MOUKOUOP NGUENA Ibrahim
«3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.»John 8:3-11
Brothers, this extract from the Bible alone could summarize the teaching of the Bible on the question of sin. But it is sad to note that the perception of most Christians regarding sin seems to be significantly different from biblical teaching on the subject.
Several Christian or pagan teachings explain to us that every man sins every day And several times by day. In Short, it is impossible to live without sinning. But is this really what the Bible teaches? Judge for yourselves. For my part, it seemed to me After a careful study of the writings that teach biblical there The question is that all men have lived part of their lives in sin, contrary to the will of God. For his will, men should abandon sin and live without sin. Some men have succeeded, according to the testimony of the Bible. This is the order the lord Jesus gave above through the adulterous woman: “Go,and sin no more.” For those who do not believe my position is justified, I invite them to read the rest of this text.
I want brothers, that we first of all recognize that the Bible does not contradict itself on the question of sin and that all the verses relating to this point complement each other. What justifies the fact that there are so many teachings affirming that man sins as long as he lives seems to be located on three levels: the texts of the Bible, sin in thought, and the definition of sin. We will try to explore these various directions.
John 8:7 (quoted above) shows us an indisputable reality. When Jesus asks the one who has no sin to throw The first stone, all withdraw. Beautiful evidence of that all those who were there had sin. The Bible asserts “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” Rom 3:23. We also read in 1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have not sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth 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.»
This passage firmly establishes a reality that we must not discuss, namely that we have all sinned. Combined with those cited above, it seems to be one of the foundations of teaching according to which We Let’s go on has to fish so much that we are alive. But do “having sinned” and “continuing to sin” are synonymous?
Before we came into the world, we all stayed in the womb of a woman. Anyone who claimed not to have done so would probably be a liar. But are we still in this womb? When we were born, almost all of us were fed breast milk. Does this mean that we still consume this milk? If the Bible recognised that we have sinned, why believe that this means we continue to sin?
Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery:
“Go, and sin no more.” When I read this verse, I feel like He is speaking to me.
The woman could have said to Him, “Lord, you know it is impossible not to sin,” or
“How can you, who are just, ask a man to do what is impossible? Is that not unjust?”
I believe one thing. Jesus said it, and the woman did not contradict Him. “Go, and sin no more.” This commandment is addressed to me and is more alive than ever.
Some people have tried to twist the meaning of this command by saying that Jesus meant, “Go and commit adultery no more,” or “Go and no longer practice sin.” To me, it seems that Jesus said what He meant: “Go, and sin no more.” I don’t get the impression that He often made mistakes in His choice of words.
Let’s now look in the Bible for examples of men about whom we can say with certainty that they had abandoned sin.
The first of them is named Job. Here is what the Bible says about him: The first among them was appointed Job. Here is what it says in the Bible.
Job1:1 ‘‘There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.”
“If we all know what integrity means, we will have a hard time imagining how a man who sins every day and several times a day can be declared upright and righteous.
The day came when the Sons of God presented themselves before the LORD, and the Adversary also came among them.”
And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and eschewedth evil? ” job1:7-8
“Here, the Lord God Himself bears witness of Job to Satan. Can God bear witness of someone who continues to sin every day? I have heard people say that Job continued to sin but did not practice sin. While admitting that I have a hard time understanding how God could bear witness of such a man, I find it even harder to realise that Satan did not seize the opportunity to say to God, ‘But how can you say that about this man who just this morning committed such a sin?’ If Job continued to sin, how is it that God bears witness of him that he is blameless? How is it that Satan (also called the accuser) does not draw God’s attention to the sin that Job would have committed but rather justifies the reason for Job’s obedience? Instead, Satan replies:”
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. job1:9-11
What does the rest of the story teach us? In one day, Job lost his children and his wealth. When he was told all this bad news, his reaction was:
“ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.» job 1: 20-22
We are explicitly told here that Job did not sin. Some find a way to say that this means that he did not sin in his reaction and does not exclude the fact that he sinned during this time in other things. Rather surprising position. But Job himself gives us details on this. Speaking of the time since he chose to obey God, he states:
“…for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.» Job 6:10
“…and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.’’Job 6:24
“ I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men?’’Job7:20
“Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.” Job 9:21 and finally Job 13:26
“For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth?’’
Job recognises that his last sins date back to his youth. He says it with certainty. God bore witness of him, Satan accepted this testimony, and Job himself confirmed it.
I am surprised that there are some who pass these verses as if they never existed For notice the repentance of Job at the end of the book (Job 42: 1-6) when he declared talking about things he didn’t understand. I see here the regret of a man who made a mistake and who recognizes his error. I don’t believe it’s a sin to make a mistake. Some have held that this repentance is proof of Job’s sin, although they can not say what This sin is. They want us to believe that God has rendered Satan the testimony of a sinner!!!! and Satan found nothing to complain about!
But for those who estimate the testimony of Job insufficient, I still have something for you.
“5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. » Luke 1:5-6
There are some who feel that these two met the description of these verses while continuing to sin. I just find this curious. All the more curious as we are told:
” Even ifthese three men: Noah, Daniel and Job, are found in the middle of this country, theyonly their lives will be saved by their righteousness, — oracle of the Lord GOD » Ezekiel 14:14An additional testimony to which we could add two testimonies. The first is that which God renders of David by recognizing that apart from the affair in which the letter killed a man to have her woman, he has walked in accordance to his will. The second is the following:
“18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you the power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.” Luke 10:18-21.
What is obvious here, is the answer of the man: “Master, all these have I observed from my youth.“». If the man was lying, Jesus would have told him. But, he rather liked this man. Let us take advantage here to recall that the affirmation with which Jesus begins his sentence born means not only all the world lives in sin but we all know that Jesus committed no sin and that the statement applies to him.
Having cited these testimonies from scripture, I would now like to cite teachings on the issue of sin. We have all sinned. We cannot therefore say that we have no sin. Then, having known Christ we died to sin (Romans 6:11), And as he East said In 1 John 2:1 “ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” A confirmation of what God expects of me, that I do not sin. Not that I do not practice sin, but that I do not sin: ” Go and sin no more .”
“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.’’ 1 John 2: 3-6
Many Christians, convinced that they are saved by grace (which is true), end up forgetting one of the means given to them to know if they are in Christ. This means is reminded to us above. Carefully reread these verses.
« 4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 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. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ’’ 1 John: 3:4-10
The Louis Segond version uses the expression “practicing sin,” which is the basis of a very widespread teaching. According to this teaching, the Christian sins every day but does not practice sin because sin does not reign over him. Thus, what differentiates him from the non-Christian is that he sins without being dominated by sin, whereas the other sins under the domination of sin. What seems absurd to me in this teaching is not knowing what it means not to be under the domination of sin if we continue in sin. Some will tell me that this means we sin without taking pleasure in it, while others do so with pleasure. However, when I look at the condemnations of the law, I have not seen any distinction between the one who sins without taking pleasure and the one who sins with pleasure. Moreover, it is said that whoever offends in one point of the law is guilty of all. One could even say that if we sin without being under the domination of sin, we are even more condemnable than the one who sins under the domination of sin, because he offends God under constraint, whereas we choose to offend God in freedom.
Romans 6 :
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”Romans6:1-2“6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.’’ Romans 6:6-7 “ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.’’ Romans 6:11 . Let sin no longer reign in your mortal body to make you obey its lusts. No longer place your members in the service of sin as weapons of injustice, but, as the living returned from the dead, with your members as weapons of justice, place yourselves in the service of God.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.Do you not know that by placing yourselves in the service of someone as slaves to obey him, you are slaves of the one to whom you obey, whether of sin which leads to death or of obedience which leads to death? Justice? Let us give thanks to God: you were slaves of sin, but you obeyed with all your heart the common teaching to which you were entrusted; freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. I use very human words, adapted to your weakness.
Just as you enslaved your members to the service of impurity and disorder which led to rebellion against God, now enslave them to the service of righteousness which leads to sanctification. When you were slaves to sin, you were free in righteousness. What fruits did you bear then? Today you are ashamed of them because their outcome is death. But now, freed from sin and made slaves of God, you bear the fruits which lead to sanctificationAndtheiroutcome,It istheir lifeeternal For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
»Romans6: 11-23
After having painted the desolation of the situation of man without Christ, the slave of sin in Romans 7, the Bible teaches us in Romans 8 that:
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
Let’s analyze Again these two lessons :
‘’ 2 By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.’’ 1john5:2-4
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.’’ John 14:21
The truth is that not only must we live without sin, but it is our observance of God’s commandments that is the true sign of our belonging to God. God after giving the commandments to the people gave this testimony:
“ For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off’’. » Deuteronomy 30:11
“In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” Deut30:16
Howto understandTHEtextofRomans7?
Let’s consider this extract from Romans 7, which people love to quote To explain that the Christian is always a sinner.
Romans 7; 14 – 25 «14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. »
The interpretation given as showing THE Christian fisherman East is erroneous, since in verse 24 the apostle requests Who goes THE issue of This body of dead, And he responds from verse 25 by saying that it is Jesus Christ. He also very clearly completes in Romans 8,
“ For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
This, clearly answers has all the concerns about Romans 7 seen before, and shows that in fact there are two eras for a human: before Christ and after Christ. Romans 7 describes the time before Christ, which is a time of slavery to sin. It is this period that we have all experienced which makes us say “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Christ comes to set us free (Rom 8:2) and marks the entry into a new period. This new period is a period in which we must look at ourselves as dead at sin (Romans 6:1-2, Romans 6:6-7, Romans 6:18-19, Romans 6:22). Paul himself declared regarding of him having known Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 9:27 “ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Thereinforcementof thewordsofJesus Christ
If we say we are Christians, let us consider first believing in Jesus Christ himself. Now, what does Jesus Christ say on this question of obedience and sin?
Matthew 7:21 «Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. »
Matthew7:20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them
Luke 8:21 ” And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”
Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Luke 11:27-28 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John14:15,22-24 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John15:10,14 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Matthew7:26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
John 13:17If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them
In light of all these words of Jesus Christ, some people manage to develop philosophies to justify living in sin, failing to see themselves as dead to sin. Do not be deceived; Jesus Christ has given the criterion to recognize his own. Matthew 7:21 is unequivocal. If you are still in iniquity, even if you perform miracles in the name of Jesus Christ, He does not know you. Examine yourselves. If this is your case, do not conclude that it is impossible to live free from sin; conclude that you have not been freed from sin, that you have not been born of water, or that you have not been born of the Spirit.
Here are some additional important details.
James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.’’
1 John 5:2-4 “2 By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God, and keep his commandments.3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
1 John 3:9-10 «9 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.10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. »
3 John 1:11 “ Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. ”
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
Hebrews10::26 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Romans6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Revelation14:1-5And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Partial Conclusion
I will conclude at this level on the question of these teachings on sin by saying that I have:
- God’s testimony: job 1, Deuteronomy; Christ’s command: “Go and sin no more”
- The testimony of Luke: Luke 1:6
- There revelation of Paul: Romans 6 and the warning of Jeans. 1:John.
Everyone teaches me not only that what God expects from me is to live without sinning, but also that this is possible and is even the main element that will allow me to achieve it. To make sure that I am with God.
If some continue to be disturbed or against the idea of living without sin, they recognise at least this:
God expects me to live like Job or like the parents of John. I must be “righteous before God,” as the Bible declares others to have been, and observe His commandments and ordinances blamelessly, as Job and the parents of John did. By being like this, I partake in many blessings. The teaching that suggests a Christian should spend their time recognising themselves as a sinner is contrary to the gospel, for the gospel tells us to consider ourselves dead to sin, and the Bible gives us all these examples that I have just mentioned. Why shouldn’t every Christian, freed from sin by Jesus Christ, aspire to say like Job: “Since such a date, I have never transgressed the orders of the Holy One”? Jesus Christ tells us that we will not enter heaven because we call Him Lord, but because we observe His Father’s commandments.
Sin in Thought
I know that at this point, many may wonder if we can abandon sin in thought and many other “sins.” Before addressing the question, I believe that God is just, and so is Christ. If He told me to sin no more, it means that it is possible. I can now think about how to go about it, not by wondering if it is truly possible, but by knowing that it is possible. We will quickly address the issue of sin in thought here. I will address the general question of sin in another treatise to try to define what sin is and what it is not.
Another form of sin that should catch our attention is sin in thought. What is this sin? Is it simply having a bad thought? I think that our enemy, the devil, will surely try to make suggestions contrary to God’s will and make us believe that these thoughts come from ourselves. The level of suggestion is the level at which the thought is conceived. It is up to us to validate or reject this thought.
If the idea of being with my neighbor’s wife comes to mind, it is just a suggestion. If I immediately reject this suggestion because of its non-conformity to the two main commandments, I escape sin in thought. But if I validate it, cherish it, and nurture the hope of being with my neighbor’s wife, then I commit adultery with her in my heart. The lesson from all of this is that bad suggestions can be raised to the level of my thoughts, but they only become sin when, instead of rejecting them, I entertain and validate them
Conclusion
The natural man is a slave to sin, as we once were. Those who know Jesus Christ are freed by Jesus Christ and must consider themselves dead to sin. We were slaves to sin, we have all sinned. But we are no longer slaves after being freed by Jesus Christ. We may sin out of ignorance, but as we grow in our knowledge, this type of sin also disappears. The command of the Lord Jesus Christ addressed to the woman and to the blind man is clear: ‘Go and sin no more.’ His words are also clear when he says that those who commit iniquity do not have access to His kingdom. Examine yourselves. If you are still a slave to sin (you remain in recurring sins, do not develop your knowledge of God to avoid sinning out of ignorance), you are not in communion with Jesus Christ, regardless of your preaching and miracles, and your end is the lake of fire and not eternal life (Hebrews 10:26).
To conclude: “ But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1.22
« 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.» James 2.17-18
From the same author:
– Forgiveness
– Judgment
– Keep Wisdom and Reflection
– The Proof that God Exists
– Definition of Sin
– Go and Sin No More
– Polygamy and the Bible
– The Golden Rule (soon)