Question:  Dear Greg,

        Is there a clear definition as to what sin is?  For example, what we wear, listen to, watch on television, places we go, etc.  I enjoy contemporary music and sometimes go to clubs to play music or see concerts or take in a movie once in a while.  Can these activities be considered sinful? 

        Thanks for your time,

        Nick

Answer:  Dear Nick,

        The Bible tells us that whatever is not of faith is of sin (Romans 14:23 ) and that sin is the transgression of law (1 John 3:4).  However, law in John is certainly not the Ten Commandments that were part of the old covenant at Sinai.

        The commandments of Jesus Christ define sin for Christians— not the old covenant and not artificial innovations of preachers or denominations.  What we wear, listen to, watch on television or see at the movies are not generally, of and by themselves, sin.  Sin is defined explicitly for Christians in Galatians 5:19-21, Romans 13:11-14, Colossians 3:5-9, Romans 1:28-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Ephesians 5:1-7— among other passages.

        In Christ,

        Greg Albrecht