Whatever Is Not from Faith Is Sin

Whatever Is Not from Faith Is Sin (sermon by John Piper)

"The most penetrating and devastating definition of sin that I am aware of in Scripture is the last part of Romans 14:23: 'Whatever is not from faith is sin.' The reason it is penetrating is that it goes to the root of all sinful actions and attitudes, namely, the failure to trust God. And the reason it is devastating is that it sweeps away all our lists of dos and don'ts and makes anything, from preaching to house-painting, a candidate for sin. In the original language, this is stressed even more than in our versions: it says, 'Everything which is not from faith is sin.' Anything, absolutely any act or attitude which is owing to a lack of trust in God is sin, no matter how moral it may appear to men. God looks on the heart."