Sins, or Imperfections?

Sins, or imperfections? Correction, or improvement?“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” [Romans 3:23-24]

The Word of God tells us plainly that sin’s dominion over a Christian is broken by Christ’s victorious death and resurrection, and we, the redeemed, are commanded to “Sin not.”

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And IF any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” [1 John 2:1]

IF we do sin, the first thing God requires is that we confess our sin. But what if we are not willing to admit that it was SIN, …insisting rather that we have only “come short of the glory of God”, …or “could have done better”…just not quite perfect yet, and therefore only in need of “improvement”? Then we have refused correction, said that we have not sinned, made God a liar, and His Word is not in us.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” [1 John 1:9-10]

It’s easy to say “I’m not perfect”, or “I’ve come short”. It’s much harder to say “I have sinned.” “Not perfect” means we need to improve, grow, develop, and rise up to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. But if we’ve sinned, we need to confess, repent, and receive the correction and forgiveness and justification that is part of our great salvation. The cleansing from all unrighteousness doesn’t come by confessing our “shortcomings” or “mistakes”. God’s forgiveness comes when we call our sin what it really is, and understand that we have absolutely no excuse, and no remedy except the precious blood of the Lamb of God. Only THEN, can we “go on unto perfection”.(Hebrews 6:1)

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is SIN.” [James 4:17] We’ve got to use God’s definition, …His scale, His measure, His view. Calling it something less doesn’t change anything in God’s eyes. But confession and repentance and agreeing with God changes EVERYTHING!

God’s ultimate goal is not to define sin so that we all are sinners, but that we might take on His righteousness, and enjoy intimate fellowship with Him… Forever!