Can a Christian Sin?

Tomorrow's message will come from 1 John 3:5-12, and as you probably already know, these verses usually cause quite a "stir" among the religious. Over the years, I have been amazed to see how commentaries simply avoid the obvious--"No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him" (vs.6). For the most part, the religious have failed to realize that God, through Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, did a perfect and complete work concerning sin. The fact is this: God is finished dealing with sin--forever finished dealing with sin! When Jesus returns, He will do so without reference to sin (Hebrews 9:28)! Thankfully, when He appeared the first time, He did so in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin (1 John 3:5). Just for the record, take note of this: "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (vs. 9).

If my memory serves me correctly (which is certainly questionable), I have heard many people lay claim to having been born of God (born again, saved, etc); however, I have heard only a very few lay claim to these passages. Much to the contrary, they choose to act as if these passages don't even exist OR the attempt to explain them away with some kind of watered-down, pious pabulum!

Let me just tell you that God through Jesus did a much better job than most realize, and I think it is time for those to whom He has given the right to be called His children to lay claim to their inheritance--free from sin, free from sin, thank God Almighty, I am free from sin!

See you in the morning!!
Your Pastor