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Sinner Or Saint One of the greatest misconceptions in the world today is that mankind cannot live without sin. 1 Kings 8:46--"For there is no man that sinneth not". How many times have we heard this verse quoted by someone trying to justify the sinful way he is living? Psa 14:3 and Ecc 7:20 speak of universal sin, and Rom 7:18-24 is often used to defend the "sin you must" doctrine. We are living in the period of time when even many religious leaders believe that mankind cannot live holy. But live without sin we must if we are to be with Jesus on the Judgment Day. Ministers, perhaps fearing they will lose their position if they espouse the truth, preach a lukewarm message that we all sin everyday, more or less. Ministers don't even hold the Bible standards on their own families. We see their wives working outside the home, cutting their hair, wearing make-up and jewelry, and dressing immodestly. I Tim Chapter 3 is explicit in what bishop, deacons, and their wives must do. And Titus 1 :6-9 states that ministers must be blameless and hold fast to the faithful word. If our ministers cannot sermonize with conviction, it is no wonder that more lost souls are not coming forth to become warriors for God. Before the coming of Jesus Christ, sacrifices of bulls and goats were made unto the Lord to purge the worshippers of sin. Every year these sacrifices were made until the Lord tired of burnt offerings. Heb 10:4-"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins". Year after year mankind offered sacrifices on atonement day, only to return to sin for the remainder of the year. Therefore, the Lord abolished the old sacrificial system oferred by the law and required sanctification through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once, for all. For Jesus Christ came for the very purpose of saving men from sin. (Matt 1:21). Titus 2:11-12, Paul exhorts us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. When we present our bodies to God for sanctification we vow to live holy. A Holy life distinguishes the saints from the sinners, and we know that whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.(1 John 3:9) We may live a good, moral life, doing many kind and generous
deeds for our neighbors and community. We may attend the church
of our choice every time the doors are open and learn all the
chants and rituals required in that church. However, if we have
even one "little" sin in our life, all our good works
are insufficient to secure salvation. We need not think we can live any way we want while we are young, enjoying the lustful pleasures of the flesh, and then confess to love God in our twilight years. One very good reason to become saved and sanctified early is since none of us knows the time of our departure from this earth, we may not live long to make things right with God. Another reason is that God admonishes in Pro 1:24-30 that those who refuse his call maybe denied by him later. There is also the danger that continual refusing of God's call to salvation can harden the heart until we no longer hear God's word. (John 12:40; Heb 3:13) If we were not meant to live without sin, why are we continually enjoined throughout the Bible to "go and sin no more": "to live holy, for I am holy";(1Pet 1:16) and "to be perfect, even as our Father which is in heaven is perfect"? (Matt 5:48). Therefore, let us embark on that Highway of Holiness where the sinner cannot pass. (Isa 35:8) The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. (Pro 16:17) Of course, we will be tempted: but remember, temptation is not sin; it is a temptation to sin, and God has given us the grace to rebuke evil thoughts and live without sin...
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