“Breaking the Law”
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Police cited a woman for speeding, hoping it would help her to slow down in the immediate future. Their hopes were in vain. Deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department pulled over Chauntl Wilson for driving her yellow 2018 Ford Mustang over the speed limit, clocking her at 92 miles per hour when the limit was 75. However, after issuing the citation and letting her go, the deputies were surprised when she "accelerated very rapidly" and was shortly clocked again at a speed of 142 miles per hour, almost double the legal limit. After engaging her in a pursuit, Wilson initially resisted, then eventually relented, and was eventually arrested and charged with willful reckless driving. Police also recovered a small amount of marijuana, which could result in further charges.
Here we go again… the topic of sin. Such a difficult topic today due to our post post modern values such as our practice of redefining terms to alleviate responsibility. What we are seeing today is not so much different from what John was dealing with at his time. The errors of the gnostics very much resemble much of the practices we see today, especially in the realm of sin. Denied, redefined, or simply eliminated, all bring us to the point where it is simply ignored. All it takes is a simple study of the 10 commandment to open our eyes to its pervasiveness. We must absolutely protect ourselves from allowing our post post modern culture to dictate how we are going to understand this thing called sin. As we will see today, all sin is willful rebellion against God and it is a serious thing… just like Chauntel showed us. We must let the scriptures shine that light. And the scriptures are very very clear about it. Lets take a look.
Deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department pulled over Chauntl Wilson for driving her yellow 2018 Ford Mustang over the speed limit, clocking her at 92 miles per hour when the limit was 75. However, after issuing the citation and letting her go, the deputies were surprised when she "accelerated very rapidly" and was shortly clocked again at a speed of 142 miles per hour, almost double the legal limit.
Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.
After engaging her in a pursuit, Wilson initially resisted, then eventually relented, and was eventually arrested and charged with willful reckless driving. Police also recovered a small amount of marijuana, which could result in further charges.
The grass withers the flower fades. but the Word of our God stands forever.
Definition of Sin
Delivered from Sin
Dissociation with Sin
Dominance over Sin
4. Dominance over Sin
The first thing we will look at today is a simple but pointed definition of sin by the apostle. Second, we will see how our Lord Jesus came to deliver us from sin and its effects. Third, we will explore the reality of a child of God’s dissociation from the practice of sinning by abiding in Christ. Finally, we will see why in the end we will have total dominance over sin.
Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world cause us to irresponsibly misunderstand and ignore the reality of Sin as revealed by the scriptures, it is the light of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit that will continue to properly define sin, defeat sin, dissociate sin, and finally have dominance over sin.
I. Definition of Sin
- What is sin?
What is sin?
A. The conclusion after verse 3. The child of God, therefore, cannot continue to sin; and the unbeliever who indulges in sin cannot be a child of God. And now the idea will continue but first a clarification concerning sin.
The child of God, therefore, cannot continue to sin; and the unbeliever who indulges in sin cannot be a child of God.
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
B. What is sin? Now we will see that there are other definitions of sin in the New Testament but, I think, this is the clearest and most revealing. Anomian translated “the state of being or behaving in open defiance to the law.” The statement ‘sin is lawlessness’ so identifies the two as to render them interchangeable terms. Wherever one of them is read, it is possible to substitute the other. Lawlessness is the essence, not the result, of sin. Sin is exposed in its ugly reality, the seriousness of sin emerges. Sin is a deliberate rejection of God’s standards and a resort to one’s own desires. Sin expresses itself as a willful act against God.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of James and the Epistles of John (Vol. 14, p. 297). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
Lawlessness is the essence, not the result, of sin. Thus exposed in its ugly reality, the seriousness of sin emerges.
“[Sin] is a deliberate rejection of God’s standards and a resort to one’s own desires.” Sin has its origin in the devil and expresses itself as a willful act against God.
The statement ‘sin is lawlessness’ (that is, a defiant violation of God’s moral law) so identifies the two as to render them interchangeable terms.
Wherever one of them is read, it is possible to substitute the other.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 125). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of James and the Epistles of John (Vol. 14, p. 298). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
C. The heretics seem to have taught that to the enlightened Christian questions of morality were a matter of indifference; today our sins are excused either by euphemisms like personality problems, mistakes, ignorance or by the plea of cultural relativity.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 125). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
D. In contrast, John declares that it is not just a negative failure (hamartia, sin, meaning literally ‘missing the mark’, and adikia, unrighteousness, a deviation from what is right or just), but essentially an active rebellion against God’s known will.
The heretics seem to have taught that to the enlightened Christian questions of morality were a matter of indifference; today our sins are excused either by euphemisms like ‘personality problems’ or by the plea of cultural relativity.
C. Sin is
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 125). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- Dr. Kistemacker - “He says that committing sin is the same as a complete disregard for the law of God.”
In contrast, John declares that it is not just a negative failure (hamartia, sin, meaning literally ‘missing the mark’, and adikia, unrighteousness, a deviation from what is right or just), but essentially an active rebellion against God’s known will.
He says that committing sin is the same as a complete disregard for the law of God.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 125). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
E. According to the London Times, the seven deadly sinsanger, gluttony, sloth, envy, pride, greed, and lust, which were first devised by Pope Gregory in the 6th centuryare outdated and should be replaced by more appropriate vices. A poll showed that only 9 percent admitted falling victim to the original list of seven.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 125). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
A poll showed that only 9 percent admitted falling victim to the original list of seven.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of James and the Epistles of John (Vol. 14, p. 298). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
BBC television host Ross Kelly says, “Attitudes towards sin have changed. We’re less concerned with the seven deadly sins and more concerned about actions that hurt others. For instance, we’re less bothered about anger than we are about cruelty. While many of us actually enjoy lust, we still frown on adultery.” The new list includes cruelty, adultery, bigotry, dishonesty, hypocrisy, and selfishness. The only deadly sin that still made the updated listgreed.
The only deadly sin that still made the updated listgreed.
II. Delivered from Sin
- “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” This
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (p. 146). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
A. John appeals many times to the knowledge his readers already possess and urges them to conform their lives to it. In this case the knowledge to which he refers concerns not the nature of sin but the truth about Christ’s person and work. He implies that if they have a right view of these, they will abhor evil.
John appeals many times to the knowledge his readers already possess and urges them to conform their lives to it. In this case the knowledge to which he refers concerns not the nature of sin but the truth about Christ’s person and work. He implies that if they have a right view of these, they will abhor evil.
B. Here Christ’s work in removing our sins and his personal sinlessness are brought together. He came into the world to take our sins away.
And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 126). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 126). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
1 John 3:5
C. The Old Testament prophets prophesy that the Messiah would come to remove the sins of his people.
The Old Testament prophets prophesy that the Messiah would come to remove the sins of his people.
Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of James and the Epistles of John (Vol. 14, p. 298). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
D. The New Testament explain that he did this by taking them upon himself, bearing them in his own body.
the New Testament explain that he did this by taking them upon himself, bearing them in his own body
He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 126). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Hebrews 9:
E. And in removing our sins, he was himself entirely without sin.
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2 Corinthians
He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.
F. “In him is no sin.” John writes in the present tense to indicate that Christ always has been, is, and will be without sin. He implies that as the Son of God is sinless, so the Christian whose sins Christ has taken away should not yield to sin. The believer must oppose sin with all his might and strive for holiness.
And in removing our sins, he was himself entirely without sin. The sinlessness of Jesus is commonly mentioned in Scripture almost as an aside, in connection with his work of salvation
One of the marks of being a child of God is to be free from the rule of sin. Should the Christian live a life of sin, his claim of being a son of God would be meaningless.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of James and the Epistles of John (Vol. 14, p. 299). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
G. This affirmation of Christ’s sinlessness might imply that the one who was to become the atoning sacrifice for sins (2:2; 4:10) must, like the sacrificial animals of the OT, be without blemish. However, the affirmation of his sinlessness is introduced in this verse for a practical reason: to provide the basis for an important criterion to be used in assessing the claims of people who say they know God. The assessment of such claims is the subject of the next verse.
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 126). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
III. Dissociation with Sin
Kruse, C. G. (2000). The letters of John (pp. 119–120). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
- No Keeping on, keeping on sinning.
A. The logical deduction follows. If the eternal nature of the Son of God is sinless, and if the purpose of his historical appearing was to remove sin, then no-one who lives in him keeps on sinning, while, on the other hand, no-one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
The logical deduction follows. If the eternal nature of the Son of God is sinless, and if the purpose of his historical appearing was to remove sin, then no-one who lives in him keeps on sinning, while, on the other hand, no-one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. It
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 126). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
B. This is a difficult passage to interpret in our cultural context. It would seem at first that John is saying that a Christian cannot sin. This common misunderstanding of this passage of scripture has led to 3 theological errors. Like the gnostics that Johan was dealing with some believe that we have received such a new nature in Christ that no matter what we do it is not seen as sinful against God. The Lord will not count anything we do, no matter what as sin. The scriptures will not let us hold to this… The Lord still held the sin of the leader in Corinth against him, but brought reconciliation with repentance.
C. Some will go to great measures to redefine sin so that we don’t sin because what we are doing is not actually sin. Personality problems, mistakes, born this way, we do what we can to redefine sin so that there is transgression. A person is not lazy, he is merely “motivationally dispossessed”; a shoplifter is not a thief, he is “a cost of living adjustment specialist”; a prostitute is not a prostitute, she is a “sex care provider.” Homosexuality is now called sexual deviancy, Lying is called true statements that are contradictory, Lust is called admiration, Rebellion is called the exercise of freedom, Pride is called confidence, Envy is called economic stability, and the dishonoring Father and Mother is called adolescence… Sin does not lose its sinfulness by giving it a less offensive name. A skunk by any other name still stinks.
D. Some will even suggest that in this life it is possible to be perfect and come to a place where we don’t actually sin anymore. The scriptures wont let us come to this conclusion. John would be contradicting himself. Paul in would be wrong. And we would simply be lying to ourselves. Spurgeon was at a conference where a preacher taught perfectionism in an outspoken manner and even claimed to have reached a state of sinless perfection himself. Spurgeon didn’t challenge him on the spot. Instead, the next morning he poured a pitcher of milk over the man’s head, to which the ‘perfectionist’ responded with the kind of rage and hostility that you’d expect from any sinner. Perfectionism debunked.
IV. Dominance over Sin
- We will have victory over sin.
A. We know that in the end we will be in a state of purity and have complete dominance over sin
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:
B. There is an important distinction to be made between a state of purity and a maintained condition of purity. Suppose you walked through a dark room with a lighted candle, and upon exiting the room, the room remained lighted because the candle had passed through it. Such a condition is impossible! If this were possible, the room would no longer be dependent upon the candle for its light. It would only be indebted to the candle for its introduction of light into the room. Sin is darkness, and Christ is the light. What the candle is to the dark room, Christ is to our hearts. By the light of his indwelling presence he keeps sin away. The cleansing we experience is not a state but a maintained condition; a condition that can only exist because of Christ’s presence in our life. Light dispels darkness, but the tendency to darkness remains. A room can only be maintained in a condition of illumination by the continual counteraction of that tendency. When we are saved, we do not possess a state of purity. We are constantly dependent upon Christ’s presence in our lives to counteract the constant tendency to sin.
There is an important distinction to be made between a state of purity and a maintained condition of purity. Suppose you walked through a dark room with a lighted candle, and upon exiting the room, the room remained lighted because the candle had passed through it. Such a condition is impossible! If this were possible, the room would no longer be dependent upon the candle for its light. It would only be indebted to the candle for its introduction of light into the room. Sin is darkness, and Christ is the light. What the candle is to the dark room, Christ is to our hearts. By the light of his indwelling presence he keeps sin away. The cleansing we experience is not a state but a maintained condition; a condition that can only exist because of Christ’s presence in our life. Light dispels darkness, but the tendency to darkness remains. A room can only be maintained in a condition of illumination by the continual counteraction of that tendency. When we are saved, we do not possess a state of purity. We are constantly dependent upon Christ’s presence in our lives to counteract the constant tendency to sin.
C. We are always to be dependent on Christ. All we have is Christ. All there is Christ. Oh sin is a reality and we are all affected by it. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death.
Allen, D. L. (2013). 1–3 John: Fellowship in God’s Family. (R. K. Hughes, Ed.) (p. 146). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.
D. But today we can have life and life more abundant. We can have true dominance over sin. It is possible because of this wonderful thing called the gospel. Jesus died for our sins ...
And in removing our sins, he was himself entirely without sin. The sinlessness of Jesus is commonly mentioned in Scripture almost as an aside, in connection with his work of salvation
Stott, J. R. W. (1988). The Letters of John: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 19, p. 126). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.