“Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” 1 John 3.4-6
When I gave my life to Christ at the age of 17, 39 years ago, I repented of sin. I was immediately convicted of the sin in my life. I began to change my behavior, my speech, and my actions. I wish I could report that I was 100% successful, but I am still striving to be perfect as He is perfect. Becoming holy and sanctified is both immediate and progressive. The immediate cleansing comes when our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, but the step-by-step process of becoming like Jesus happens for the rest of our lives.
John says that no one who has Christ living inside continues to sin. Period. But what about all of us? What about those of us who are striving to be like Christ but battle daily with sin and temptation, like Paul, Peter, and essentially everyone else in Scripture? John’s statement is truth, or at least it can be. It is also a goal, the ideal, the path for which we are striving. Yet the reality is that we continue to be wayward, stray from the path of righteousness, and strive to be all He has called us to be.
The goal in life is to be like Him, to make Him our desire, to run away from the path that leads to wickedness, sinfulness, and remorse.
This morning, I went for a run along a path in Austin at Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake). The path I was running along was not straight or narrow. It was not flat but hilly. Sometimes it was gravel, other times it was a sidewalk, and sometimes my path led me to cross streets. There were also others on the path: some running, others biking, some with dogs, some alone. Some were in great shape, and others were trying to get there! My point—the path was not consistent, nor were those on it all the same people.
We never have an excuse to sin—never. Yet what John says, “No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him,” can be said of us at times, but it can also not apply to us. For when I choose to sin, I repent, I stop the sin, and do not continue in it. God’s grace is greater than all my sin. His lovingkindness shows mercy, and Jesus’ sacrifice is as new for me today as it was 39 years ago when I first said yes.
Are you in sin? Stop it. Turn back to God. Walk according to the way that leads to everlasting life.
“O Lord God, You are so faithful to me. When I fall, You pick me up. When I stumble, You catch me. Redeem me, Lord! Cover me with Your blood. Renew me with Your love. Help me find my strength in You that I might be all that You have called and created me to be.” For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen