Sin, Yes, I Really Said That

My bible study magazine has me studying 1John 3:4-9. And I must say I am very uncomfortable with this study. I don’t disagree with what John wrote under God’s  direction. I’m just feeling the guilt and conviction with it’s confrontation. I don’t say the “sin” word anymore. I don’t make emphatic statements about what is right and wrong anymore. I guess it’s our culture and the “politically correct” nature of our society.


Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 


This passage in the Bible is all so black and white. It’s all so either/or. No gray. No sometimes or most times. You are a child of God or you are of the Devil.

If I have sin or disobedience to God’s word as a habit or practice in my life I’m really not acting as a child of God but a follower of Satan. And, oh my, that’s a little harsh. And the word “sin”, I’m not comfortable just throwing that word around.

The Apostle John certainly has no problem with this cut and dry definition. He unblushingly calls it like it is. No sugar coating from him. Oh no. This makes me squirm and have to take a look at my daily practices.

What am I practicing on a daily basis? What is my life pattern? What are my habit sins?

Thankfully Jesus is the sin destroyer. He breaks the power of cancelled sin as Charles Wesley so elegantly wrote in his wonderful hymn. He came for this very purpose. He changes daily sin habits as we follow Him instead of the Devil. He births us as His child.

I’ll still struggle with sin but because I’m a child of God I don’t have to make it a practice. The Holy Spirit’s constant conviction won’t let me continue without making me very uncomfortable in my sin.

And if I am comfortable with clearly disobeying God daily, I have to take a good long look at just who I am following.

                                                     I made this all about me because
             I’m not comfortable preaching at you but if the life pattern fits, well.………..



                                                                         SIN

                                                                  There, I said it.
             
                                                       Now don't make a habit of it.