Grace If We Sin
“1 ¶ 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: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world. 3 ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1Jo 2:1-6 AV)
God is faithful and by His Grace He continues to extend hand to save and to heal that which is lost. Those who have experience God’s Grace for salvation now become recipients of God’s grace (favor) in many different areas of their lives. As our Heavenly Father he bestows upon us the special love a father has for His children. As His children we are required to keep His commandments. These commandment are intended to keep us safe from the enemy of our souls. When we sin we expose ourselves and others to danger.
The Apostle John words from God were for this purpose, to protect us from the dangers of sin and the lies of the enemy. One of the Church’s purposes is to provide support for those who were born of God, and a sanctuary from the World around us. When the Church drifts from the purity of the Word of God, revival is needed. We have address how God’s grace has kept the Church alive through revival. But churches are made up of individuals. It is on this level that drift begins and it is on this level that revivals begin.
It is God’s intention that we maintain the proper relationship with Him as His children. That means that if we do sin, then it need to be tended to as soon as we become aware of it. When we are born again we are cleansed from all unrighteousness, we are forgiven of all our sins. Even though we start out as little children, God grace provides means to keep us living forgiven. Failure to teach this to new believers has resulted in much hurt and anguish. If unchecked it will result in the final state of the individual to being worse that when they first believed. John said: “I write to you so you will not sin.”
To sum up what is taught in these scriptures: God has provided a means to deal with sin if it does occur. Jesus is pleading our case and grace can keep us clean. But there is a part that we play. Forgiveness does not come automatic for us. We must repent and acknowledge our sin and then we will receive grace.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1Jo 1:7 AV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jo 1:9 AV)
There is a prevalent attitude in the among those who claim to be believers, that we are destined to continue to sin even though we have been saved. This is a defeatist attitude that ignores the teachings of the Scripture. Paul deals extensively in the Book of Romans about the freedom from the bondage to sin that is available to those who walk according to the Spirit.
“16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, whom that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Ro 6:16-18 AV)
That is why John does not say, “when we sin”, but “if we sin”. If we sin and If we confess our sins, God is faithful to not only forgive our sins but to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This frees us to present ourselves as servants of righteousness and live righteously. This is the marvelous grace that is given to the children of the Most High.