SINNERS EXCUSES TO AVOID SALVATION

Sinners Excuses

1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”

The error of Antinomianism: Sin doesn't matter. God doesn't care. "If we say that we have a valid relationship (talking to Him daily; looking for His answers daily in His word) with God and continue to live a sinful life, we are claiming something that is not true." The opposite situation is described in the next verse: verse 7 tells us: "If we are walking in holiness, as God is holy [walking] our association with God is valid, and Christ's atoning blood keeps cleansing us."

The Spirit begins His threefold work of cleansing that we call sanctification which ends in holiness. His method is accomplished through the instrumentality of the word using it to reveal, cleanse, as well as transform. Revealing first our sinful condition James 1:23-24; Heb. 4:12-13. It then cleanses us from those sinful ways Eph. 5:26; John 15:3. And then it transforms us into the very image of Christ 2 Cor. 3:18. Virtues grow in the places of vices.
Note that our "walking in holiness," while it is real, is not complete; if it were, there would be no need for the continuing cleansing.

The error of inherent goodness: Denial of the principle of sin and the possession of a sin nature. Verse 8 teaches otherwise, "If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves; because we are ignorant of God's word." The opposite situation: the cure of sin in the believer is confession. Verse 9: "If we keep acknowledging our sins whenever we sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us, and to cleanse us from every act of unrighteousness." Forgiveness covers the guilt. Cleansing gets rid of the pollution.

          Note: What if we don't confess? The answer is simple: We will, if we are true believers.

The error of "I'm-perfectionism:" The idea that sin is acceptable; it's okay, so long as you don't stretch the limits too far. But no; verse 10 says, "If we say that when we did was not sin, we are making God a liar" [He says it was sin!]; and again, we are ignorant of His bible. There are two conceivable excuses for this misconception that sin is acceptable.

1. Because it is inevitable; we cannot avoid it; And
2. Because it is so easily cured.

But neither of these excuses is valid. It is not true that we are incapable of avoiding sin. 1 Cor. 10:13 tells us "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but with the temptation also make the way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." And the idea that it is all right to sin because it is so easily cured, because there is "an Advocate" standing by to bail us out, is a horrible thought: It is OK to sin, because the penalty falls on Christ instead of on me! And besides, He has already paid the bill; we might as well enjoy it! Such reasoning must be unthinkable to any true believer.

John voices 2 reasons for his inclusion of this part of the letter:

1. The first may be seen in his urgent forbearance: "Sin not! Don't sin! Stop sinning! Be holy!" Period.
2. The second is expressed by his assurance, "We have an Advocate."

If we fail, we have One who stands up for us in court. He has the perfect, and only plea: propitiation by His blood. That is how important holiness is to God.

Here is a summary on holiness:

1. The believer has partnership, fellowship with God; he is positionally holy by God's provision in Christ.
2. He is growing in his practice of holiness, as the Holy Spirit works in him.
3. When he does commit sins [and he does] he confesses his sins, and the blood of Christ keeps cleansing him, preserving his holiness.
4. When the process is completed, "we shall be like Him," completely holy, without spot or blemish.