Can a Christian Commit Sin?

 

There's this really shocking and alarming verse in 1 John that says: 

 

Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9

 

Now, for most of us, this might frighten us and even make us question whether we are truly saved. Why? Because let's face it. We all sin. I will admit that not a day goes by in which I don't sin. Not blatant sins, of course, but usually with me, it's my thought life and my attitudes that aren't always pleasing to God. So, does that mean I'm not "born of God"? Gulp. 

 

Here are the 3 verses before that

 

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.  Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

 

Yikes! Then are any of us truly saved??  However, I found a complete contradiction in this same book of 1 John in Chapter 1

 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1 8-9 

 

Okay whew!  So, we all do sin. Why, then, do we find this obvious contradiction? I believe John is talking about two very different kinds of sin. Why do I think that? For one thing if he isn't, then either one or both statements aren't true and he is a liar. If that were the case, God wouldn't have allowed John's books to be in the Holy Scripture, nor would He allow these words to be inserted. We remember that Scripture confirms Scripture, and throughout the Bible, especially the New Testament, we see verse after verse confirming that a true Jesus followers does not willfully sin. 

 

Here are the two types. 

1 Purposeful, willful, repetitive sin.  This involves doing anything on a regular basis or as a lifestyle that you know goes against God's purposes. Things like: Watching Porn, Having sex with someone who is not your spouse, homosexual relationships, stealing from your company, cheating on your taxes, lying to someone, cursing, fits of temper, being abusive, gossiping, taking drugs, getting drunk, attending immoral parties, watching bad movies..etc. 

 

2. Accidental Sins. These are mostly sins of a person's thought life or emotions. Things like jealousy, envy, anger, complaining, lack of faith, annoyance, impatience, being overly critical of others, greed, lust, etc. Normally these emotions or thoughts come upon us before we really have a chance to stop them. In those cases, the Holy Spirit gives you a little nudge and you realize what you did and immediately repent and ask God's forgiveness. These types of sin should occur less and less the longer you have been walking with the Lord, but in all honesty, I doubt they ever all go away completely. We have sinful natures and it's a constant battle. 

 

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, Hebrews 10:26

 

John says in the above verses that if we are truly saved, truly born of God, we will NOT engage in purposeful, willful and repetitive sin. We will NOT live a sinful lifestyle. We actually CAN'T because the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. Could we commit one of those willful sins and still be saved? My answer, according to Scripture, is yes. We all slip up. The real question becomes whether you felt bad afterward, whether you felt the Holy Spirit chastising you, whether you fell on your knees and honestly repented, and also, whether you fully intend NEVER to commit that sin or any sin again. 

 

When I first got saved, I was a real mess. I was living in all kinds of sin. I didn't instantly stop all my sinful activities. But one by one, the Holy Spirit convicted me and the more time I spent in God's Word and with Jesus, the more sins I completely stopped. In fact,  after awhile they no longer held any joy for me anymore. I began to hate them, to loathe the very thought of them, and to cringe as I remembered my past. This is the litmus test of a person who has been truly saved.

 

If you or someone you know "believes" in Jesus, claims to be a Christian, even goes to church or Bible Study, but they are living a sinful lifestyle, and there has not been any improvement toward righteousness, then chances are this person is a false convert and isn't really saved at all. To me this is the most FRIGHTENING position to be in. I'd rather deal with an atheist than a false convert, because they think they are saved and when you confront them about their sin, they accuse you of being a Pharisee and legalistic and of preaching a works-based salvation. 

This video is from a great woman of God who explains what "believe" means in the Scriptures in reference to believing in Jesus for your salvation. I encourage you all to watch it. 

 

 

Why am I talking about this? Because I believe there are many Christians out there who have been deceived by their pastors, preachers, Bible Study leaders, etc...  I know many personally. I feel a sense of urgency to get the truth out, to wake them up, to jar them out of their hyper-grace stupor, which will only lead them to hell. Time is short. If you are one of those people who think a simple "belief" in Jesus, a "belief" He rose from the dead, and a verbal confession is enough to get you through heaven's gates, please, I implore you to watch this video and read the Bible for yourself.  If what you say is true, then every demon in hell will be allowed in heaven because they believe all of that, and they also confess Jesus is God.