An Article of Faith

Last week we began a 10 Question Quiz concerning the assurance of eternal life with question No. 1, True or False – Do you enjoy fellowship with fellow believers?
Question No, 2, True or False – Are you aware of your sin?
“If we say that we have no sin,” John warns, “we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. ... If we say that we have not sinned, we make [God] a liar and His Word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8, 10.)
John reveals two things we need to understand about sin. First, we all possess a sin-nature: “If we say that we have no sin [i.e., that we do not possess a sin-nature], we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” God’s Word – His truth – reveals that we are born with a sin-nature: “For I was born a sinner – ” writes David, “yes, from the moment my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5, NLT).
Catholics rightly refer to this as “original sin” because the “origin” of man’s sin-nature comes from our first parents’ sin – Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3). Thus, Paul argues, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” (Romans 5:12, NLT.)
Only those who have been truly converted are aware of this constant struggle against the principle of indwelling sin: “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit,” testifies Paul, “and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. [Notice the present tense of this ongoing struggle] they are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” (Galatians 5:17, NIV.)
When the indwelling “sinful nature” seeks to lead you into sin, the indwelling Holy Spirit convicts you from within. And when the indwelling Holy Spirit seeks to lead you in separation from sin in dedication to Him, the indwelling sinful nature contradicts the Spirit. Hence Paul laments, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15, NLT.)
Second, we all commit individual acts of sin: “If we say that we have not sinned, we make [God] a liar and His Word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10.) God says in His Word: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23.)
We all sin in one of three ways. First, we sin in our words: “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” (James 3:2.)
Second, we sin in our attitudes and thoughts: “For from within, out of the heart of men,” Jesus warns, “proceed the evil thoughts.” (Mark 7:21.)
Finally, we sin in our actions. We say the wrong things. We think the wrong thoughts. And we do the wrong deeds. Jesus goes on, “fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” (Mark 7:22-23.)
True or False – Are you aware of your sin?
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9.)

(Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.)