Extent of Sin

Question 1: Can someone who is born again still sin?

ANSWER: Yes! In writing to Christians, the apostle John wrote, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (I John 1:8). There are those who have interpreted I John 3:9 to contradict what was said in the first chapter. This passage in the King James Version says, "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." This passage with consideration to the original language reads, "Whosoever is born of God doth not (keep on) commit(ting) sin, for his seed (God's Word - Luke 8:11) remaineth in him: and he cannot (continue to live in) sin, because he is born of God." Thus, we see the harmony and agreement between the first and third chapters of Ist John!

Question 2: Does God forgive the worst type of sin - child molesting?

ANSWER: God can and will forgive any sin of which one truly repents! Jesus said in Matthew 12:31, "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men . . ." He has even forgiven those who murdered His only begotten Son (Acts 2:36-41). Beyond this, He has made a covenant with the penitent obedient, "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more" (Hebrews 19:16-22).

Question 3: The Bible teaches that a child does not inherit the sin of its parents (Ezekiel 18:20). In other places it seems like the Bible teaches that God does punish a child for the sin of the parents. Which is right?

ANSWER: In Ezekiel 18:20, it is clear that a person dies spiritually (is separated from God - Isaiah 59:1-2) for their own sins. This means that the son will not die spiri­tually because of the father's sin; nor will the father die spiritually because of the son's sin. This, however, does not mean that the son will not experience the effect of his fa­ther's sin. Often this is the case. For example, a father may spend all of his living on alco­holic beverages rather than buying food for his children. The father is guilty of sin! Though the children are not guilty of the father's sin, they certainly suffer as a result of his sin. It is, therefore, the father of the children (not God) who causes the suffering, be­cause he has violated God's laws by using alcohol and by not providing for his family. The suffering of the children then is a natural result of the father's sin. This is the mean­ing of such phrases as "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children" found in Exodus 20:5 and 34:7.

Question 4: Is it good to stay with sinners? I stay with my brothers who use abusive language and go to prostitutes. What can I do? Can I stay with them?

ANSWER: It is very important that we always try to convert those with whom we have to do in this life. However, this failing, we need to be acutely aware that any situation in which we find ourselves, which would cause us to compromise our Christi­anity in any way is wrong and must be avoided. Paul said, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Be­lial (Satan)? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (II Corinthians 6:14-18).

Question 5: I owe people money, but I am not able to pay it back. What should I do?

ANSWER: Certainly, the Bible is clear that we are to pay our debts (Romans 13:8). When we do not, the result is sin, of which we must repent, if we would be right with God. The situation that causes you to say you are "not able to pay it back" needs to be discussed with those whom you owe to work out possible arrangements whereby the debt could be satisfied. If you do not have the money to give your creditors as agreed, perhaps you could make arrangements to do so over an extended period. Possibly the payback could come through the surrendering of personal belongings, or physical labor in exchange for the debt. All avenues for satisfying your debts must be pursued, because true repentance will always involve restoration when restoration is possible. There are cases in which restoration following repentance cannot be made. For example, in the taking of life, one may be truly penitent, but certainly life cannot be restored. However, such instances are extremely rare.

Question 6: When a person is diseased does it mean he has sinned?

ANSWER: No! Please study Luke 13: 1-5. Here, Jesus said. that these particular Galileans did not suffer persecution because of their sins. In John 9:1-3, the man was born blind, but not because he or his parents had sinned. Disease may come as a conse­quence of sin (cancer from the use of tobacco; venereal disease from illicit sex), but not as a penalty of sin. The penalty for sin is separation from God and eternal loss, a penalty that can only be avoided through obedience to God. The consequences of sin cannot be avoided, but will remain to be experienced!    

Question 7: (A) Is it true that God has put aside certain people who no longer trust Him? (B) If so, does God direct these people to speak certain things about His kingdom?

ANSWER:

(A) Yes! It is true. Read carefully Romans 1:18-32. Here we read about some who completely abandoned god. They refused to glorify Him, becoming vain in their imaginations (Vs.21). They turned from Him to idols (Vs.23) and became unclean through the lusts of their own hearts (Vs.24). They changed His truth into a lie (Vs.25). They engaged in unlawful and disgusting sexual activities (Vs. 26-27). They refused to retain Him in their knowledge (Vs.28). They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness (Vs.29-32). Upon their total abandonment of God, we learn that He gave them up (Vs.24-26). In Verse twenty-eight, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, i.e., a mind void of judgment!

(B) God does not direct those He has given up to speak things about His kingdom. In fact, God does not directly tell anyone what to do or say today! All directions from God today come only through His Word, the Bible. In Hebrews 1:2, we learn that God "hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son." This excludes everyone else, since only the words of Christ, as contained in the Bible, will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). The Gospel is His power unto salvation (Romans 1:16)! It alone can make one perfect or complete (II Timothy 3:16). No man can add to it, neither can any take away from it (Revelation 22:18-19). Any man today claiming that God (or any heavenly being) talks to him directly is either untruthful or experiencing mental problems.

Question 8: What do you understand about the division of sins?

ANSWER: I am uncertain as to the thrust of the question. Sin, however, is a transgression of the law (I John 3:4) and if one fails to repent (Acts 17:30-31)) of one sin, he is guilty of all (James 2:8-13). Man seemingly always attempts to make one sin worse than another. Although this may be true as we consider the consequences of sin in this life, the sin of taking a brother to law (I Corinthians 6:1-8) is just as eternally damning as murder (Galatians 5:19-21), unless the sinner repents. As well, the sin of murder is just as forgivable by God (II Samuel 12:13) as the sin of willfully forsaking the assembly of the saints! Until haughty man, himself a sinner, learns to forgive others as does God, neither can he be forgiven (Ephesians 4:32).

Question 9: How will people be able to support their families if, when becoming Christians, they must leave sinful businesses, such as, beer brewing, dealing in stolen goods, prostitution, etc.?

ANSWER: It is clear from God's Word that any who would become a Christian must first repent of all sin in which they have been engaged (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30-31). This means they must get out of the sin. No matter what it is, they must leave it behind! Certainly, at times, there are difficulties involved, but each individual must deal as best he can with his own situation, while putting his trust in God that He will do what He says! Speaking of the necessities of this life (food and clothing), Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all of these things will be added unto you." David, by inspiration, said in Psalms 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread." There is no doubt that if we do our part (II Thessalonians 3:10), God will do His! We can stand on His promises, because His promises never fail (Titus 1:2; I Peter 1:3-4)!  

Question 10: If a brother is disfellowshipped should he be allowed to place membership in other congregations without repentance? What should the attitude of other congregations be toward him?

ANSWER: If a person has been scripturally disfellowshipped, the action and attitude of all Christians everywhere toward this one should be identical, as they are so lead by their own plurality of elders. The action de­scribed in Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:9-11; II Thessalonians 3:6-14; and Titus 3:10 is applicable to, and binding upon all! The attitude described in I Corinthians 5:5-8 and II Thessalonians 3:15 is applicable to, and binding upon all!

Those whose actions and attitudes differ from those defined in the above passages (no matter the congregation) need to be called to repentance. Upon refusal to do so, they too become subjects for scriptural church discipline!

Question 11: What is the difference between inward sin and outward sin?

ANSWER: Generally, inward sin is thought of as sin that is of the mind, i.e., such sins as hate, evil intent, and impure thoughts. These are sins of which none other may be aware. Outward sins are generally thought of as sins that can be seen by others and are done openly. All are equal in the sight of God and will cause the soul to be lost. Some who appear outwardly righteous may very well be the worst of sinners. However, outward appearance may be seen by man, but God “looketh on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).

Question 12: Is it true that when a man is saved, he is cleansed from outward sin, but inward sin remains until he is filled with the Holy Ghost?

ANSWER: No! A man is in sin and lost no matter the type of sin. When a man is saved, he is saved from all of his sins no matter the classification. “ALL sin (inward and outward) is unrighteousness” (I John 5:17). None who are unrighteous can inherit the kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9). Therefore, none who sin (inwardly or outwardly) can be classified as saved, as the question suggests. ALL sin must be removed if salvation is to result! Note in Acts 2:38-47 that those saved were those whose sins were remitted. There is no indication here or anywhere else in the Bible that “inward” sins are not remitted at baptism through the blood of Christ. The very thought suggests that the blood of Christ is ineffective and powerless to remit “inward” sin, but is only sufficient to cleanse “outward” sin. The idea is non-biblical!

Question 13: Should we no longer fellowship those that use tobacco?

ANSWER: The matter that you bring up is one that is often shied away from, many times because of politics. There can be no doubt that smoking is addictive and introduces harmful, life-threatening substances into the body. Colossians 3:17 teaches that all we do in word or deed, we are to do so by the authority (in the name of) of Christ. There is no authority in the Bible for engaging in that which harms the body, nor for permitting one’s subjection to that which is addictive. Rather than bringing the body into subjection, as did the apostle Paul (whom we are instructed to follow as an example – I Corinthians 11:1), those who use tobacco subject themselves to it and the health problems that it brings. Those who would suggest that the use of tobacco is not sinful have turned a blind eye to the Scriptures, as well as to common sense. Sin is sin! All, or any, sin not repented of will cause the loss of the soul. It may be smoking or it may be fornication! The result is, and will be the same!

Since using tobacco is sinful and will cause the soul to be lost, the child of God can but act in matters of fellowship toward those who smoke as they would with those who engage in any other sin. This should not be taken to mean that we ought to spontaneously stop fellowshipping all smokers. Many are good folks who are trying in their weakness to overcome their addiction, often needing our help and prayers. Great patience and love is required on our part for all who sin, whether by smoking or any other activity! All efforts must be exhausted to help, to win, and to restore! If it becomes necessary, after exhausting every effort to win the sinner back, then the God-given instructions set forth in I Corinthians 5 and II Thessalonians 3 must be adopted and followed!

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