Do Christians Sin?
In a world that is very religious yet so wicked one must question
why is the world in the state it is in? There is a multitude of denominations
that differ on many issues but the one that unites most of them is the
one that makes them all wrong. What is this common ground that they
share? They all agree that “you sin, I sin, we all sin” and “we sin more or
less everyday”. How absurd to say, ” I sin everyday” and then sing Victory
in Jesus. Where is the victory in that? With the help of the Word
and the Spirit we would like to prove that we can live free from sin.
First of all, I think it necessary to define sin. According to James
4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it
is sin. Sin is a willful act of selfishness. It is willful rebellion against
God’s known will. When we know better but choose to do what pleases
us, that is sin. 1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also
the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” We can either sin by
omission or commission. Some have said that we sin in word, thought or
deed. While it is possible to sin in our thought life we know that satan
can and will put thoughts in our mind that we neither wanted nor intended.
We must then rebuke that thought before it becomes sin. That unwanted
thought that satan brought is temptation. Its when we allow ourselves to
begin to entertain that thought that it becomes sin. I will agree that we all
are tempted but I must strongly disagree with those who say that we sin
everyday. I heard it once said that we can’t stop a bird from flying over
our head but we can stop them from building a nest in our hair.
Having defined what the Bible sets forth as sin, let’s turn our attention
to the topic at hand. Sin is a divider between us and God. In
Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your
God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
From the very beginning sin brought separation from God. When Adam
and Eve committed only one sin they were expelled from the garden.
Achan committed one sin by taking some of the spoils of war which God
had already forewarned them. Because of that God’s anger was kindled
against the Israelites. How shall we who are now filled with the Spirit
continue in sin?
Now lets turn to the New Testament and we will see that God still
will not tolerate sin. Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue
in sin, that grace may abound? 2. God forbid. How shall we, that
are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” And in Romans 6:6 “Knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be
destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is
freed from sin.” How shall we continue in sin? Sin is the problem that
Christ came to remedy. He did not come to just forgive sins, but to rather
to change our hearts and being us into a loving relationship with Himself.
1 John 2:1 “My little children, these things write I unto you, that
ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous:” If you will notice John says “if” we sin rather
than “when” we sin. That would indicate that while the possibility of sin
exists it is not a continual or habitual practice. Also if Christians do sin
they will immediately call upon their advocate to make amends. God
commands us not to sin. This would be absurd if it were not possible for
us to live free from sin.
1 John 3:6 “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever
sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no
man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is
righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that
he might destroy the works of the devil.” Verse seven clearly lets us know
that we can be righteous. Verse eight should make advocates of sin think
twice before claiming to be a Christian and yet live in sin everyday. If
you are sinning everyday you are of the devil. These are not my words
but God’s.
1 John 3:9 “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for
his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:
whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth
not his brother.” Verse nine alone should be enough evidence to disprove
sinning Christians. If you are a Christian having been a partaker in the
new birth you are now born of God. And if so, it says you do not commit
sin. A closer study of the word “doth” will make it plain. In old English
the suffix “th” is not a funny way to spell a word but rather added to show
a state of continuance. With that in mind let’s read that verse in this light.
“Whosever is born of God doth not (continually) sin. I am in no wise
making room for sin nor giving a license to sin. The fact of the matter is
that Christians do not live in sin. It is most definitely possible to live free
from sin which is the will of God.
Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of
sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was
delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants
of righteousness.” I would draw your attention to the verb tense used in
reference to the servants of sin. The word “were” implies that you are no
longer a servant of sin. Also it says we are made free from sin. Glory to
God! I can truly say I am no longer a servant to satan, sin or self!