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10250 North Freeway @ West
Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484
What
We Believe and Why - Vol. II
Written by Dr.
Lester Hutson
Copyright
- Lester Hutson - 1982
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced
without the express written permission of Dr. Lester Hutson.
Chapter Twelve
Sinless Perfection
INTRODUCTION: TEXT: I John 3:4-10
The text verses for this lesson have been misunderstood by some to mean that Christians do not sin. Such an understanding is to pervert these verses, for the Bible does not here, or elsewhere, teach sinless perfection in the conduct of believers. To the contrary, it teaches that ALL Christians do sin. Furthermore, the statements of the Bible about sinlessness (most of which are found in I John) do not contradict the Biblical teachings that all believers sin often. That becomes increasingly clear as the sense of the Biblical statements is understood.
I. TO SOME IT APPEARS THAT THE BIBLE CONTRADICTS ITSELF ON THE SUBJECT OF SINLESS PERFECTION IN THE LIVES OF GOD'S CHILDREN.
A. Several statements are made that saved people do not sin.
1. I John 3:5-6 says, "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
2. I John 3:8 says, "He that commiteth sins is of the devil."
3. I John 3:9 continues, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
4. I John 5:18 states, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not."
5. There can be no question as to the fact that there is an aspect in which the child of God is without sin.
B. Yet, at the same time, God's word states that saved people do sin.
1. I John 1:8-10 is a passage that says that saved people sin. "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."
2. Solomon declared, "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
3. Paul said, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
4. John again showed the sinful aspect of saved people when he wrote, "Your sins are forgiven for his name's sake." (I John 2:12) He did not say we have no sins. To the contrary, he said we do have sins, but they are forgiven.
5. Paul was saved by the blood of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:8-9), yet as he said in verses 12-14 of the same passage, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Listen also to I Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." Notice the use of the present tense "am" to indicate a current condition.
6. Peter was saved, yet he cried out, "I am a sinful man, O Lord." (Luke 5:8)
II. MANY ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO EXPLAIN THESE PASSAGES.
A. Many who seek to disprove the Bible say these passages are contradictory.
1. Their idea is that the Bible is saying that saved people both do and don't sin which is a supposed contradiction.
2. As we shall see in the course of this study, two different aspects of sin are under consideration, and there is an aspect in which they do sin, as well as an aspect in which they do not sin.
3. But, there is no contradiction. "God... cannot lie." (Titus 1:2) Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:35) King David said to God, "Thy word is proof from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever." (Psalm 119:160) No. There is not a contradiction in the word of God. Anyone who says there is, admits that he does not understand what he is reading.
B. Some say the passages saying that believers do not sin refer to "habitual" sins.
1. Several leading commentators advocate this position.
2. These passages say the believer does not commit sin. It does not say he only commits sin occasionally, or that he does not habitually commit sin. No. In whatever sense sin is being considered here, the child of God does not do it at all, ever. In fact, it is beyond his power to do it. (I John 3:9, "He cannot commit sin.")
C. Still others say the Bible is teaching that saved people live a sinless life after they are saved.
1. The "holiness" crowd largely believes this.
2. These people simply ignore those passages that say that all of us sin. They simply take on side of the picture, act as though the other side doesn't exist, and make no attempt to reconcile the scriptures and learn the beautiful sense thereof. On the other hand, many who say that all saved people sin also conveniently ignore such passages as I John 3:6 and 9. They treat these as though they do not exist.
3. Obviously, we must take the whole of the Bible not just a part here or there that suits our preconceived ideas. Furthermore, we must not ignore, leave out a passage or consider a passage untrue because we can't explain it, or because it contradicts our positions.
4. By taking the whole of the scriptures, the idea of sinlessly perfect conduct by believers soon perishes. There are sins of commission (James 4:17) and sins of omission. (Romans 3:23) I John 1:8 says that even denial of sins in our lives is a sin within itself. Not one honest person can honestly say that he lives a life of perfect conduct.
5. Jesus Christ is the only one who has ever lived a life of sinless perfection. He was "a lamb without blemish and without spot." (I Peter 1:19) Thus, Hebrews 7:26 says He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens."
D. There is also a group that says the references to sinlessness refer only to the "inner man" or "spiritual man."
1. I John 3:9 refers to "whosoever is born of God" and this is understood to be in reference to the "inner" or "spiritual" man.
2. Many Baptists believe this and reason that the spiritual man cannot sin. They contend that sin originates in, and is limited to, the outer or fleshly man.
3. It is true that a saved person is made up of both an old and a new man: an outer and an inner man -- a fleshly and a spiritual man.
a. Colossians 3:9-10 speaks of both. Listen to these words, "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."
b. II Corinthians 4:16 speaks of them also. "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."
c. Romans 8:6 is another passage that refers to both the spiritual as well as the carnal aspects of each of us.
4. It is not a valid contention that the inner, spiritual or new man lives above sin and cannot sin:
a. II Corinthians 7:1 clearly establishes the point that the inner or spiritual man both can and does sin when it says, "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Note well that this passage speaks of filthiness both in the flesh and spirit. So, the contention that the spiritual or the inner man cannot and does not sin will not stand in the light of the truth.
b. In fact, every command to Christians that is given in the New Testament is directed to the inner or spiritual man. Do you suppose that when Paul wrote "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth" in Colossians 3:5 he was speaking to the fleshly man? No. The command is for the spiritual man to bring the fleshly man under subjection by God's grace to the will of God. Romans 12:1 says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
c. If disobedience is sin, and I Samuel 15:22-23 proves it is, then the inner man sins when he fails to obey God's commands that are given to him in the Bible. So, the idea of this passage teaching sinless perfection by the inner man will not stand.
III. THE TRUTH IS THAT THE PASSAGES DEALING WITH SINLESSNESS REFER TO A SPECIFIC SIN, NOT TO SINS IN GENERAL.
A. You will note that the text passage (I John 3:4-10) mentions both "sin" (singular) and "sins" (plural).
1. Verse 4 says, "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law." Verse 5 says, "In him is no sin." Verse 8 says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil." Verse 9 continues, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin." This verse also says, "he cannot sin."
a. When the scriptures use the word "sin" in a singular, unqualified sense, they are usually speaking of the sin of the world, which is unbelief in Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
b. John 16:8-9 makes that unquestionably clear as Jesus mentions the fact that the spirit reproves "the world of sin (note that sin is singular)...of sin because they believe not on me." Notice also that Jesus establishes the singular sin of the world to be failure to believe in Him.
c. It is because of this unbelief (not because of lying, murders, immorality and other such sins) that the world is condemned before God. It is sin (singular) not sins (plural) that condemns the world. Jesus said so in John 3:18, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed on the only begotten son of God."
d. The whole world is guilty of this sin according to Galatians 3:22. This passage says, "The scripture hath concluded all under sin." Notice again that "sin" is singular. This "sin" is equated with "unbelief" in Romans 11:32 which says, "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief."
e. To be guilty of this sin is to have the wrath of God abiding upon you (John 3:36), to be of the devil (I John 3:8), to be without God (I John 2:23), and to have neither seen nor known Him. (I John 3:6)
f. The sin of the world is not a myriad of wrong doings; it is to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
2. Verse 5 of the text also mentions "sins" plural. It says, "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins."
a. Note that the pronoun "our" is employed here. Thus, a specific class of people is under consideration. Verses 1-2 make clear that the reference is to the "sons of God" and not to alien sinners.
b. After a person has believed and thus had his "sin" (singular) taken away, he still commits many "sins" (plural). He can be guilty of lying, worry, theft, instability, cheating and many other sins.
c. Sins, used here in the plural, is a clear reference to the sins believers commit after "the sin of the world" has been taken away.
B. Jesus Christ came and gave Himself upon the cross to put away both categories of sins.
1. Both "sin" (singular) which is that of unbelief, and "sins" (plural) which are those of believers, are taken away by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
a. As to the sin of unbelievers, Hebrews 9:26 says, "But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away in by the sacrifice of himself." Thus, John the Baptist could say of Him, "Behold, the Lamb of God, which hath taken away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
b. As to those wrong doings of believers, I John 1:7 says, "And the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin." This is true because no blood other than His blood can "take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4)
c. The only way a person is saved in the first place, or finds forgiveness for daily sins in the second place, is through the shed blood of Jesus, God's Lamb. His blood forgives the sin of unbelief and forgives the sins that hinder fellowship with the Father. In both aspects of forgiveness, the blood is the foundation of the mercy offered, for that alone enables God to be merciful, just and faithful in forgiving.
2. Those guilty of the sin of the world, which is unbelief, have their sin taken away by coming to Christ in faith, in view of His finished work on the cross. Thus, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." (John 3:36) God's promise to all in that condition is, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)
3. Those believers who are guilty of daily sins have their sins taken away through confession of their sins to God through Christ as High Priest. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Related to the work Jesus does for the children of God, Hebrews 2:17 says, "That he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
C. Note well that the "sin (singular) of the world" is taken away by the belief in Jesus Christ, which is the belief of the truth.
1. The truth is the word of God.
a. Jesus said it in John 17:17, "Thy word is truth."
b. All of God's Word is truth but only one specific aspect of it is the truth that leads to salvation. That is the gospel, which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:3-4) I Corinthians 15:2 says it is the gospel by which we are saved. Belief of the gospel is God's way of saving the lost. (Romans 1:16)
c. It is thus obedience to this truth that produces eternal life. Peter wrote, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit unto unfeigned love for the brethren...." (I Peter 1:22) The Bible contains truth about honesty, personal hygiene, how to treat your employer and many other truths. One who is lost can obey these truths and see good results, but obedience to these truths will not result in eternal life. Only belief of the truth known as the gospel of Christ will do that.
2. Now, the truth of the gospel of Christ is a divine, living seed.
a. Peter established that point beyond successful refutation when he said believers are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." (I Peter 1:23) So, the word of the gospel is a spiritual seed that produces eternal life in a person once he hears and believes it.
b. James therefore said, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth." (James 1:18)
3. Once the gospel seed has produced a new birth in a person, and thus eternal life, it abides within that person forever.
a. That is exactly what I John 3:9 affirms. It says, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
b. The seed that begets a life becomes inseparable from the life it begets. Once a seed of corn is planted in the soil, germinates, produces a full grown plant and ultimately produces fruit (mature ears of corn), it is utterly impossible to recall the original seed from the new plant and fruit. The original seed has become totally infused into the new life. Every blade, the stalk and every new kernel of corn has the original seed locked in it. It can literally be said that the seed abideth in the offspring for as long as the offspring exists.
c. The offspring of the incorruptible seed, God's word, (I Peter 1:23) is a new creature, (II Corinthians 5:17) with eternal life. (John 17:2-3) As long as that offspring exists, which will be forever, the seed, truth, or incorruptible Word of God by which he was begotten, abideth in him. The idea of separating it from him, which is the only way he could again sin the sin of unbelief, is absurd and preposterous. He was born of the Word of Truth, and that Word will forever be a permanent part of his spiritual being. Thus, how beautiful rings the words of I John 5:18, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not."
4. Since this eternal word abides in the believer forever, then it is obvious that he cannot commit the sin of unbelief in the gospel truth. What a testimonial to the eternal security of the believer. Once received, the gospel truth or seed abides with you forever. It is impossible to separate it from your new life. John then said, "If that which ye have heard from the beginning will remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." (I John 2:24-25) All believers have eternal life and cannot lose it, not because they live above sin, or hold out faithful to the end, but because God's "seed remaineth in him." (I John 3:9)
D. Furthermore, those who believed the truth of the gospel are said to be "in Christ."
1. II Corinthians 5:17 indicates believers are "in Christ," as do many passages including Ephesians 1:3 and Colossians 2:5. I John 5:20 says, "We are in Him." Ephesians 3:6 indicates the way to get "in Christ" is "by the gospel."
2. The text, I John 3:5, says of Christ that "in him is no sin." In spite of the fact that it is true that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, the statement of this text does not refer to His sinless life, as we shall see. To the contrary, this is a reference to the position of believers "in him."
3. Paul spoke in Romans 4:8 of, "the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin," which can only be said of those who by belief of the gospel truth are in Christ.
a. This is true because "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone that believeth." (Romans 10:4)
b. Where the law has ended there is no law, and "where there is no law, there is no transgression." (Romans 4:15) Therefore, "Sin is not imputed where there is no law." (Romans 5:13)
c. Therefore, since Christ is the end of the law, and there is no sin where there is no law, we who are in Christ, have not the sin of the world, which is unbelief in the gospel truth. Instead, we are "perfected forever." (Hebrews 10:15)
d. We are "in Christ" and "in him is no sin." (I John 3:5)
4. The fact that I John 3:5 refers to the sinless condition of the standing of the believer in Jesus Christ is attested to by I John 3:6 which says, "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not."
5. So once again it becomes evident that the sin in question is that of unbelief, and not sins in general. The text says that anyone guilty of the sin in question is "of the devil," (verse 8) and "hath not seen him (Christ), neither known him." (verse 6) This is true only of unbelievers. This is certainly not true of any child of God, for each of them knows the Lord according to John 10:14 which says, "I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
E. So, these texts dealing with sinlessness refer to the fact that believers do not, and cannot, commit the sin of the world, which is to disbelieve the gospel of Christ.
1. Once they believe, which initiates the new birth in them, they cannot go back and undo what has already been done. Jesus said, "They are not of the world," (John 17:16) but are of an eternal, heavenly nature, incapable of sinning "the sin of the world." (John 1:29) Thus, the text says they cannot commit sin.
2. These passages have nothing to do with sins (plural). All believers commit sins, but not the sin of unbelief of the gospel of Christ. They may commit the sins of not believing many Christian promises, but they cannot go back and disbelieve the gospel once they believed it, for that belief is irrevocable, as we have shown. These passages on sinlessness have nothing to do with living a life of sinlessly perfect conduct, not with sinlessness of the "inner man." Furthermore, they have nothing to do with habitually good living, with only occasional slips. They are talking about the sin of unbelief in the gospel of Christ, and no saved person ever commits that sin.
"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"