Paul could confidently exhort the Corinthian believers, “Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ” (see I Corinthians 11:1), and cry out to the Galatian believers, “Christ LIVES in me” (see Galatians 2:20). How could Paul seriously, and without hypocrisy, exhort the Philippian believers to be “blameless, and harmless, and without rebuke” if he, himself, was ever giving in to the pulls of the flesh? (see Philippians 2:15). Paul wrote the Corinthians, “I know of nothing against myself” (see I Corinthians 4:4). Or, as the New International Version words it, “My conscience is clear.” Paul knew of NO SIN in his life. In fact, he wrote that “a bishop (a spiritual overseer of an assembly) MUST BE BLAMELESS, JUST, HOLY” (see Titus 1:7-8). He wrote similar words to Timothy. (see I Timothy 3:1-7). Are we to believe that Paul, an apostle, was himself not qualified to be a bishop???!! Paul exhorted the Thessalonian believers, and by extension you and and me, “Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you WHOLLY (UTTERLY, COMPLETELY, THROUGH-AND-THROUGH), and I pray God YOUR WHOLE SPIRIT AND SOUL AND BODY (THE TOTAL YOU) be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you (to this walk of holiness), who also WILL do it (IF you resist Satan, put off the deeds of the flesh, surrender to Christ’s LORDship and let HIM work)” (See I Thessalonians 5:22-24). How could Paul be so sure Jesus would bring these believers to such a continued walk of holiness and purity of life? He had done it for Paul, that’s why.
What you have just read is God’s truth and Jesus Christ’s own plain, easy-to-understand answer to the question: “Do we have to sin?” What you do with this knowledge is your affair, your responsibility. My responsibility is “to him who has been given much, there is much required.” I am giving to fellow believers what my Lord has given to me. I have met my responsibility.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley