Are You Calling God a Liar?

"If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts." (I John 1:10 NLT)

Touchy, touchy subject for all who claim to be perfect --or some such nonsense!

There is a philosophy--by some religious groups--that believes "we are sinners" and will always sin. And then there are those who proclaim that--"we have all sinned" (at some point in time), but with confession and repentance (turning away from sin) our desire to continue in desire in sin is squelched.

Teacher-mode! If we look at the verb tense in the verse of scripture--the clear indication is the present perfect tense--have not sinned--meaning we have, but are not currently doing.

So, if we say--we have not sinned--never committed any act against God's Word--we say God is a liar and wasted His time--coming down in the likeness of sinful flesh, in the person of Jesus, to save us from ourselves! He came to save sinners--not perfect people--but those who know truth and yet make decisions to do what is wrong anyway!

Sin--is a self-indulgent act of non-conformity to God's Word. Self-indulgent--an act to appease/gratify self--knowing that it is wrong, but doing it any way. Sin--is not a thought (contrary to popular belief), but an act that is the result of wrong thinking. We seldom do anything without thinking "it" first. Therefore, if we think it, we can change our thoughts before we act. Once we commit the act--contrary to God's Word--we have committed sin.

If we confess our sins--admit to the wrong-doing and turn completely away from acting upon our selfish desires, He cleanses us from unrighteousness (falling out of right-standing with Him), forgives us and tosses our sin into the sea of forgetfulness, remembering them no more. However, His forgiveness is not a "pass" to keep sinning! If we keep sinning, we are making a mockery of the grace and mercy He extends to us.

God is not a man that He should lie--so let's not call Him a liar, by saying--we have not sinned. We have all sinned, but because of His mercy and grace, have the means to get back into fellowship with Him--when our relationship with Him--convicts of us our sin. If we are not in relationship with Him--we have no conviction of our sin--and therefore we are not His and He cannot forgive--what is never confessed.

If we don't know what God considers sin, we truly have need to study The Word and get living right with Him.