A person who wants to be saved by Jesus Christ must actively decide to do so. However, simply believing in Jesus is far from enough. A person must overcome sin, shake off their own unrighteousness, and allow themselves to be purified. This is something that completely contradicts “modern Christianity.”
Inhalt / Content
Lived Error
“Sin cannot be overcome. Therefore, Jesus Christ came to take away sin. With His death, He accomplished this. Also for all future sins.” This principle is almost standard teaching in the large circles of Lutheran and Evangelical churches. Only love counts. “Love one another,” and everything will be fine.
With such an attitude, or rather, false belief, there is an automatic danger of sitting back carelessly, proclaiming “love for everything and everyone,” and continuing to care about nothing. After all, one believes in Jesus, yes, even that He died on the cross, rose again on the third day, and finally ascended into heaven. So what could possibly go wrong? Studying the Bible? Oh well! After all, everything’s been done.
The vast mass of narratives about the content of the gospel, which bear only a marginal connection to the actual message of the “good news,” now seems impenetrable. However, there is an absolutely sure way to recognize the truth of the gospel: Study the Bible yourself, always(!) asking in prayer for guidance from the Holy Spirit. This is probably why the Spirit of God regularly goes unmentioned by preachers in the pulpits.
The distance from the true gospel has already progressed to such an extent that calls to obey God’s law and to obedience are being heard, calling it a “work of the devil.” This clearly shows how close things are to the end.
Simplifications for Desired Gospel
One of the favorite verses to support the quasi “abolished sin” is 1 John 3:5:
“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
Often misinterpreted as the removal of sin, so that sin no longer exists. Therefore, this thesis fits “wonderfully” with the claim that Jesus Christ abolished the laws (the Ten Commandments), since they cannot be kept anyway.
But the very next verse, verse 6, provides further insight into the actual statement.:
“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.“
Whoever loves the truth searches deeply. This also applies to the original text of this Bible translation. Indeed, it is not easy for translators of the Bible from Hebrew or Greek to translate the diversity of vocabulary, and especially the grammar, into the (degenerate) everyday languages of today. Therefore, it is worthwhile to look at the original Greek text for this verse as well.
Long after Ascension Day
Fundamentally, it should not be overlooked that this letter of John was written long after the ascension of Jesus Christ. A time when, according to popular belief, the commandments of God had already been abolished by Jesus Christ. However, it clearly speaks of sin, and sin is the transgression of the law. It is almost ironic that this statement appears just one verse before the often-quoted verse about “abolished sins,” 1 John 3:4:
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.“
Persistent life in sin
In verse 6, the Greek word “sin” is used in the present tense (“harmatanon”) for the words “whosoever sinneth.” This means continual sinning, or persisting in sin. It is therefore not an “accidental, one-time sin,” but rather a continual one. One such example is the marriage between Herod and Herodias. John the Baptist rebuked Herod for this illicit marriage. It constitutes adultery, since Herodias had previously been married to another man, who was, however, still alive.
But even “reading around” an isolated verse often produces a completely different picture than the one intended. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to take the Bible into your own hands, not just to skim through it, but to truly study it.
The picture is already emerging that sin still exists. And where there is sin, there must also be a law that has by no means been abolished at some point. These are the Ten Commandments, not to be confused with the statutes (ceremonial laws – Info).
Adversary is highly active
Another important verse in the same chapter of John’s letter shows a further connection, 1 John 3:8:
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.“
Destroy the “works of the devil.” Thus, it’s clear that the adversary is highly active in implementing his plans. His goal is nothing more than to drag as many people as possible into ruin. This is rarely done with a crowbar, but regularly with the cunning of the serpent: deception, lies, seduction, and deceit.
Jesus Christ often points out in the Gospel (NT) that there is something to be overcome. Overcoming what? Sin, impurity (Info). The Bible reader finds a whole series of encouragements to overcome in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, the letters to the seven churches.
That humans cannot keep the laws and therefore cannot overcome sin? That is a blatant lie, and the originator of this untruth can be found in the Garden of Eden, in the form of the serpent. It is true that humans cannot overcome the desires of their fallen flesh on their own. But it is equally true that this can certainly be achieved with God’s power. This even goes so far that things can succeed that one could never have imagined in one’s dreams. Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Hebrews 3:14:
“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;”
2 Peter 1:4:
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.“
People always decide for themselves
Man cannot be overpowered by the adversary “just like that” into committing sin. It is and always will be man’s decision. Satan holds the fragrant sausage before his nose, but man decides for himself whether to devour it or ignore it. If Satan has overcome man, this presupposes man’s consent. Conversely, God will not allow His healing power to work on man if he does not desire it or even resists it.
Overcoming sin, the temptations of the adversary, and the temptations of this world in general, is not only possible but also absolutely necessary. However, this presupposes something, 1 John 5:4:
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.“
Jesus Christ died on the cross (and rose again) to purchase the right to forgive sins already committed and also to use this right to bring about the power to overcome sin. When we speak of “taking away sins,” we do not mean to abolish sin per se, but to lead people to overcome sin.
Actual obedience?
Following God’s laws is only one side of the coin. The other side describes the same thing, but with the word “obedience.” A term that makes the hairs on the back of some people, even those who call themselves Christians, stand on end and generates pustules all over. It’s only logical that disobedience to God’s laws can rightly be called rebellion. The Holy Spirit is constantly knocking on people’s hearts (the conscience).
The heart should never be closed (your own decision). For the Spirit of God does not knock forever and ever, but will eventually depart and never return. Constantly rejecting the warning conscience is also a form of “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” (Info).
Hebräer 3,15:
“solange gesagt wird: »Heute, wenn ihr seine Stimme hört, so verstockt eure Herzen nicht, wie in der Auflehnung«.“
Studying the Bible – A must!
Read the Bible yourself! This cannot be emphasized enough. The Word of God has the power not only to understand, but also to purify people.
Ephesians 5:25-27:
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.“
The cleansing of man comes from God. This does not only concern the washing away of committed sins, but especially the cleansing of one’s own sinfulness, 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“
This verse states, on the one hand, that sins are forgiven after confession, but also that a person is cleansed of his own (tendency toward) unrighteousness. He “only” has to want this. This is achieved by constantly looking to Jesus Christ and studying the Word of God (“washing of water by the word”).
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). It clearly expresses that God’s work consists primarily in our WANTING to keep the laws.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Revelation 21:7
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
