Grip Docility
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- Nov 27, 2017
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To Everyone Here:
Do believers always sin? Do believers always fall short of the glory of God as mentioned in Romans 3:23 (or missing the Mark as some call it)?
First, Paul is referring to accepting Jesus in Romans 3. He is referring to how we have all sinned at one point in our past life, and the only way to get saved is to have faith in Jesus Christ and believe in His death and resurrection. This is the process of Justification. This is where salvation starts.
How is the interpretation correct? Well, because if one believes that Romans 3:10, and Romans 3:23 is talking about the present tense walk of a believer (and not exclusively their past life before they became a believer), then one must also read Romans 3:11 in this way. Meaning, if a person believes they are sinning Christian in the present tense based on Romans 3:10, and Romans 3:23, then they must also believe that they are without understanding and they do not seek after God currently according to Romans 3:11.
For Romans 3:11 says,
"There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." (Romans 3:11).
Second, not all sins lead unto death.
Minor infractions or faults of character is another name for a "sin not unto death" (i.e. not unto death = not unto spiritual death or the second death) (Note: While the "sin not unto death" mentioned in 1 John 5:16 is in context to confessed sin in John's epistle (See: 1 John 1:9), it can be extended loosely to refer to the kind of sins that do not lead to spiritual death by it's very name).
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."
(Psalms 19:12).
Examples of Sins That Do Not Lead Unto Spiritual Death:
#1. 1 John 5:16-17 mentions the "sin not unto death."
In context to 1 John 5: This would be talking about confessed grievous sin that one is striving to overcome with the Lord's help (1 John 2:1) (1 John 1:9) (Romans 13:14). In 1 John 5, the brethren are praying for this believer to have victory (life) over their sin as this believer confesses their sin.
#2. Psalms 19:12 says, "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults." I believe these would be faults of character or minor errors that a person might make with people. Example: A person may not be a great listener, and they do not allow others to speak like they should. By not listening to others may come off a little like they do not care (even though they care in their own way or a different way). Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem. The Spirit warned Paul not to go. He was still determined to go because he loved His fellow Jews and wanted them to know the love of Jesus. The Spirit told the brethren that Paul will be imprisoned by his going to Jerusalem. The brethren warned Paul not to go. They were in tears and loved him and begged him not to go. But Paul did not listen. He would not hear them. He did not want to hear it. Fault of character. Hidden fault. Minor error of his character. It is not something that condemned him (See Acts of the Apostles 21, and read this article here by Ray Stedman; Note: There is even a better write up than this one by Bible commentator James Boice here; Please keep in mind I do not share their views on Soteriology, though; I merely agree with their view on what happened with Paul in Acts of the Apostles 21).
#3. The Command to Be Baptized.
Paul says Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17). If it was essential to salvation, then why would Paul say something like this? In 1 Peter 3:21: Peter says baptism is not for the putting away of the filth of the flesh. If you were to turn to 2 Corinthians 7:1, you would see that it uses similar wording ("filthiness of the flesh") that is clearly in reference to sin. So Peter is saying that baptism is not for the putting away of "sin" [i.e. filth of the flesh]. In other words, baptism is not a command that if disobeyed, leads to spiritual death.
#4. Other Commands in the New Testament that do not seem like a major violation of loving God and loving your neighbor that have no death penalties attached to them. One example would be the command to Rejoice when men persecute you or falsely accuse you of evil in Matthew 5:11-12.
Real world examples: Going 5 miles per hour over the speed limit in area that is not life threatening to others. Not taking out the trash yesterday when it was a little stinky. These minor transgressions would obviously not send a Christian to hell.
But we as Christians strive to obey and do good in all things in the Lord. We strive to keep His commandments. For it is written,
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.' (1 John 5:3).
Three, while believers do have the power to overcome grievous sin, believers have been known to sin on occasion, and they can confess of their sins to be forgiven of sin and to be cleansed of all unrighteousness (See 1 John 1:9). For John says to "sin not" (1 John 2:1). Jesus says to two people to sin no more (See: John 5:14, and John 8:11).
Please keep in mind that I am not perfect, and I do need God's grace and forgiveness as the next person and that I have stumbled on occasion. But God's grace is not a means to continue in sin, but it is a means to overcome grievous sin. What is grievous sin? I will explain this in my next post.
Side Note:
Please understand that it is not possible for a person to obey God's commands without them first being saved by Jesus Christ and His grace (i.e. by seeking forgiveness of their sin with Him, and believing in His death, and resurrection on their behalf). For Christians are initially and ultimately saved by Jesus Christ.
James 2:10 ; Matthew 12:31 (The context of Matthew 12:31 is enormously important)
We fail.
Jesus Doesn't
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