11/24/22 SIN, THE SINNER AND THE SAINT

11/24/22 SIN, THE SINNER AND THE SAINT

This is what the Bible teaches. 

Before salvation I was sin bent (prone, inclined), unwilling and unable to not sin. The unsaved can and will sin.

With regeneration comes the desire to obey God and the enablement to resist temptation.

The saved can choose not to sin.
In fact, while walking in truth, following in Christ's steps, being presently born of the Spirit, we cannot sin, since His Spirit does not indwell the disobedient.

Yes, the believer has free will and the volitional ability to turn from Christ, therefore he can sin, but as long as he is walking in the power of regeneration, he cannot sin, because he is delivered and enabled to not sin. 

1 John 3:2-9
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 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.

However, if a believer resists God's will and chooses to sin then there is immediate restoration provided through Christ's atonement. 

1 John 2:1-8
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

We are not saved from sin and hell by our works, but the work of Christ saves us from sin in this present evil world. 

1 Corinthians 10:12-15
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.