"SIN IS LAWLESSNESS"
Dear Saints:
There was a big controversy this past week when Don Lemon of CNN said, “Jesus Christ, if that’s who you believe, if that’s who you believe in, admittedly was not perfect when he was here on this earth". Don said this in the context of pointing to the nation’s forefathers and the confederacy that they are not perfect. But do you see the subtlety in his dismantling of Christianity and our faith in Christ?
My reaction is, did Don really say that and is he now rewriting the Bible? Many others have spoken up since this aired all over the world. Why is this a big deal? If Christ was a sinner and imperfect, then He is not God, we can’t be saved. In addition, many like Don will have ample reasons to excuse their alternative and sinful lifestyles of homosexuality and other sins.
Please let us be very very clear about Christ; “In Him there is no sin”. "Let no one deceive you." Please listen to the rest of our reading of 1 John 3: 4-12:
4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God."
Sin is lawlessness. Sin is a direct rejection of God Himself and His authority because He is the Lawgiver. We all have sinned and missed the mark of God. But thank God for Jesus Christ who took away our sins. How? “9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”
What a freedom! We were created by God but now we have been “born again” and “born of God”. Apostle John, do you really mean what you are saying, “he cannot sin”? Yes and a resounding yes because, “His [Christ] seed remains in him [you and me]”; if and when we are born of God; not go to church or baptized. We are born by grace through faith in God. It is purely a gift and no room for boasting (Ephesians 2:8-10). We do not live in a lifestyle of sin.
Just checking in without assuming. Are you “born of God” and have you been “born of God”? A seed produces fruit. Is the seed of Christ producing righteous acts in you, not for salvation but for the glory and honor of God our Father?
May we be like Joseph when tempted by Potiphar’s wife and said, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). These words of Joseph have stuck with me for the longest time. I trust it does for you. Amen.
My heart goes out for people like Don Lemon and millions of others who are very blinded by Satan and sin that they will repent, come to faith in Christ through the Gospel and be saved. Lord, may your grace abound for Don and many others that they may see you, the TRUTH, The WAY and the TRUE LIFE. Let us reach out the “Dons” of this world because we used to a "Don"; “dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1).
Lord we thank you for your holy seed that remain in us and for the Holy Spirit that lives in us. Help us to recon with any lifestyle of sin and help us to live righteous lives through your enabling power. Help us to love all as you have loved us. Amen.
There was a big controversy this past week when Don Lemon of CNN said, “Jesus Christ, if that’s who you believe, if that’s who you believe in, admittedly was not perfect when he was here on this earth". Don said this in the context of pointing to the nation’s forefathers and the confederacy that they are not perfect. But do you see the subtlety in his dismantling of Christianity and our faith in Christ?
My reaction is, did Don really say that and is he now rewriting the Bible? Many others have spoken up since this aired all over the world. Why is this a big deal? If Christ was a sinner and imperfect, then He is not God, we can’t be saved. In addition, many like Don will have ample reasons to excuse their alternative and sinful lifestyles of homosexuality and other sins.
Please let us be very very clear about Christ; “In Him there is no sin”. "Let no one deceive you." Please listen to the rest of our reading of 1 John 3: 4-12:
4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God."
Sin is lawlessness. Sin is a direct rejection of God Himself and His authority because He is the Lawgiver. We all have sinned and missed the mark of God. But thank God for Jesus Christ who took away our sins. How? “9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”
What a freedom! We were created by God but now we have been “born again” and “born of God”. Apostle John, do you really mean what you are saying, “he cannot sin”? Yes and a resounding yes because, “His [Christ] seed remains in him [you and me]”; if and when we are born of God; not go to church or baptized. We are born by grace through faith in God. It is purely a gift and no room for boasting (Ephesians 2:8-10). We do not live in a lifestyle of sin.
Just checking in without assuming. Are you “born of God” and have you been “born of God”? A seed produces fruit. Is the seed of Christ producing righteous acts in you, not for salvation but for the glory and honor of God our Father?
May we be like Joseph when tempted by Potiphar’s wife and said, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). These words of Joseph have stuck with me for the longest time. I trust it does for you. Amen.
My heart goes out for people like Don Lemon and millions of others who are very blinded by Satan and sin that they will repent, come to faith in Christ through the Gospel and be saved. Lord, may your grace abound for Don and many others that they may see you, the TRUTH, The WAY and the TRUE LIFE. Let us reach out the “Dons” of this world because we used to a "Don"; “dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1).
Lord we thank you for your holy seed that remain in us and for the Holy Spirit that lives in us. Help us to recon with any lifestyle of sin and help us to live righteous lives through your enabling power. Help us to love all as you have loved us. Amen.
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