DO CHRISTIANS HAVE "MANY" SINS?

Intro.

1.  We sometimes here Christians pray: "Lord, forgive us our many sins."

2.  While it is absolutely true that we all sin (Rom. 3:23), it is not unavoidable that Christians will or should have "many" sins! (Are we tempted to make excuses for sin in our lives & others because we expect to sin?)

3.  Phil. 2:12-16 - We are to become (a) Blameless (free from censure); (b) Harmless (unmixed, unadulterated; Rom. 16:19); (c) Without fault (unblemished in reputation & in reality). cf. Matt. 5:14-16

4. Discuss the Christian's relationship to sin.

 

I.  IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE ACCEPT THE REALITY OF SIN.

  A.  Sin Is The Violation of God's Will - 1 Jno. 3:4; 5:17; Jas. 4:17; Rom. 14:23.

    1.  Commission, omission (all unrighteousness), violation of conscience.

    2.  Sin is real, not imaginary! It separates us from God & results in eternal death - Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 6:23.

  B.  Without Forgiveness, The Sinner Is Eternally Lost (Psa. 32:5; Rom. 6:23).  Admit and seek God's forgiveness!

 

II.  WHO HAS "NO" SIN? - Rom. 3:23; 1 Jno. 1:8, 10.

  A.  Nobody Except Jesus - 1 Pet. 2:22.

  B.  Since All Have Sinned, All Who Have Not Been Saved Are Under The Condemnation Of Sin - Rom. 3:23; 5:12; 6:23.

  C.  If We Say We Have No Sin:

    1.  We deceive ourselves - 1 Jno. 1:8.

    2.  The truth is not in us - 1 Jno. 1:8 (God's word, v. 10).

    3.  We make God a liar - 1 Jno. 1:10.

 

III.  WHO HAS "MANY" SINS? Those who are lost!

  A.  The World - Eph. 2:1-3. (A way of life, habit, course of conduct.)

  B.  The Spiritually Dead Practice Sin! Rom. 6:2; 1 Jno. 3:6, 8-9

    1.  Sinner lives in sin - Rom. 6:2; 1 Tim. 5:6.

    2.  The lost practices sin as their course of life - 1 Jno. 3:6, 8-9.

 

**Are Christians (to be) described in the same way? Are we to be practicing sin?…..having the habit of sin?….living in sin? - Titus 3:3

 

IV.  WHO IS TO PUT AWAY (Not Practice) SIN?

  A.  The Christian - 1 Jno. 2:1-2; Rom. 6:1-2.

    1.  No longer a slave of sin - Rom. 6:6, 12-14.

    2.  Put sin to death - Col. 3:5-10.

    3.  We practice (habit, course of conduct) righteousness - 1 Jno. 2:29; 3:6-10.

  B.  The Christian Has God's Seed In Him - 1 Jno. 3:9.

    1.  1 Jno. 2:24, 27 - The word of truth, the gospel (1 Pet. 1:23; Jno. 16:13).

    2.  With truth in us, will we have "many" sins?!

    3.  When we do sin -- confess & repent (1 Jno. 1:9; Acts 8:22-23).

    4.  If we don't - we start living in/practicing sin!!

  C.  The Christian Is To Practice Righteousness - 1 Jno. 2:29.

    1.  Does one who is practicing righteousness have "many" sins? - Rom. 6:18

    2.  When we do sin -- confess & repent (1 Jno. 1:9; Acts 8:22-23).

    3.  If we don't - we start living in/practicing sin!!

  D.  The Christian Is To Purify Himself - 1 Jno. 3:3 (1 Pet. 1:15-16).

    1.  Does one who is living in purity have "many" sins?

    2.  When we do sin -- confess & repent (1 Jno. 1:9; Acts 8:22-23).

    3.  If we don't - we start living in/practicing sin!!

  E.  The Christian Is To Live According To The Spirit - Rom. 8:5-6.

    1.  Does one who is living according to the Spirit have "many" sins?

    2.  When we do sin -- confess & repent (1 Jno. 1:9; Acts 8:22-23).

    3.  If we don't - we start living in/practicing sin!!

 

Conclusion

1.  1 Jno. 2:1-2 - God does not want us to sin, & we should not excuse ourselves or others when we practice sin!

2.  Matt. 7:13-14 - The path to hell is filled with those who live in sin.  The path to heaven is walked by those who practice righteousness (the gospel, Rom. 1:16-17).