THE THREE CLASSIFICATIONS OF SIN
- 1 John 2:16
“For ALL that is in the WORLD, the [1] lust of the flesh, and [2] the lust of the eyes, and [3] the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” - Notice that the apostle John uses the word “ALL” in 1 John 2:16.
- Romans 7:8
“But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me ALL manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead.” - 1 John 4:4
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” - James 4:4
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” - 1 John 2:15
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” - Romans 13:11-14
“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”
THESE ARE THREE CATEGORIES OF SIN:
- I. Lust of the Flesh
- Includes any sin that is of the carnal, sensual, and bodily nature (i.e. sexual immorality, gluttony, drugs, violence, etc.). The lust of the flesh, in essence, is selfishness. In other words, any sin that pertains to the body or “flesh”.
- Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the FLESH are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” - Romans 8:6 (NIV)
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” - Romans 8:9
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” - II. Lust of the Eyes
- Includes any sin that idolizes materialism or anything that is placed above God Almighty (i.e. money, possessions, physical things, etc.).
- Matthew 5:29
“29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your [body] members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” - III. The Pride of Life
- Includes any sin that leads to arrogance, power, ostentation, pride-in-self (narcissism), presumption, and boasting.
- Lucifer fell because of this:
- Isaiah 14:13-14
“13 For you [Lucifer] have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars [angels] of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north [‘North’ refers to where God’s throne is]; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High [God].” - Ezekiel 28:15-17
“15 You [Lucifer] were PERFECT in your ways from the day you were created, TILL INIQUITY [iniquity is another word for ‘sin’] WAS FOUND IN YOU. 16 By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and YOU SINNED; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub [Lucifer was a covering cherub - compare this to 2 Chronicles 5:8], from the midst of the fiery stones. 17 YOURHEART WAS LIFTED UP BECAUSE OF YOUR BEAUTY; YOU CORRUPTED YOURWISDOM FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR SPLENDOR; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you.”
If you think about it, the first temptation for humanity was a matter of diet due to the [1] lust of the eyes on [2] the flesh of the forbidden fruit which the Devil mixed in with [3] arrogant boasts of ‘secret knowledge’ (in other words ‘occult’ knowledge) in Genesis 3:1–7.
Notice that the Lies told by Satan at Eden were a combination of all the three major categories of sin, combined into one beautiful and poisonous Lie.
- 1 John 2:15
“If anyone loves THE WORLD, the love of the Father is not in him”. - 1 John 2:17
“And THE WORLD passeth away, and the LUST thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.“ - Titus 2:11–15
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godlyin the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” - Romans 6:12
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”
PART 2: THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
It may seem that the unpardonable sin could be considered the “fourth type of sin”, but this is not really the case. This is because the unpardonable sin is truly a state of mind derived from the continuous and unrepentant sins (which are all still classified under the three main types of sin mentioned in 1 John 2:16), of a wayward serial sinner.
When there is no longer a conviction of sin in the mind of a person, by which its conviction is due to the presence of the Holy Spirit, then the individual has committed the Unforgivable Sin. That revelation is not known to him. The unpardonable sin is essentially the silencing of divine moral conscience.
The Bible explicitly defines the “unforgivable sin” as the “grievance of the Holy Spirit”.
Just like you would grieve your poor mother by disobeying her continuously, you can also grieve the Holy Spirit away by unrepentantly disobeying Him as Christ’s representative on Earth (John 14:26).
- Mark 3:28-29
“28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” - Proverbs 29:1
“He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” - Matthew 12:31-32
“31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” - The “grievance of the Holy Spirit” is also called “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost”
- Luke 12:20
“And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.” - Ephesians 4:30
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” - Hebrew 10:26
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins” - James 4:17
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” - Romans 11:22
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” - Matthew 24:13
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
The definition of “blasphemy” is to assume for oneself, the prerogatives which only belong to God, just as what the Jews accused Jesus of in John 10:33.
When you “blaspheme” against God the Spirit, it is form of the “Pride of Life” (self-idolization) whereby you are rejecting the will of God (as proposed to you by the yearnings of His Holy Spirit) by essentially saying, “I am my own God and I can do what I want to do even if it is contrary to my conscience”. In other words, when you reject the Holy Spirit’s plea for you to repent from your sins, you are committing blasphemy against God by placing your will above the will of your own Loving Creator.
Concerning the Unpardonable sin itself: If a person is thinking about or cares about whether or not they had committed any sin and feels remorse for the evil they had done, it tells you that they have not completely pushed the Holy Spirit away but they are treading on dangerous borders. Only the Holy Spirit can lead a sinner to the inward conviction of sin (John 16:7–11). A Christian pushing their limits in sin grieves the Holy Spirit and is in danger of the Second Death (Rev 2:11; 20:6; 21:8).
Again, when there is no longer a conviction of sin in the minds of mankind, which is due to the presence of the holy spirit, then the individual has committed the unforgivable sin. I don’t think that revelation is known to him.
It is “unforgivable” because the individual will eventually never confess (acknowledge) their sins and/or repent from them and there is no desire for change because forgiveness must first require a sincere confession. This is a very dangerous state of mind to be in.
Pray like King David and obey the Holy Spirit when He is calling to you.
Psalm 51:1–11
1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Notice in David’s prayer that the Holy Spirit is able to leave someone as well. I suggest you read the whole prayer of King David (Psalm 51)!
It is also interesting that “…the LORD said, ‘My Spirit shall NOT strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.’” (Genesis 6:3—in the context of Genesis 6, God curses man with a shorter lifespan due to Man’s sinful nature and natural mortality).
QUESTION: “Would God ever forgive me even if I am so bad? I’ve done so much evil in my life I don’t think God will ever forgive me.”
- I would advise you to read the story of King Manasseh in 2 Chronicles 33 and 2 Kings 21 for the answer.
//ABOVE: Painting of a prodigal son returning to his father by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (1836-1902)
Also, read about the story of the City of Nineveh in Jonah 3.
//ABOVE: The entire city of Nineveh and its king humble themselves before God, afflicted their souls, and repented from their evil ways after Jonah proclaims a conditional prophecy.
Jonah 3:5–7,10
“So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. 6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes…10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.”.
PART 3: THE DEFINITION OF SIN AND THE LAW
ANY SIN CATEGORIZED UNDER THE THREE CATEGORIES ABOVE ARE EQUALLY PUNISHABLE BY DEATH (Romans 6:23, James 1:15).
There is no sin greater or lesser than the other. They are all the same to the Lord.
- James 1:15
“Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” - Romans 6:23
“23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - John 8:44
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lustsof your father [the Devil] ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” - 1 John 3:4
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” - James 2:10–11
“10 Whoever keeps the whole LAW but stumbles at just ONE POINT is guilty of BREAKING ALL OF IT. 11 For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.” - The Apostle James also clearly tells us that the use of the terminology, “the Law”, refers to the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments are not just for the Jews.
- Romans 7:7-11
“7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’ 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire.” - Notice that the Apostle Paul clarifies what the “Law” is and refers to the Ten Commandments by citing the Tenth Commandment. Compare this to 1 John 3:4.
- Romans 13:8-10
“8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all SUMMED UPin this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” - Here it is again. Notice that the Apostle Paul clarifies what the “Law” is and refers to the Ten Commandments. Compare this to 1 John 3:4 and then compare verse 10 to Matthew 22:32–40 because here, Paul is quoting Jesus in Matthew 22:32–40.
What you should find, regarding the significance of the Moral Law, is that:
- A. The first four commandments fulfill “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”(Matthew 22:37)
- **Details Man’s BASIC relationship with God**
- How can you love God will all your heart, soul, and mind if you: [1] worship other gods, [2] practice idolatry, [3] profane God’s name, [4] forget the Holy Sabbath?
- To obey these moral statutes is what it means when “Love is the fulfillment of the Law” (Romans 13:8-10).
- In fact, Jesus (in Matthew 22:37–38) is quoting Moses in Deuteronomy 6:5.
- Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
- Moses wrote, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”(Deuteronomy 6:5)
- B. The last six commandments fulfill “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39)
- **Details Man’s BASIC relationship with his neighbor**
- How can you love your neighbor as yourself if you: [5] Dishonor your parents, [6] commit murder, [7] commit adultery, [8] steal, [9] lie, [10] covet?
- To obey these moral statutes is what it means when “Love is the fulfillment of the Law” (Romans 13:8-10).
- In fact, Jesus (in Matthew 22:39) is quoting Moses in Leviticus 19:18,34.
- Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
- Moses wrote, “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18) and “…you shall love him [strangers] as yourself… I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
//ABOVE: Jesus says to us, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) and ”If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:10). Is it legalism to keep the commandments or is it love?
PART 4: MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SIN, LUST, AND THE LAW:
Do not be deceived by misinterpreting these truths to conclude that all desires of the human mind and body are evil by nature. The Lord God had given us certain desires for the pleasure of the body (which he intended for us to enjoy “more abundantly” such as the pleasure of tasting good & healthy foods and even sex); however, the Lord God had not given us the provisions to do (by our thoughts, words, or actions) anything which is unlawful to God. That which is “unlawful” is defined as “sin” which abuses the pleasures of the body (such as sexual immorality, profanity, gluttony, etc).
Christians should not be living life in constant fear by trying to account for every sin which they had committed in their hearts and minds (which they can hardly do).
Christians do not have to worry about hellfire if they have the laws of God [1] written in their hearts and in their minds (Hebrews 8:8,10) and that they [2] confess their sins (1 John 1:9), [3] accept Christ as the resurrected Saviour of fallen mankind (John 3:16), and [4] repent (John 8:11) from their Sins.
- Some people believe that the only thing they should do is confess their sins and take forgiveness for granted, which is an abuse of God’s expensive grace which He bought with the price of Holy Blood.
- Confession should come with sincerity with a desire for a change of heart which means that while the Christian accepts grace freely, which was offered by the Lamb of God, there must also come an inclination towards repentance.
- It is written, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
- How can we know what the will of the Father in heaven is? Through the Law and His Holy word. How can someone follow His will if they don’t even read it?
- Furthermore, there is a difference between “Penance” and “Repentance”.
- Penance is a change in outward acts/works, often via self-imposed punishment or priest-imposed, without a change of heart.
- Repentance is a change in outward acts/works with a change of heart. This is possible by the present work of the Holy Spirit working on the soul.
- It is written, “’…Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your heart, and not your garments…” (Joel 2:12–13) - Isaiah 58:5–6 “Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the Lord? “Is this not the fastthat I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?”
- When Jesus forgave a woman caught in adultery, he said to her “go and sin no more” (John 8:11).
- Romans 6:1–2
“6 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?”
What is better is for a Christian to know the general categories of Sin as well as to obey the Moral Law of God (in their hearts and in their minds) because the Law will help prevent disobedience since we know what God’s standards are. Disobedience is Sin because Sin is the transgression of the Law.
- 1 John 3:4
“4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
If it were not for the presence of the law, there would be no transgression of the law which is defined as “sin”. If there was no sin, neither will there be a need for a Saviour. Therefore, if there is no law, there is no need for a Saviour (Romans 4:15).
- Romans 4:15
“Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” - John 1:29
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”
Furthermore, the Moral Law itself predates sin and if the Law was transgressed (which indeed was transgressed by everyone), then we all need a Saviour. God did not make the Law so that you could sin and neither did He make the Law just so he can suffer on a cross and make himself look good. Don’t be deceived into thinking that the Law is Sin. God is not the author of sin!
- Romans 7:7
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”
The point of the matter is, the Law of God is the living embodiment of the Character of God, which the entirety of the Bible was created to defend. It is by the Law that we know God’s sinless character. The Law is also the basics of the Will of God. The difficult part is to allow your will to be in matrimony with God’s will (which still retains our individuality as what happens in a marriage between a couple). The special Love of Christ and His bride is Holy matrimony where the two are one flesh yet remain separate entities.
It is by the Law that the Character of Christ and of His Heavenly Father (John 14:9) is revealed to us as a perfect example that we may follow in his footsteps to overcome sin and temptation.
- 1 John 2:3
“Now by this we know that we KNOW Him, if we keep His commandments.” - Hebrews 2:18
“For in that He [Jesus] Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” - 1 John 2:4–5
“He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” - John states that those who claim to know Jesus Christ and disobey the Law of God are liars. This is because the Law of God reveals the character of Jesus. The Love of God is perfected in those who Love the Lord and obey His will. His will is found in His Word and His Word is Law (Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:17). His Words are Eternal (Matthew 24:35).
- Isaiah 51:7 “Listen to Me, you who KNOW righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be FOREVER, And My salvation from generation to generation.”
- John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
The Law is also a mirror (James 1:23-25) which shows us the problem with ourselves so that we can have it corrected by Christ. Without that mirror, you would not know what was wrong with you if it didn’t show you your sins. If you don’t know your sins, then would you ever confess to that which you did not know or acknowledge (Psalm 51:3)?
Romans 7:7
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”
Romans 3:20
“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
What is our guarantee of Salvation?
Biblically, the name is intrinsic to the character. It is by the name of God that we are given the “seal” of God as evidence for the ‘endurance of the saints (Revelation 14:12, Matthew 24:13) or for those who ‘overcome’ (1 John 5:4–5, Revelation 3:21).
- 2 Timothy 2:19
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’’”. - He who bears the name of Christ bears also his sinless character for his character is intrinsic to his name. False Christianity proclaims to bear the name of Christ yet they knowingly commit sin.
- Revelation 9:4
“They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” - The character of God is the seal of redemption, that is inscribed in only the forehead (faith).
- The mark of the beast is the mark of ensured damnation, which is inscribed in the hand (works) and the forehead(faith).
- Ephesians 1:13-14
“13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” - The seal of God is the guarantee to your Heavenly inheritance on the great and solemn “Day of the Lord”. T he ‘Day of the Lord’ is the literal Second Coming of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:10, Obadiah 1:15, Revelation 6:17, Zephaniah 1:15).
- 1 John 3:24
“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spiritwhich he hath given us.” - 1 John 4:14
“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”
The point of this section is, do not grieve the Holy Spirit who seals us into the citizenship of Heaven.
A Total Transformation:
Knowing this, when this conversion and sanctification happens by the conviction of Sin through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Christian becomes a new creation (a new creature) and all things of sin should not come to his/her mind. All thoughts of iniquity/sin will be strange to him/her and any form of sin will be distasteful to the person.
- Romans 6:4
“Therefore we are buried with him by BAPTISM INTO DEATH: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” - Are you going to follow Christ’s footsteps to purge your sins in the watery grave and take part in the resurrection?
Follow the Law of God’s everlasting commandments because they are a summary of the Lord Almighty's character. It will enable you to love yourselves and others which is a requirement to become a citizen of Heaven.
Do not live in fear of Sin, but live in the joy of the grace of God who takes away the curse of sin which is eternal death.
You should not follow the law because you want to earn eternal life, you follow the law of the Living God because you Love Jesus Christ. Also, you cannot ‘earn’ a gift that you cannot even afford.
- John 14:15
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” - John 15:10
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” - Re-read James 2:10–11
- It is not legalism to keep the commandments of God because you love Jesus; however, it is unjustified legalism to keep the commandments of God because you want to earn salvation. There is a major difference.
Furthermore, a bride who does not love her husband will suffer eternal unhappiness in her home; likewise, Heaven will be as miserable as hell if you are forced to love OR you do not love Christ who is in Heaven.
PART 5: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
QUESTION: “Now is it possible to live a sinless life; surely Jesus Christ can, but we’re only human right? We can’t possibly ever be ‘sinless’.”
- He who confesses to himself that they are sinless by their own Earthly power is not of God.
He who confesses to God that they are justified ‘sinless’ by the grace of the Son of Man and the sanctification process of the Holy Spirit, is of God.
In other words, no one can be ‘sinless’ unless you have the power of God through the Holy Spirit and the cloak of Christ’s righteousness.
- Jesus Christ was born as a child and raised in the flesh of man to give an example of the purest Christian living. He is to be the standard for the character of all who call themselves the “children of God”.
- The Moral Law cannot save through grace for it protects against temptations to sin and helps to prevent disobedience from immorality and Sin (which is defined as the “Transgression of the Law” - 1 John 3:4); instead, divine grace, through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, takes away (rather “saves us from”) the punishment (”curse”) of the Law which that “curse” is eternal death.
- I reiterate, if there were no Law, then there would be no sin because sin is the transgression of the Law (1 John 3:4). If there was no sin, then there would also be no need for a Saviour. Therefore, if there was no Law then there is also no need for a Saviour from the penalty of the transgression of the Law.
- Those who sin while knowing the Law, still need a Saviour and will be in danger of paying for the wages of Sin (which is Death) for themselves (Hebrews 10:26)—it is a price that no sinner can afford without accepting the precious blood of Christ.
- We are able to be ‘sinless’ through Him because:
- Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a High Priest [Jesus Christ] who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” - Hebrews 2:17
“Therefore, in all things He [Jesus] had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” - 1 Timothy 1:16
“However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a PATTERN to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”
QUESTION: “How could Jesus have been tempted in all points as we are? For example, someone could have been tempted by pornography, theft, drugs, and murder among other things. Surely Jesus didn’t get tempted with those. We’re different!”
- Matthew 4:1-11 (NKJV)
SATAN TEMPTS JESUS
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had FASTED FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ 4 But He answered and said, ‘IT IS WRITTEN, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ 7 Jesus said to him, ‘IT IS WRITTEN, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’ 10 Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For IT IS WRITTEN, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” - You have to understand that your temptations on this planet Earth are no match to the temptations that Jesus endured during His wilderness experience. He literally had no food for 40 days and 40 nights.
- He, the Son of Man in the flesh of man, was still vulnerable to the ailments that had befallen the flesh and mind of Man because of Sin.
- Jesus was tired, lonely, and extremely deprived of the most basic nutrition for a long period of time and yet, He had prevailed against ALL the temptations of the Devil to sin against His Heavenly Father.
- You must also understand that Jesus Christ had to overcome sin before the start of his Earthly ministry which gives example to the ministers of the gospel today. Ask yourself oh learned theologians of this sinful world, are you still writhing in the chains of Sin? Oh, how difficult it is to lead others to Christ while living in Sin! The two are mutually exclusive for the Spirit, being grieved, does not dwell within an unclean temple (1 Corinthians 6:19; Psalm 51:11).
- There is no temptation that would match Christ’s lust for food, nourishment, and rest during His wilderness experience. Jesus had outdone all humanity in terms of the severity of the punishment of Sin in the flesh of a Man. Not only did he endure temptation and intense physical suffering & malnourishment, but He also endured the suffering of rejection and condemnation that both Jew and gentile issued Him on the cross.
- What Christ experienced on that cross is the Total Separation from God. This fear of Total separation from God was one reason that even Jesus was afraid because he even asked God, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me” (Luke 22:42); however, Jesus continued on to say “nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
- Christ had experienced the total hopelessness that every sinner on death row could experience before their execution.
- Christ had experienced what every sailor drifting in a sinking ship amidst a dark and stormy sea have experienced—total darkness and complete feeling of hopelessness.
- Christ, while praying on the Mount of Olives, felt a burden of sin so great that in his anguish, His “sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44)
//ABOVE: Have you ever felt total despair?
- Despite dying for our sins, praise be to God that He was resurrected for our sake such that we have a reason for living!
//ABOVE: Jesus Christ sweating blood on the Mount of Olives on the night of his betrayal.
Also, out of interest's sake, try to compare the three sins Satan was trying to tempt Jesus with, with 1 John 2:16. ***Notice that Jesus says “it is written” three times***.
- I always advise anyone studying the Holy Bible to use [1] scriptural cross-references,
- [2] parallelism,
- [3] sentence-structure analysis,
- [4] history, and
- [5] exegesis when studying the scripture. Every detail has a significant meaning or connection because the Holy Bible had not come about by the power of man but from the inspiration of the third head of the Divine Trinity (the Holy Spirit).
- It is written:
- Psalm 119:11
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”. - 2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” - Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” - You cannot disregard the Holy Bible—the Living Word of God—if you wish to live a sinless life.
QUESTION: “How can we, humans, overcome temptation?”
Take Christ’s example, whenever you are tempted to sin, call upon the word of God and say “It is written”.
- What exactly is “written”?
- Jeremiah 31:33 (KJV - Old Testament Covenant)
“But this shall be the COVENANT that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and WRITE it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” - Hebrews 10:16 (KJV - New Testament Covenant)
“This is the COVENANT that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I WRITE them;” - Where is it written?
- Proverbs 7:1–3 “My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.” (compare to Deuteronomy 6:4–8).
- Ezekiel 36:26–27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”
- Remember, that the Holy Spirt plays a vital role in the battle against temptations.
- Jesus doesn’t only want you to know the law, He wants you to LIVE it.
- 2 Corinthians 3:3
“Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” - Tips on whenever you find yourself tempted to sin:
- Do as Jesus had done as an example by quoting the scriptures and meditating on His written Holy Word with confidence. Be content with the simplicity of a “Thus says the Lord” and the finality of “It is written” (Psalm 119:11). These can easily be done when you put the scriptures to memory (1 Corinthians 15:1–2).
- Pray for help from the Holy Spirit as well (James 4:7; Galatians 5:16).
- Claim the promises of the Lord (2 Peter 1:3-4).
- 2 Peter 1:3–4 “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious PROMISES, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through LUST.”
- Know the Law & the Holy scriptures WELL because even the Devil himself quoted them to Jesus (Deuteronomy 30:16; Psalm 119:105). The Devil is probably a better theologian than you.
- Meditate on the Law of God in your hearts and Minds (Psalms 19:14; Matthew 22:37) and let no other thing take your focus on them for the essence of the Law is the Character of Christ. The Character of Christ will lead to Godly and sinless living (John 14:9; 1 Timothy 1:16; John 5:30).
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, wants to save you FROM your sin and NOT IN your sin NOR BY your works. Put on the cloak of Christ’s righteousness (Isaiah 64:6) that was stained with the blood of the Lamb if you wish to enter the gates of the New Jerusalem.
//ABOVE: Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Romolo Tavani via Adobe Stock.
- Romans 6:4
“Therefore we are buried with him by BAPTISM INTO DEATH: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” - John 3:5
“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” - Matthew 3:11
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” - 1 Corinthians 10:1–6
“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, - 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud [“pillar of cloud/fire”—Exodus 13:21-22] and in the sea [water]
- , 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.”
To conclude, please consider these verses:
- 1 Corinthians 15:57
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him [1] deny himself, and [2] take up his cross, and [3] follow Me’”. - Notice that Jesus gives all of us three different instructions here.
- Hebrews 2:18
“For in that He [Jesus] Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” - John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” - James 4:7
“Therefore [1] submit to God. [2] Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” - Revelation 3:21
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I [Jesus] also overcameand sat down with My Father on His throne.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
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