Growth “Sinning Willfully”

[netchaplain]

One of the primary evidences to the believer concerning the assurance that “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16), is our desire to please God. This reveals that God is “working in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13).

The intention of the believer is the commendable, but yet impracticable (incapable of being performed or accomplished) desire not to sin, thus all unfolds down to the inquiry of intentional and unintentional sin, both of which are obvious to the individual. It should be easily agreed that one who is a Christian never desires to displease God, and this is what He regards, not the sin itself. For example, the issue is not the sin but the origin of its intention, in which for the believer, sin is never intentional.

This does not mean that the unintentional sin is insignificant to God or us, concerning its presence, but He does not regard the believer concerning sin’s guilt and even ensures we are no longer controlled by it (Rom 6:12, 14). Due to the Father’s work (Phil 2:13) and the Spirit’s work (Gal 5:17) within, there will never be a sin that is approved by the believer, but rather hated (Psa 97:10; Pro 8:13; 1Pe 3:11). This also means that obstinate and habitual sin will inevitably be desisted (unless God is absent), for the significance concerning the intention of sin in God’s people has always been an issue in both dispensations (Num 15:22-30; Heb 10:26).

Due to the wording, Scripture often presents passages that are somewhat obscure, resulting with difficulty in understanding, and which requires the collation of the entirety of Scripture (hermeneutics) for its intended meaning. Concerning the often phrasing of Scripture that appears to present the concept of the believer not sinning, there must be consistency with the remnant of Scripture.

For example, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin . . . and he cannot sin” (1 John 3:9). I find no confliction with Scripture when interpreting this to intend that believers do not sin willfully, e.g. whosoever is born of God does not sin willfully and cannot sin willfully. Why? “For His seed (Christ’s nature – Col 3:10; 2 Pet 1:4) remains in him . . . because he has been born of God.”

“The meaning is, he that is born of God, as he is born of God, or that which is born of God in him, the new man, or new creature, new nature cannot sin; for that is pure and holy; there is nothing sinful in it, nor can anything that is sinful come out of it, or be done by it; it is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God; it is a good work, and well pleasing: in the sight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold sin with delight; and an incorruptible seed, which neither corrupts nor is corrupted; and though it is as yet an imperfect work, it is not impure.” John Gill

This answers to the reason why Scripture never refers to the people of God as “sinners.” A sinner isn’t just one who sins, but one who sins willfully. The Christian is no longer considered to be of the old nature, but of the new nature (Rom 8:9), and so everything within the Christian’s life is considered after that which is of the new nature; which answers to Paul’s awareness in Romans 7:17, 20, and gives clear view to the intention of “bringing me into captivity” (v 23). The sins of Christian's are unintentionally committed against their will, same as one who is held captive against his will (saint), unlike when we were captive with consent (sinner).

- NC

 

[Sparkey]

NC, Greetings!

These things require very deep understandings. If we were to try to speak of this "where the rubber meets the road," in the 21st Century we might want to focus on a couple very specific sins. Let's call one sin a "slip of the tongue," where we blurt something out without giving due thought and later want to repent (or take it back) because we see that our loved one was hurt by our careless word.

This would be a type A unwilling sin. Something we notice we have done and as soon as we notice we (in our hearts) repent. We make amends and may need to humble ourselves to our loved one, asking forgiveness and admitting that we spoke before thinking and deeply regret the poor choice of words. So that would be an example of that I'd call a Type A Unwilling.

Then there is that more troubling Type B unwilling. In an ideal world we would not do it. But ... and here's the problem, we have let down our guard somewhat and find ourselves accepting (almost casually) that we sin. It's an automatic pardon kind of thing, not a terrible sin, not rape or murder, not lying or getting drunk -- no. More like going 60 MPH in the 55 MPH zone. Like a traffic violation. It's just a bad habit (we tell ourselves). But the truth of the matter is that all authority is God Given for our benefit. It's not pleasing to God when we do such things for we are told to consider Him in all things.

And there are different flavors of "Type B Involuntary" sin too. God knows hearts. We're not talking about a sin where we are essentially trying to thumb our nose at Him at all but instead it could be called a set of standards that do not measure up to the one true standard. Our Jesus.

Who am I? That the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name, would care to call me His? As I realize who I am, as He reminds me that I am his and not mine? As I see that I am a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind, He rises up and tells me who I am. I am His. He looks on me with love and watches me, causes me to rise again. He calms the storm in me and so it's not because of who I am, but because of what He's done. I sing HIS resurrection song. Not because of what I've done but because of Who He IS! (If you follow, thank you - there's a song that celebrates this).

And now ... we are to Please our Father in Heaven to consider Him in all our ways. We are to know that we are but flesh, a flower quickly fading, still He hears when we call and tells us what we could only hope to be... that we are His. That's the thought that banishes sin in us. It is His amazing grace. And? As we approach that day, that very day promised so long ago? So also shall we see these things in more and more clear and bright light.

Lord, I ask that You continue to Reveal Your mysteries into your children, that we may come to adore You and You alone. I ask with all my heart, and remain still before you, that I might hear Your 'Amen.'

~Sparrow

 

[netchaplain]

These things require very deep understandings. If we were to try to speak of this "where the rubber meets the road," in the 21st Century we might want to focus on a couple very specific sins.

Hi Sparrow - Thanks for your sensitive and sincere reply, and I realize your desire to unfold this issue more, but for now I can only say that the article's focus concerns intentional and unintentional sin. These are the only categories in which all sin is contained.

One obvious and easily understood truth concerning this subject is that we all know that one who is a believer never desires to displease God, and this is the issue God regards; because He already knows that we are to learn from the sin, or He would have eradicated the "old man" (sinful nature), and not just crucify it (Rom 6:6). God did not kill the sinful nature, He is just restraining it in the believer from possessing dominion.

Praying all is well Brother, and God's blessings to your Family!

 

[Sparkey]

All is well. I (my body and all of me) belongs to God.
And I know this is true for you and yours as well; so we are right to call each other brother in Christ...

And I just got out of open heart surgery.

And I just quit smoking.​

So it's been a big month. But not because of my health but more because in faith I've had to step out of my comfort zone and strive to move closer and closer to Him. But that's not the big deal either. Here's the big deal. He moved closer to me. (a James 4:8 thing). And I am caused to know more and more how much I need Him.

So then we move more to the topic... right? It's easy to speak in rather vague terms and to categorize things in black and white images. Willful, intentional, deliberate. And there is the unmindful, unintentional and unplanned. Rather nice how we can do that, right? But where does my current occasional desire to light a cigarette come into the picture?

First, let's skip the part about if it's actually sin by saying to the brother who believes it is sin, to him it is sin. Okay then we can get to the deliberate vs. oops, I did it again (oh, my!) stuff. I never intentionally set out to destroy my lungs. I was thirteen and wanting to be accepted by my friends was as big a reason as any for my decision. More than 40 years later and I am struggling with a lifelong habit and facing several complications: hypertension, CAD (Cardiac Artery Disease), and other diseases associated with inflammation. Inflammation? Yeah. Seems like a natural consequence for somebody who inflamed their body with smoke for so many years... lol...

But back to the topic? The desire that I still have is not sin. It is temptation. But back when I was smoking - I acknowledged that it was wrong and did not hide myself from God while smoking. Prayer? Yes. I smoked when I prayed and prayed while I smoked. At church? Yes (but never inside, that would just be rude). I smoked at church saying, "Who should I respect more, God or Man?" Since God saw my every act and since I was not afraid to smoke in front of HIM? They why should I hide it from his pastor? I was discrete and didn't want to put a stumbling block in front of others, didn't want to flaunt, but really? No hiding either.

So then on the 30th of June this year I took my last puff. Was that sin? Was it deliberate sin? Could it be that there is some kind of grace for sin that does not lead to death. Such that if you see me sinning in such a manner, all you need to is John 5 me. If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. God gives me life if you John 5 me. His promises are yes and AMEN.

So there is some kind of thing that doesn't quite fit. And it can be used to join us together and now we're talking about the human body as an analogy. (I make a leap and trust the quick topic change won't startle you). You see, it takes movement for the waste products to be removed from our bodies. When you first wake you might notice that your fingers are swollen some. But as you get up and do your morning routine? The slight swelling (edema) goes down. Movement. Deep Breathing. The Lymphatic System. There is blood in the body and we know that we have life in the blood. But there is another circulatory system --and I am speaking of a mystery here - we can have insight into the Spiritual through the working of the natural. The lymphatic system. There is no central pump for lymph (like blood plasma) rather it is peristalsis (propulsion of the lymph due to alternate contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle) that circulates. The body moves. Consider. When we act as a Priest for others and request sin be forgiven (according to God's word, in the right and proper manner) we are causing movement in the Body of Christ. That's a good thing. We are gonna need more of this and you can depend on the fact that Jesus will ready us and prepare us for all that will happen but back to the sin or not sin, deliberate or not, black and white fallacy:

SO if there is (as I think) a spiritual application that the Ancient of Days designed into our bodies and how we work, then what can we see from this? We are commanded to join ourselves together (especially as we see the end coming near). We are to come more and more into contact with each other. Paul speaks about the importance of Prophecy (speaking forth the word of God) and how it edifies (builds) the body. Don't be surprised to find out that God really knows what He's doing while designing us from the beginning. We are told that if we see our brother sin? We ask. God gives life. What is this? Is there a move of the Holy Spirit to draw us closer and closer together? Can God use all things for the good of them that love HIM? Is God one?

Yes, there are a couple deep things here and I have touched upon them in my series of questions. I don't have answers. I ask and wait, like anybody else. But I do ponder many things. One of them is the unfolding mystery. Where those of us who are closer to the end? We are given more. God is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. To those who are given more? More is required. All praise to our King - who shows the end from the beginning.

I'll close and give you time to digest but pls pardon the rambling nature that can be found in my writing. Sometimes I have more to say than I can get out in a minute or two. ~Sparrow

 

[netchaplain]

All is well. I (my body and all of me) belongs to God.
And I just got out of open heart surgery.
And I just quit smoking.
So it's been a big month. But not because of my health but more because in faith I've had to step out of my comfort zone and strive to move closer and closer to Him.

Yes, there are a couple deep things here and I have touched upon them in my series of questions. I don't have answers. I ask and wait, like anybody else. But I do ponder many things. One of them is the unfolding mystery.

Hi Brother - I can fully relate to putting your health situation on God, I've been through 2 heart by-passes and it's been 15 years, which is the average life expectancy of the veins used for the surgery. The longer we live and the more hardness He takes us through, the more we learn to increase our faith in "casting all your care on Him," and accept what transpires with our life, which is all in His control and direction.

One of the most important things I've learned in all this so far is that faith doesn't rely on explanations, but on Biblical truths, as He teaches us them while we study His Word!

 

[Sparkey]

I am marveling at the reveal. Paul said something about speaking by way of exhortation. That's good. He also spoke about speaking revelation. Speaking about mysteries that are being revealed. Those are the Godly kind of mysteries. The kind that Paul spake of - "Behold I show you a mystery" means, "Looky here! I am about to reveal a mystery and here it is: (see what I say next; that's IT! That's the answer).

SO now, as we approach and get closer to the apocalypse (I've heard that this word means revealing or un-concealing), the Lord is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. Knowledge is being poured out upon the earth. We are making discoveries and they are coming by leaps and bounds. As we turn our eyes to Him? As we realize that we are getting closer to His Coming? He heart starts to flutter. We cast our eyes upon our betrothed and He responds. Discoveries are not the only things coming by leaps and bounds. Jesus is bounding over mountain tops.

What also causes this? Our joining together. Our unity. We begin to stand. To stand as one!

So my mind slides around things rather quickly and I marvel at the hints that cause me to chase after the truth. To chase after Him. Thanks for sharing that information about your surgery. You are right about "casting our cares," of course. Greater is He that is in me! It's something that you've heard so many times before, we all have but the very nature of LIGHT is to dispel darkness. There is not battle. No fight.

I think there are mysteries involved. We get to see more about sin, how it is utterly sinful and we also get to spit after we toss it out of our houses and rid ourselves of it. He whom the son sets free? Yes. Free indeed. Free from having to sin, right? I can't say how much it means to me to have the bonds of that sin broken for me. I've waited on He who is Faithful and JUST. He promises that those who do that shall have no shame.

 

[Northman]

Thank you very much for this encouragement NC.

 

[netchaplain]

Free indeed. Free from having to sin, right?

Much of what you share is agreeable SH, but when I see a difference in belief between myself and another, I appreciate them allowing me to share the difference with them without being suspected of competing but just getting to what we think truth is.

My point in this thread is that the believer still sins, because of still possessing the "old man" (sinful nature), but the great difference is that it is never willful, right?

 

[netchaplain]

Thank you very much for this encouragement NC.

Hi NM - Good to see your reply, and thanks for encouraging me by letting me know you've been encouraged!

 

[Chopper]

Hi Bob, I liked your thread. I thought I'd add John Gill's writing on 1 Jn. 3:9. It may clarify someone's thinking.

Doth not commit sin; does not make it his trade and business; it is not the constant course of his life; he does not live and walk in sin, or give up himself to it; he is not without the being of it in him, or free from acts of sin in his life and conversation, but he does not so commit it as to be the servant of it, a slave unto it, or to continue in it; and that for this reason:

For his seed remaineth in him; not the word of God, or the Gospel, though that is a seed which is sown by the ministers of it, and blessed by God, and by which he regenerates his people; and which having a place in their hearts, becomes the ingrafted word, and there abides, nor can it be rooted out; where it powerfully teaches to avoid sin, is an antidote against it, and a preservative from it: nor the Holy Spirit of God, though he is the author of the new birth, and the principle of all grace; and where he once is, he always abides; and through the power of his grace believers prevail against sin, and mortify the deeds of the body, and live: but rather the grace of the Spirit, the internal principle of grace in the soul, the new nature, or new man formed in the soul, is meant; which seminally contains all grace in it, and which, like seed, springs up and gradually increases, and always abides; and is pure and incorruptible, and neither sins itself, nor encourages sin, but opposes, checks, and prevents it:

And he cannot sin not that it is impossible for such a man to do acts of sin, or that it is possible for him to live without sin; for the words are not to be understood in the sense of those who plead for perfection in this life; for though the saints have perfection in Christ, yet not in themselves; they are not impeccable, they are not free from sin, neither from the being nor actings of it; sin is in them, lives in them, dwells in them, hinders all the good, and does all the mischief it can: or in such sense, as if the sins of believers were not sins; for though they are pardoned and expiated, and they are justified from them, yet they do not cease to be sins; they are equally contrary to the nature, will, and law of God, as well as the sins of others; and are oftentimes attended with more aggravated circumstances, and which God in a fatherly way takes notice of, and chastises for, and on the account of which he hides his face from them: nor does the phrase intend any particular single sin, which cannot be committed; though there are such, as sinning wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, or denying Christ to be the Saviour of sinners, and a sacrifice for sin, and hatred of a Christian brother as such, and sinning the sin unto death, or the unpardonable sin; neither of which can be committed by a regenerate man: nor is the meaning only, though it is a sense that will very well bear, and agrees with the context, that such persons cannot sin as unregenerate men do; that is, live in a continued course of sinning, and with pleasure, and without reluctance, and so as to lie in it, as the whole world does: but rather the meaning is, he that is born of God, as he is born of God, or that which is born of God in him, the new man, or new creature, cannot sin; for that is pure and holy; there is nothing sinful in it, nor can anything that is sinful come out of it, or be done by it; it is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God; it is a good work, and well pleasing: in the sight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold sin with delight; and an incorruptible seed, which neither corrupts nor is corrupted; and though it is as yet an imperfect work, it is not impure: the reason of the impeccability of the regenerate man, as such.

 

[netchaplain]

Hi Chopper - Of about 12 Bible commentators I find Gill the most inclusive and accurate on nearly all of his comments. I pretty much use only him now because of it.

The crux of the article is what you've posted by Gill here. It's a matter of "the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter" (Rom 2:29), e.g. unintentional, which is the result of regeneration.

Thanks for your input Brother!

 

[Sparkey]

Much of what you share is agreeable SH, but when I see a difference in belief between myself and another, I appreciate them allowing me to share the difference with them without being suspected of competing but just getting to what we think truth is.

My point in this thread is that the believer still sins, because of still possessing the "old man" (sinful nature), but the great difference is that it is never willful, right?

"suspected of competing"?? Where did that come from?

Never willful? What about that bad driving habit? Where we know that the speed limit is 55 MPH but we intentionally drive at exactly 58 MPH and even set our cruise control at that rate? But this is just an example. There are so many sins possible and I suspect that we all allow ourselves grace in these matters.

 

[netchaplain]

"suspected of competing"?? Where did that come from?

Never willful? What about that bad driving habit? Where we know that the speed limit is 55 MPH but we intentionally drive at exactly 58 MPH and even set our cruise control at that rate? But this is just an example. There are so many sins possible and I suspect that we all allow ourselves grace in these matters.

The mention of "competing" is in reference to the many (none I know of from this site) I encounter on others sites that I post on, and that I do not have to deal with this on this site.

 

[Edward]

One of the primary evidences to the believer concerning the assurance that “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God” (Rom 8:16), is our desire to please God. This reveals that God is “working in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil 2:13).

The intention of the believer is the commendable, but yet impracticable (incapable of being performed or accomplished) desire not to sin, thus all unfolds down to the inquiry of intentional and unintentional sin, both of which are obvious to the individual. It should be easily agreed that one who is a Christian never desires to displease God, and this is what He regards, not the sin itself. For example, the issue is not the sin but the origin of its intention, in which for the believer, sin is never intentional.

This does not mean that the unintentional sin is insignificant to God or us, concerning its presence, but He does not regard the believer concerning sin’s guilt and even ensures we are no longer controlled by it (Rom 6:12, 14). Due to the Father’s work (Phil 2:13) and the Spirit’s work (Gal 5:17) within, there will never be a sin that is approved by the believer, but rather hated (Psa 97:10; Pro 8:13; 1Pe 3:11). This also means that obstinate and habitual sin will inevitably be desisted (unless God is absent), for the significance concerning the intention of sin in God’s people has always been an issue in both dispensations (Num 15:22-30; Heb 10:26).

Due to the wording, Scripture often presents passages that are somewhat obscure, resulting with difficulty in understanding, and which requires the collation of the entirety of Scripture (hermeneutics) for its intended meaning. Concerning the often phrasing of Scripture that appears to present the concept of the believer not sinning, there must be consistency with the remnant of Scripture.

For example, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin . . . and he cannot sin” (1 John 3:9). I find no confliction with Scripture when interpreting this to intend that believers do not sin willfully, e.g. whosoever is born of God does not sin willfully and cannot sin willfully. Why? “For His seed (Christ’s nature – Col 3:10; 2 Pet 1:4) remains in him . . . because he has been born of God.”

“The meaning is, he that is born of God, as he is born of God, or that which is born of God in him, the new man, or new creature, new nature cannot sin; for that is pure and holy; there is nothing sinful in it, nor can anything that is sinful come out of it, or be done by it; it is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God; it is a good work, and well pleasing: in the sight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold sin with delight; and an incorruptible seed, which neither corrupts nor is corrupted; and though it is as yet an imperfect work, it is not impure.” John Gill

This answers to the reason why Scripture never refers to the people of God as “sinners.” A sinner isn’t just one who sins, but one who sins willfully. The Christian is no longer considered to be of the old nature, but of the new nature (Rom 8:9), and so everything within the Christian’s life is considered after that which is of the new nature; which answers to Paul’s awareness in Romans 7:17, 20, and gives clear view to the intention of “bringing me into captivity” (v 23). The sins of Christian's are unintentionally committed against their will, same as one who is held captive against his will (saint), unlike when we were captive with consent (sinner).

- NC

Good post brother. As a new creature in Christ we are led of the Spirit so can not sin because the Spirit will not sin.

It's very important for us to remain focused upon God and to meditate in His Word at all times. To walk in the Spirit and live for the Spirit.

 

[Deborah13]

Hi Bob, I liked your thread. I thought I'd add John Gill's writing on 1 Jn. 3:9. It may clarify someone's thinking.

Doth not commit sin; does not make it his trade and business; it is not the constant course of his life; he does not live and walk in sin, or give up himself to it; he is not without the being of it in him, or free from acts of sin in his life and conversation, but he does not so commit it as to be the servant of it, a slave unto it, or to continue in it; and that for this reason:

For his seed remaineth in him; not the word of God, or the Gospel, though that is a seed which is sown by the ministers of it, and blessed by God, and by which he regenerates his people; and which having a place in their hearts, becomes the ingrafted word, and there abides, nor can it be rooted out; where it powerfully teaches to avoid sin, is an antidote against it, and a preservative from it: nor the Holy Spirit of God, though he is the author of the new birth, and the principle of all grace; and where he once is, he always abides; and through the power of his grace believers prevail against sin, and mortify the deeds of the body, and live: but rather the grace of the Spirit, the internal principle of grace in the soul, the new nature, or new man formed in the soul, is meant; which seminally contains all grace in it, and which, like seed, springs up and gradually increases, and always abides; and is pure and incorruptible, and neither sins itself, nor encourages sin, but opposes, checks, and prevents it:

And he cannot sin not that it is impossible for such a man to do acts of sin, or that it is possible for him to live without sin; for the words are not to be understood in the sense of those who plead for perfection in this life; for though the saints have perfection in Christ, yet not in themselves; they are not impeccable, they are not free from sin, neither from the being nor actings of it; sin is in them, lives in them, dwells in them, hinders all the good, and does all the mischief it can: or in such sense, as if the sins of believers were not sins; for though they are pardoned and expiated, and they are justified from them, yet they do not cease to be sins; they are equally contrary to the nature, will, and law of God, as well as the sins of others; and are oftentimes attended with more aggravated circumstances, and which God in a fatherly way takes notice of, and chastises for, and on the account of which he hides his face from them: nor does the phrase intend any particular single sin, which cannot be committed; though there are such, as sinning wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, or denying Christ to be the Saviour of sinners, and a sacrifice for sin, and hatred of a Christian brother as such, and sinning the sin unto death, or the unpardonable sin; neither of which can be committed by a regenerate man: nor is the meaning only, though it is a sense that will very well bear, and agrees with the context, that such persons cannot sin as unregenerate men do; that is, live in a continued course of sinning, and with pleasure, and without reluctance, and so as to lie in it, as the whole world does: but rather the meaning is, he that is born of God, as he is born of God, or that which is born of God in him, the new man, or new creature, cannot sin; for that is pure and holy; there is nothing sinful in it, nor can anything that is sinful come out of it, or be done by it; it is the workmanship of the Holy Spirit of God; it is a good work, and well pleasing: in the sight of God, who is of purer eyes than to behold sin with delight; and an incorruptible seed, which neither corrupts nor is corrupted; and though it is as yet an imperfect work, it is not impure: the reason of the impeccability of the regenerate man, as such.

Oh, Chopper, you have blessed my heart! God Bless You!

 

[netchaplain]

Good post brother. As a new creature in Christ we are led of the Spirit so can not sin because the Spirit will not sin.

It's very important for us to remain focused upon God and to meditate in His Word at all times. To walk in the Spirit and live for the Spirit.

Hi Ed - Correct, cannot intentionally sin!

 

[Chopper]

Oh, Chopper, you have blessed my heart! God Bless You!

Oh Deb my special "girl Friend". I'm so glad that Jesus can communicate thru me to you. You are soooo special to the Lord and me. I love John Gill's writings. He is a very gifted writer. Bob (Net Chaplain) and I count on his Bible understanding.

 

[Sparkey]

The mention of "competing" is in reference to the many (none I know of from this site) I encounter on others sites that I post on, and that I do not have to deal with this on this site.

Oh, good to hear that. I am very ready to run interference for my brother. But then, you know this.

 

[Sparkey]

More on sinning willfully...

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin [which does] not [lead] to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not [leading] to death. There is sin [leading] to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. ...

... 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

[1Jo 5:16, 20-21 NKJV]

• What is in view here in 1 John can be understood by looking at 1 Corinthians 11:27, 30.

a. Some in the Corinthian church were sick and some had died having committed the sins of not discerning the body and blood of the Lord.

b. What it means is this; they were in fact believers who lived lives in sinful disregard for the sacrifice that Christ made for their sins.

c. By the sinful pattern of their lives they showed a callous disregard for Christ's sufferings for them. It would be like ridiculing or belittling a person who had given their life to save yours.

d. Hebrews 12:6 "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (Read also verses 7 and 8)

e. A person who "professes" to be a Christian and who lives continually in sin and there is no chastening in his life shows he is not saved. God does not chasten the unsaved who are not His children. However, if a genuine Christian continually sins, God will chasten him and that is evidence he is saved.​

• GOD WANTS BELIEVERS FREE FROM HABITUAL SIN.

All believers will sin as 1 John 1:8,10 says, yet God will not allow a Christian to remain in a habitual state of sin. God may go as far as to take the life of His child in order to stop him from sinning when he refuses to repent. We see examples of this in the book of the Acts of the Apostles and I believe that the latter rain (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our times) is greater than the former rain (the outpouring of the HS in their times). Even as more light is given, so also comes greater responsibility. (and no, I'm not quoting Stan Lee or Spiderman here - )

This is not casual sin committed by a believer, but deliberate sinful acts done with the full understanding that God does not approve. Sin committed while the person is "awake and aware". The person who falls under this severe chastening of God is in gross rebellion against God and further refuses to turn from their sin.

In other words, when a believer sins, the Holy Spirit begins conviction to their hearts bringing to their attention their failure. We experience what I call a "prick to the conscience". If we repent (turn from sin) as 1 John 1:9 says, then the Lord helps them overcome the sin so they will not continue to commit it. However, it they refuse to repent, God not only brings conviction, but chastens them with some type of difficulty in their lives.

Pardon the digression but please allow me to point out the obvious here. Even though I am using the 3rd Person as I speak and using pronouns like "they" and/or "them" there is only one way that I can know of these things, well --- only one way that I can think of. It's because of personal experience. So it's fairly safe for you to understand that when I say "they" what I mean is "me". I have been chastened (some might say severely - but I say mercifully) by my Father God. But that aside...

The chastening of God is a warning to turn from the sin and avoid the negative consequences of sin. God loves us and wants the best for us. It is the same as a parent who disciplines a erring child who is endangering himself. If the child of God at this point rebels and refused to listen he puts his life in peril. In love, our Father God will even take that believer's life so as to stop his rebellion and the consequences in his life. What Good God would allow their children to continue to heap up negative consequence and turn a blind eye? We see examples of this very thing in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. He can even take our lives. We belong to HIM, not ourselves, after-all. Or He may not. God has infinite options while dealing with us. Part of what He may also do is called "turning over to sin". This is not, not(!) done spitefully but rather it is a form of mercy. The hope is that the sinner will eventually see how horrible sin is and then be revolted by what he or she sees themselves doing. That way they can repent. And then He can (and will) heal them.

But woe to them who do not turn from sin. They refuse to listen. They (read: I) stubbornly refuse to turn from my own destruction because what I have done in that case is set an idol (my sin) before God. And I love my sin more than I love my Father who is perfect in all His ways. So I am in a sense, worshiping myself. SO I don't repent ---> for if I did? He would heal me. (take a deeper look at John 12:40 and especially look at how God deals with sinners (even His children) as seen in Isa 6:9-10 and Jeremiah 5:21 --- THEN recall how often Jesus cried out, "To those who have ears to hear --> LET THEM HEAR")

Now I'm not stupid. I know that if I turn from evil, God will see my humble and contrite heart. He will know that I tremble at His word. And I shall be healed. That's why I do not have an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the Churches. It is because sin itself is utterly sinful and seeks to separate me from what is mine. I have been given great mercy. Abundant grace.

WHAT? Shall I make this gift of God into a vain or empty thing? Heaven forbid.

The believer who is committed to the Lord as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says is a new creature and the old carnal nature will have less and less a hold on him as he serves and in obedience lives for the Lord.

We must understand that doing a few charitable acts is not serving the Lord. One must be attentive to their everyday lives. Living a Christian life is more than doing good works. It means a Christian will show the love and nature of Christ in his life as he grows in the Lord. He will be sincerely be attempting to honor the Lord with his life.

IN SUMMARY:
What I am trying to say is that we need to have a keen appreciation for the Longsuffering of God and to remember how HE dealt with us even as we look toward our brothers and sisters. We need to deal with them, just as we have been dealt with. There is an abomination that is not spoken of these days. Everybody talks about certain sinful things being an "abomination unto God". But they forget that there is more than one thing that is called and abomination.

Proverbs 20:23
Differing Weights or an Uneven Scale (where we firmly plant our thumb on our side of the scale, tilting the balance in our favor) is an ABOMINATION.

All sin is utterly sinful. I am at a loss for words but maybe I'll be able to say it better one day. Prayer is requested because I do have much given to me and I need to empty myself even now.

 

[netchaplain]

Hi Sparrowhawk - Pretty sensitive post and thanks. I believe those who are spoken of as "unworthy" to partake of the emblems in communion of Christ's body and blood are in reference only to unregenerate individuals, for no one born again can be disqualified to partake, but is rather commanded to do so. (those who continue to willfully sin are unregenerate, regardless the profession and service)

As Gill comments:

"Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord": The bread and cup are called the bread and cup of the Lord; because ate and drank in remembrance of Him, being symbols of His body and of His blood, though not they themselves; these may be eaten and drank "unworthily," when they are eaten and drank by unworthy persons, in an unworthy manner, and to unworthy ends and purposes. The Lord's supper may be taken unworthily, when it is partook of by unworthy persons. This sense is confirmed by the Syriac version, which renders it 'hl awv alw,' "and is not fit for it," or is unworthy of it, and so the Ethiopic version; now such are all unregenerate persons, for they have no spiritual life in them, and therefore cannot eat and drink in a spiritual sense; they have no spiritual light, and therefore cannot discern the Lord's body . . ."

For more complete comment: http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/1corinthians/gill/1corinthians11.htm

Thanks Brother for you well-involved replies.

God Be Blessed!