Sin and the Christian (Part 2)
1 Jn. 3: 8-10
Introduction
We continue our study about sin. Sin is the biggest problem for all men not only for Christians. The
only thing that will keep us out of heaven is sin, so we must not take sin for granted. Behind all the
sin is our enemy who is God’s enemy also.
Illustration 1: Sin
Sin will take you farther than you ever thought you’d stray
Sin will leave you so lost, you think you’ll never find your way
Sin will keep you longer than you ever thought you’d stay
Sin will cost you more than you ever thought you’d pay Source unknown
I. Contrast between the Jesus and the devil
A. The son of God is the Supreme ruler of the kingdom of the righteous.
1. The name Jesus means “Saviour”
2. He came to destroy the devil’s work (sin).
3. The son of God was “manifested to take away our sins” (1 Jn. 3:5) and also was
“manifested to destroy the works of the devil” (Heb. 2:14, Rev. 20:10)
4. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn. 14:6).
5. Jesus laid down His life to save us from eternal damnation.
B. The devil is the ruler of the kingdom of evil.
1. The name devil means “accuser” or “slanderer” one who speaks lies.
2. His very first sin was pride in rebellion against God.
3. He has been sinning continually ever since. He is God’s enemy number one.
4. The devil was a “murderer from the beginning” as well as “a liar and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44).
5. The devil not only oppose God and His plans but is the originator and instigator of sin and rebellion against God and His law.
6. It is a fact that all the unsaved are under the diabolic influence of Satan
Illustration 2: Satan
Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst; he promises honor and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure and pays with pain; he promises profit and pays with loss; he promises life and pays with death. – Thomas Brooks
Illustration 3: Strategies of Satan with Unbelievers
1. Blinding the minds of the unregenerate (2 Cor. 4:4).
2. Snatching away the good seed of the word (Matthew 13:19).
3. Lulling the unbeliever into a false sense of security (Luke 11:21).
4. Laying snares for the unwary (2 Timothy 2:25-26).
5. Masquerading as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-14).
6. Deceiving those whose minds are not subject to the Word of truth (Rev. 12:9).
7. Mixing truth with error (Matthew 13:25-8). Satan is No Myth, J. O. Sanders, Moody, 1975, pp. 72
II. Four reasons why the believer should not continue to sin
A. It is contrary to God’s righteous law and will (1 Jn. 3:4)
B. It is contrary to Christ’s purpose – to take away sin. (1 Jn. 3:5)
C. It is contrary to the believer’s character, the new nature (1 Jn. 3:6)
D. It is of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8)
E. Knowing this, do you still want to commit sin? Do you still want to commit the same sin you have done before being a true believer of Christ?
III. Consider the following truth
A. Those who are born of God do not continue practicing sin
B. God’s life and nature actually lives in them; new life called eternal life
C. It remains continually in the believer and forever.
D. This new life and nature cannot commit sinful acts because it is God’s life and nature, and God cannot sin. Note then that God’s life in the believer:
1. Cannot sin, he is eternally pure.
2. Cannot die or be lost, he has eternal life.
3. Cannot fail – he has eternal security (shall never perish).
E. This does not mean that a believer does not sin. We have already learned that he can and does sin all too often. But it is his old, fallen nature at work in him that makes him sin. The new nature cannot and does not sin. But in Christ the believer is not made so that he cannot sin, but is given a new nature which is able not to sin.
F. The marks of the devil’s family are given in the negative:
1. They do not practice right living.
2. They do not love their fellow-men
3. They are not of God (1 Jn. 2:16)
G. Marks of God’s family:
1. Brotherly love (Rom. 12:10, 1 Thess. 4:9)
2. This brotherly love includes our neighbour (Lk. 10:25)
3. Who is our neighbor? Anyone who needs our love.
Illustration 4: Mad Over Religion?
Two friends, one an army officer, met after an interval of ten years. They had been attached to each other and shook hands cordially. After a little chat, the civilian, looking at the other man with a curious air, said, “By the way, General, they tell me you have gone mad over religion.” “Well,” responded the general, “I’m not aware of being crazy; as far as I know I’m enjoying all my senses. But you know, if I am, there is one comfort; I’ve got Jesus Christ for my keeper and heaven for my lunatic asylum, so I think I shall not do badly after all.” The world may consider the faithful, practicing Christian crazy, but what counts is that God declares him righteous over and over again.
Illustrations of Bible Truths.
IV. Conclusion:
Behind every sin is Satan, so we must be vigilant and take sin seriously. Avoid sin at all
cost. Now that we have a new nature, we can do it by God’s grace only and by the help of the Holy Spirit. Will you live carefully now that you are a part of God’s family
