| ST. JOHN 8:11 |
| 2004 Church of God of Forrest City, Arkansas |
| Prayer Requests: gethsemane@ churchofgodforrestcity.com Repentance: repent_now@ churchofgodforrestcity.com |
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| "BUT NOW BEING MADE FREE FROM SIN, . . . " Romans 6:22a by Pastor James Jennings (Church of God of Forrest City, Arkansas) The phrase "living free from sin" has oftentimes been shunned or misunderstood by many people. As a result, the devil has managed to keep many people from enjoying the true liberty that is in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Many have not been able to enjoy the true POWER of Bible salvation because they believe that sin must be practiced, if only occasionally, by all -- even those who call themselves saints or Christians. The purpose of this article is to show how the New Testament clearly teaches that God REQUIRES each Christian (or saint of God) to live a life free of all sin. What is SIN? God did not leave it to man to define “sin.” He defines it for us in the Word of God. James 4:17 states, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (KJV) One of the key words in this scripture is “KNOWETH.” In other words, to have a KNOWLEDGE that something is wrong and do it anyway or to have a KNOWLEDGE that something is right and not do it. "Living Free from sin" (or living a holy life) simply means that you do not do things that you KNOW are wrong. God does not hold us accountable for ignorant sin (that which we are unaware of), but He does hold us accountable for WILLFUL sin (that which we know is wrong). If we truly repent (turn from; ask for forgiveness of all) of our sins, God then gives us the POWER to obey him each day as long as we are willing to do so. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (II Corinthians 7:10) The phrase "not to be repented of" means that Christians do not have to ask God for forgiveness of sins every night because they choose not to go back and do those things that they KNOW are wrong. In other words, they no longer commit willful sins, by the grace of God, so there is no reason to ask God to forgive them for something that they have not done. In addition, there is no scriptural requirement to repent for that which we do not know that we have done (ignorant sin). We always have a choice to obey him or disobey him. As long as our choice is to obey, he will give us the POWER we need to resist all temptation from the devil immediately. "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." (I Corinthians 10:13) This article will demonstrate that every book in the New Testament teaches that we must live free from all known acts of sin. Some of the scriptures speak directly about not committing any sin. Other scriptures address this matter indirectly. All in all, the message, however, is the same. ANY PERSON WHO FULLY OBEYS THE “FIRST COMMANDMENT” WILL LIVE FREE FROM SIN!” (Mark 11:29-31) If you honestly and sincerely want to know the truth concerning this matter, the Spirit of God will explain to you these scriptures listed below. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit will convince you that God’s requirement for your life is that you live free from sin. 2 Pet 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (KJV) Finally, the Holy Spirit will open your “spiritual eyes” to the false doctrine which says that everyone commits willful sin. Many denominations or religious organizations promote the erroneous teaching that we all commit willful sin. Instead of helping the people prepare for heaven, the doctrine that we all commit willful sin prepares a person for hell. You can never go to heaven with willful sin in your life! When a person commits willful sin, he/she has simply yielded to temptation and obeyed the devil. You can never go to heaven by obeying the devil! IF EVERY BOOK IN THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHES, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, THAT WE MUST LIVE FREE FROM ALL ACTS OF SIN, THEN HOW CAN PEOPLE STILL CLAIM THAT WE ALL HAVE TO SIN? Please take the time to read and study the scriptures. CLICK ON THE CROSS TO VIEW SCRIPTURES. |
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