"1 John 2:1 … these things write I unto you, that ye sin not ---." The purpose of writing the word of God is that his people should not commit sin. "1 John 2:1… if any man sin...” The phrase "if any man sin" indicates that majority of people in this group do not sin.
Many preachers, who are unlearned in the wholesome words of God and are unstable in their walk of godliness, twist the word of God and preach it to suit to their own life style. But they will not escape the punishment of God. "2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." Here, Apostle Peter refers to the epistles of Apostle Paul in particular and every other scripture in general.
"2 Tim 3:4 … lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." False workers have a form of godliness. But they will deny the power of God which is given to the believers to become the children of God. They do not believe in salvation from sin itself. But they believe a salvation from hell as they live a life of sin. They say that the grace of God will take them to heaven if they keep a form of godliness using the name of Jesus Christ while they continue a life of sin. Perhaps they may not know that grace is the power of God given to believers to overcome sins. But they are denying the power of God, which is grace itself, which will save them from their sins. "John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
The Holy Spirit through Apostle John wrote the first epistle with the purpose that Christians should not commit sin. "1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not ---." But if anybody among Christians has committed sin then God admonishes them to come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. "1 John 2:1 --- And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." We like you to see two points in this verse. (1) The purpose of writing the word of God is that his people should not commit sin. If it is the purpose, then it is possible that people live without sin. (2) The phrase "if any man sin" indicates that a lot of people in this group do not commit sin. So according to the word of God, it is possible for a person to live without sin.
The word of God says that those who abide with God will not commit sin and if the seed of God remains in them they cannot sin. The word of God is so specific and definite. "1 John 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 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." The false preachers are not even considering the fact that the Holy Ghost has inspired the above verses.
Let us see an example from the epistle of Apostle John. "1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 ---- 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." Many preachers take verses 8 and 10 as a universal statement and preach it out of its context. They read this to say that everybody will be committing sin. They say that there is no truth in those who say that they are living a life without sin. They claim that nobody can live without sin even with the power and grace of God. But verse 8 is the continuation of verse 7. God gives a scenario in verse 7 that all the sins of those, who walk like Jesus walked, are cleansed by Jesus Christ. If the sins are cleansed by Jesus Christ there are no sins in them. They live a holy life. But, God gives a second scenario in verse 8 to 10, about those who do not walk as Jesus Christ and saying that they are not sinning, probably they are people Scribes and Pharisees. But verses such as 8 to 10 are not saying that nobody can live without sinning.
Christians are tossed between different kinds of false teachings. They say that God the Father looks at the shed blood of Jesus Christ and forgive them who claim the name of Jesus Christ. But it is Jesus Christ who will sit on the judgment seat and judges according to what we have done in obedience to God and not according to what we say with our mouth. "Rev 20:13 --- they were judged every man according to their works. John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. ---- 29 --- they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." Accept the truth. It will make you free.
Salvation is the freedom from the bondage of sin while we are living on earth. "John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." If we obey God, he will deliver us from our sins. This is done in a few steps.
First step is the forgiveness of our sins which we have committed (past sins only). God forgives us because of his mercy, which is the part of his grace. "1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,--- Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,--- Romans 3:25 --- to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,---"
The second step is this. A repented forgiven soul will join the fellowship of the body of Christ which is the Spiritual Church. This soul is nurtured in the ministry until it grows to the unity of faith, of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Jesus Christ. "Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"
The third step is this. The full grown soul will grow into Jesus Christ who is the head of the body. This is the abiding in Jesus Christ. This is the quickened soul in which God has done a work. This is the soul which God has given the grace, which is the reality of the presence of Jesus Christ along with the power of the Holy Ghost to subdue the flesh. When the abiding is complete this soul is a perfect person. "Matt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. 1 John 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: ---"
Christians are very vulnerable to many kinds of false preaching. The very subtle trick of the devil is to convince the sinners that they are saved so that they may be damned as sinners. So it is very important to verify our position even when we think that we are standing with God. "1 Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." This is very important for a Christian. Salvation is our topic here. So, examine whether we are saved or not. How do we do it? Go to the pertinent verse in the Scripture which gives the answer. "John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." We have a simple answer. That is, if we still commit sin we are still sinners. We have to start all over from step one which is repentance. If we do not commit sin then we have the salvation of God. "Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Jesus Christ saves his people from their sins.
If we love God with reverential fear, we will obey God - We will stop sinning.
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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