WHEN DID I SIN?

WHEN DID I SIN?

The sin problem is ever before all humanity. It is a constant concern to both the saved and the unsaved, because sin separates man from God and eliminates him from eternal life in heaven. Unforgiven sin keeps the individual alienated from God and all the benefits of His grace. "All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death" (1 john 5:1 7); "...the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel18:4); "...sin is the transgression of the law [of God]" (1 John 3:4).

 These very straightforward assertions from God's Word we accept as eternal truth. Many other scripture passages corroborate their validity, but can every fault, misstep, oversight, omission, misjudgment, fleeting thought of the subconscious mind, impulsive act be defined as sin? Does the soul die with every slip?

 Let us consider a discussion of this matter by the New Testament writer James: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust [desire], and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth [spiritual] death" James 1:13-15) (emphasis supplied). You will notice that there is a process involved before there is an actual transgression of God's law, or sin. A slip, a temptation, an evil thought which subconsciously enters the mind, an impulse, then, is not necessarily a sin, according to James' inspired writing.

Before an evil temptation, slip, impulse becomes sin it must progress further than its very introduction into the mind. It can be stopped there and go no further. It can be rejected, dismissed, put out with no harm done to the soul or heart. However, if that evil intent is entertained in the mind/heart, and a determination is made in favor of it; when it "hath conceived," then, and only then, will God impute it as sin. It can be avoided. It can be rejected. It does not have to result in sin or transgression and spiritual death.

It is possible to live without sin. In fact, if one expects to go to heaven, he must. "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not..." (1 John 3:6); "He that committeth sin is of the devil..." (v. 8). One cannot be long to God and to the devil at the same time. ''...these things write I unto you, that ye sin not" (2:1). The inference here is that you don't have to sin. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (3:9). That is, when he allows himself to sin by allowing an evil intent to "conceive" in his heart and be overcome by the devil.

Those who advocate the heresy that one cannot live without sin disregard the fact that the sin principle (Adamic nature) is crucified in the heart by sanctification. Before sanctification, the believer, when he is tempted, must choose not to sin, because the sin principle is still in the heart, but after sanctification if the believer sins he must choose to do so, because there is nothing in his heart to consent to transgression against God. The choice can be made against any evil intent. It can be eliminated before it results in sin and the heart remains clean and justified before God. If one should allow himself to be overcome-consent to evil principle there is a remedy: "...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ... he is the propitiation for our sins..." (1 John 2:1, 2).

Those who advocate unavoidable sinning are wrong, wrong, wrong. Taking this line of heresy leads one into an irresponsible attitude toward sin. To them, sinning is imperative, so one can indulge the tendencies to transgression and charge it to the account of Christ with no decision to reject it and prevent it from being conceived in the heart. How subtle! How diabolical! Many souls who otherwise would have repented of their sins and been saved will be lost because they were encouraged to be "sinning" Christians. Think on these things.