Many Christians are nervous about admitting that they still actively commit sins, even knowingly, after they are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and are born again. There are two problems I have found when researching why Christians are so reluctant and ashamed to admit they still commit sins as Christians, and the first one is pride.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
-Proverbs 11:2
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty [prideful] spirit before a fall.
-Proverbs 16:18
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
-Galatians 3:22
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
-1 John 1:8
The second problem I found was bad preaching from the pulpit about Christians and sin. A few years ago, I heard an old preacher start out his sermon with a very loud and authoritative voice and say, "A Christian WILL NOT sin!" This man is a liar. Even God's most favored children in the Bible sinned. King Solomon, to whom God gave His wisdom, gave in to his sexual lust and eventually built idols to pagan gods. (1Ki 11:1-8) King David killed a man to make his wife a widow so he could have her, breaking almost all ten commandments in the process. (2Sa 11:1-27) Even Paul explains to us that he also sinned as a Christian, and how we are still saved despite our sin, but just because we are of Christ's flock does NOT mean our sin is justified before God.
Let's begin by walking through Romans 7 and 8. Because of the way this is written, many Christians struggle with these verses, but let's go through it slowly:
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
-Romans 7:1-4
dominion (n): sovereign or supreme authority
(See 'dominion', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Dec 17, 2015 [webstersdictionary1828.com])
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
-2 Corinthians 10:3
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
-Romans 7:5-6
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
-Romans 7:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
-Psalm 19:7
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law?
-Luke 10:25-26
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
-Galatians 3:24
Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
-1 Peter 5:5
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
-2 Timothy 2:25
(Read "Is Repentance Part of Salvation?" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence [lust of the flesh]. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
-Romans 7:8-12
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-Romans 6:23
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
-Romans 7:13-14
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
-Romans 7:15-17
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
-Romans 2:14-15
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
-Romans 7:18-20
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
-Romans 7:22-25
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
-1 John 2:6
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
-Romans 8:1-2
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
-Ephesians 5:8
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
-Romans 8:3-6
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
-Matthew 5:48
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
-Genesis 17:1
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify [i.e. bring into subjection] the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
-Romans 8:12-17
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
-Micah 7:18
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
-1 John 1:9
A baby is born into a family, grows into a young man, and when he breaks a rule of the father in the home, the father does NOT say, "You are no longer a part of this family!" You are born into the family. Even if you change your name, even if you try to distance yourself from them, you are still born into that family, and you can't be un-born out of that family.
The problem we have primarily in church buildings around the country is that many people have never been born-again in the first place. The teaching of repentance (which was the first teaching of Christ in ministry) has almost completely been kicked out the door, and because of that, most people join church buildings as a country club experience in which they think going to the church building is what gets them into heaven. They're called false converts. (Read "Jesus Said There Are Many False Converts" & "There is No Saving Grace Without Repentance" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)
Born-again Christians that have humility and repentance in their hearts will be convicted to righteousness by the Holy Spirit.
To give an example, take the concupiscence (lust of the flesh) Paul mentioned earlier. Everything from alcohol to pornography to covetousness, even those of us born-again like Paul have been tempted by these things, and even looked in lust, due to the sin of the flesh. What Paul is saying here is that the flesh will want to sometimes do things the spirit absolutely hates because there is war between the spirit and the flesh after being born-again in Christ.
The born-again Christian receives repentance from the Lord God, which is the difference between a pig and a sheep. When a pig gets in the mud, he loves it and rolls around in it; it makes him feel great. When a sheep gets in the mud, he realizes that he's filthy and wants to get out of the mud. In the same way, an unbeliever will commit sin and enjoy it, and though it might also be enjoyable to the flesh for a moment with the born-again Christian, he quickly realizes that it is disgusting, repents, and sanctifies himself from that sin. (If you claim to be a Christian, and don't have that conviction, there's a serious problem.) |
Please don't misunderstand: This is not a free ticket for Christians to do whatever they please.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
-Romans 6:1-2
abound (v): to have or possess in great quantity
(See 'abound', American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828, retrieved Dec 14, 2015 [webstersdictionary1828.com])
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
-Psalm 7:11
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
-Galatians 5:13
Again, we are not saved by our works, so for example, not stealing will not earn us a ticket to heaven. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. If we have repented to salvation, being born-again in Christ, we are supposed to do works meet for that repentance.
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
-Matthew 3:8
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
-Luke 6:46
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
-Acts 26:20
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
-1 Corinthians 9:24-27
So what happens if someone does good works, living a life of righteousness? There is reward, and Paul writes to Corinth to explain to them the understanding of a wise masterbuilder:
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
-1 Corinthians 3:8-10
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
-1 Corinthians 3:11-15
What reward would we expect in eternity? I have no idea; no one does. All I know is that is must be something so grand, we cannot even fathom it yet, but the more works of iniquity we do, the less reward we shall receive.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
-1 Corinthians 2:9
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
-Revelation 3:19
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
-Proverbs 3:11
And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
-Luke 15:3-7
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
-Matthew 6:31-33
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
-Hebrews 11:25
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
-Romans 7:22-25
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
-Romans 6:21-22
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
-Genesis 2:17
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
-1 Corinthians 15:21-22
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
-1 John 5:4-5
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.
-Luke 9:56
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
-Ephesians 2:8-10
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
-Luke 6:46
(Read "Is Repentance Part of Salvation?" and "False Converts & Eternal Security" here at creationliberty.com for more details.)
The repentant Christian, if he sins, gets back up and turns from that sin:
For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
-Proverbs 24:16
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
-Romans 8:35-39
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
-Revelation 3:19
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
-John 10:27
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
-2 Corinthians 13:5
If you are a new Christian, understand that there will be times you will sin, and not even know you are sinning. For example, some Christians are deceived into thinking that Christmas is of God, but it is really idolatry that we are commanded to flee from.
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
-1 Corinthians 10:14
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
-Titus 1:16
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
-2 Timothy 2:15
I had a man once argue that this was a pagan concept of "yin and yang," and I agree that yin/yang is pagan mysticism, but yin/yang are the concept of light and dark working in harmony together. The Bible teaches no such thing. We are speaking of the sin of the flesh, which must die, warring against the law of the mind, which is born-again in Christ by grace through faith.
So let's study and do what the Lord Jesus Christ would have us to do. If we are truly saved, then let us work hard to do righteousness, putting away the old man and his deeds, and putting on the new man which is born-again in Christ.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
-Colossians 3:9-10
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
-Ephesians 4:21-24
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
-1 John 2:3-6
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
-Ephesians 5:8-11