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NASB | 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] |
Subject: Is sinless perfection possible on earth? |
Bible Note: No problem. My view, and the view of most commentators, is that John is referring to the basic sin that still dwells in us as Christians. 'If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us'. We have to recognise that there is that within us which seeks to drag us down into sin. I think, however, that there is agreement among all of us that that does not mean that we need continually be defeatd by besettings sins. We can gain victory over all of them by walking after the Spirit (Romans 8.4). Indeed John makes that clear for he goes on to say that Christians, while they abide in Christ, 'do not go on sinning' (1 John 3.6). We must never make our sinful natures an excuse for sinning. If we are truly abiding in Christ we will not go on sinning. John is, of course talking about sins of which the person is aware. The Christian of long standing will see as sin what the new born babe in Christ never even considers. Nevertheless, and I gather that we all agree on this, we do nevertheless sometimes sin. We are as it were caught unawares. 'If we say that we have not sinned we make God a liar' (1 John 1.10). But it is not something we should be complacent about. If we fully walked in the Spirit we would not be caught out in this way. But the fact that sin dwells within us does explain, as you rightly say, why even at our best we know that we come short of the glory of God (Romans 3.23). We are not wholly Christ-like in every way. If we were what an amazing world this would be (although they would, of course, immediately crucify us because it would make them feel guilty. The world likes goodness in small measures). Best wishes. |