Do Christian’s Sin?

 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”

1 John 1:8

“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin”

1 John 5:18a

I am often asked about this question. It may not always take on this form but the struggle is the same; an attempt to understand sin and the Christian life. The answer is simple and complex. Yes, Christians do sin; and no they shouldn’t. In order to understand this better we need to travel back to our days in confirmation and review the meaning of two important words: Justification and Sanctification. 

Our Catechism offers these helpful definitions.

Justification: “The gracious act of God by which a sinner, for Christ’s sake, is declared righteous, without guilt, and free from condemnation. He, for Christ’s sake, acquits a repentant and believing sinner of his sin and guilt, and looks upon him in Christ as though he had never sinned.”

Sanctification: “The gracious work of the Holy Spirit whereby He day by day renews the believer more and more after the image of God.”

Consider these scriptures:

• II Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 

• 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

• Romans 3:24 Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

• Hebrews 10:14 (NKJV). For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 

On the cross, God laid all the sins of humankind (past, present, and future) upon Jesus Christ, whereby he suffered the full extent of God’s wrath and made the complete and final atonement for our sins. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (trusting in His sacrifice alone to pay and atone for all our sin) we are declared righteous by God. 

God counts Christ's perfect life as if we lived it, and counts our sins as paid for by Him on the cross. From the time of our conversion, we are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:27). No longer when God looks at us does He see a sinner; He sees a perfect saint. 

However that does not mean we are free from sin. The Christian will still be tempted by the World, by the Devil, and his own nature. He will still daily struggle with sin, and at times succumb to its pull and fall. When this happens, the Christian should turn to the Lord in contrition and repentance, confessing the sin asking the Lord to help him stand strong in the face of temptation (Psalm 32 and 51). 

He must daily abide in Christ (John 15) through times in the Word and Prayer, whereby he (and his desires) is slowly changed into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is sanctification. It is a process and is never complete until we reach heaven. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6 

Until ones dies, he will struggle with sin, however this struggle is different for the Christian. For he is no longer a slave to sin, but has been set free from it’s control. When he sins, feelings of guilt and remorse fill his soul. He now desires new things - good things - Godly things; and through the power of the Holy Spirit can carry them out.

In Romans 7:15-20 Paul talks about this struggle. In verses fifteen he says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” And again in verse eighteen and nineteen, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” 

The struggle of sin real. Although sin will always be a battle and we will never fully rid ourselves of it, the Christian should not accept or excuse sin in his life. Rather, he should strive to lead a sinless God-honoring life in all that he does. When he does fall, repent and move on. Even though we can’t reach perfection this doesn't mean we should not strive for it. Just as the athlete tries knowing he will miss, he strives for perfection. The Good news is, that we are made (and are being made) perfect in Christ even though we struggle with sin. 

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”

 Colossians 1:28

When should I start preparing for marriage?

“However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Ephesians 5:33

Summer is a popular time for couples to tie the knot. Wedding bells are most often heard during the months of June, July, and August. Which makes this the perfect time to consider a question I received a few months ago. When should someone start preparing for marriage? 

Scripture teaches that the bond and covenant of marriage is much more than a “civil” ceremony. Rather it is a gift of God; a holy mystery in which man and woman become one flesh - an image of the union between Christ and the Church. This union should be held in the highest regard, faithfully kept pure. But, purity doesn’t began when we meet “Mr. Right,” have a ring on our finger, or say, “I do.” It starts long before most meet their spouse; it starts - now. 

Regardless of your age, relationship status, or desire to marry; preparations start now. In 1 Timothy 5:2 the Apostle Paul tells the young single Pastor Timothy to treat woman with “Absolute Purity.” Paul told the entire congregation Timothy served that there must not even be a “hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity” among them for they are God’s People (Ephesians 5:3). 

Moreover, Hebrews 13:4 says “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Notice the words All and Kept Pure. This doesn’t only extend to those considering marriage or currently married; it applies to all people at all stages of life. For those who are married, they are called to keep their current bed pure, and those who are not are told to protect their future one. 

If one defiles himself before marriage, he betrays his future spouse and defiles their bed. Thus in preparing for marriage, one must carefully watch what they do, how they think, what they wear, what look at, and how they treat and act around the opposite gender (for Paul’s instructions on how to  think about and interact with the opposite gender read 1 Timothy 5:1–2). 

Purity is not only a New Testament teaching. Job made a covenant with His eyes “not to look lustfully at a girl” (Job 31:1), and the sixth commandment forbids adultery. Question 84 in our Catechism asks  “What does God require of us in the sixth commandment?” It provides this explanation, “We must live a chaste and pure life, whether we are married or not, with husband and wife loving and honoring each other.” 

God’s Word is clear. Marriage is holy, should be kept undefiled, and should be protected by all; young, old, married, and singles. This is accomplished as we lead pure and chaste lives in thought, word, and deed. How you are living today will not only effect how but is preparing you for married life. Besides, if you’re kissing (or worse) someone you’re not married to, you’re kissing someone else's spouse. 

Remember: What you do today cannot be taken back later; but what you abstain from and protect now, will bring you much joy in the future.