The Gospel of Sin Management
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- Опубліковано 14 тра 2024
- "The gospel of sin management" is a phrase that was coined by Dallas Willard. For Joseph Lewis, that phrase perfectly encapsulates the way many people make being a Christian primarily about avoiding sin and following a set of rules. In this thought-provoking episode, Wes McAdams and Joseph Lewis expose the problems with reducing Christianity to mere moralism. They discuss how an obsessive focus on not sinning can paradoxically make us more likely to sin, as well as undermine the true meaning of the gospel.
Drawing from biblical passages like John 5 and Galatians 5, the discussion explores the core of what the gospel really is - not a rigid system of dos and don'ts, but the amazing news of God's grace, mercy, and transformative work in our lives through Jesus Christ. The conversation illuminates how the gospel reorients our entire lives around Christ rather than reducing faith to mere behavior modification. It examines the importance of focusing on Jesus rather than dwelling on a checklist of sins to avoid.
The guest for this episode is Joseph Lewis, an evangelist at the Flower Mound Church of Christ. Joseph is known for his rich theological insights and his passion for helping believers develop an authentic, Christ-centered faith. With wisdom and personal examples, Joseph unpacks the life-giving power of the true gospel as opposed to the hollow, powerless "gospel of sin management."
This podcast should be distributed across the country to all the churches of Christ. For me the lesson is a perfect blend of obedience and grace. Such wisdom and insight. Thank you so much for sharing. May God continue to bless you both...🙂
Excellent contrast between the Gospel vs the Gospel of Sin Management . ❤🙏🏾🙏🏾
That point about someone living a moral life or good being almost equivalent of being a Christian was soooo revealing. We must remember a Christian is based on following Christ. Wow awesome point gentlemen. ❤
Excellent discussion! I really love how you point us to focus on Jesus. I lived years in the gospel of sin management. I believe that equates to living off the tree of knowledge of good and evil. I think it's noteworthy that the knowledge of good comes from the same tree as the knowledge of evil. It leads to arrogance / pride.
Interestingly, the more I focus on Jesus and deepening my relationship with Him, the less enticing those temptations are than when I am focused on not sinning. Truly, Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life!
Thanks again for your integrity in how you approach scripture. It particularly interested me that you noted the real sense of John 4 "in Spirit and in truth".
I just finished Bates' Gospel Allegiance and am currently working tbrough Viola's Insurgence. Highly recommend both.
WONDERFUL MESSAGE ❤
I've listened a long time, and don't have time to finish. On the subject of "sin management", do either of the speakers mention the Holy Spirit??? Huge ommision.
Great question. The Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the conversation. I’m sorry you didn’t have time to finish. Maybe you’ll be able to come back and finish listening later. God bless.
Sure when we believe in Jesus all our sins are forgiven completely. So we should not be sin conscious. Hebrews 10:2 is under the old covenant so now that we are in the new covenant and Jesus died once for sins we don't have to be sin conscious as believers. This is the truth that sets believers free. We are saints who sin at times but all our sins where payed for by Jesus on the cross 1st 1:1-9 is John addressing Gnostics and verse 9 is addressed to them as unbelievers... Watch Andrew Farley the Grace Message on UA-cam his video on 1st John 1:9.Be blessed 🙏
It sounds like you are saying that "sin management" fails the true gospel, because sin is somehow no longer a problem for Christians. It is not helpful to talk this way. Baptism washes away all accumulated sins; it is powerless against subsequent sins. Baptism was meant to lead the believer to enter a New Covenant relationship with Jesus, and to receive the Holy Spirit. This spiritual state is "better than baptism", elevating the quality of Christian spirituality above the limitations of Judaism (Christians actually can fulfill the requirements of the Law). Sins committed after baptism can be "managed" in one of two ways--they may be forgiven through the Cross; or sins may be prevented with the Spirit's help. There is a Christian "sanctification" that demands turning away from sin and temptation. This is not optional; salvation may be lost: "Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14, NASB). And, "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). To these, we may add passages that deny entrance into the Kingdom to those "Christians" who are not sanctified (1 Cor. 6). Or, consider all the Scriptures in 1 John (that we typically ignore, because we can't fit them in our theology). We see this "sin management" in true clarity in 1 Thess. 4:1-12. This is impossible without the Spirit! To wrap, two more thoughts. The two gifts from God, that elevate Christians above historic Jewish failure to please God, are the Savior and the Spirit. They are the only means for managing sin. Finally, the Kingdom work of God intends replacing the sin-corruption of the "old creation" with completely restored glory in the "new creation". This is the "new heavens and the new earth"--or, "the restoration of all things". That new creation must begin with Christians in the now, or we are not with God's program. This form of "sin management" is not drawn from the Pharisees, and should not be met with either a sneer, nor with scornful dismissal.