What is sin? The Bible defines it as lawlessness, breaking the law (1 Jn 3:4). Why do we sin? We sin because we are sinners by nature. In other words, we are not sinners because we commit sins, but rather we sin because we are sinners. Every person has a sin nature; we are born that way, thanks to our fore parents. We are sinners so we commit sins. An apple tree will always produce apples. The nature (sinner) comes first, and then comes the fruit (sin). Does it ever surprise you when little children lie? Well, it shouldn’t, they lie, because they are born with a sin nature, and that is what sinners do; they sin!
We have a sin nature; God has a holy nature, and in order to have a relationship with Him our sins must be paid for. So in His infinite wisdom and love God laid out a plan of salvation to free us from the penalty and power of sin. He gave His One and only Son, so through faith in Him, we can be forgiven (Jn 3:16). When we ask for forgiveness through Jesus’ name, He forgives us and assures us of His forgiveness by saying, “I write to you dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name” (1 Jn 2:12).
Furthermore, Jesus continues to intercede for us, because He knows our two natures continue to war with each other, and unfortunately, the new nature doesn’t always win. Jesus is therefore our advocate with the Father for the times that we do sin (1 Jn 2:1b).
God’s willingness and ability to forgive us is not a license or reason for us to continue to sin or live in sin. Our love for Him and our fear of Him should make us hate to willfully live in sin. The Scripture clearly asks, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” The answer is, “By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Rom 6:1-2) The Scripture further explains, “No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him” (1 Jn 3:6).
Do you claim to know Him in a personal way? Then please do not live in sin! Since we are in Christ, let us remember that we are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Cor 5:17), and our way of life should support our claim of being Christians. Let’s bring to God whatever challenges we have and He will help us overcome them. AMEN!!