“If we claim to be
without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).
As embarrassing as it
is, I have a confession to make…I still struggle with certain sins at times.
Chances are, you can relate to this as well. The Apostle Paul confessed that he
too struggled with sin (Rom. 7:14-25). And as we saw last month, sin is serious.
God in His perfect love, holiness, and justice must punish sin. For if He does
not, He is not truly loving, holy or just as He would be leaving crimes
unpunished. Yet what about God’s justice concerning sin in the life of a
follower of Christ? Thus, what happens when a Christian sins?
There are several
things that need to be considered about sin in the life of a believer. First,
their legal standing before God is unchanged. Romans 8:1 states, “There is
therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” God tells
us in His Word that when we became followers of Christ that “He forgave us all
our sins” (Col. 2:13). Thus, the punishment for our sins: past, present
and future was dealt with on the cross (Col. 2:14). Does this mean that we can
just go on sinning since we have received God’s grace? By no means! (Rom.
6:1–2).
Second, God convicts
believers of their sins. This was clearly the case with the Apostle Paul. He
agonized over his sins that he struggled with as a believer (Rom. 7:23-24).
Paul’s heart was saddened by his guilt of sin. David expressed this same
emotion as he recognized the seriousness of his adultery with Bathsheba and
murder of her husband (Ps. 51). All true believers experience God’s conviction
of their sins. And thankfully the letter of First John was written to believers
and it includes the remedy which removes God’s conviction. “If we confess
our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
However, if the
believer continues in that sin, they experience God’s hand of discipline (Heb.
12:5-11). Just as discipline from our earthly parents was painful as a child,
so too is discipline from our Heavenly Father painful. Thus, there are times in
which believers experience sickness, great trials, and hardships as a result of
God’s discipline. This was the case for certain individuals who partook of the
Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, such as having unconfessed sin in their
lives (1 Cor. 11:27-32). Sometimes God’s hand of discipline in the life of a
believer can even include death before their time (1 Cor. 11:30).
Fourth, if a Christian
has unconfessed sin in their life, God refuses to answer their prayers (Ps.
66:18; Isa. 59:1-2). Thus, the fellowship that the believer shares with God can
be damaged and disrupted. Wayne Grudem said, “When we sin, even though God does
not cease to love us, He is displeased with us. Even among human beings, it is
possible to love someone and be displeased with that person at the same time,
as any parent will attest, or any wife, or any husband” (Systematic Theology,
pg. 504). This, along with the other consequences of sin in the life of a
Christian are meant to bring about repentance and restoration of our
relationship with God.
Fifth, when we as
Christians sin, we can suffer the loss of heavenly rewards (1 Cor. 3:15;
9:25-27). “Watch out that you do not
lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully” (2 John
1:8).
And sixth, a believer
who continues in sin can find their spiritual life being choked out. Next month
we will consider what this means in detail. But for now, let us once again
recognize the seriousness of sin, confess them to God, and thank Him for the
deliverance that we have through Christ (Rom. 7:25).
In His service,
Matt
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