SINLESS, BUT
NOT SINLESSLY PERFECT
I John 1:5-10
"But if we walk in the light, as
he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
INTRODUCTION:
1. Four
groups of people who will find this sermon helpful:
a) Those
who are afraid to become Christians because they feel they are unable to live
up to God’s expectations.
b) Those
Christians who struggle with (false) guilt because they imagine God demands
sinless perfection from them.
c) Those
persons (Christians and non-Christians alike) who may be excusing a sinful
lifestyle.
d) Those
persons who become weary with the struggles they face.
2. Everyone
one who is struggling to live the Christian life needs to be encouraged.
3. The
Holy Spirit has given us a book that provides us with that encouragement.
DISCUSSION:
I. Assurance
of Forgiveness (v7).
A. The
problem: keeping God’s grace and the need for our obedience properly
balanced.
B. Even
those persons who are walking (John 8:12) in the light are not sinlessly
perfect.
C. But
we have the assurance that, if we are walking in the light, Christ’s blood
will cleanse us of our sin. Note: Someone has compared this to
"windshield wipers" removing rain from windshield.
II. Awareness
of Faults (v8).
A. Sin
is a fact! Consider Romans 3:23; I John 5:17.
B. In
order to recognize sin in our lives, we must be able to recognize sin (that
is, know what it is). Consider I John 3:4.
C. Why
do some people fail to recognize sin in their lives? Denying responsibility
for their actions (Hebrews 3:11-12), comparing themselves with others (Luke
18:11-12; II Corinthians 10:12).
III. Admission
of Failures (v9).
A. Forgiveness
of our sins is dependent upon confession of our sins (Matthew 6:12; James
5:16).
B. God
is merciful (Luke 6:36; 18:13; Hebrews 8:12).
C. This
confession serves to remind us of our need for God (Acts 8:22).
CONCLUSION:
1. You
can live the Christian life!
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