Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: January 30, 2005
CHRISTIANS AND THE MATTER OF SIN # 3
Ben Justice
[NOTE: This is a continuation of last week’s article and the last
installment in this series.]
In I John 3:7, John continues to write, “Little children, let no man deceive you: he
that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” The expression, “let
no man deceive you” clearly indicates the fact that certain ones who trying to
deceive these Christians to whom John wrote. The question is, “What were they
trying to deceive these Christians to do?” This verse must be connected back to
the previous verse — “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath
not seen him, neither known him.” Evidently, some were trying to deceive these
Christians into a living a habitual lifestyle of sin and that such would be okay in
the eyes of God. It’s like what Paul wrote in Rom. 6:1-2, “What shall we say
then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2) God forbid. How
shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
Maybe some of these errorists were teaching that it is not possible to even live a
righteous lifestyle as opposed to a sinful lifestyle. However, John corrects that
notion by saying, “he that doeth righteousness is righteous.” John said similarly
in 2:29, “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth
righteousness is born of him.” The verb “doeth” in both passages is in the present
tense, and again, this indicates a continuing practice. In other words, “he that
keeps on doing righteousness.” Doing righteousness is a settled course of
action for the Christian. When one becomes a Christian, he goes from practicing
sin (hence a sinner) to practicing righteousness (hence righteous). It makes me
shudder to hear some brethren referring to Christians as “sinners.” The Bible
does not refer to those practicing righteousness as “sinners” but as “righteous.”
As was emphasized in last week’s article, this does not mean that Christians
will not sin. They will, but not habitually. Christians occasionally commit acts
of sin through moments of weakness. But, this is a far cry from living a lifestyle
of sin. Christians go from being sinners to being righteous.
John adds a qualifying statement: “even as he is righteous.” The “he” is a
reference to “Christ.” This does not indicate that one can attain the same level
or degree of righteousness of Jesus, but simply indicates that Jesus is the
pattern and example for Christians to follow.
John wrote in I John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might
destroy the works of the devil.” Again, John employs the present tense verb. He
who lives a life of habitual sin is of the devil. The devil is his master — not
Jesus. The devil is the first sinner. He is the father of lies (John 8:44).
Whoever persists in a lifestyle of sin belongs to the devil — his spiritual father.
But, again, we must impress upon our minds the difference of occasionally
committing acts of sin and persisting in sin habitually and on purpose.
John continues to write in v. 9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for
his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” The ASV
has, “begotten of God.” Those begotten of God are children of God. A child of
God “doth not commit sin.” John cannot mean that children of God do not
occasionally commit acts of sin, for this would contradict what he wrote in 1:8,
10; 2:1. As has been the case throughout, the verb “doth” is present tense,
hence, “he cannot continue to live a lifestyle of sin.” This would be in contrast
to the time before he was “begotten of God.”
John states the reason why children of God cannot continue to live in sin. He
stated, “for his seed remaineth in him.” Again, we have the present tense verb
— “for his seed continues to remain in him.” What is the “seed?” Luke 8:11
answers this: “The seed is the word of God.” This is parallel to David’s statement
in Psalm 119:11 — “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against
thee.” As John points out, the one who has the seed (the Word of God)
remaining or abiding in him “cannot sin.” This cannot mean that the child of
God will not commit occasional acts of sin, and it does not teach the
impossibility of apostasy. What it means is that as long as the seed (God’s
Word) continues to abide in the child of God, he cannot continue to live a life of
sin. The seed forbids such. When God’s word is the total controlling factor in a
person’s life, then “he cannot sin” — that is continue to live in sin as a way of
life. It could very well be the case that a child of God could decide to cease
allowing the seed to remain in him. When this happens, a sinful life will again
take over. John teaches us the power of God’s word. When Jesus was
confronted by the devil in tempting him to sin, Jesus responded to the devil with
the words, “It is written.” The devil could not stand up to the power of the
written Word of God, and thus, he left (Matt. 4:1-11). Listen to the words of
Peter in I Pet. 5:8-9, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in
the faith, . . .” The definite article “the” precedes “faith.” Peter is therefore not
speaking of our own faith, but that objective body of revelation that God has
given. It is the New Testament — the Word of God — the seed. We “resist” the
devil “in the faith.” “The faith” is the means and the power by which to conquer
the devil.
There are many more scriptures which we could study as it relates to the
Christian and the matter of sin. May we as Christians live a life of
righteousness and never return back to the old way of life (cf. 2 Pet. 2:20-21).
Should Camps Be Included In The Church Budget?
Ben Justice
The “Little Prairie Bible Camp” is located in Rolla, MO. Just recently, we
received in the mail a letter and brochure requesting help with the funding of
this camp. I would like to quote a few lines from the letter (written by Bill Gillett
— President of the Camp) and make a response.
The letter states, “Obviously, the Board recognizes that Christian camping is
conducive to spiritual growth.” Maybe you have read the passage in the Bible
that says “Christian camping is conducive to spiritual growth.” If someone has,
then I have certainly missed it all these years. Camping is a recreational
activity. I love to camp, but I have never experienced “spiritual growth” as a
result of camping. Now, a person can study the Bible while at camp, but it is not
camping that is conducive to spiritual growth, but the study of God’s Word. In
fact, any place or location I study God’s word will result in spiritual growth, but
pray tell, how is camping itself “conducive to spiritual growth?”
The letter goes on to talk about the financial end of keeping the camp up and
running. This letter was addressed to “Church Leaders.” It begins by saying,
“Dear Church Leaders.” These would be the elders of the church or if no elders,
the men. So, it is apparent that this letter is addressed to congregations.
Listen to the following statement about helping financially: “. . . over the years
most of the needed money has been raised by having several fundraisers each
year. Many of you have participated in these and we appreciate it. Fundraisers
have included Krispy Kreme Doughnut sales, garage sales, ‘Super Sunday’
contribution, cookbook sales, golf tournaments, fall festivals, silent auctions,
and BBQs.” May I ask, “Where is the Biblical authority for congregations to have
‘fundraisers’ to help raise funds for a Bible Camp, or whatever?” Now, if
individuals want to get together and raise some funds to help out with a camp,
then let them go at it. But, the letter is aimed at what congregations can do.
Notice how the letter lumps “ ‘Super Sunday’ contribution” in with the
fundraisers. You don’t get ‘Super Sunday’ contribution” from individuals, but
from congregations. To show that the writer of the letter was aiming at what
congregations can do, he goes on to write: “At the recent Board retreat, plans
were made to encourage congregations in the area to have greater ownership
in the camp. One way for a congregation to feel ownership in the camp is to
be represented on the Board. Currently, the Board has a strong area-wide
representation from Licking, Fulton, Salem, Bonne Terre, Ashland and Rolla.
Another way congregations can have greater ownership in the camp is by
sharing the responsibility for its funding. This would allow shifting the
emphasis from numerous fundraisers to congregation responsibility for the
camp.” (emphasis mine). In response, where is the Biblical authority for a
congregation to have ownership in a camp? Camping is recreation, and
recreation is not a work of the church, but a work of the home. Someone may
say, “Well, the Bible is also taught at these camps.” I can go to the mall and sit
down in the eating area with some brethren and engage in a Bible study. Such,
however, does not justify the local congregation having ownership in a mall by
funding the mall for Bible study to occur. The fact of the matter is this: Camps
are about recreation and entertainment, and such does not belong in the church
budget. Don’t get me wrong. I have absolutely no problems with young people
getting together and having wholesome fun at a camp. However, such should be
funded by momma and daddy — not from the local church treasury.
Notice what else the letter states: “The amount and how the money is obtained
will be left entirely up to each individual congregation.” (emphasis mine).
Get that if you will. How each individual congregation chooses to obtain money
is left up to them. Brethren, there is not but one way congregations obtain
money and that is through free-will offerings (I Cor. 16:1-2). There is simply no
authority to obtain money in any other way — fundraisers not withstanding.