Are you saved in your sins or from your sins?

The claim that Jesus saves us from our sins is not very controversial, at least not among Christians. We believe that were it not for the sinless life, sacrificial death, and righteous resurrection of Jesus we would still be "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).  

But who would dare to claim that what Jesus did for them goes so far as to actually save them from committing sin in this present life. Saved from hell? Yes. Saved from the penalty of our sins? Yes. Saved from the practice of sin? No. "No one is perfect." "We all sin."

Do you know why Jesus was given the name Jesus? He was called Jesus (Joshua), meaning "Lord saves", because he would "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). That means that Jesus sets his people free from their sins -- not just sin's penalty.

The New Testament describes the lifestyle of God's people as: "blameless", "unblameable", "without offense" and "without blemish" (Luke 1:6; Philippians 2:15; 1 Timothy 3:2, 10; Titus 1:6-7; 2 Peter 3:14; Philippians 1:10; Ephesians 5:25-27). God demands that his children have a holy lifestyle (1 Peter 1:15; 2 Peter 3:11).

One might object, "but isn't God full of grace?" Since God is so generous we should be able to continue to practice sin. This very objection is raised and refuted in the Bible (Romans 6:1-2). Many people have misunderstood the power and purpose of grace. God's grace teaches and enables us to turn our backs on sin in this present age (Titus 2:11-13; 1 Corinthians 15:10).

We are not saved by our works. We are saved by grace. But no one is saved who does not have works (Matthew 7:16-21). Jesus taught his disciples that they would practice good works because of his life flowing into them (John 15:5). Truly, without Jesus we can do nothing. But with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). When we walk in the Spirit we really are free from sin (Galatians 5:22-23).

Jesus came to do more than save you in your sins. He came to save you from your sins! 

Sin and the Believer

I hear the doctrine that all believers must continue to commit sins supported by 1 John 1:8,10 quite often. In fact, the error is so commonplace that I hardly pay it any mind. But I recently read it from a world renowned theologian. That was enough to make me take notice. If a man so respected and brilliant misunderstands these verses perhaps there are others who could benefit from a concise explanation of the text in view.

1 John 1:5 ¶ This then is the message which we have heard from him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 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. 8 If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The warning of verse 6 is directed to those who walk in darkness though claiming to be in communion with God. According to verse 7 those who walk in the light are being cleansed from all sin. Verse 8 is frequently used as a proof text to support the doctrine that believers continue to sin. Those who claim to have no sin but are in fact lying cannot be the same persons referred to in verse 7 (who are indeed being cleansed from all sin). Verse 8 seems to refer to the group addressed in verse 6 (a heretical group within the church that apparently denied having ever committed sin). Those addressed in verse 9 are "cleansed from all unrighteousness." While those in verse 8 do not have his word in them because they claim to be sinless (apparently refusing to confess their sins and be "cleansed from all unrighteousness").

The subjects of verses 8 and 10 possess neither the truth nor the word. I take that to mean that they are not in God. As such, they are not Christians. Therefore, these verses are not legitimate proof texts for the doctrine that all Christians must continue to commit sins until they die.