The word in the text that you sight is the word, hamariano in the Greek. It means, "to miss the mark" but that is not all it means. It also means, "to offend." It is also the same word translated sin. I really think you ask a very good question and one that is not easily answered. I wont to thank you for making me think about this. That is, as you know, one reason I love TOL. It often challenges one's beliefs and forces contemplation and prayer. We often dodge difficult questions but I will give this my best shot.Originally Posted by Knight
Sin is not something that offends but something that contradicts God. Sin is the contradiction of God. There are many ways the Bible describes this contradiction. They are descriptions and not definitions any more that saying a Robin is a bird describes all birds. A Robin is a description of a bird but it does not define what a bird is. Violating the law of God is sin but violating the law of God does not define sin. Sin is the contradiction of God.
Paul has made it clear that eating meat sacrificed to idles is not a contradiction of God and we are at liberty to do what, according to Jewish custom, was a violation of the Jewish law and was punishable offense. Most Christians at the time were converted Jews and eating meat sacrificed to idles was offensive to them. They were weak in the faith and if our liberty caused them to do what they believed what was wrong and they had a guilt trip because of it we offended them. As weak as these Jews were in the faith they were still in Christ and to offend one was the same thing as offending Christ. We should not use our liberty as an excuse to offend our brother by our actions. We are pretty good at that here on TOL. Myself included.
I do not believe, and I think SOZO would concur that being with out sin means that we never do something wrong. I offend a lot of people. Most of the time on purpose. We should be aware of our weaker brethren and not use our liberty irresponsibly.
1 Corinthians 10:22 *Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 *¶All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 *Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
25 *Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 *For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.