TAKING THE WORRY OUT OF SIN (RELIGIOUSLY)
INTENTION:
Being raised in a
legalistic church, I developed a religion that kept me focused on sin—in trying
to avoid sin. I got trapped in a winless system, for the more I focused on trying
not to sin, the stronger sin became. But when I realized Christ took care of
all those fleshly sins “once and for all time” at the Cross, I stopped worrying
about those sins and thinking that they had an affect on my relationship with
the Lord.
They never affect how
much God Loves me or Gifts me; we just need to take care on how sin can affect
the relationships we have here on earth. Though the Lord took care of sin in
our relationship with Him, it is still His desire that we don’t sin, so as to
avoid the hurts and pains that come along with it in this world.
( DOWNLOAD BIBLE STUDY AS PDF )
I.
TOPIC:
We want to look at Taking the Worry Out of Sin (Religiously).
In the previous Bible Study, we looked at the difference
between the “sins of the flesh” (which were all taken away through Christ Jesus
and the Cross) and the Sin of not believing (Sin of unbelief) on Christ Jesus
for Salvation (which is taken away when we do believe).
With this understanding, we can look at some specific
scriptures that might cause us to worry or doubt our forgiveness if we don’t
see it in the context of these two distinct types of sin.
Much of what I grew up
believing was that any sin I committed (especially sexual sins) would cause me
to go to Hell. I had such fear of these types of sins, I led a miserable
Christian life. And moreso, could not keep from sinning—for the strength of sin
is the Law (1 Corinthians 15:56)—the more I tried not to sin, the stronger that
desire to sin became.
But once I let go of this fear of sin, trusting that Christ
took care of them at the Cross, my life became so much freer. I could now live
free from the impossibility of never sinning (something many see as their
“Christian” responsibility). It is not that the Lord wants us to keep sinning,
for He knows that sin can affect our earthly relationship with ourselves and
others—sin impacting our own life or those lives around us in a damaging way. The
Lord does not want sin to steal away that Abundant Life He wants us to all
freely live. He took away its attempt at hindering our relationship with Him; in
turn allowing us to live a life that no longer needs to have any consciousness
of sin; knowing that any sin of the flesh I do commit cannot affect my
relationship with God; and I am “free to make a mistake”.
Remember, each and every fleshly sin was taken away forever
2000 years ago at the Cross—taken away before you ever committed them. And what
is even better is that the Lord already knows which sins and mistakes you will
make, and plans your life around them, rescuing you from those mistakes and
bringing Good out from them.
God’s desire and purpose
for the Cross is to set you free from worrying about what sin you commit. It is
impossible to not commit a sin; and more impossible to remember each and every
sin you do commit to then ask forgiveness of them. What a dreadful Christian
life one leads when the focus of life is on our mistakes, not on our Righteous
identity.
This dreadful life is what I have been set free of and
strive to never repeat. And my desire is to also set you free from that same
sin-conscience I myself lived with. And a good way to start is to remind
ourselves that the sacrifice Christ Jesus made for us through the Cross forgave
our sins once-and-for-all-time!
·
Refer also: https://cbadenhorst.blogspot.com/2019/06/forgiveness.html
Bible Study Lesson 018– Believing in Christ Jesus and Forgiveness of Sins (GWT)
Furthermore, if we are caught up in a sin of the flesh and
feel trapped by it, we do have the authority to overcome it and remove its hold
over us. We can pull down those strongholds (2
Corinthians 10:3-5) because the strength of sin has been overcome, and we
are dead to sin (Romans
6:11)!
II.
READING: Hebrews
10:1-25 (DLNT)
For the Law— having a shadow of the coming good things, not
the very image of the things—is never able to perfect the ones approaching
yearly with the same sacrifices which they offer perpetually. 2 Otherwise would
they not have ceased being offered, because of the ones worshiping no longer
having a consciousness of sins, having been cleansed once-for-all? 3 But in
them there is a yearly reminder of sins. 4 For it is impossible for the blood
of bulls and goats to take-away sins. 5 Therefore, while entering into the
world, He says [in Psalms
40:6-8]: “You did not desire sacrifice and offering, but You prepared a
body for Me. 6 You were not well-pleased with whole-burnt-offerings and
offerings for sin. 7 Then I said, Behold, I have come—in the roll of a book it
has been written about Me—that I might do Your will, God”.
8 Saying above that “You did not desire nor were You
well-pleased with sacrifices and offerings and whole-burnt-offerings and
offerings for sin” (which are being offered according-to the Law!), 9 then He
has said, “Behold, I have come that I might do Your will”—He does-away-with the
first in-order-that He might establish the second,
10 ... by which will we have been made-holy through the
offering of the body of Jesus Christ once-for-all.
11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering
often the same sacrifices which are never able to take-away sins—12 but this
One, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat-down at the right
hand of God, 13 henceforth waiting until His enemies are put as a footstool of
His feet.
14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time the
ones being made-holy.
15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after the
statement [in Jeremiah
31:33] having said 16 “This is the covenant which I will covenant with them
after those days, says the Lord: Giving My laws upon their hearts, I will also
write them upon their mind”, 17 then He says “And I will never remember their
sins and their lawless-deeds again”.
18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is
no longer an offering for sin!
19 Therefore, brothers, having confidence for the entering
of the Holies by the blood of Jesus— 20 which fresh and living way He
inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, His flesh— 21 and having a
great Priest over the house of God, 22 let us be approaching God with a true
heart in full-assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil
conscience, and having our body washed with clean water. 23 Let us be
holding-on-to the confession of our hope without-wavering, for the One having
promised is faithful. 24 And let us be considering one another for the
provoking of love and good works, 25 not forsaking the gathering-together of
ourselves as is a habit with some, but exhorting one another, and so-much more
by-as-much-as you see the day drawing-near.
III.
RELATED VERSES AND QUESTIONS:
A. These
following verses do not talk about sins that keep you out of “Heaven”, but
refers to how that identity of sin can keep you from experiencing (sensing) “righteousness,
joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit” which is what the Kingdom of Heaven /
Kingdom of God is (Romans
14:17). Referencing the conflict one can experience in a person’s soul
between the Spirit (inside-out life) and world (outside-in life).
1
Corinthians 6:9-10 (DLNT)
Or do you not know that
wrongdoers will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived. Neither
sexually-immoral ones, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homo-erotic-partners,
nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor greedy ones—not drunkards, not revilers, not
swindlers—will inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians
5:19-21 (DLNT)
Now the works of the flesh
are evident, which are sexual-immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry,
sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, rages, selfish-interests, dissentions,
factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, revelries, and the things like these—as to
which things I tell you beforehand, just as I said-before, that the ones
practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Question: Do you worry that committing any of these sins will keep you out of Heaven (or relationship with God)?
B. Jesus
taught the extremes of the Law to demonstrate to everyone how impossible it was
to keep them. Yet, at the same time prophesised about His purpose of fulfilling
the Law for us. Sometimes when we read the things Jesus preached, we get scared
because it seems very harsh or direct. This is why we too need to understand
whom His audience is (those under the Law, which we are not); and what it is He
is really saying?
Sadly, I have heard how a
person took this following verse literally, and out of context, and actually
plucked out her own eye because their “eye” sinned. Yet, Jesus is not speaking
about your eye sinning as in it lusting over something, but the sin being
spoken of is the Sin of not believing in Christ Jesus for salvation. Jesus
explains to us that the Sin being spoken of is this sin that will send a person
to Hell. Not that if our hand or eye commits a sin of the flesh that it must be
removed. But that if your hand or eye is keeping you from believing in Christ
Jesus for salvation, it is better to get into Heaven without a hand or an eye,
than keep it and spend eternity in Hell.
Matthew
5:29-30 (DLNT) {PoG}
And if your right eye is
causing you to fall, tear it out and throw it from you. For it is better for
you that one of your body-parts perish and your whole body not be thrown into
Gehenna {Hell (G1067)}.
30 And if your right hand is causing you to fall, cut it off and throw it from
you. For it is better for you that one of your body-parts perish and your whole
body not go into Gehenna {Hell (G1067)}.
Question: Have you ever thought about cutting off a member of your body because you didn’t like it sinning?
C. Jesus
demonstrated that the presence of sin (personally or in a group) cannot deter
God from your life or that of a group or nation. Jesus only did what He saw God
the Father do; thus, Jesus demonstrated what God does with us when we sin. Sin
does not reject God’s presence!
Mark
2:15-17 (DLNT)
And it comes about that He
was reclining [to eat] in his house. And many tax-collectors and sinners were
reclining-back-with Jesus and His disciples. For there were many, and they were
following Him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, having seen that He was
eating with the sinners and tax collectors, were saying to His disciples “Why
is it that He is eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And having
heard, Jesus says to them that “The ones being strong have no need of a
physician, but the ones being ill. I did not come to call righteous ones, but
sinners”.
Question: Do you feel God is hiding His presence from you when you sin; or do you feel He is sitting next to you?
D. Sometimes
we can feel that our sin can keep us from receiving healing (for ourself or
another). This can especially feel true when our sickness or disability came
about because of a sin we committed—like paralysis from an accident caused because
of driving drunk, or a disease we got from sex or drugs. The guilt of which can
weigh heavy on our heart and conscience.
Yet the Lord demonstrates
to us that His desire that we are healed, healthy, and whole outweighs any form
of sin we might have committed—or any form of sin we might think has
transpired. For even when we think sin is in the way, Jesus always demonstrated
that any sin they may believe they had committed was forgiven. When we truly
believe we are forgiven, we tend to let go of the guilt and open up that
pathway to receive healing.
Luke
5:20-26 (DLNT)
And having seen their
faith, He said, “Man, your sins have been forgiven you”. 21 And the scribes and
the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this One Who is speaking
blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins except God alone?” 22 But Jesus,
having known their reasonings, having responded, said to them, “Why are you
reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins have been
forgiven you’, or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 24 But in order that you may know
that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the one
having been paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, and having picked up your
little-bed, proceed to your house”. 25 And having stood-up at once in their
presence, having picked up the thing upon which he was lying-down, he went to
his house glorifying God. 26 And astonishment seized everyone. And they were
glorifying God. And they were filled with awe, saying that “We saw incredible
things today”.
Question: What sin-related guilt do you feel is holding you back from receiving healing for you or someone else?
E. If
our sins of the flesh are all taken at the Cross, does that mean I can choose
to keep on sinning? Yes!
Remember, it is not these
sins of the flesh that affect your eternal destiny, only the Sin of not
believing in Christ Jesus. Thus, as Paul reiterates twice in the same book, we
can do whatever we want. Yet, he shares with us that not everything we choose
to do is beneficial to our current existence here on earth. And even blatantly
says, “God Forbid” that we would want to choose to keep on sinning in the flesh
(Romans
6:1-2). This is because sin can truly have a negative impact on our own
life and that of so many around you (directly or indirectly).
It is not the Lord’s
desire that we continue to sin in the flesh, but He knows we will, and knows
all the reasons why (that domino / butterfly effect from Adams sin). He really
only wants the best life for us here on earth; and more-than-not, that includes
a life without a sin that can diminish the Abundant Life He longs for us to
have. But our sinning (whether by choice or by circumstance or by force),
cannot change our relationship with God the Father; nor affect our eternity. We
must never fear that it can!
1
Corinthians 6:12 (DLNT)
“All things are lawful to
me”, but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful to me”, but I
will not be mastered by any.
1
Corinthians 10:23 (DLNT)
All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial. All things are
lawful, but not all things build-up.
Question: How free do you feel in being able to
sin, or keep sinning? Do you feel other Churches or Christians condemn you for
you choices or lifestyle?
F. What
are ways we can help lessen the negative impact sin has on our own life or
those around us? We feel hurt by others’ faults (sins) against us; and likewise,
the same for our faults (sins) towards others. To help spur on forgiveness and
bring about healing, we are instructed to talk to others about it. When we
bring it into the Light, it has no room to destroy, divide, or infest. And we
too can help others we see trapped in sins to guide them out of it if they
choose; then, in doing so, restores the trauma that is the conflict in their
souls.
James
5:13-16, 19-20 (DLNT)
Is anyone among you suffering-hardship? Let him be praying. Is anyone cheerful?
Let him be singing-praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him summon the elders of the church,
and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil in the name of the
Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will restore the one being ill, and the Lord
will raise him. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him. 16
Therefore be confessing-out your sins to one another, and be praying for one
another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person can-do much
while working.
19 My brothers, if anyone
among you errs from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that
the one having turned-back a sinner from the error of his way will save his
soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.
Question: Do you talk about your mistakes to
others?
IV.
FURTHER THOUGHT:
A. So,
what about the verse regarding confessing our sins—are we supposed to confess
them all the time?
1
John 1:5-10 (DLNT) {PoG}
And this is the message
which we have heard from Him and are declaring to you: that God is light, and
there is not any darkness in Him.
6 If we claim that we have
fellowship with Him and are walking in the darkness {having not believed in
Christ Jesus}, we are lying and not doing the truth. 7 But if we are
walking in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we claim that we do
not have sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we are confessing our
sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.
10 If we claim that we
have not sinned, we are making Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Thoughts: There are two ways we can look at
this passage (both of which take the religious worry out of sinning):
Firstly, is that because
we are already forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, we can easily
come to Him without fear for a sin on our heart (troubling us with guilt). And
we can confess our sins to Him—not out of necessity or obligation, but out of
freedom (hence why it says “if we confess”). This freedom to come to Him allows
us to let go of any guilt or shame we might have because of that sin. It is
when confession becomes a religious ritual that it mimics the daily/yearly
sacrifices from the time of the Law—for as we read in Hebrews
10 at the start, Christ eliminated that need for any ritualistic sacrifice.
Secondly, we can look at
verses 8, 9, and 10 with the perspective of the sin being discussed being, not
fleshly sins, but the Sin of not believing in Christ Jesus. The context of 1
John here is that John is speaking to believers about non-believers: “These
things I have written to you concerning those who try to lead you away from the
truth” (1
John 2:26).
As such, when we do look
at it from that way, we can interpret it in the following—as John is using
three sentences, each from a perspective of a person's state of relationship
with the Father:
v8. State of a person before believing: If
we say {as a non-believer} that we have no sin {that being the Sin of
not believing in Him}, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
v9. The moment of
believing on Him: If we confess our sin {as a non-believer changing from
the Sin of not believing, to believing in Jesus Christ}, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our Sin {of previously not believing}, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
v10. A believing person: If we say {as a
believer} that we have not Sinned {previously not been in the Sin of not
believing}, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
The forgiveness of “all
sins” and the “cleanse from all unrighteousness” is both the total forgiveness
of sins taken at the Cross (flesh sins) plus the forgiveness of the Sin of
unbelieving (spiritual sin). To say, as an unbeliever, that “we have no sin” is
to say that it is not a Sin to not believe in Christ Jesus. And to say as a
believer “that we have not sinned” is to say that we were never in the Sin of not
believing—also making Him a liar.
A thank you to Kelly and Joshua who are inspirational in this life-journey. And to all the family, friends, sponsors, and donors who have fed into this ministry and outreach.
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