Christian Fellowship Community Group
A safe place for Christians who Love Jesus Christ to meet and ask for prayer and share scriptures from the bible. We value the posting of Christian music, poems, stories and also personal testimonies. Please let us know your needs, concerns and have some fun getting to know each other. We treat each other with respect.
DO BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS STILL HAVE SIN?
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves… . John 1.8
Many a Christian quote the above verse as a justification for their life of continued sinning. But do they understand what the Apostle here really means? To get insight in this truth we must it take in the context of the whole Gospel; for the Bible interprets itself by itself. For some time I had also difficulty to reconcile this verse with other passages of the Scripture – for how can we still have sin after having been cleansed of all sin by the Blood of the Lamb, as verse seven states – until I was directed specifically to Romans seven 18: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, MY FLESH.” I believe that the word “my flesh” is a key to understanding 1. John 8.
Are we still sinners? Paul considered himself the chief of sinners. But we could qualify: according to the flesh. Did he however have to keep on sinning? By no means! Even the Lord Himself, when addressed as good teacher, did not claim goodness for Himself, but responded: Why do you call me good; no-one is good (according to the flesh) but God alone. (Luke 18.18)
We still live in the body of sin as a consequence of the Fall and therefore cannot claim absolute sinlessness. But here comes the good news of the full Gospel in. “From now on we regard no-one according to the flesh… therefore is anyone in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away (died with Christ), the new has come.”(rose with Christ (1.Cor. 5.17-18) We are now instructed to regard ourselves by faith, to see us through God’s eyes – to live by faith and not y sight. God put us into Christ, who is our righteousness, sanctification and redemption (of the body), in short, our perfection. (1. Cor. 1.30) As surrendered and obedient children of God we are now “NOT IN THE FLESH”, but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in us.
(Rom. 8.9) IN CHRIST AND IN THE SPIRIT is no sin at all and if we walk according to the Spirit, and in the light (John 1.7) as God is in the light, we have no condemnation in us – for the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin – and we do not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal. 5.16)
There are two side to our Christian life. On the one hand, according to the flesh, we are sinners and will never be anything else. Paul even goes so far to say that we are nothing at all. (Gal. 6.3) On the other hand, in Christ, we have died to the flesh, to sin and our whole old nature and through the faith of Christ we have been raised to the newness of being in the Spirit – where no sin dwells. In Christ we are as new sinless creation, sons of God, a new race, a priestly kingdom
(1. Peter 1.9) and destined to rule with Him in His glory, “heirs of God and fellow heir with Christ, provided we suffer with Him.” (Rom. 8.17)
We will never have an excuse to keep on sinning (1. John 3.4-10), for “His divine power has granted to us all things we need for a life in godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. ( 2. Peter 1.3-4)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves… . John 1.8
Many a Christian quote the above verse as a justification for their life of continued sinning. But do they understand what the Apostle here really means? To get insight in this truth we must it take in the context of the whole Gospel; for the Bible interprets itself by itself. For some time I had also difficulty to reconcile this verse with other passages of the Scripture – for how can we still have sin after having been cleansed of all sin by the Blood of the Lamb, as verse seven states – until I was directed specifically to Romans seven 18: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, MY FLESH.” I believe that the word “my flesh” is a key to understanding 1. John 8.
Are we still sinners? Paul considered himself the chief of sinners. But we could qualify: according to the flesh. Did he however have to keep on sinning? By no means! Even the Lord Himself, when addressed as good teacher, did not claim goodness for Himself, but responded: Why do you call me good; no-one is good (according to the flesh) but God alone. (Luke 18.18)
We still live in the body of sin as a consequence of the Fall and therefore cannot claim absolute sinlessness. But here comes the good news of the full Gospel in. “From now on we regard no-one according to the flesh… therefore is anyone in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away (died with Christ), the new has come.”(rose with Christ (1.Cor. 5.17-18) We are now instructed to regard ourselves by faith, to see us through God’s eyes – to live by faith and not y sight. God put us into Christ, who is our righteousness, sanctification and redemption (of the body), in short, our perfection. (1. Cor. 1.30) As surrendered and obedient children of God we are now “NOT IN THE FLESH”, but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in us.
(Rom. 8.9) IN CHRIST AND IN THE SPIRIT is no sin at all and if we walk according to the Spirit, and in the light (John 1.7) as God is in the light, we have no condemnation in us – for the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin – and we do not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal. 5.16)
There are two side to our Christian life. On the one hand, according to the flesh, we are sinners and will never be anything else. Paul even goes so far to say that we are nothing at all. (Gal. 6.3) On the other hand, in Christ, we have died to the flesh, to sin and our whole old nature and through the faith of Christ we have been raised to the newness of being in the Spirit – where no sin dwells. In Christ we are as new sinless creation, sons of God, a new race, a priestly kingdom
(1. Peter 1.9) and destined to rule with Him in His glory, “heirs of God and fellow heir with Christ, provided we suffer with Him.” (Rom. 8.17)
We will never have an excuse to keep on sinning (1. John 3.4-10), for “His divine power has granted to us all things we need for a life in godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. ( 2. Peter 1.3-4)
Does it exist? Yes, it does, in Christ Jesus; for in Him there is no sin and God is light and there is no darkness in Him and IF we walk in the light, as He is in the light,...the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from ALL sin.
But it must be stressed that sinless perfection does only exist IN UTTER DEPENDENCE ON THE LORD, in the most holy place, where our old self is completely surrendered to God, once and for all. A brother describes it this way: " There is an inner surrender that only few reach. After all the outer things, like friends, possessions, home and relatives are surrendered, there remains still a deeper surrender, which God wants us all to make. It is so deep, it goes beyond words. This innermost surrender happens between your soul and God, when you in hidden prayer wrestle with the Lord, until you have reached a point where God takes possession of your innermost thinking, wishing, and desire; then the only desire remaining, is to please and obey Him. You are then completely separated from all ungodliness and totally at His disposal. Human opinions and views of yourself or others won't influence you anymore; your life is then only lived in the will of the Lord."
Sinlessness in Christ does not mean however that it has become impossible for us to sin. As long we are in this mortal body we are liable to be tempted to sin, even as our Lord was tempted. But the secret of an abiding victorious life lies in the word "abide". Once the separation of soul and spirit has taken place (Hebr.4.12) and we entered the Sabbath-rest of God by the perfect submission, where we rest of all our own works, it only remains to abide in His love, just as the Lord did abide in His fathers love.(John 15) Then the favour and approval of the father will rest on us, just like it rested on His only beloved Son.
We can receive the same testimony from God, even as Enoch received commendation that he pleased God and he was seen no more. Then we belong truly to the Church of Philadelphia that has the full approval of the Lord. We are then not sinners anymore, but His chosen saints. Unfortunately there are many believers who are lukewarm and belong to the Church of Laodicea and for those it CANNOT be said - although born-again - they are not sinners. This is confirmed by the Apostle James, when he calls the believers adulterous, double-minded, proud sinners and in need of repentance and purification. (James 4.4) The Lord has given us through our Brother Christian Roeckle twelve marks of perfect submission, as a guidepost, so that we can clearly see what still is lacking in our surrender and find our way to entering the most holy place and be ready for rapture when the Lord returns.
If we can say this with all sincerity, we don't need to try anymore to live a sin-free life but He will take over the reigns of our life and live His holy life in and through us. I would not dare to promote this "overcoming life in Christ", if the Lord had not granted me the experience and the grace in Christ to live in utter dependence on Him and His Spirit and so be kept from sinning. This perfection in Christ is witnessed to us throughout the New Testament but it will not help us if you do not mix the message with faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. All thing are possible for Him who believes.
(1.Cor.2. 12-15) Another passages describes people of the end-times as having the form of godliness but denying its power. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the transforming power of God by purifying us from all sin and make us able through the power of the Spirit and the faith of Christ to live a life totally surrender to God and separated from all sin. Let him who has ears, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. Therefore it is said that 'Christ in us' is a mystery.
God knows what is best for us, His will is wiser than ours and will ensure the best possible life for us. We glorify God by being the best we can, and living a victorious life, following God's will is the way to go. God will not let you down, your wealth will not be measured in gold or dollars, you will be wealthier than you ever deserve and wealthier than you could ever be under your own will.
Now that I am in Christ, God's moral demands have not altered, but it is no longer I that meets them. Praise God, He who is the lawgiver on the throne is now also law-keeper in my heart. He who gave the law Himself keeps it. He makes the demands, but He also meets them. While we are trying to do it all, He can do nothing. It is because we were struggling to achieve it that we failed and failed. The trouble with us was that we were weak enough not to do the will of God, but not yet weak enough to keep out of things altogether! Only utter disillusion can throw men back in despair upon God who is ready to do it all.
(by Watchman Nee)