This is a question that should be paramount in the minds of those who name the name of Christ. Can I live sin-free? We MUST know and be confident with the answer to this question!
This question can be asked another way. Can we live without sinning? This question trips up many. Some would have us think, no we can't.
They will say, “We are not perfect. We live in the flesh. As long as we do, we will make mistakes and sin.” Okay. I hope you don't mind if I don't take your word for it. Let's see what the scriptures say about it!
All Have Sinned!
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
This verse is often misinterpreted. It addresses all of us in our original state. We are born with the knowledge of sin through Adam. In time, all sin and it is sin that causes us to come short.
“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,…” Romans 5:19
So this verse is a message to those who are not yet redeemed. A believer should never use this verse as proof-text that they still sin, because if you are still sinning, how can you claim redemption from sin and regeneration of the heart and mind?
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5
Liberty In Knowing The Difference
There is a difference between sinning and making a mistake. As long as we are in this body of flesh, we will make mistakes. Why? Because we are not perfect in the flesh.
There is a difference between natural perfection, which no one has or will ever reach, and spiritual perfection, which should be the goal of every Child of God.
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Matthew 19:21
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11
If we couldn't be perfect, why would we be admonished to do so be Jesus and the Apostles? Because they were not talking about natural perfection, but perfection in the spirit!
In other words, our walk in Christ must be perfected before he returns.
“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.” Ephesians 5:27
Your Sins Are Forgiven!
“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.” 1 John 2:12
If we have confessed our sinful state, repented of sin (turned from, stopped doing, and avoid those things known to be sinful), we have no sin because God promised to forgive and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
So what state are we in when our sins are forgiven? Sinless! We are sin-free from that point forward. Now we must strive to avoid sin in all of its forms.
It's A Process, But We Are Not Alone
As we go forward with God, we are not alone. Living free from sin is not easy. God knew this from the beginning and provided assistance.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
“That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” 2 Timothy 1:14
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5
God gave us the Holy Ghost to help us by teaching us the truth of God's Word and providing us strength and comfort as we strive against the flesh.
Evidence We Can Live A Sinless Life
God's Word is replete with proof we can live a sinless life. Will we make mistakes? Of course! We will do things wrong sometimes (deliberate wrongdoing is sin! – James 4:17). We will mess up.
But remember, making an error on our taxes is not a sin. Offending our brother is. Lying is sin. Sex outside of marriage is sin. Getting angry is not sin. What we do while angry can be.
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5
In what way did Enoch please God? He lived free from sin! Do you think God would have taken him otherwise?
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job 1:1
Here is proof, not only that we can live a sin-free life, but we can be perfect. Again, was Job perfect in his flesh? Not at all! He got angry. He tore his clothes. He threw ashes on himself.
The man lost his children and his possessions. Then his wife asked him to curse God and die. Can you imagine the pain, loss, and anguish he must have felt?
“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:22
Then we have our ultimate example, Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
Jesus lived a life in the flesh that was sinless. He got angry. He was sad and lonely at times, just like us. When was Jesus lonely?
“And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” Matthew 26:40
Yet Jesus live a sin-free life. If Jesus is our example, how can we say we cannot live without sinning? WWJD? Not sin!
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:34
How Is This Possible?
“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.” 1 John 2:12
“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.” 1 John 1:7
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4
“…Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:7-8
More Proof That We Can Live Free From Sin
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;” 1 Peter 4:1
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter 1:5-10
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 1 John 2:1
“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:6
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12
Do You Believe?
“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:17
Do you believe Christ shed his blood to cleanse and died as a once and for all sacrifice for sin and was raised to life again by the glory (power) of the Father? Then you can live free from sin!
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
Lose the Sin Mindset
Be careful of those who say we cannot live without sinning. Maybe they can't because they lack the truth or don't want to let go of sin. Not everyone who claims to be born-again lives free from sin.
Many don't realize they can and use misquoted scripture as an excuse to sin. They don't realize they abuse God's grace in doing so. They become trapped in a mindset that they can't help but sin sometimes.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
When we make up our minds to truly take God at His Word and believe it, we can begin to live like He said. This is why it is so vital to know and understand the truth. We endanger our eternal salvation when we neglect or take this lightly.
What If I Do Sin?
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 1 John 2:1
First things first. Avoid sin by avoiding evil when it presents itself!
“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22
If we yield, remember, God is not to blame. We are.
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” James 1:13-14
If we sin, Jesus is our advocate. He knows how difficult it is to cease from sin. Confess your faults. Seek prayer and strength from a spirit-filled believer. And finally, we need to come to grips with the truth about ourselves.
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16
We have not yet suffered in the flesh. In other words, we are still yielding to the desires of the flesh and not allowing it to suffer through denial.
As an aside, God will not put us through troubles to take us to another level, leave us in the valley, make us spend time in the dark place, or any of these other woeful things some people say. These statements are to keep us in a holding pattern when we don’t see the material blessings wrongfully interpreted as a promise. Or when we are still living a life of sin and wonder why we have so much hardship.
One more thing. For those who love to say how much the devil is doing. If the devil is bothering you, it is possible that you may have sin in your life!
“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18