Saving Us from the Practice of Sin
by Dave Brown
Return to the Sins of this World page.
Companion article: Jesus' Real Intent in Giving John 3:16.
Jesus intent in John 3:16 was not to give us an easy pass to heaven -- it was to save us from the practice of sin.
Perhaps the concept can best be understood this way: what would you rather have? …
Rhetorical question – the answer is obvious. Here is another one: if you took your father’s advice and abstained from drugs, would you consider that some great work that you did to keep yourself drug free? Of course not – you realize that doing it is for your own good and it results in your having a far better, rewarding and happier life. What a wonderful blessing is enjoyed by those who have or had parents who care.
We see in the companion article on John 3:16 that “should not perish” was not just a promise talking only about escape from condemnation after death. It is a promise to cleanse our lives from the practice of sin now. When we sin we die spiritually – separate ourselves from God – just as Adam did when he sinned. If we are to escape death (separation from God) in eternity, we need to escape sin now. That is what being “born again” in John 3:5 and 7 is all about. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23) to all who would live a life of sin. We see this principle illustrated throughout the bible.
We know that the New Testament teaches that none of us are perfectly free from sin, so sinless perfection is not what we are talking about here. In 1 John 1:8 we read: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” But even the recognition of our sin is a step in the right direction of continually allowing God to improve our lives as long as we have the breath of life within us.
While surely God knows that our temptations will overtake us at times, having the desire to keep all of the Lord’s commands is something that is expected of every Christian. This is shown in 1 John 2:3-6: “And this is how we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, ‘I know him,’ and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby we know that we are in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
Notice verse 5 again (underlined above) – can we have any assurance of our salvation whatsoever if we are not making an effort to keep the word of Jesus? to keep all of his commands? We may fail quite often, but woe unto us should we give up trying.
I expect we all understand that the bible teaches quite clearly that all sin has its consequences. This is taught from Adam to the final chapters of the book of Revelation. To deny the consequences of sin and to teach others that there are no consequences is to do exactly what Satan did to Adam and Eve. Do you remember his words in Genesis 3:4? – “You shall not surely die.” Yet when some religious doctrines today teach that we can sin without consequences, are they not following the example of Satan when he said: “You shall not surely die?” Even if we are forgiven of sin, it still has its inevitable (and often horrible) consequences for us and for those around us in this life. God wants to save all of us from these consequences too! But there is only one way that they can be avoided.
Of course, there is no forbidden fruit in the midst of the garden today, but God has given us warnings similar in intent to the one given to Adam and Eve. Let us spend a few minutes in considering them.
WARNINGS OF JESUS BEFORE THE CROSS
Jesus teachings while he was on this earth are certainly binding on us today (Lk. 16:16). Jesus preached the gospel, and it is this gospel that is the power of God unto salvation (Lk. 1:14; Rom. 1:16-17). Here are a few of his gospel teachings relevant to the subject:
Matt 7:21-23
21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Many who say “Lord, Lord” sincerely believe that they have faith. But their faith is in their own faith. They believe that if they believe they are saved, then they ARE saved. Can we not see the folly of such reasoning. What pride would make us think that just because we believe something, it is reality. But is this not what many are peddling as salvation today? – “if you think you are saved, then you are saved.” Only God can “speak things” or “think things” into existence; we need to get ourselves into compliance with the reality of what God delivered to us through Jesus (Hebrews 1).
Matthew 16:24-25 (also, Mt. 10: 38-39)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross , and follow me.
25 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Does “taking up your cross” require some effort on your part? It seems clear that this is what Jesus is saying here. Can we be saved if we are not worthy of Jesus?
John 3:36
36 He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeys not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
Clearly believing on Jesus Christ is synonymous with obeying him. How could this verse be interpreted in any other way? If you believe that your father is capable of saving your life when he says “grab this lifeline,” would you not grab the lifeline? If your father taught you the dangers of using drugs, and you had faith in him, would you go out and snort come cocaine?
WARNINGS OF JESUS AFTER THE CROSS
Let us remember that it was Jesus who sent the Holy Spirit that guided the apostles into all things that they needed for spiritual life (Jn. 14:26; 16:13; Acts 1:3-8), and Paul stated emphatically that his (Paul’s) writings were the commands of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 14:37). Further, the warnings below were given to Christians, clearly indicating that sin puts our salvation in peril. To believe and teach otherwise blatantly disregards the clear teachings of scripture.
Romans 6:16
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves (as) servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Romans 6:22-23
22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:10-14
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you.
12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:
13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Paul is telling Christians who have been baptized into the body of Christ (Rom. 6:3) that if they live after the flesh they will die spiritually. On the positive side, see verse 14 above – how do we know that we are sons of God?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you : but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
Is this not in reference to what Jesus was saying in John 3:3? “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Paul here is pleading with them that they continue to grow in their new life in Christ and not go back into sin and die spiritually. It does not matter that they are currently saved and members of the Corinthian church, the statement made is unqualified – if they continued to participate in these sins, they would not inherit the kingdom of God. We can even see some of the temporal problems that the Corinthians were having because of their sins – they were paying a high price for their unfaithfulness even in this life (1 Cor. chapters 1-8).
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are (these): fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,
21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
No exception is made for those already saved. Indeed, this warning is being given to Christians to convince them not to practice these things. Can you hear Satan saying “Ye shall not surely die?” or in this case: “You can practice these things and still inherit the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 5:3-6
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints;
4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
If you have doubts as to who Paul is talking to, see Eph. 1:1: “… to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: …” as well as verse 3 above: “… among you, as becomes saints.”
2 Peter 2:20-22
20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
21 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.
Rev 22:14-15
14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right (to come) to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15 Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loves and makes a lie .
Is it the truth of God or a lie to state that we can live a life of sin and expect to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? Remember the words of Satan: “Ye shall not surely die.” He has not stopped proclaiming this lie.
CONCLUSION
The passages of warning given above need no explanation. They were not given to make our lives miserable. No, they were given to us by Jesus to make our lives on this earth as happy and rewarding as possible. If we believe in Jesus Christ we will believe each and every one of these warnings and use them to help us make our lives as good as they can possibly be.
Some want to say that respecting the warnings above constitutes a system of salvation by works. Can it ever be wrong to obey God? When we work we give up our time to our employer. But what is it that we give up to serve Jesus? Paul answers: “refuse” (Phil. 3:8). Consider what Jesus said in Mark 10:29-30:
“Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
If we believe what Jesus says here we will separate ourselves from sin and conform our lives to His teachings with every fiber of our being. Living for Jesus is a matter of believing all of His words, and if we believe them we will trust that living in obedience to Him is the best and happiest possible life that we can live.
How can we think of the privileges He gives us to be our working to earn salvation? He gave us our lives, He gave us His word, He gave us the ability to understand it and the strength to do it, and He gave His life to make us holy and acceptable to God – to save us not just from the eternal consequences of sin, but from the very practice of sin in our current lives. It is all part of God’s free gift to also allow us the privilege to be like Him in taking up our crosses and following His perfect example.
Those who would deceive us into not striving to do this are not far from Satan when he said “Thou shalt not surely die.”
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Go on the the Next Article
Return to the Sins of this World page.
Jesus intent in John 3:16 was not to give us an easy pass to heaven -- it was to save us from the practice of sin.
Perhaps the concept can best be understood this way: what would you rather have? …
- A lawyer who, after you became a drug addict and, as a victim of your habit, started trafficking, got you off of a 10 year hard-time sentence scot-free; or
- A loving father who convinced you of the value of abstaining from drugs as early as you could understand what he was talking about.
Rhetorical question – the answer is obvious. Here is another one: if you took your father’s advice and abstained from drugs, would you consider that some great work that you did to keep yourself drug free? Of course not – you realize that doing it is for your own good and it results in your having a far better, rewarding and happier life. What a wonderful blessing is enjoyed by those who have or had parents who care.
We see in the companion article on John 3:16 that “should not perish” was not just a promise talking only about escape from condemnation after death. It is a promise to cleanse our lives from the practice of sin now. When we sin we die spiritually – separate ourselves from God – just as Adam did when he sinned. If we are to escape death (separation from God) in eternity, we need to escape sin now. That is what being “born again” in John 3:5 and 7 is all about. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23) to all who would live a life of sin. We see this principle illustrated throughout the bible.
We know that the New Testament teaches that none of us are perfectly free from sin, so sinless perfection is not what we are talking about here. In 1 John 1:8 we read: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” But even the recognition of our sin is a step in the right direction of continually allowing God to improve our lives as long as we have the breath of life within us.
While surely God knows that our temptations will overtake us at times, having the desire to keep all of the Lord’s commands is something that is expected of every Christian. This is shown in 1 John 2:3-6: “And this is how we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, ‘I know him,’ and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby we know that we are in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
Notice verse 5 again (underlined above) – can we have any assurance of our salvation whatsoever if we are not making an effort to keep the word of Jesus? to keep all of his commands? We may fail quite often, but woe unto us should we give up trying.
I expect we all understand that the bible teaches quite clearly that all sin has its consequences. This is taught from Adam to the final chapters of the book of Revelation. To deny the consequences of sin and to teach others that there are no consequences is to do exactly what Satan did to Adam and Eve. Do you remember his words in Genesis 3:4? – “You shall not surely die.” Yet when some religious doctrines today teach that we can sin without consequences, are they not following the example of Satan when he said: “You shall not surely die?” Even if we are forgiven of sin, it still has its inevitable (and often horrible) consequences for us and for those around us in this life. God wants to save all of us from these consequences too! But there is only one way that they can be avoided.
Of course, there is no forbidden fruit in the midst of the garden today, but God has given us warnings similar in intent to the one given to Adam and Eve. Let us spend a few minutes in considering them.
WARNINGS OF JESUS BEFORE THE CROSS
Jesus teachings while he was on this earth are certainly binding on us today (Lk. 16:16). Jesus preached the gospel, and it is this gospel that is the power of God unto salvation (Lk. 1:14; Rom. 1:16-17). Here are a few of his gospel teachings relevant to the subject:
Matt 7:21-23
21 Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Many who say “Lord, Lord” sincerely believe that they have faith. But their faith is in their own faith. They believe that if they believe they are saved, then they ARE saved. Can we not see the folly of such reasoning. What pride would make us think that just because we believe something, it is reality. But is this not what many are peddling as salvation today? – “if you think you are saved, then you are saved.” Only God can “speak things” or “think things” into existence; we need to get ourselves into compliance with the reality of what God delivered to us through Jesus (Hebrews 1).
Matthew 16:24-25 (also, Mt. 10: 38-39)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross , and follow me.
25 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Does “taking up your cross” require some effort on your part? It seems clear that this is what Jesus is saying here. Can we be saved if we are not worthy of Jesus?
John 3:36
36 He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeys not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
Clearly believing on Jesus Christ is synonymous with obeying him. How could this verse be interpreted in any other way? If you believe that your father is capable of saving your life when he says “grab this lifeline,” would you not grab the lifeline? If your father taught you the dangers of using drugs, and you had faith in him, would you go out and snort come cocaine?
WARNINGS OF JESUS AFTER THE CROSS
Let us remember that it was Jesus who sent the Holy Spirit that guided the apostles into all things that they needed for spiritual life (Jn. 14:26; 16:13; Acts 1:3-8), and Paul stated emphatically that his (Paul’s) writings were the commands of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 14:37). Further, the warnings below were given to Christians, clearly indicating that sin puts our salvation in peril. To believe and teach otherwise blatantly disregards the clear teachings of scripture.
Romans 6:16
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves (as) servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Romans 6:22-23
22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:10-14
10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you.
12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh:
13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Paul is telling Christians who have been baptized into the body of Christ (Rom. 6:3) that if they live after the flesh they will die spiritually. On the positive side, see verse 14 above – how do we know that we are sons of God?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you : but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
Is this not in reference to what Jesus was saying in John 3:3? “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Paul here is pleading with them that they continue to grow in their new life in Christ and not go back into sin and die spiritually. It does not matter that they are currently saved and members of the Corinthian church, the statement made is unqualified – if they continued to participate in these sins, they would not inherit the kingdom of God. We can even see some of the temporal problems that the Corinthians were having because of their sins – they were paying a high price for their unfaithfulness even in this life (1 Cor. chapters 1-8).
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are (these): fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties,
21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
No exception is made for those already saved. Indeed, this warning is being given to Christians to convince them not to practice these things. Can you hear Satan saying “Ye shall not surely die?” or in this case: “You can practice these things and still inherit the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 5:3-6
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becomes saints;
4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
If you have doubts as to who Paul is talking to, see Eph. 1:1: “… to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: …” as well as verse 3 above: “… among you, as becomes saints.”
2 Peter 2:20-22
20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
21 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.
Rev 22:14-15
14 Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right (to come) to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
15 Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loves and makes a lie .
Is it the truth of God or a lie to state that we can live a life of sin and expect to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven? Remember the words of Satan: “Ye shall not surely die.” He has not stopped proclaiming this lie.
CONCLUSION
The passages of warning given above need no explanation. They were not given to make our lives miserable. No, they were given to us by Jesus to make our lives on this earth as happy and rewarding as possible. If we believe in Jesus Christ we will believe each and every one of these warnings and use them to help us make our lives as good as they can possibly be.
Some want to say that respecting the warnings above constitutes a system of salvation by works. Can it ever be wrong to obey God? When we work we give up our time to our employer. But what is it that we give up to serve Jesus? Paul answers: “refuse” (Phil. 3:8). Consider what Jesus said in Mark 10:29-30:
“Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
If we believe what Jesus says here we will separate ourselves from sin and conform our lives to His teachings with every fiber of our being. Living for Jesus is a matter of believing all of His words, and if we believe them we will trust that living in obedience to Him is the best and happiest possible life that we can live.
How can we think of the privileges He gives us to be our working to earn salvation? He gave us our lives, He gave us His word, He gave us the ability to understand it and the strength to do it, and He gave His life to make us holy and acceptable to God – to save us not just from the eternal consequences of sin, but from the very practice of sin in our current lives. It is all part of God’s free gift to also allow us the privilege to be like Him in taking up our crosses and following His perfect example.
Those who would deceive us into not striving to do this are not far from Satan when he said “Thou shalt not surely die.”
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Go on the the Next Article
Return to the Sins of this World page.