I John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
It is very refreshing to have the sure Word of God available to us. Yesterday the government appointed rapporteur stated that we do not need a public inquiry regarding election interference from China. This man fits very well into our P.M.’s philosophy. Our P.M. expects us all to just “trust” him. He is not trustworthy. This rapporteur also thinks we should just trust his opinions. Our P.M. certainly made the right choice, according to his philosophy. Communism is a top down authoritarian and Godless rule. That is what those who voted for this mess wanted and received. I was talking with a person who is dealing with some legal issues and he stated that he wanted to believe that there still was some justice in our system. We are currently living in much the same type of environment that was in place during the time of the apostle John. The government of that time was quite corrupt. In spite of that fact and in spite of the power of the false religions of that time with the corrupt government, God was still able to get His written Word completed and there were still churches established and people were being saved. As we have noted in this epistle and elsewhere, there was a vast difference between those who were saved and those who were not saved. We have referenced the church in Corinth before. That church was carnal and we see that God did not allow it to remain that way. The open sins they were involved in were addressed and there was repentance and forgiveness and restoration that took place. God has not changed. He still requires that His children behave as His children. He still expects sin to be addressed and forsaken by those who are saved. He still wants all people to know that He is a holy and just God. In verse 4 of our text, we see that any sin is a transgression of the law. God’s definition of sin is quite different than what is commonly considered sin today. Those who are saved need to reject the secular definition of sin and embrace God’s definition of sin. That is the way to know His peace and His blessing. Verse 5 reminds us that Jesus Christ came to take away our sins. The only reason He can do that is because He is without sin.
II Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
I Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
This is one of the facts that sets true Christianity apart from false religions. False religions all have a fallible founder. They all have a founder who was a sinner. False religions have sought to make Jesus a sinner as well. All of their attempts have failed and they have only added condemnation to themselves in rejecting the truth. Verse 6 is a verse that has been distorted by the devil to try to cause people to scoff at God’s Word. When we look at any verse in the Bible we always need to keep the context in mind. The Nazarenes claim to be able to come to a place where they no longer sin. That is heresy. I John 1 clearly refutes any teaching that suggests that a saved man does not sin. In our text, John wrote that any sin is a transgression of the law. Any person who would suggest that they have never lied, is a liar. That is where men have tried to categorize certain lies as white lies and others as darker lies. The reality is that a lie is a lie. It is all sin. John was directed to remind us that the person that abides in Christ does not sin. It is important to note that it says that “whosoever abideth in him sinneth not”. Thus the fact applies to all those who abide or dwell in Christ. It is also important to note that the word “sinneth” is in the present tense. The verse is telling us that the person who abides in Christ cannot live in sin. The person cannot be an habitual sinner. Every true Christian would have to admit they have lied even after they were saved. However, a Christian cannot be known as a liar. It cannot be his habit to lie. The same applies to covetousness or theft, etc. Sadly, we live in a time when there are many who do live in habitual sin and still claim to be saved. Many religions today accept the idea that a person can live in habitual sin and still be saved. They will proclaim the person saved even though it is a well known fact they live in sin. This teaching is very dangerous. It is interfering with the necessity for true salvation. It makes a mockery of true salvation. It will be shocking to many when they die and find out too late that they did not enter Heaven’s glory. Personally, I do not want to be guilty of endorsing something that God condemns. I have no right to try to make God’s Word say something it does not say. We have already looked at those who claim to be saved but are not. We have already noted that faith without works is dead. There will be evidence of true Biblical salvation for those who are saved. God does not want anyone to be deceived. His Word is very clear on the necessity of Biblical salvation. Biblical salvation is humanly impossible. It requires the work of God in the heart. God is able to do what man cannot do. Let us not cheapen something that is so precious. Our downgrading of God’s truth does not change God’s truth. It just causes confusion and a false hope for those who choose to follow man rather than God. Pastor Bartel
Older
Top
