Sin! I don’t sin.

Good morning. I’m still enjoying my weekend break.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).”

Henry, do you want to tell me vicars, bishops and pastors also sin? We read in 1 John 1:8 that “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.”

The big question is what is sin? We are created in the image of God. We are just like Him apart from sin. When Adam was created he was exactly like God… but then he and Eve followed suggestions that came from a source outside of God and which were contrary to the Lord’s nature. Sin is therefore anything we do or are that is not like God is.

The instructions in the Bible are essentially a record of the Lord’s character. The way Jesus told us to act in for example the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is the way He acted and is how the Father acts all the time. God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and is therefore patient, kind, does not envy or boast, is not proud, rude, self-seeking or easily angered. He keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. He always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

What about us?

·        “Those living in adultery, those who steal and do drugs and look at pornography, etc. sin. I don’t do it.” Aren’t you proud and keep record of wrongs? Don’t you judge? You sin.

·        “As a reverend I live a clean life. I can’t afford to sin. My congregation looks up to me.” Do you preach salvation, are you aware of individuals’ struggles against sin, do you make your people aware of the need of having to be holy, do your protect them against the enemy’s lies through proper teaching? If not, you sin. Are you proud?

If we’re not acting like God does, we sin and if we act self-righteously and do not deal with this sin in our lives, our “iniquities have separated us from your God; our sins have hidden His face from us, so that He will not hear (Isaiah 59:2).”

But Romans 3:24 says we “are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”, and 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It is true for everyone with a humble attitude that acknowledges sin.

It’s all in the heart isn’t it? It’s not the outward appearance that counts. God knows the heart and worst of all, you know your heart.

Jesus was reduced from being the Almighty Creator of the universe to living on the dusty streets among sinners, those we despise. He was love. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8). He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering (Isaiah 53:3).”

If we’re not like Jesus, we sin. Where do you stand?

Father, please show us true holiness and obedience. Help us to be as humble as Jesus was.