make a distinction in willful sin and
sin of which one is unaware? MQ
Reply:
Willful
sin (Heb. 10:26) is comparable to presumptuous or
"high-handed sin"' (Num. 15:22-36), and is
distinguished from "unwitting" sin. But the
distinction does not remove the later from the category of
"sin," and as sin offering had to be made for that
done "unwittingly" (Num. 15:). Paul's desire to do
better (Rom. 7:19-f) did not remove the reality of sin; and he
found relief only in the forgiveness offered through Jesus
Christ.
Is
ignorance bliss? When one asks concerning a
"Christian" we deal with those who have access to the
standard of truth — and who have an obligation to determine
the validity and authority for their actions. The point
frequently overlooked in discussions of this sort is the willful
ignorance of many who could know the truth. (Study 2 Pet. 3:5 2
Cor. 3:14-16; 4:3-4.)
How
many organ playing, institution supporting, social-gospel
promoting church members do you know who have made, and continue
to make careful study of the Scriptures to determine God's will
in these matters? Who manifest an open, inquiring mind, and show
a willingness to change their practice in order to conform to
all truth
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learned? Who will allow you to study these
matters with them? Don't start counting until you have made a
serious effort to study with them. You need not tell me that but
few church members have this attitude. We must not measure
ourselves by ourselves (2 Coy. 10:12); and, "but few"
will be saved. It is this unwillingness to strive for the divine
standard-- to "water down" religion to the level of
the majority, or "the way we have been doing it" —
that makes the liberalized "fellowship" movement so
attractive to church members today.
None
of us are perfect! There are, no doubt, some individuals who are
involved in sinful activities "unwittingly" and
despite efforts to learn the truth. This does not erase the
existence of sin; it does not give those who know better the
right to engage in the sinful practice; it does not remove the
responsibility of the taught to instruct the untaught- reproving
as well as exhorting. Because we are all subject to unwitting
sin is the more reason to "prove all things" and
continually pray for forgiveness (1 Thes. 5:21; 1 Jn. 1:9).
What
God will do, in final judgment, about the person who sins in
ignorance is not mine to determine. I can only study my Bible,
live in good conscience before God, and teach others to do
likewise. It is not "playing God" to set forth clearly
what we believe the Bible teaches on a matter. Those who assume
God will accept that for which He gave no authority are the
presumptuous ones; and those who find comfort in willful
ignorance, or encourage others to do so, are not very far
behind. The "mark" we miss is set by God, and not by
man.
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