Do Not Be Deceived

 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

In otherer words, we are not only fooling ourselves but also living a lie if we claim we do not have sin.  In another place, the Bible talks about no one being righteous, not even one (Romans 3:1)

So what kind of righteousness does a believer in Christ have?  Aren't our sins forgiven, our past, present and future sins?

Our sins are indeed forgiven the moment we believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as our Lord and Savior (John 5:24)  At the same time we are made righteous by the grace of God (Titus 3:7-9).

However, having our sins, past, present and future, forgiven and having been made righteous by God's grace, do not mean we are not going to stop committing sin!  The righteousness that we receive in Christ, is one of position.  In God's eyes we are no longer condemned for our sins.  Jesus has already paid the price and the punishment for our sins by His death on the cross.

So how then should be live?

• We should no longer live a life that is filled with guilt.  Our sins have indeed been forgiven through Jesus Christ whose blood was shed on the cross for us (Romans 8:1).
• We ought to believe that our old self has been crucified with Christ, and that we are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6).
• We should confess our sins to one another, so that we may receive healing, physically and spiritually, and our prayers may be acceptable to God (James 5:16).
• We need to recognize that there is a constant struggle in our body - the good that we should do, we don't do, but the evil we shouldn't do, we keep on doing!  Therefore, we need to submit ourselves daily to God, so that we can resist the devil and that he will flee from us (James 4:7).
• We need to believe that God's grace is sufficient for us - sufficient for us to overcome the desire to commit sin because His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we recognize that in our sinful nature we continue to sin against you.  But you in your great love for us, are ever ready to forgive our sins when we confess them to you.  Continue to be merciful to us, forgiving us, and when we go astray, call us back for we know you are always waiting for us to return to you.  Thank you for making us righteous before your eyes, through the blood of your Son, even though there is no righteousness in us.  Renew our spirit each day so we might not sin against you.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.