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. [1 John 3:9 KJV]
Those words are absolutely true, but can be misunderstood. Some hyper-grace teaching takes that scripture to mean, that once a person has been ‘born again’, they cannot lose their salvation, because it’s not possible for them to sin. If it’s impossible to sin, it’s impossible to lose your salvation. They say that whatever you might do wrong, no matter how ungodly, or how contrary it is to the will and commandments of God… it cannot be called sin, because you simply cannot sin, once you have been ‘born of God’.
They might admit to making mistakes, falling short, missing the mark, slipping up, stumbling, etc., but they contend that God doesn’t consider it as sin, or worthy of damnation. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That is amazing grace! But IF a person sins (1 John 2:1), and instead of confessing his sins, he says he has no sin, or has not sinned, he has deceived himself, and the truth is not in him. (1 John 3:8,10)
Once a person believes that it is impossible for him to sin, and therefore he cannot lose his salvation, he is likely to fall for even greater deception, for he has already swallowed a variation of Satan’s #1 lie: “Ye shall not surely die.” He may be thrilled with his so-called ‘liberty’. He may even be excited to preach this (distorted) ‘goodness’ of God… this false ‘revelation’ of grace… to anyone who will listen. But his guard is down, the truth is not in him, and he is open to the “many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” (See 1 Timothy 6:9) Promising liberty, but overcome by corruption. (Check out 2nd Peter, chapter 2)
Another teaching very closely related to this, and with the same destructive effect, is that a Christian can reach a level of ‘perfection’, while still in this earthly body, where it is no longer possible to sin… past a so-called ‘point of no return’. Again, when a person believes that he is incapable of sin, his guard is down, and he WILL be snared by sin.
Certainly, there is a walk with God, where you are so filled with the Truth, that Satan’s lies lose their credibility; and when you have experienced so much of the wonderful riches of God, that anything Satan can offer has no appeal. Yet, even then, we need to be vigilant that we don’t fall away, even as Hebrews 6:4-6 says, though we “were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.”
The true standard of perfection for a Christian is always Jesus Christ. We are all called to come “unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” [Ephesians 4:13 KJV] We ARE able to overcome sin, the same way Jesus, the Son of Man, overcame. His Father’s seed REMAINED in Him. He was BORN of God. Not just a one time, past experience… but BORN… in a continual, present sense. Abiding in the Father… walking in a continual fresh issuing forth of life… with every thought and action continually birthed by the Spirit of God.
Jesus could have sinned… He had the ability to sin… but He never sinned. “He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” [Hebrews 4:15 KJV] If it had been “impossible” for Christ to sin, then He wasn’t really tempted like as we are. Likewise, a Christian, walking even as Christ walked (see 1 John 2:6), WILL NOT sin… even though he has the ability to sin.
Jesus was not just subject to the temptation in the wilderness, and then passed some point of no return sometime after that. He said to His disciples, “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.” [Luke 22:28 KJV] They were not with Him when He faced the tempter in the wilderness. He was alone. But His temptations continued beyond that. He had to CHOOSE to obey the Father… from the wilderness, right through Gethsemane… all the way to “It is finished!” on the cross of Calvary.
We are not, and never will be, greater than our Master. He never lost His free will, or His ability to choose life or death… and neither will we, in this body. We need to be always on guard against sin, as Jesus was: and vigilant against these lies of Satan, that would give anyone a false sense of security, or even infallibility.
This can present a very difficult situation if someone you love, respect, or perhaps follow, claims that he has passed a point of no return, and has become incapable of sin. You are then faced with a choice. Either you must believe that everything he says and does is truly sinless, and then follow accordingly… or you must acknowledge that he is deceiving and being deceived. The latter conclusion is not easy, because now you have a responsibility to discern where he is right and where he is wrong… so that you can hold fast to what is good, without holding to what is wrong. But then, that’s what you must do anyway… no matter who you’re listening to.
“Prove all things; Hold fast that which is good.” [1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV]
”But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” [Hebrews 5:14 KJV]
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” [Hebrews 4:12 KJV]
God’s love for His children is SO great, that He sent His Word… and the Holy Ghost, to teach you ALL things. Yes, the Word of God cuts like a sword. But it’s the TRUTH, and it shall make you free! Free INDEED!
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