Christians are sinners as well as non-believers. Christians are just forgiven, because they have asked for mercy from Christ their Savior. Christians are sinners saved by Grace. The problem arises when Christians feel like they are superior to others, whether other Christians or non-believers. This turns everyone off big-time!
Take a look at some of the ways Christians, who are saved and forgiven, continue to sin on a daily basis. Put these into perspective with the Bible and see where you stand as a Christian. Do you still need to repent, even though you repented many years ago?
I John 3:4 “Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law.”
Sin is breaking the commandments: the Ten Commandments and all the sub-commandments that fall under the Big Ten. The Pharisees had a list of 613 commandments to keep. Jesus told them that they had made the commandments of God of no effect by their tradition. (Matthew 15:3-9)
I spent twenty years in an organization that taught many man-made commandments as commandments of God. There are a number of such organizations today who have a very stringent list of do’s and don’ts to be adhered to in order to be considered a member in good standing.
James 2:10 tells us that whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, is guilty of breaking the whole Law.
Ecclesiastes 7:20, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”
Psalm 14:2-3, “The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none that does good, not even one.”
Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”
Romans 7:7, “ 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.
Purpose of the Law
The purpose of the Law was to show us that we are sinful, compared to a Holy, sinless God, who created us in His image. That image was perfectly like God’s character, until the fall of Adam. All who are born into this world inherit the sinful nature of the first Adam, and begin the reaping of death as the curse upon it. If we do not repent of our sins, we are in danger of dying the second death, which is eternal separation from God and all that is good.
Jesus Christ became the second Adam; and He is the only one who has ever overcome all temptations of the flesh, to be able to keep all the commandments of His Holy Father. It is by His sacrifice that we have forgiveness and hope of eternal life through the power of His resurrection and baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Law was our schoolmaster bringing us to Christ, who fulfilled the Law and gives us of His Grace and Mercy, without anything from us except to believe in Him as our Lord, and obey His teachings.
Legalism is not true Christianity. Jesus was against the Pharisees in Jerusalem; and He is still against them today. We cannot legislate morality, nor can we legislate Holiness. Keeping man-made rules does not make us righteous or holy before God. Jesus said many times, “ desire Mercy and not Sacrifice.” Christ is interested in the condition and motives of the heart, above all else. What are the intentions of your heart?
Have you sinned as a Christian?
Do you complain, find fault, argue? Do you have a critical spirit? Do you carry a grudge against other Christians? Do you speak unkindly of people when they are not present? Are you angry with yourself? Are you angry with God? Ephesians 4:31 says we should put these things away from us. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Are you proud of your body, face, accomplishments, or talents, in that you see yourself as better than others, and others as inferior to yourself? I have seen many pastors and members as very proud of who they are and what they accomplished. This is not bad in and of itself, but when it affects the heart and mind and elevates you above others less skilled or fortunate, then it becomes sin. Romans 12:3 says we are not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Are you careless with your body, by eating too much and not exercising enough? I Corinthians 6:19 says we are temples of the Holy Spirit and should not defile His dwelling place. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Are you involved with Yoga, meditation outside of Christ, seances, psychic predictions, or horoscopes, rather than seeking Christ? Ephesians 4:27 says we are not to give any place to the devil. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Do you fail to pay your debts on time? Do you avoid paying them altogether? Do you charge more than you can pay? Do you lie on your tax forms? Romans 12:11 says we are not to be slothful in business. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Do you use filthy language? Tell or listen to off-color jokes? Ephesians 4:29 says we should allow no corrupt communication out of our mouths. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Do you lie? Exaggerate? Do you tell things as you want them, rather than as they really are? Do you say what people want to hear, instead of what is the truth? Colossians 3:9 says to lie not to one another. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Do you steal from your employer, by doing less work or by leaving early from what you are paid for? Do you ‘borrow’ certain supplies for your own use? Ephesians 4:28 says we should steal no more as Christians. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Do you waste your own time, or that of others? Do you spend too much time watching TV trash, or procrastinating? Ephesians 5:16 says we are to redeem the time, because of the evil around us. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Is your goal to accumulate things and money, without giving God His share? Are money and things your god? Matthew 6:24 says we cannot serve two masters. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Do you enjoy listening to gossip? Passing it on? Do you believe rumors about your enemies or competitors? Do you fail to spend time in prayer and reading His Word? Do you fail to thank God for His blessings? Philippians 4:8 says that only what is just, pure, lovely, and of good report should enter our minds and come out of our mouths. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Have you failed to come to a complete stop at the intersection? Have you cut some one off in traffic on purpose? Have you become angry with someone who has cut you off in traffic? Did you fail to feed the parking meter? Have you broken the speed limit? Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Romans 13:1-5 says we are to obey the laws of the land as coming from God, when they do not violate the laws of God’s Word. Have you sinned as a Christian?
Do you put yourself down by saying negative things about yourself? Do you feel pity for yourself because you think you deserve better circumstances in life? We are born self-centered, with a powerful drive to protect our egos and our rights. When we decide that life has not treated us as we have the right to be treated, self-pity is the result. Self-pity causes us to sulk and obsess over our hurts, real or perceived. At the heart of self-pity is a disagreement with God over how life, and He, has treated us. II Corinthians 13:5 says we are to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith, and Romans 8:28 says that ‘ALL” things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Have you sinned as a Christian?
The Truth=All Sin
The truth is that we all sin, whether we are Christians or non-believers. Christians may not get drunk, or commit murder, or rob a bank; but they do sin every single day, in one form or another; and sin is sin. It has to be acknowledged, and repented of daily, and put under the Blood of Christ. Otherwise, we become foolish virgins with stained wedding garments, and stand in danger of losing what God has for us in eternity.
I have always said that ‘confession’ is one thing the Catholics get right! Protestants confess once, and soon become self-righteous, convinced that they have not sinned in a serious way since….
I will post more on this another time…