The Camel and the Needle

Isaiah 58:1-14; Mark 10:17-31 / Romans 10:1-21

I. Do All Rich People Live on Hell Highway?

A. Which way leads to the permanent good life? “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)

B. Jesus treated the question as a trick, rather than a genuine request. “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)

C. The holy life is obvious. “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” (Mark 10:19)

D. The trickster then said something ludicrous. “And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.” (Mark 10:20)

E. Jesus went to the heart of the matter. “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10:21)

II. Some Things Are Too Hard

A. The man was sad because he was too rich to follow Jesus. “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:22)

B. Sadly, people who love the things of this world have trouble valuing the riches of the world come. “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23)

C. That the rich should have trouble doing anything is counterintuitive to thoughtful people, but it isn’t to God. “And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:24)

D. People who think they are rich are as disinclined to do what is necessary to get right with God as a camel is to do what is necessary to pass through the eye of a needle. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25)

E. If rich people—those who are successful in this world—are not guaranteed entrance to heaven, what chance is there for ordinary people? “And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26)

III. Only God Can Do Some Things

A. God can do what people cannot do—this is the central feature of grace. “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) “And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” (Genesis 18:13-14)

B. A genuine believer is willing to give up an entire world, which will inevitably pass away, in exchange for a world which will last for ever; Jesus was not talking about bank accounts. “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.” (Mark 10:28) “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3:7-9)

C. Ultimately, no one who invests everything in Jesus will lose anything. “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30)

D. People who do not understand grace will lose everything. “But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.” (Mark 10:31) “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:11-12)

Thank God for Mercy

1 Timothy 1: 12-20

I. Paul Traced His Call to Mercy

A. God put Paul into the ministry and Paul was appreciative. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;” (1 Timothy 1:12)

B. As the developer of the European church, there was much to commend in Paul’s life, but he himself traced all that which was good to God’s grace. “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

C. The great evangelist was first the great persecutor and abuser of God’s people. “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1:13) “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” (Acts 8:3)

D. Saul was actually on his way to destroy the church at Damascus when he was converted and became Paul, the evangelist to the Gentiles. “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,” (Acts 9:1) “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 9:5)

II. Sinners Can Be Saved

A. A person who has experienced grace and genuinely understands the price paid for new life will be deeply appreciative. “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:14-15)

B. Grace is not cheap or easy. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

C. Paul’s transformation from Saul the killer to Paul the saint is possible for others. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)

D. The alternative to grace is too horrible to contemplate. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Hebrews 2:3)

E. Paul was saved to be the pattern for those who would come to grace later. “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” (1 Timothy 1:16)

F. Salvation brings glory to God, not to the saved sinner. “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)

III. Each Generation Builds on the Past

A. A faithful believer such as Paul will entrust the story of grace to the next generation of believers as a precious treasure. “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;” (1 Timothy 1:18)

B. No solid foundation can stand when guilty consciences undermine it. “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” (1 Timothy 1:19)

C. Testimonies of disaster in consequence of turning from Christ serve their own educational purpose as well. “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:20)

D. Knowing the implications, concentrate on maintaining and displaying a good conscience. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Ministerial Development

Genesis 18:1-19; Titus 1:1-16; Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

I. God Gives Pastors

A. God gives the church pastors to teach His people so that they will know and understand what is on God’s mind. “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15)

B. God’s pastors make life better for His people or they fail to serve the One Who appoints them. “And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:4)

C. Good pastors see themselves as middle management and take a long view of themselves and those entrusted to their care. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:2-4)

D. When pastors do what God appoints them to do, the church prospers and flourishes. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

II. Pastors Pray and Preach

A. Pastors must focus on prayer and communicating the Bible; they are not club administrators. “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4)

B. People who need prayer or instruction must do their part as well; pastors do not magically guess what people need. “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15)

C. To pray and preach, a minister must be intellectual, spiritual, and understandable; entertaining is not listed as a qualification in Scripture. “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?” (1 Corinthians 14:15-16)

III. God’s Pastors Teach Bible

A. God entrusted His word to His servants to be used with and for His people; the Puritans called this prophecy. “And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel. And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.” (Deuteronomy 31:9-11)

B. Spiritual good times, refreshment, and restoration follow when pastors lead people into Scripture; only pastors who love to study and teach the Bible can be of much use to the church. “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.” (Nehemiah 8:1-3) “And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.” (Nehemiah 8:13)

IV. Pastors Cultivate Pastors

A. The ministry is a regulated enterprise, not a democratic process. “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:” (Titus 1:5) “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” (Acts 14:23)

B. Ministers must prepare for succession in their office. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

C. Ministers can only safely make ministers of men who have demonstrated aptitude and reliability. “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22)

D. Schools of prophets to train for the ministry date back to ancient Israel. “And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.” (2 Kings 2:15)

Church Officers

Leviticus 10:8-20; 1 Timothy 3:1-13 / Isaiah 5:7-30

I. Churches Should Have Elders

A. Elders began to serve the church in the days of Moses. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.” (Numbers 11:16-17)

B. Moses’ father-in-law explained the system. “Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.” (Exodus 18:18-26)

II. Paul Amplified Moses’ Rules

A. The office of elder is intimately related to salvation and sanctification; God first calls elders. “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1) [episkopwn is translated bishop, overseer, and elder.] “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

B. An elder must be a man of character and usefulness, first demonstrated in his home life and then expanded through his ability to communicate the truths of the Bible. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” (1 Timothy 3:2)

C. The eldership is a team effort; a wife’s endorsement and assistance are essential. “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.” (1 Timothy 3:11)

D. A man with character flaws or who is easily distracted by the world is disqualified from office. “Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” (1 Timothy 3:3)

E. Just as the church is a remedial family, a man’s own household is the school of the elder and the laboratory in which a man demonstrates whether or not he can be a genuine husband and father to the church; no one should be entrusted with church leadership who fails in his own family. “One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:4-5)

F. No one starts life with the wisdom which only grows through experience; genuine maturity in character as well as age is a nonnegotiable requirement for the eldership. “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6)

G. Finally, outsiders must respect an elder; no one should become an elder simply because he is a successful insider in a closed community. “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:7)

III. Avoid False Teachers

A. God warns against false teachers; defectors abandon Biblical doctrine and submit to evil influences. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” (1 Timothy 4:1)

B. False doctrine commonly begins as a way to excuse character flaws or sins. “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (1 Timothy 4:2)

C. When what appears to be piety contradicts the gospel of grace something is wrong with a pastor or an elder; something which seems like a good idea at the time can be heresy when examined in the larger perspective of the gospel of grace. “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:3)

The Back Story to Authority

I. Protect

A. People with authority [employers, civil authorities, elders, husbands, and parents] have a double obligation both to pray and to teach as Samuel did when Israel sinned. “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:” (1 Samuel 12:23)

B. Because Samuel served in a rebellious age similar to the present one, the prophet both warned and comforted. “And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;” (1 Samuel 12:20)

C. Just as timely diagnosis and treatment can save bodies from cancer, they can save souls from the ravages of sin. “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.” (1 Samuel 12:24-25)

D. Much earlier in history Job applied this pattern to his family, demonstrating the faithful way to everyone in authority. “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” (Job 1:5)

II. Instruct

A. Moses delivered the Scriptures, not as literature, but as the framework for thought and action. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” (Deuteronomy 6:6)

B. Moses then commanded that those in authority must teach the truth of God in word and example across all the range of life. “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

C. The people and institutions which receive the revelation of heaven must distribute the truth for personal safety and future welfare; teaching is one of the best forms of learning. “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” (Deuteronomy 4:9-10)

D. Responsible people teach and explain what God has done in history, redemption, and personal experience. “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. F or he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:” (Psalm 78:4-6)

E. When people understand the past the present Providence of God becomes visible to them. “Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isaiah 29:14)

III. Honor

A. The presumed inadequacies of those entrusted to a believer are no excuse for failure to do as God directs; God punishes silence with silence. “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7)

B. God warns against turning the opportunities to instruct in the truth into obstacles to learning the ways of God; people in authority are always molding those in their care. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

C. Honor can be hard or counterintuitive, but the alternative is shame. “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Proverbs 29:15)

Hold the Territory

1 Timothy 1:1-11

I. Paul Worked in the Context of Grace

A. Paul wrote with authority far greater than anything which human institutions can grant. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” (1 Timothy 1:1)

B. Paul frequently placed his authority to speak and to command in the context of election and Biblical doctrine. “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1) “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,” (1 Corinthians 1:1)

C. God explained Paul’s mission and authority while setting him apart to the ministry on the road to Damascus. “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:” (Acts 26:16-19)

D. The following letter comes from the God of grace; the subject matter is not optional. “Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Timothy 1:2)

II. False Teaching Obscures Grace

A. Paul ordered Timothy to hold the doctrinal line at Ephesus; doctrine cannot be democratically determined. “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,” (1 Timothy 1:3)

B. One false doctrine imports with it other false doctrines, bad behavior, and misdirection for believers. “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” (1 Timothy 1:4)

C. In contrast, right doctrine generates good behavior and positive life changes. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” (1 Timothy 1:5)

D. People who turn away from heaven’s direction produce nothing but empty noise. “From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;” (1 Timothy 1:6)

E. People who advance themselves rather than Bible truth lose their wits; the authority of church leaders derives from God’s commands and extends no further than the context of faithful doctrine. “Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” (1 Timothy 1:7) “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (James 3:1)

III. Biblical Law Is a Function of Grace

A. The place of law in church life is always in contention; grace preachers acknowledge the importance of law when it is used properly. “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;” (1 Timothy 1:8)

B. A dispassionate observer will see the enormous benefit to understanding what is in humanity’s best interest. “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” (Deuteronomy 4:5-8)

C. The law exposes sin so that sinners can understand their situation and its danger. “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,” (1 Timothy 1:9)

D. Everything that is incongruent with the mind of God is sinful; sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. “For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” (1 Timothy 1:10)

E. Behavior either conforms to the gospel of grace entrusted to believers or it is sinful; life does not come with neutral zones. “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” (1 Timothy 1:11)