The “Sin Thing”

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

1 John 5:18-20 (KJV)

This verse has been examined through many different eyes. Some have seen it as a catch 22. A place of “damned if you do and damned if you don’t”. But if we open the eyes of our apostolic dimension and view it through the eye of truth, focused upon change, great comfort and victory are hidden within these few lines of scripture.

John tells us that “whosoever is born of God sinneth not”. It seems that for the most part we have always viewed sin as a moral failure. Which is probably why we have struggled with the “sin” question to little success.

We have this picture of “Christianity” as a spotless existence in this realm. A place where we never “fail” God. The problem with this mindset is that it is our picture, not Gods. Not that we fail God, for He is all knowing and knows our weaknesses. He knows when we are going to sin. He never condones it, but to say that He doesn’t know the “whens” of our faults, is probably worse than the fault itself.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8 (KJV)

If we say that we have no sin we are in error! And when you are in error, the truth is not in you. The word used here as 'deceive' is the Greek word planao and as we have examined in previous lessons it means to cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue. It means to go astray, to deceive, to err, seduce, to wander out or to be out of the way. It’s the same word that James used in describing those that have erred from the truth.

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20 (KJV)

Now in this scripture it is beyond doubt, that James is referring to believers here, not to the unsaved. As is John in his epistle. The early Church fathers didn’t write these letters to the unsaved, for they wouldn’t have understood them. These are things of the Spirit and the natural man cannot comprehend them.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

Which is why, when we approach the unsaved or even more accurately , the “uncalled”, with spiritual things, they look at us as if we were crazy. We have a tendency of trying to share spiritual things with carnal people and then get discouraged when they don’t understand. So it is safe to conclude that all that is written in the Epistles is for our instruction, our correction, and to admonish us, in how to stand, as Christ did, in this corrupted world.

So herein lies the problem. On one hand we have John telling us that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, and in the very same letter he tells us that if we say that we have no sin we are in error and the truth is not in us.

These scriptures have a spiritual meaning that the world cannot understand and quite frankly, I don’t think the “church” has that great of an understanding of it either. But lets try and examine what John was truly releasing to the “body” that we can grow thereby. Because the whole Bible is about birth, reconciliation and growth.

In a previous lesson we examined in Chapter Four of Ephesians, the reason that Christ released the “gifts” unto the church.

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the

edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith,

and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto

the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

Ephesians 4:12-13 (KJV)

And these gifts were to be active until all of verse 13 was completed. A time when Gods people come together in one accord, in Christ, with a full discernment of who He is. When we are brought to the place of perfection in Him and the church then looks like Him. That is the purpose of the gift ministries. But as we are all aware, “we ain’t der yet”! But one of the keys to the “sinneth” question lies within this verse.

The word 'perfect' used here is the word teleios and it speaks of being complete in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character. For the most part we have viewed it as being “mature”. But in examining the root word, we begin to understand the depth of perfect. The root is the word telos. And telos means “to set out for a definite point or goal: the point aimed at as a limit, the conclusion of an act or state that results in immediate, ultimate or prophetic purpose. Telos is the mark at which Paul was aiming.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Philippians 3:14-15 (KJV)

Paul is telling us here that “if your desire is to be perfect you are going to have to pursue the target that is Christ” [para]. You have to purpose to aim at the mark. God won’t do it for you. But if you aim at Him, I believe that He will move heaven and earth to line up your arrow to His expected end for you.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end… 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11,13 (KJV)

The word 'search' is the Hebrew word darash and it means to tread with a frequency; usually to follow for pursuit or to search with an eye towards worship. When our hearts desire is to “aim at the mark”, we will achieve His expected end.

But do we always “aim” for His purpose? His expected end? Sometimes our earthly or carnal desires, cause us to not see as clearly as we ought. Sometimes what we perceive may not be what the Father sees. The writer of Hebrews tried to enlighten us to this principle, but still, there is such a struggle within the “body,” with its application.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Hebrews 12:1-8 (KJV)

Who are the “witnesses”? Those that endured the chastening.

The writer admonishes us to cast off every hindrance and sin that is surround-ing us, that is trying to impede our race. He tells us to run with a cheerful endurance, the course that has been chosen for us. And who has chosen this course? Not you or I, but Him. God has determined our course. We don’t have a clue as to the finish line of our individual races, but we are to rest assured that the Father has an itinerary laid out that we are to focus upon.

We are then admonished to consider attentively Jesus. Not just to gaze upon Him, but turn all of our attention towards Him as the example. Because He’s the archegos. The writer and designer of our course. He’s the Chief Inducer, the One who has drawn us to the Father. He has laid the example before us, as to the proper way to participate in the Fathers plan. His race was to the cross. Our race begins at the cross. When we surrender our lives to him at the cross, we then begin to run the race after the cross. If we died with him at Calvary, we now are dead to this world. Our race is not according to the principals of this realm. We are seated with Him in the heavenlies and it is there that our focus should be.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on

things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2 (KJV)

Jesus is more than the archegos of our faith, he is also the finisher of it. The word 'finisher' is an extremely interesting word. In the Greek it is teleiotes. Teleiotes is from the root word telos, but means the state of completeness. He is the essence of perfection. He is what we are to become.

When we were discussing transitioning from one move of God to the next, we spent considerable time in the Book of John. The book of John is a map of the race course that has been set before us. In the beginning was the Word. The Word transitioned and became flesh and dwelt among us. From that point on John, through the Holy Spirit releases technology to help us begin to transition. Then in John 17 Jesus points us to the 'finish line':

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they

also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be

made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

John 17:21-23

The desired end is to be made complete without flaw. To be the exact representation of Christ in the earth. So that when those outside the “kingdom” see us, they see Christ, and thereby the Father. The Word became flesh to transition us to the Word. He then began to lead the way to the place of transition; The Cross. The place where the flesh and the heavenlies collided.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy

that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set

down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)

The writer tells us that Jesus cast down the thoughts of his natural man and paid no heed to the humiliation of the cross, but looked beyond the suffering of it, towards the joy that it would release. This is to be our path; look beyond the trial to the purpose that the Father desires to release through you in subjecting you to any particular trial of faith.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against

himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Hebrews 12:3 (KJV)

Again we are told to examine Christ attentively, that he stood up under the pressure of false accusations and strife against him. And we are being admonished, that if we don’t stand up under the pressure from accuser (s) and his / their accusations, if we don’t stand up in the face of strife and uncomfortable situations, that it will be those particular areas of assault, that will cause us to grow weak and to relax our steadfastness of mind and yield to the temptation and cease to run at all.

He then begins to outline a two fold process that is used to mold us and finish us according to the Fathers purpose.

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: Hebrews 12:4,5 (KJV)

He challenges us here in that we have not opposed our own sin to the point of drawing blood. In other words we have not completely brought our own flesh to the cross. We will never be punished by God for the sins of others, but we will be held accountable for our own. And God will release chastening into our lives to correct what is out of line with His purpose for us.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every

one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath

done, whether it be good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)

There is a judgement for the believer and not all who say “Lord, Lord” will enter! Hence the need to heed to the chastisement of the Lord.

The second part of the admonition is:

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint

when thou art rebuked of him:

Hebrews 12:5 (KJV)

He’s telling us that we forgot something. The writer was reminding the church of what had previously been written to Israel:

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father

the son in whom he delighteth.

Proverbs 3:11-12 (KJV)

What needs to be seen in this particular admonition is its location. Proverbs 3 contains some extremely popular scriptures. One set in particular is:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

This passage has been memorized by many, but is it truly understood? What we are being told here is that our own natural understanding will not support us as we seek to serve God. We will have to trust Him in the various circumstances that arise. The Word tells us to recognize that God’s hand is at work in every path of our life and if we acknowledge that it is Him, then He will make straight our path towards His end.

But its only as we trust that it is Him. Saying that it is the devil or a circumstance that is controlling our lives, denies Gods sovereignty in fulfilling His purpose for us. It should also be noted that this chapter speaks much about wisdom . In fact, the next verse after the “correction” scripture speaks volumes about receiving the correction and rebuke of the Lord.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:13 (KJV)

Inherent in the proper receipt of correction and rebuke is the finding of wisdom and the gaining of understanding. The difference between “natural” correction and “spiritual” correction, is that one is dealt as punishment and the other released for advancement.

But how does that correction take place? Is it spiritual or natural? Both?

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son

whom he receiveth.

Hebrews 12:6 (KJV)

He tells us that in His training process “scourging” takes place. Scourging is defined as afflicting with severe or widespread suffering and devastation; to ravage, to chastise severely; to excoriate. The word excoriate means to tear or wear off the skin. It is safe to assume that chastisement from the Father can take on consequences in the physical realm. Yes a Spiritual Father can and will chastise in the flesh! Take note:

And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done:

and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant;

for I have done very foolishly. 11 For when David was up in the morning,

the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,

12 Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. 13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto

thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies,

while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land?

Now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.

14 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the

hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand

of man. 15 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even

to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to

Beersheba seventy thousand men. 16 And when the angel stretched out his

hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil,

and said to the angel that destroyed the people,
It is enough: stay now thine hand...

2 Samuel 24:10-16 (KJV)

This was correction in the flesh for sin. Notice to that an Angel carried out the command to correct. Could it possibly be the same angel that was released during the Passover? The word destroy used above is the same used to describe the Destroyer in Exodus 12:23

Also note:

Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring

thee into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of him, and obey his

voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions:

for my name is in him.

Exodus 23:20-21 (KJV)

The writer here is telling us that this particular angel is operating within the authority structure appointed by God. He was being used of God to bring these people to the place that the Father had prepared for them. And he did not have to return to the Father to get release to come against their transgressions. God gave them clear warning that if provoked, this angel will do what ever is necessary to “keep thee in the way”. Could this still be true today ? That the Father would use angels to “keep His people in the way”!

The word used here for 'transgression' is the Hebrew word pesha. Pesha means to revolt in a national, moral or religious application. It comes from the root word pasha which means to break away from just authority, to apostatize, to rebel. This word is not the word used to describe “sin” in the generic sense. That word is chatta'ah, which is an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation. It is a totally separated word from transgression. And comes from the root chata which means to miss; hence (fig. and gen.) to sin.

This brings us to the New Testament definition of “sinner”. The reference scripture we started with was:

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1 John 5:18 (KJV)

The word 'sinneth' used here is the Greek word hamartano, and it means to miss the mark and so not share in the prize. Though this word does refer to the moral implications of sin, it is not the word used for the specific offense. That word is hamartia which comes from the root hamartano. Ultimately what is being stated is, that our sin, whether the offense or the consequences of it, causes us to miss the mark and not share in the prize.

Further insight is gleaned by the next statement which begins with “BUT”. The word 'but' is used as a connector to join the first and second phrases and to imply our part in the “not missing the mark” referred to in the first statement. John tells us that he who is regenerated by God keepeth himself. That word 'keepeth' is the Greek word tereo and it means to guard from loss or injury by keeping the eye upon: i.e. to note a prophecy; to fulfil a command. It is not the word koustodia which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus. It is the personal responsibility to watch ones own self.

So what John is telling us can be restated as; Whoever is regenerated by God won’t miss the mark aimed at because they guard themselves by keeping their eye focused upon what God has commanded.

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten

of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1 John 5:18 (KJV)

John then tells us the benefit of that guarding of oneself. The wicked one toucheth not. The word used here for 'wicked one' is poneros. As we have examined in past lessons poneros is influenced evil. In the literal translation the word one is not present, so a proper rendering could be that the evil influence cannot touch the guarded saint.

What is curious also is that word toucheth. 'Toucheth' is the word haptomai and it means to attach oneself to, and comes from the root word hapto which is to fasten to, i.e. specifically for the purpose to set something on fire or to kindle. When the word speaks of the evil influence kindling the believer it can refers to the arousing of the emotions, thereby causing us to react in an unchristian manor.

John continues:

And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
1 John 5:19 (KJV)

John then reassures us how different we are compared to the world. Previously we were admonished to guard ourselves from the poneros [evil influences]. The very next verse he tells us that the whole world lieth in poneros. And what clinches the world situation is that the word used for 'lieth' is the Greek word keimai which means to lie outstretched; literally or figuratively: it means to be appointed, has been laid up for, made to, to be set. John is telling us that the world has been appointed to evil influence. It has been set in order that the world would be subjected to the evil influence as its course. This can be further seen in Ephesians:

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,

according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh

in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and

of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 2:2-3 (KJV)

An interesting note on this scripture is the word 'according'. That word is the Greek word kata which has numerous meanings. One of the more curious is after the manner of. If placed within this scripture, it further removes the thought of power from the devil. It would then imply that we walked after the manner of the age of this world, after the manner of the prince of the power of the air, the same spirit that works in the children of disobedience. The spirit being disobedience, not the devil. He may have a poneros in the situation, but he is not the controlling spirit. Mans disobedience to God is the factor. If they would become obedient to God, his exousia [delegated authority] would be broken.

That is what occurred in us at the moment of salvation. But it needs to be appropriated.

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts

of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were

by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Ephesians 2:3 (KJV)

The among whom is among the children of disobedience, not among the prince of the power of the air. Paul tells us that we were children of wrath because of natural production. We were a product of our environment so to speak. The world lieth in poneros, so we were growing up into poneros. We knew of nothing different. Notice that we were led by the lust of our flesh, fulfilling those desires of the flesh and our mind. John restated this very same thing:

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. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2:15-17

Notice that John says that those things are of the world. Not of the devil. They may be characteristics similar to his , but they are a trait of the world. He tells us that those things are of the kosmos, the orderly arrangement. And he tells us that that particular system is going to pass away.

John also releases some technology just prior to this scripture:

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and

the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1 John 2:13-14 (KJV)

This has always been a challenging scripture because of its separations in classes. Could it be that the fathers have discerned the sovereignty of God. The little children have become ministers to the king and by eminence to God (3816) have come under His protection? And the young men have become regenerated and have taken possession of the authority in Christ, to the place of overcoming the influence of ponero?????

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:5-10

John is telling us that one of the signs of those that are in error is that they don’t do the truth. They may talk a good game but they don’t do what Christ said to do. And it is as we walk in the illumination of the truth that communion with the Father becomes more apparent, both to the illuminated and those that witness the illumination. The walking in the truth causes the “Christ” to shine forth from us. As the truth is manifest in our daily walk, we then begin to look like and act like Jesus to the dying world. We then become the candle set high upon the hill. The more of the truth that is revealed in us, the greater the cleansing power of the blood of Christ. For it is as we commune with the Father through Christ that the continuous purging of the old nature takes place. The “old man” becomes less prevalent. Habits tend to be broken and the new man is brought to fruition.

If we say that we have no sin we are in error and the truth doesn’t reside within us and we are then subject to correction via the delegated influence of error. If we confess our offences; He is faithful to forgive us and to restart the purging process. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Up until this point, John has been referring to the offence of sin. But at verse 10 the focus changes from the offence to “the missing of the mark”. John is telling us that if we say that we have not missed the mark, we call God a liar. This should be a word of caution to us, in our search for the understanding of Gods plans and purposes. If we stand in a place of spiritual arrogance and insist that we know Gods heart or His perfect plan for any given situation, we open the door for calamity in that we have made ourselves gods. For His ways are beyond finding out. And we will never know more than a part, and for that matter, a very small part of an extremely large plan, created by an infinite God.

But as is the case with our merciful God, He made a way for repentance;
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any

man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:1 (KJV)

So the Father makes a way for us to repent when the knowledge of “missing the mark” becomes evident. Humility is the key. If we remain humble before God and “don’t believe our own press”, we can continually grow to greater heights within the kingdom.

A closing observation as it relates to the “missing the mark”,

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and

worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath

not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the

Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Colossians 2:18-19 (KJV)

Paul is telling us that these men intrude into something that they have not perceived correctly. That they got puffed up in their own minds. The word used here for worshipping is not the same word we use to describe the worshipping of the Father. This word means a ceremonial observance or a religious observance of angels. And they move into this realm with a false humility. But the key is in verse 19. When Paul says that they are not holding the Head, he is saying that they are not moving in the strength of Christ. And the way to discern between them is by the fruit. It is only as the strength comes from Christ that the body is nourished. Note that the body is nourished, this refers back to the equipping of the body for the working of the Fathers purpose. If the fruit of the ministry doesn’t do that, than question what it is doing.

Remember Haggai :

Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have

sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink,

but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm;

and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain,

and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I

will be glorified, saith the LORD. Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came

to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith

the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run

every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed

from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon

the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground

bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the

labour of the hands.

Haggai 1:5-11 (KJV)

And that is God....not the devil!