Christians and Sin (Part 1): Do Christians still Sin?

Christians cannot ignore sin. J.C. Ryle says: He that wishes to attain right views about Christian holiness, must begin by examining the vast and solemn subject of sin.(1) I hope that this series of articles may be of help in directing your attention to some important biblical truths on the subject of sin.

1. Christians are not sinless and perfect:

   John writes to Christians when he says, If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8) Christians own up to their sin. Christians acknowledge when they have offended God by their actions. When God asks: "Who has done this?" The Christian who's conscience convicts him of sin steps forward.

   If a Christian should say that he has no sin, John says he is self deceived. John includes himself in this as a warning against the subtlety of the deception. Any Christian may fall into this trap!

2. Christians are in a process of Sanctification: John continues by reminding the Christians of the process of sanctification, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) John knows that this is not an automatic process and therefore calls us to look to Him who is faithful and just. God is personally involved in forgiving and cleansing his people.

3. Christians do not resist Sanctification: John tells us of the implications for anyone rejecting the process of sanctification. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10) If any professing Christian should continually deny their sin, they prove that they are not truly Christian.

Sanctification is not an automatic process. God takes personal care in making Christians holy.

We must not forget that our salvation in Christ is not only justification. The Baptist Catechism teaches us in Q/A 36 that justification, adoption and sanctification are all part of the saving benefits we have in Christ.

God not only declares us righteous by forgiving our sins and accepting us as righteous as an act of His free grace (I.E. Justification Q/A 37), but God also renews us after the image of God and enables us more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness as a work of His free grace (I.E. Sanctification Q/A 39).

In Christ

Pastor Hennie

1. J.C. Ryle, Holiness https://www.apuritansmind.com/wp-content/uploads/FREEEBOOKS/Holiness-J.C.Ryle.pdf pg. 11.

   I highly recommend reading J.C. Ryle's chapter on Sin.

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