How do so many miss the clear, easy-to-understand language of the 12th verse of Romans 8: “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, NOT to the flesh, to live after the flesh…” In other words, WE DON’T HAVE TO SIN! “No, in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through Him that loved us” (verse 37). How can one call himself “MORE THAN A CONQUEROR” if he, or she, continues to sin every single day in thought, word or deed????
How does one miss the clear import of the words spoken by Christ, the easy-to-understand language of our Lord, as recorded in John Chapter 8: “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily (truthfully, truthfully) I (the one who CANNOT lie when making a promise) say unto you, “WHOSOEVER (believer or unbeliever) commits sin (continues to sin, practices sin, sins every day in thought, word or deed) IS THE SERVANT OF SIN (as sin enslaves – as many scriptures teach). And the servant (of sin) abides not in the house (the household , or family of God) forever, but the Son abides ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free (from sin), you shall be free indeed (truly free, totally free, free indeed)” (See John 8:34-36).
But doesn’t the apostle John clearly state: “If we (believers) say that we (believers) have no sin (that we are not sinning), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (See I John 1:8). But, remember, it is this same John who wrote the words we have just read in the Gospel of John, chapter 8! Is John contradicting himself? Of course not! John’s statement in I John 1:8 must be considered in the context in which he made the statement. First, notice in verse 4 of that chapter John writes: “And these things write we unto you, THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL.” How can a believer’s joy be FULL if he, or she, is continuing to sin every day in thought, word or deed? Are YOU filled with joy when you sin? Or is your joy instantly diminished if not utterly taken away? Then notice verse 6: “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness (hence, sin, as when we walk in the light as He is in the light the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin), we lie (a sin), and do not (walk in) the truth.” Now, in this context, consider verse 8: “If (when walking in darkness, sinning) we say that we have no sin (the Gnostic claim that God doesn’t see, or take note of, a believer’s sin), we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Then follows – IN THIS CONTEXT – verses 9 and 10: “If we confess our sins (and abandon them – see Proverbs 28:13), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned (insisting God doesn’t see the believer’s sins) we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us..” Now, forget your chapter break and read the very next verse, verse 1 of chapter 2: “My little children, these things write I unto you, THAT YOU SIN NOT (THAT YOU STOP SINNING). And IF (yes, IF – not when, but IF) any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
Believers who sin and insist God doesn’t see the believer’s sin, that “it’s all under the blood, brother,” make God a liar as He states quite clearly over and over again that He does see the believer’s sin and counts it against him. Read Revelation 2 and 3 slowly and carefully. Jesus Christ with eyes as a flame of fire (Rev. 1:14), says to each of these churches: “I know your works…” or “I SEE YOUR SINS!” He also says, “I have somewhat against you.” Over and over again He commands them to “REPENT!” He WARNS “I will give unto every one of you (no exceptions) according to your works!” Those who think our Lord doesn’t see a believer’s sin so as to count it against him need to read two other chapters of the Bible quite slowly and carefully – I Corinthians 10 and 11.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley