Introduction.During a gospel meeting we had recently in Lenexa with brother Brett Hogland, of Lubbock Texas, an issue came up that I have thought about a good deal since then. He and I talked some about the issue and found ourselves sharing the same concerns over the questions which it presents. This morning I’d like for us to address the question “Do Christians Always Sin?”

I. Sin Defined.

1. Violation of Law (I John 3:4).
2. Failure to Obey Law. (James 4:17). Note: “knows to do good” Does this teach that ignorance excuses one from accountibility? No there are...
3. Sins of ignorance. Violation of Law (Leviticus 4:27-31). Failure to Obey Law (Numbers 15:22-28).
4. Acting Against One’s Conscience. (Romans 14:14-15,22-23). It is possible for something to be alright in and of itself but if we have doubts about it and act anyway it is sin.

II. False Doctrines.

1. Meritorious salvation. This is the idea that we can do enough good things that earn our salvation and merit the forgiveness of sins (Luke 17:6-10).
2. Hereditary Sin. The doctrine is widespread in the religious world that Adam’s sin had been passed down to all mankind. This is not possible because sin is individual in nature (Deuteronomy 24:16).
3. Sinful Nature. An extension of the doctrine of hereditary sin is the idea that because of this sin man is born with a nature that is inclined to sin. The falsehood of this view is seen in the incarnation of Jesus himself.
   1. Jesus descended from Adam (Luke 3:23,38).
   2. Jesus shared human nature (Hebrews 2:14-15).
   3. Jesus was free of sin (Hebrews 4:14-15).
4. No Choice But to Sin. This begins to touch on the issue that I want us to consider. Since the world accepts this false idea of hereditaty sin and a sinful nature, the final extension of it is the view that you do not have a choice over whether you sin or not. The Bible makes it clear that sins (which are not committed in ignorance) are a matter of choice (Ezekiel 18:30-32) Note: “turn and live” (Isaiah 7:14,15). Note: We have seen that Jesus shared our humanity but He would have the power to “refuse the evil and choose the good.” Thus humans can do the same.

III. Christians and Sin.

1. Extreme Views.
   1. Christians Always Sin. We don’t know when we sin. It is vague and undefined. We can’t ever get to the point that we are not sinning. [This view leads to an attitude that becomes unconcerned with what is and is not right because we tell ourselves that it can’t be known.] This is simply hereditary sin in disguise!
   2. Faithful Christians Live Free of Sin. This suggests that sin is something so limited that a true Christian can come to the point that they do not need forgiveness of sins. [This makes one imagine that our need for God’s mercy only existed before obedience to the gospel but not after.] This is meritorious salvation in disguise!
2. First John on Sin.
   1. It is not in harmony with the definition of “abiding in Him” to sin (I John 3:6-10).

   2. We must imitate the example of Christ if we “abide in Him” (I John 2:6). We do not always act as Jesus would act. We do not always have the attitudes that Jesus did. We do not always do the good things that Jesus did.
        It would be wrong to say that we are living in sin because we are not perfectly like Jesus but it is equally wrong to say that we can be right with God refusing to strive towards this example.

   2. Christians can and will sin. Jesus acts as an advocate for this need (I John 2:1).
   3. It is wrong to act as if we have no sin (I John 1:5-10). Walking in the light does not mean that we are flawless. But neither does it mean that we can be tolerant of sin in anyway. The one who walks in the light must desire to know what is and is not sin. They must desire to live as God wants us to live.

Conclusion. We have not addressed the issue of maturity. Scripture makes it clear that a person is expected to grow in Christ. This does not excuse someone from the responsibility to know what is right and what is wrong but it does communicate that God understands that a babe is not on the same spiritual level with one who is mature. What we have seen is