{"id":90618,"date":"2021-03-09T07:38:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T12:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keriritenour.com\/grace\/christians-sin\/"},"modified":"2023-10-06T22:18:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T02:18:49","slug":"christians-sin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keriritenour.com\/grace\/christians-sin\/","title":{"rendered":"Christians &#038; Sin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">1 John 2:3-6:&nbsp;<strong><sup>3<\/sup><\/strong>And hereby we do know that we\nknow him, if we keep his commandments. &nbsp;<strong><sup>4<\/sup><\/strong>He that saith,\nI know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not\nin him. &nbsp;<strong><sup>5<\/sup><\/strong>But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is\nthe love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. &nbsp;<strong><sup>6<\/sup><\/strong>He\nthat saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">What happens when a Christian sins?&nbsp; Do we lose salvation?&nbsp; Fellowship with God?&nbsp; Or, since we are saved, we can just keep\nsinning? For\nthe Scriptural answer, we examine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Historical Context: 1, 2, and 3 John have from earliest times been\nattributed to John the apostle, author of the fourth gospel.&nbsp; Written between A.D. 85-95, the book of 1\nJohn is a book of love and joy. It explains the fellowship we have with others\nand with Jesus Christ. Hence, <strong>our verses\nhave a bearing upon our relationship with God and with fellow man: the\nhorizontal and vertical aspects of life. <\/strong>&nbsp;The apostle John is a disciple who knew Christ\nwell. <strong>He explains to us that Jesus came\nhere as the Son of God to create a union with us based on His grace, mercy,\nlove, and acceptance; and this relationship is intimate, loving and has\napplication to our lives on a daily basis.&nbsp;\n<\/strong>So many times people think God is off in some far away place and\nthat He doesn&#8217;t really concern Himself with our daily struggles, issues, and\nconcerns.&nbsp; Wrong! This is what John is\ntrying to tell us. God is right there with you in both the simple, mundane\nparts of our lives and in the complex, soul wrenching parts of our lives. John\nteaches us that Christ is the believer&#8217;s life. We need to apply this truth to\nour lives, confidently living as Jesus was standing right next to us every second\nof the day. Put this truth into practice and, day by day, you will be defeating\nsin, adding holiness to your life and becoming more and more like Jesus Christ\n(Romans 8:29).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Grammatical Usage: V. 3: \u201cknow\u201d\nis \u201cginosko\u201d in the Greek meaning, \u201cto know in the sense of realizing\u201d; \u201ckeep\u201d\nor \u201cTereo \u201c means, \u201cto observe carefully\u201d;\nV. 4: \u201csaith\u201d or \u201cLego\u201d meaning, \u201corally or\nverbally affirms\u201d; \u201cliar\u201d is \u201cPseustes \u201c meaning, \u201cone who\nbreaks faith\u2026a false and faithless man\u201d; \u201ctruth\u201d or \u201cAletheia\u201d meaning, \u201crespect for God and the duties of man as a\nresult\u201d; V. 5: \u201clove\u201d is \u201cagape\u201d meaning, \u201ca deep acquaintance\u2026an intimacy\u201d; \u201cperfected\u201d\nor \u201cTeleioo\u201d meaning, \u201ccompleted in the\nsense of realized and accomplished\u201d; V. 6: \u201cabideth\u201d or \u201cMeno\u201d means, \u201cto continue in the ever present\u201d; \u201cwalk\u201d or\n\u201cperipateo\u201d meaning, \u201cmaking one\u2019s way, regulating one\u2019s life, conducting one\u2019s\nlife, signifying the whole round of activities of the individual life.\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Literal Application: Now\nwe realize we know Him if we are careful to observe His commandments.&nbsp; He that says he knows Him but does not keep\nHis commandments demonstrates a break of faith proving himself\nfaithless\u2026lacking respect for God as his actions indicate.&nbsp; But the one who keeps His commandments has an\nintimacy with God, clearly demonstrated in his manner which attests to our\nrelationship with Him.&nbsp; He who knows God,\nsenses Him minute by minute, and consequently regulates and conducts his life\nin the same manner as Jesus did in His earthly walk.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Contextual\nInterpretation: The reason a Christian usually doubts his or her\nsalvation and God&#8217;s forgiveness is because <strong>1)\n<\/strong>he or she is not confessing sin and <strong>2)\n<\/strong>consequently not seeking to turn away from the sins he or she is\ncommitting. In 1 John the Holy Spirit tells us that this will happen, but He\nalso says that <strong>Christians will have <em>confidence<\/em> that they are God&#8217;s children\nwhen their conduct pleases God<\/strong>.&nbsp;\nHence, John instructs us to <strong>k<\/strong>eep His Word. God gives us several tests that we can use to\ndetermine our relationship with God. One of these tests is found in 1 John 2:3,\n6, where we are admonished to do what the Scripture tells us to do &#8211; this is\none mark of a committed Christian.&nbsp; Notice\nthat those who know God obey God. The two occurrences of the word \u201cknow\u201d in\nthis verse are the first of 23 times John used this word throughout this\nepistle.&nbsp; As often in John\u2019s usage, the\nword \u201cHim\u201d might refer either to God or to Christ.&nbsp; For John, Jesus is so closely linked with the\nFather that a precise distinction between the Person of the Godhead sometimes\nseems irrelevant.&nbsp; Fellowship is with\nboth the Father and the Son (1:3).&nbsp; But\nobedience is the condition for such knowledge (cf. John 14:21-23: <strong><sup>21<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26678A#cen-ESV-26678A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> Whoever has my commandments and<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26678B#cen-ESV-26678B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup>\nkeeps them, he it is who loves me. And<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26678C#cen-ESV-26678C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup> he\nwho loves me<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26678D#cen-ESV-26678D\">D<\/a>)<\/sup> will\nbe loved by my Father, and I will love him and<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26678E#cen-ESV-26678E\">E<\/a>)<\/sup>\nmanifest myself to him.&#8221; <strong><sup>22<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26679F#cen-ESV-26679F\">F<\/a>)<\/sup>\nJudas (not Iscariot) said to him, &#8220;Lord, how is it<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26679G#cen-ESV-26679G\">G<\/a>)<\/sup> that\nyou will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?&#8221; <strong><sup>23<\/sup><\/strong>Jesus\nanswered him, <sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26680H#cen-ESV-26680H\">H<\/a>)<\/sup>\n&#8220;If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him,\nand<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26680I#cen-ESV-26680I\">I<\/a>)<\/sup> we\nwill come to him and<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John%2014:21-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-26680J#cen-ESV-26680J\">J<\/a>)<\/sup> make\nour home with him.)&nbsp; <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">If we say that we are Christians because we know that\nJesus is the Son of God but we keep sinning, we have deceived ourselves. <strong>After all, the demons believe and tremble (James\n2:19)!&nbsp; <\/strong>Therefore, those who\ndeliberately and knowing keep sinning are not really Christians because the\nmark of a Christian is that he or she \u201ckeeps His word.\u201d But what does it mean\nto \u201ckeep\u201d? This unlocks the meaning of our passage. Does this mean that God expects\nus to obey Him perfectly? If someone commits one sin, then is he or she no\nlonger a Christian? The answer is \u201cno\u201d because <strong>the Greek word for \u201ckeep\u201d does not have the idea of \u201cperfection\u201d but of\n\u201cguarding or watching.<\/strong>\u201d <strong>It has the\nidea of a strong commitment to obey.<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;\n<strong>Literally, the reality of one\u2019s\nconversion is settled by his or her lifestyle.<\/strong>&nbsp; The meaning becomes clear just a few verses\nlater when we read,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">\u201cIf you know that he is\nrighteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been\nborn of him.\u201d &#8211; 1 John 2:29<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">\u201cLittle children, let\nno one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is\nrighteous. <strong><sup>8<\/sup><\/strong>Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the\ndevil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of\nGod appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. <strong><sup>9<\/sup><\/strong>No one\nborn of God makes a practice of sinning, for God\u2019s seed abides in him, and he\ncannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.\u201d &#8211; 1 John 3:7-9<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\"><strong>These verses\nexplain what the Holy Spirit means by \u201ckeep His Word.\u201d He is talking about a\npattern of life \u2013 a pattern of obedience &#8211; a pattern of holy living. True\nChristians have a pattern of life which is marked by a commitment to be holy.&nbsp; <\/strong>John\nwas not afraid to callthe person\nwho claims to be a follower of Christ yet his life proves otherwise a\nliar.&nbsp; Furthermore, it may be said of the\nsame person that the truth is not in him.&nbsp;\nThe idea is similar to the statements made earlier about false claims\n(1:6, 8, 10: <strong><sup>6<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30530A#cen-ESV-30530A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in\ndarkness, we lie and<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30530B#cen-ESV-30530B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup> do\nnot practice the truth. <strong><sup>7<\/sup><\/strong>But<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30531C#cen-ESV-30531C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup> if\nwe walk in the light,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30531D#cen-ESV-30531D\">D<\/a>)<\/sup> as\nhe is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30531E#cen-ESV-30531E\">E<\/a>)<\/sup> the\nblood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. <strong><sup>8<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30532F#cen-ESV-30532F\">F<\/a>)<\/sup> If\nwe say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30532G#cen-ESV-30532G\">G<\/a>)<\/sup> the\ntruth is not in us. <strong><sup>9<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30533H#cen-ESV-30533H\">H<\/a>)<\/sup> If\nwe confess our sins, he is<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30533I#cen-ESV-30533I\">I<\/a>)<\/sup>\nfaithful and just to forgive us our sins and<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30533J#cen-ESV-30533J\">J<\/a>)<\/sup> to\ncleanse us from all unrighteousness. <strong><sup>10<\/sup><\/strong>If we say we have not\nsinned,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30534K#cen-ESV-30534K\">K<\/a>)<\/sup> we\nmake him a liar, and<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20John%201:6-10&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30534L#cen-ESV-30534L\">L<\/a>)<\/sup> his\nword is not in us.)&nbsp; In such a\nperson the truth is not a dynamic, controlling influence.&nbsp; He is seriously out of touch with spiritual\nreality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">This is NOT to imply that we are perfect, but mindful\nof right and wrong and diligently working to properly act and react.&nbsp; The difference between a sinning unbeliever\nand a sinning believer is that one loves his sin while the other hates it. The\nbeliever who stumbles in his walk with the Lord regrets it, confesses it,\nwishes to never do it again and seeks to appropriate God\u2019s power and grace to\navoid it. He doesn\u2019t consider how much he can sin and still be considered a\nChristian. Rather, he considers how he can avoid even the appearance of sin in\nthe future.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">A distinction needs to be made between Paul\u2019s use of\nthe phrase \u201cin Christ\u201d and John\u2019s use of \u201cin Him.\u201d&nbsp; For Paul, the words \u201cin Christ\u201d describe a Christian\u2019s\npermanent position in God\u2019s Son.&nbsp;&nbsp; With\nJohn, the kind of relationship to which he refers when using the phrase \u201cin\nHim\u201d was one of fellowship and fruitfulness.&nbsp;\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><li>Scriptural Comparison: What does it mean if you have a pattern of ongoing sin\nin your life and you say, \u201cI am a Christian\u201d? The answer is found in the book\nof 1 Corinthians which was written to a group of people whom the apostle Paul\ncalled \u201csaints\u201d or Christians (1 Cor. 1:2). Yet, they were sinning so much that\nan entire book was written to rebuke them for their sins. In 1 Corinthians, the\napostle warns them to stop following the supposed wisdom of the world (1 Cor.\n1), ignoring the teaching of the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2), being competitive in\nministry (1 Cor. 3), being arrogant (1 Cor. 4), ignoring Christians who have an\nongoing habit of sin (1 Cor. 5), taking one another to court (1 Cor. 6),\nsinning in marriage (1 Cor. 7), ignoring the spiritual sensitivity of other\nChristians to sin (1 Cor. 8-10), ignoring the proper conduct of worship and\nsubmission (1 Cor. 11), abuses in worship (1 Cor. 12-14), and teaching false\ndoctrine (1 Cor. 15).&nbsp; In 2 Corinthians\nthe apostle Paul continues with another list of sins. These Corinthians had\nsome serious problems. Were they really Christians? Should we be comforted\nbecause the apostle called them \u201csaints\u201d? The answer is no, we shouldn\u2019t be\ncomforted but we shouldn\u2019t consider them unsaved either. Why? Listen to Paul at\nthe end of 2 Corinthians, <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">\u201cTest yourselves to see\nif you are in the faith; examine yourselves!\u201d &#8211; 2 Corinthians 13:5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">Paul\u2019s question is usually construed with regard to positional\njustification (declared saved by God and His Word) as in were they followers of\nChrist or not?&nbsp; However, neither the text\nnor the Greek supports this view as it is more likely a question of practical\nsanctification: did they <em>demonstrate<\/em>\nthat they were in the faith (cf. 1 Cor. 16:13: <strong><sup>13<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%2016:13&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28773A#cen-ESV-28773A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> Be watchful,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%2016:13&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28773B#cen-ESV-28773B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup>\nstand firm in the faith,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%2016:13&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28773C#cen-ESV-28773C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup> act\nlike men,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%2016:13&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28773D#cen-ESV-28773D\">D<\/a>)<\/sup> be\nstrong.) and that Christ was in them by their obeying His will?&nbsp; To stand the test was to do what was right as\nput forth in God\u2019s Word.&nbsp; To fail was to\nprove disobedient and therefore subject to God\u2019s discipline.&nbsp; The words \u201cfail(ed) the test\u201d&nbsp; (2 Cor. 13:5-6) and \u201cfailed\u201d (v.7) render the\nGreek word \u201cadokimoi\u201d or \u201cdisapproved\u201d.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">The\nfact is Christians continue to sin after they are saved \u2013 we will not be\ncompletely free from sin until we die or Jesus comes back. However, becoming a\nChristian results in a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17:<strong><sup> 17<\/sup><\/strong>Therefore, if\nanyone is<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20Corinthians%205:17&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28878A#cen-ESV-28878A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> in\nChrist, he is<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20Corinthians%205:17&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28878B#cen-ESV-28878B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup> a\nnew creation.<sup>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20Corinthians%205:17&amp;version=ESV#fen-ESV-28878a#fen-ESV-28878a\">a<\/a>](<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20Corinthians%205:17&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28878C#cen-ESV-28878C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup> The\nold has passed away; behold, the new has come.) A person will go from\nproducing the acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21:&nbsp; <strong><sup>19<\/sup><\/strong>Now<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:19-21&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29165A#cen-ESV-29165A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> the\nworks of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, <strong><sup>20<\/sup><\/strong>idolatry,\nsorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:19-21&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29166B#cen-ESV-29166B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup> divisions,\n<strong><sup>21<\/sup><\/strong>envy,<sup>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:19-21&amp;version=ESV#fen-ESV-29167a#fen-ESV-29167a\">a<\/a>]<\/sup>\ndrunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before,\nthat<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:19-21&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29167C#cen-ESV-29167C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup>\nthose who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.)\nto displaying the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23: <strong><sup>22<\/sup><\/strong>But<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:22-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29168A#cen-ESV-29168A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> the\nfruit of the Spirit is<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:22-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29168B#cen-ESV-29168B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup>\nlove, joy, peace, patience,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:22-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29168C#cen-ESV-29168C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup>\nkindness, goodness, faithfulness, <strong><sup>23<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:22-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29169D#cen-ESV-29169D\">D<\/a>)<\/sup>\ngentleness,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:22-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29169E#cen-ESV-29169E\">E<\/a>)<\/sup>\nself-control;<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%205:22-23&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29169F#cen-ESV-29169F\">F<\/a>)<\/sup>\nagainst such things there is no law.), as the indwelling Holy Spirit has\nmore and more control over his life. This change does not happen instantly, but\nit does happen over time. If a person does not demonstrate a changed life,\nhe\/she is likely not a genuine believer. Christians can commit grievous sins.\nJesus died for these sins as well. All the more reason not to commit them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The key to\nunderstanding is that true Christians do not continue to <em>practice<\/em> known sin.<\/strong> They\nfight to stop and eventually find victory over their sin. <strong>The mark of a growing Christian is victory over one sin after another\nsin.<\/strong> We must remember that after we find victory over one, God then starts\ndealing with another sin in our lives. Therefore, the apostle was concerned\nthat they might not be real Christians because of the pattern of sin in their\nlife in that they <strong>1)<\/strong> refused to\nacknowledge <strong>2)<\/strong> consequently refused\nto confess <strong>3)<\/strong> consequently refused\nto turn away from <strong>4)<\/strong> consequently\njeopardized their relationship with others but more importantly <strong>5)<\/strong> jeopardized their relationship with\nGod. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, the Apostle Paul describes\nthe kind of sinful lifestyles believers are saved from (<strong><sup>9<\/sup><\/strong>Or do you not\nknow that the unrighteous<sup>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:9-11&amp;version=ESV#fen-ESV-28460a#fen-ESV-28460a\">a<\/a>]<\/sup> will not\ninherit the kingdom\n of God? Do not be\ndeceived:<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:9-11&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28460A#cen-ESV-28460A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup>\nneither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who\npractice homosexuality,<sup>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:9-11&amp;version=ESV#fen-ESV-28460b#fen-ESV-28460b\">b<\/a>]<\/sup> <strong><sup>10<\/sup><\/strong>nor\nthieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will\ninherit the kingdom\n of God. <strong><sup>11<\/sup><\/strong>And<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:9-11&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28462B#cen-ESV-28462B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup> such\nwere some of you. But<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:9-11&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28462C#cen-ESV-28462C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup> you\nwere washed,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:9-11&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28462D#cen-ESV-28462D\">D<\/a>)<\/sup> you were\nsanctified,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%206:9-11&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28462E#cen-ESV-28462E\">E<\/a>)<\/sup> you\nwere justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our\nGod.). Verse 11 says, \u201cAnd that is what some of you were. But you were\nwashed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus\nChrist and by the Spirit of our God.\u201d Notice the word \u201cwere.\u201d Believers used to\nbe like the things listed in verses 9-10, but they are not like that any\nlonger. Can a person who is an adulterer, drunkard, or homosexual, child\nabuser, etc. be saved? Yes. Is a person who lives a life of continual sin a\nbeliever? No. When we become Christians, our lives will change. Anyone who is living a sinful lifestyle and claims to be a\nChristian is either lying, is self-deceived, or really is a believer who is\ngoing to experience God\u2019s discipline and judgment (Hebrews 12:5-11).&nbsp; In fact, Paul charges that we are to have nothing\nto do with them and why (2 Timothy 3:1-7: <strong><sup>1<\/sup><\/strong>But understand this, that<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29838A#cen-ESV-29838A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> in\nthe last days there will come times of difficulty. <strong><sup>2<\/sup><\/strong>For\npeople will be<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29839B#cen-ESV-29839B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup>\nlovers of self,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29839C#cen-ESV-29839C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup>\nlovers of money,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29839D#cen-ESV-29839D\">D<\/a>)<\/sup>\nproud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, <strong><sup>3<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29840E#cen-ESV-29840E\">E<\/a>)<\/sup>\nheartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29840F#cen-ESV-29840F\">F<\/a>)<\/sup> not\nloving good, <strong><sup>4<\/sup><\/strong>treacherous, reckless,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29841G#cen-ESV-29841G\">G<\/a>)<\/sup>\nswollen with conceit,<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29841H#cen-ESV-29841H\">H<\/a>)<\/sup>\nlovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, <strong><sup>5<\/sup><\/strong>having the\nappearance of godliness, but<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29842I#cen-ESV-29842I\">I<\/a>)<\/sup>\ndenying its power.<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29842J#cen-ESV-29842J\">J<\/a>)<\/sup>\nAvoid such people. <strong><sup>6<\/sup><\/strong>For among them are<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29843K#cen-ESV-29843K\">K<\/a>)<\/sup>\nthose who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and\nled astray by various passions, <strong><sup>7<\/sup><\/strong>always learning and never\nable to<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=2%20timothy%203:1-7&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29844L#cen-ESV-29844L\">L<\/a>)<\/sup>\narrive at a knowledge of the truth.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size has-medium-font-size\">Paul encouraged them to evaluate or test themselves to\nsee if they were real Christians. Some other marks of a Christian are: <strong>1)<\/strong> you can understand the Bible (1 Cor.\n2:14; Heb. 5:11-14: <strong><sup>11<\/sup><\/strong>About this we have much to say, and it is<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Hebrews%205:11-14&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30025A#cen-ESV-30025A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> hard\nto explain, since you have become dull of hearing. <strong><sup>12<\/sup><\/strong>For\nthough by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you\nagain<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Hebrews%205:11-14&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30026B#cen-ESV-30026B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup> the\nbasic principles of the oracles of God. You need<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Hebrews%205:11-14&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30026C#cen-ESV-30026C\">C<\/a>)<\/sup>\nmilk, not solid food, <strong><sup>13<\/sup><\/strong>for everyone who lives on milk is\nunskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Hebrews%205:11-14&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30027D#cen-ESV-30027D\">D<\/a>)<\/sup> a\nchild. <strong><sup>14<\/sup><\/strong>But solid food is for<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Hebrews%205:11-14&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30028E#cen-ESV-30028E\">E<\/a>)<\/sup> the\nmature, for those who have their powers<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Hebrews%205:11-14&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-30028F#cen-ESV-30028F\">F<\/a>)<\/sup> of\ndiscernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.);\n<strong>2)<\/strong> you see the fruit of the Holy\nSpirit growing in your life (Gal. 5:22-23); and <strong>3)<\/strong> you can sense the Holy Spirit leading you (Rom. 8:14: <strong><sup>14<\/sup><\/strong>For all who are<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans%208:14&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28115A#cen-ESV-28115A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> led\nby the Spirit of God are<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans%208:14&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-28115B#cen-ESV-28115B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup> sons<sup>[<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans%208:14&amp;version=ESV#fen-ESV-28115a#fen-ESV-28115a\">a<\/a>]<\/sup> of God.)\nThese are the major ones.&nbsp; Remember, conviction\nis of the Holy Spirit \u2013 instead of feeling sad and defeated to the point of\nquestioning salvation, rejoice for the Spirit knows you and is working in your\nlife for your good!\n\nConclusion: The\nBible does teach by word (Galatians 6:7, 8: <strong><sup>7<\/sup><\/strong><sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%206:7,%208&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29179A#cen-ESV-29179A\">A<\/a>)<\/sup> Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for<sup>(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Galatians%206:7,%208&amp;version=ESV#cen-ESV-29179B#cen-ESV-29179B\">B<\/a>)<\/sup>\nwhatever one sows, that will he also reap.) and example (2 Samuel 11-20)\nthat when a Christian gets involved in sin, he or she may reap temporal,\nphysical, emotional, mental and\/or spiritual consequences.&nbsp; Right believing and right living are evidence\nof a right relationship with Christ.\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1 John 2:3-6:&nbsp;3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. &nbsp;4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. &nbsp;5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[526],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Christians &amp; Sin - Grace Evangelical Free Church<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Christians &amp; 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