We are all sinners?
June 6, 2004
Dear Friends,
We are preempting the Thought for the Week — “A Framework for Life” — for an important public service announcement. In plain talk, I have a Biblical scratch that I just have to itch right now.
For many months, I have been involved with many conversations — face to face, over the phone and via e-mail — that all center around a common theme. These conversations have related to a lot of different issues and people but all have the same point. The point that is being made is that we can’t judge others people’s actions because we are all sinners. They typically go on to say that if each one of our lives were laid bare, we would all stand to be condemned. I received another one of these e-mails yesterday which was the proverbial straw which broke the camel’s back. While I heartily agree that we are all sinners in need of Divine grace and forgiveness, I do not agree that all believers are secretly engaged in sin of the sort that if it were made known, they would stand condemned by their ecclesias. Not only do I disagree with this line of reasoning, I would suggest that it is false doctrine of the first order. This is strong language, I know.
First, let us look at the plain counsel of Scripture: “Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor.6:9-11.) Don’t be deceived, a life in Christ is a changed life.
The Apostle John makes what seems to be contradictory statements in his epistle. He writes in one place “No one who remains in him sins, and whoever sins has neither seen him nor recognized him.” (1 John 3:6 NJB) In case there is any doubt as to what the Apostle is saying, he repeats it a few verses later. “No one who is a child of God sins because God’s seed remains in him. Nor can he sin, because he is a child of God.” (v.9) This may come as a shock to us because we have just read the following comments in the first chapter. “If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and truth has no place in us; if we acknowledge our sins, he is trustworthy and upright, so that he will forgive our sins and will cleanse us from all evil. If we say, ‘We have never sinned,’ we make him a liar, and his word has no place in us.” (1 John 1:8-10) So which is it? On the one hand, we do not sin if we are the children of God and on the other if we deny that we sin, we are lying. Which is it?
The late Harry Whittaker in his book “Seven Short Epistles” makes the following comment about the sin of 1 John 1. Harry states that sin in “verse 8 refers to inner corruption which is inseparable from fallen human nature. Verse 10 speaks of a life of sinful thought and habit…” The sin which we cannot paratke of is a lifestyle of sin. Concerning the sin of 1 John 3, Harry writes “There are lapses from time to time in the experience of all earnest disciples, but that is very different from the sinful habit of life which is quietly cherished.” He goes on to say “These men may claim to be God’s true children, but the test is in the kind of life they live….. And if a man truly is a new creature in Christ, the old life of sin and self is passed away, and for good…” So we can see, that there is a very important distinction between living a sinful lifestyle and that of a holy lifestyle with the inevitable “lapses.” Yes, we all sin and need God’s grace. No, we do not all lead lifestyles of sin.
We must also add to this an important point about the severity of sin. Somewhere and somehow we have bought into the false notion that all sins are equal. This was addressed more fully in the 8/19/2001 Thought for the Week which is still available on-line at www.wcfoundation.org. The bottom line is that the Scripture is clear that all sins are not equal. If you don’t think so, read See Prov. 6:16-19. There is a range of severity of sins in the eyes of God. No sin is pleasing to our heavenly Father, but some are downright despised by God to the extent that they will keep you from God’s Kingdom.. Galatians 5 provides us with a list of these types of sins. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Notice the verdict attached to the end of those sins. If you are engaged in those things you will not inherit the Kingdom. That is pretty serious.
In short, I contend that those who suggest that all brethren everywhere are engaged in a lifestyle of sin or in severe sins are teaching false doctrine. They say this to argue that no one can be critical of anyone’s actions. The argument seems to suggest that believers have no better lifestyles than that any other person in the world. If that truly is the case, then we are not believers. If that is true, then, Scripturally speaking, no one will be saved. Frankly, I find this suggestion offensive and slanderous of all of the brethren throughout the world who are following the admonition of Scripture to live holy lives.
If we are engaged in a lifestyle of sin or those severe sins, let’s stop making excuses and making ourselves feel better by suggesting that everyone else is doing it too and put that lifestyle or that sin behind us. We are all sinners and therefore should be helping each other along this road toward God’s kingdom. However, we are simply not helping anyone (ourselves included) if we suggest that everyone is engaged in a life of sin and that all sins are equal.
“My brothers, if one of you strays away from the truth, and another brings him back to it, he may be sure that anyone who can bring back a sinner from his erring ways will be saving his soul from death and covering over many a sin. (James 5:19-20 NJB)
Have a great week!
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