1^st John 1:8-10

(8) “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Understanding First John – “Sin!”

INTRODUCTION:

The Hebrew word translated as “sin” in the Old Testament is ‘KHATA’ and it means “to miss the mark by falling short.”

The Greek word translated as “sin” in the New Testament is ‘hamartia’ and it means exactly the same thing as the Hebrew word, that is, “to miss the mark by falling short.”

EXPOSITION: (6 things…)

FIRST, THE CURE FOR SIN IS THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

1^st John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

1^st John 2:2 “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

1^st John 3:5 “You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.”

1^st John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

SECOND, ALL HUMANS ARE SINNERS AND TO SAY WE ARE NOT IS TO COMMIT A DANGEROUS AND DEADLY SIN!

1^st John 1:8 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

1^st John 1:10 “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

THIRD, WE CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR OUR SINS!

1^st John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1^st John 2:12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.”

FOURTH, THE CONTINUNAL PRACTICE OF SINFUL BEHAVIORS IS CLEAR PROOF THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT A CHRISTIAN!

1^st John 3:4 “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”

1^st John 3:6 “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”

1^st John 3:8 “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

1^st John 3:9 “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.”

1^st John 5:18 “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”

FIFTH, THERE ARE SINS THAT LEAD TO DEATH!

1^st John 5:16 “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life–to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.”

** Four sins for which GOD killed or ordered the death of people in the New Testament…

Hypocrisy! (Lying about their giving…)

Cf. Acts 5:1-11

(1) “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, (2) and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (3) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? (4) While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” (5) When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. (6) The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. (7) After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. (8) And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

(9) But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (10) Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. (11) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

Sexual Perversion!

1^st Corinthians 5:1-5

(1) “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. (2) And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.       (3) For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.

(4) When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, (5) you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

Taking the LORD’s Supper in an unworthy manner!

Cf. 1^st Corinthians 11:27-30

(27) “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. (28) Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (29) For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.        (30) That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.”

Reprobation!

Cf. James 5:19-20

(19) “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, (20) let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

SIXTH, THERE ARE SINS THAT DO NOT LEAD TO DEATH!

1^st John 5:17 “All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.”