December 6, 2021

Monday

Nobody’s Perfect

1 John 1: 8-10

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

“Christian perfection” refers to living without sin in this life. Only a very small number of Christians have ever taught this doctrine. There is no biblical support for it and no practical evidence that it is achievable. When one preacher suggested that he had attained Christian perfection, a woman in the congregation turned to her friend and whispered, “I’d like to ask his wife to verify that!”

The apostle John would have agreed with that lady: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). In other words, professing to be sinless is a lie, and lying itself is a sin. And toleration of sin in our life is what provides Satan with a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27). The apostle John would have had no reason to pen the words of 1 John 1:9 if there was the possibility of us not needing ever to confess our sin. Instead, the testimony of Scripture is that by confession and repentance we can be forgiven and restored to fellowship.

A point to ponder…

Instead of boasting in our perfection, let us boast in the grace of God that leads to forgiveness when we sin.

Read the Bible through in a year

2 Corinthians 10-13

I love you!!!

© 2000-2021 B. Michael Goerlich