The Truth in Print Vol. 25 Issue 7, Aug. 2019
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
So Somebody Told You a Christian Cannot Sin
The following brief newspaper articles
introduce a statement that illustrates the habit some develop of picking a
favorite verse or verses without considering “all” that the New Testament
teaches on a particular topic. This happens to be the matter of Christians and
when they do sin. Read these first and then consider important points
following.
So Someone Told You a
Christian Cannot Sin
One of our members was recently told by
one outside that it is impossible for a Christian to literally commit sin. One
would think that very few, assuming that they have read the whole of the New
Testament, would say such a thing. I John teaches that we deceive ourselves and
the truth is not in us if we say we have no sin (I Jo. 1:8). And if we confess
our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness (I Jo. 1:9). In I Jo. 2:1 our Advocate, Christ, is there for us
when we do sin (I Jo. 2:1). Moreover speaking of sin committed by a Christian I
Jo. 5:16 says if we see our brother sinning we are to pray for him.
Paul saw Peter, Barnabas and others sinning
and rebuked Peter publicly before all stating he stood condemned in his
hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11-18). The church at Corinth was to withdraw from the
brother who was an adulterer (I Cor. 5:1-13; cf. 2 Th. 3:6, 14-15). The
discipline worked and he was restored (2 Cor. 2:5-7). More instructions for restoring a brother
overtaken in a sin are given in Gal. 6:1. Simon a new Christian sinned, was
told to repent of his wickedness, and asked for prayer in Acts 8:18-24. Other
Christians who sinned are Hymenaeus and Alexander (I Tim. 1:18-20), Hymenaeus
and Philetus (2 Tim. 2:17-18), and some among the Hebrew Christians were
sinning willfully by forsaking assembling (Heb. 10:24-27). Saying a Christian
literally cannot sin contradicts all of these, thus necessitating a different
explanation concerning Christians and sin.
So Someone Told You a
Christian Cannot Sin #2
Last month’s article stated that I had been
told by one outside that it is impossible for a Christian to literally commit
sin. I gave several examples where Christians did in fact sin such as Peter and
Barnabas at Antioch (Gal. 2:11-18), and the brother who was an adulterer at
Corinth (I Cor. 5:1-13) as well as others. To say such contradicts these thus
necessitating a different explanation concerning Christians and sin.
This illustrates “the favorite verses syndrome”
where someone takes a verse or verses and without considering the book and
“context” builds a false belief. In fact the “favorite verses” were I Jo. 3:6,
9; I Jo. 5:18. The phrase “does not sin” appears in I Jo. 3:6, 9, 5:18. Also
the phrase “cannot sin” appears in I Jo. 3:9. However at the beginning of the
book John says “If we say that we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves, and
the truth is not in us” (I Jo. 1:8). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I
Jo. 1:9). Then he adds “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar,
and His word is not in us” (I Jo. 1:10). John included himself in “we” and
“us.” To say we have not sinned makes God a liar! Indeed such a statement does
for in I Jo. 2:1 our Advocate, Christ, is there for us “if” (in case that) we
do sin. Understand that John is emphasizing our “practicing righteousness” as
our “walk” or manner of life (I Jo. 1:6, I Jo. 3:7).
God Knows
Having read the above you will notice that
Christians are expected to confess their sin in order to be forgiven. The word
“confess” [G3670 homologeō] means “to concede, to admit or declare one’s
self guilty of what one is accused of” (Thayer def.). Strong’s definition has
“From a compound of the base of G3674 homou – “at the same place or time: -
together” and G3056 logos – “something said (including the thought).” I know
that God knows thus when I confess I simply agree with what He knows I’ve done
that is sinful.
God sees and my acknowledgement (owning it)
and recognition may agree, be lacking, be partial or just plain not agree with
what He knows and what He expects to be done afterwards. Countless examples of
each of these are found in the Bible.
Why confess?
For Forgiveness. The motive for the
Christian confessing should be in order that I receive forgiveness from God and
man (cf. Ja.5:16).
Our Advocate is Jesus Christ
“Advocate” [G3875 paraklētos]
Thayer: 1b) … an intercessor 1b1) of
Christ in his exaltation at God’s right hand, pleading with God the Father for
the pardon of our sins (Cf. I Tim. 2:5; *I Jo. 1:9). There is no doubt he refers to Christians:
1Jn 2:12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you
for His name's sake.
The “Wholeness” of the Doctrine of Christ
This illustrates the “wholeness” of the
doctrine of Christ. The definition of “sound” doctrine (I Tim. 4:6) – sound
[G2570 kalos] Thayer: prim. “Whole”; b. 1b) good, excellent in its nature and characteristics,
and therefore well adapted to its ends. There is forgiveness of “our” sins when
we sin being Christians in God’s predetermined plan. There are NO
CONTRADICTIONS in His Word – we have forgiveness when we sin (I Jo. 1:9). If
someone finds a verse he thinks teaches otherwise then he needs to realize that
he has the wrong explanation.
God Gave Us His Word so We Can Practice
Righteousness (I Jo. 1:6, 2:29, 3:7)
How did some “brethren” get out of
the “light” and walking in “darkness”? (I Jo. 2:9-11). By “hating” brethren
which is a work of the flesh, Sin! Consider who Paul is warning about the
consequences of the works of the flesh in Gal.
5:19-21, 1:1. Why warn Christians here? Also the phrase “does not know”
is found concerning a church of Christ in Rev. 3:17 (Cf. Rev. 1:11, 20). What
did Christ tell them to do in Rev. 3:19? If they were zealous and repented
fellowship could be restored (Rev. 3:20).
When Considering the Devil and Christians
The word “walk” applied to walking in the
light and practicing righteousness (I Jo. 1:7, 2:29, 3:7) should be contrasted
with one who “walks” in darkness, does not practice the truth but practices
(*commits) sin when considering the Devil (I Jo. 1:6, 7, I Jo. 3:4,8,9).
Can a Christian who practices sin i.e. walks
in darkness be taken by the Devil? Concerning their member, a brother in
Christ, in the church at Corinth who was an adulterer Paul said “deliver such a
one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in
the day of the Lord Jesus” (I Cor. 5:5). Remember that the withdrawal worked in
that case and he repented, thus the church was to forgive and welcome him back.
Also Paul said he had handed Hymenaeus and Alexander over to Satan, so that
they will be taught not to blaspheme (2 Tim. 1:19-20). Concerning Hymenaeus and
Philetus, Paul said they had strayed from the truth and were teaching error
saying the resurrection had already past; and they overthrow the faith of some
(2 Tim. 2:17-18).
James called Christians overcome by the
world sinners, demanded repentance and told them to submit to God and resist
the devil and he would flee from them (Ja. 4:7-10).
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;
Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
To learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com