John wrote, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin …<\/em>“<\/p>\n Have you ever considered the phrase, “that you may not sin”? It is true that since the flesh is weak and temptations are many, we stumble and fall from time to time. Paul wrote, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God<\/em>” (Romans 3:23). This is not to deny the sinfulness of men or to say a man does not sin. In fact, in the same letter, John wrote his instructions so that we may not sin. John said, “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us<\/em>” and “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us<\/em>” (I John 1:8,10). However, some who are under the impression that we cannot go without sin; almost to say, “it is impossible.”<\/p>\n John’s letter is filled with instructions for the God-fearing and seeking saint. Surely then it can be said that those who kept the commandments found within his epistles can go without sin, at least for a period of time. Thus, all those in the first century who kept the commandments and all those today who do so can go without sinning. This is not to say we are without sin; remember the above teachings of John. On the other hand, one who is diligently imitating Christ and has truly perfected the love of God within himself can keep from sinning. This man is no longer living or walking in sin (Colossians 3:7). He may fall short at times; yet, he can go without sinning at the present time.<\/p>\n To say, “go without sinning” is not to contradict John’s words. These words do not claim prior or future sinlessness, but they can claim present innocence. There are simply too many passages commanding the saint to be faithful, holy, obedient, etc. and as many passages warning of impending judgment on those who do not obey and eternal blessings for those who remain faithful to claim one cannot keep these commandments and admonitions (Romans 6:23; James 1:12; etc.)<\/p>\n Further, it should be noted that sinlessness is possible because all temptations are capable of being withstood. Let that sink in for a moment. Paul penned, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it<\/em>” (I Corinthians 10:13). Notice that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability. Too, He will always provide a way of escape. Thus, if we want to escape temptation, we have been given the opportunity. Jesus did so and so can we (Matthew 4:1-11).<\/p>\n Another way we can keep from sinning is to add to our faith. Peter wrote, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ<\/em>” (II Peter 1:5-11). Concerning verse ten, let us examine another translation that reads, “…ye shall never stumble<\/em>” (ASV).<\/p>\n Some contend that Peter is not saying that we will never sin, but that we will not fall so far that we will fall away or fall from grace. This writer can concede that after adding all the qualities given by Peter that one can still sin; however, can none concede that by adding all the qualities that one can keep himself from sinning?<\/p>\n For instance, if one was to add self-control to his faith, could he be diligent and always abounding in that area so as to not be “ineffective or unfruitful”? If he practices self-control does he not remember that his sins were washed away and is he being diligent to make his calling and election sure? Thus, one who has added these necessary qualities to his life will not only keep himself from being spiritually blinded but also keep himself from falling or stumbling. If John could encourage his readers not to sin, could not Peter? Could these passages not be parallel in principle?<\/p>\n Therefore, it should be concluded that one could go an hour, a day, a week, maybe even a month without sin. It may not be probable, but it is not impossible. It depends on if the person is adding to his faith, escaping temptations, keeping the commands of God, loving as he should, etc. This should not be too far-fetched to see. Even David said, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you<\/em>” (Psalms 119:11). If one were to contend: “but we cannot help but sin” we must respond, “How can we be held responsible if we cannot help but sin?” Thus, through God’s word, we are capable of rising above sin.<\/p>\n In addition, John said, “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God<\/em>” (I John 3:9). The one who cannot keep on sinning may be likened to the child who cannot have a cookie before dinner; he does not have permission. We are not to sin because we do not have permission. Instead, we are to be blameless. It would be appropriate to add here as well that one cannot boast about his faithfulness. Though we may go a day or more without any known sin, this does not give us the right to boast before God. However, we may be confident in our salvation. John wrote, “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him<\/em>” (1 John 3.21-22).<\/p>\n Finally, John writes, “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.<\/em>” As noted above, we will from time to time fall short of God’s glory. In the event that it should happen, John promised us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness<\/em>” (I John 1:9).<\/p>\n Can one go without sinning at the present time? What’s stopping you from trying?<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Bryan Garlock (edited) John wrote, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin …“ Have you ever considered the phrase, “that you may not sin”? It is true that since the flesh is weak and temptations are many, we stumble and fall from time to time.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[238,179],"class_list":["post-48425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-righteousness","tag-sin"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":41670,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/our-sin\/","url_meta":{"origin":48425,"position":0},"title":"Our Sin","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 9, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Ethan R. Longhenry \"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 righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":52556,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-is-sin-still-our-fault\/","url_meta":{"origin":48425,"position":1},"title":"Why is sin still our fault?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 5, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hello, I have something to ask that's been a big question for me. I don't understand things the way I ought to. All have sinned. Can you help me reconcile the fact that it's impossible to never sin, but sin is still our fault? I know factually that God\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7475,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/where-in-the-bible-does-it-say-we-inherit-the-nature-to-sin\/","url_meta":{"origin":48425,"position":2},"title":"Where in the Bible does it say we inherit the nature to sin?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 20, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Where in the Bible does it say that we only inherit the nature to sin and not the original sin? Answer: Don't you just love questions that want you to choose between two possibilities, but neither one is correct? The concept of man inheriting the original sin of Adam\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":28599,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-should-i-say-to-confess-my-fornication\/","url_meta":{"origin":48425,"position":3},"title":"What should I say to confess my fornication?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 22, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I need help with words to ask God and my church and my parents for forgiveness of my fornication. I know I have sinned. I allowed myself to get caught up and I need to ask for forgiveness. I want to write it because I can't stop crying, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":52229,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/could-you-explain-continual-cleansing\/","url_meta":{"origin":48425,"position":4},"title":"Could you explain “continual cleansing?”","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 28, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Could you explain \"continual cleansing?\" Answer: Continual cleansing is the concept that Christians are Teflon-coated, so sins don't stick them; instead, the blood of Christ continually cleanses them of all sins, even if they don't ask for forgiveness. It is based on a misunderstanding of I John 1. \"This\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":28825,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-happens-if-sin-is-not-confessed-immediately-and-the-sinner-dies\/","url_meta":{"origin":48425,"position":5},"title":"What happens if sin is not confessed immediately and the sinner dies?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 4, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: How does I John 2:1 work for believers? One commentator talks of consent for the advocate to succeed but sometimes believers don't get convicted of their sins immediately, for example, David in II Samuel 11 and 12. Does this mean his advocacy will not avail them? If they die,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48425\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}