Question
Is it possible for a born again Christian to stop sinning altogether and completely, or is it a requirement? Please let me know your understanding of this, as it seems to be a very important topic for a Christian.
Answer
Keith Sharp
Thanks for this very challenging question. The apostle John addresses your question in First John. He informs us, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). He does not mean faithful Christians are presently living sinful lives, for he also observes, “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 John 3:8, English Standard Version). Nor does he mean Christians are presently guilty of sin, for the apostle also writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He simply means we have all sinned, for “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:10). He does not mean we will inevitably sin in the future, for he remarks:
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).
You and I have sinned (Romans 3:23), but by the grace of God manifested in the gift of His Son, we may become righteous (Romans 3:21-26). To receive this free gift of grace, we must believe in Christ (Romans 5:1-2), turn away from our sins (Romans 2:4-11), confess our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:8-10), and be immersed in water into Him (Romans 6:3-4). Having been freed from the dominion of sin, we must not submit to sin, but live righteous lives (Romans 6:11-13). If we sin, we have Christ as our advocate (1 John 2:1-2), when we repent, confess our sin, and pray God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).
“Awake to righteousness and do not sin” (1 Corinthians 15:34).
