As Christians, we often wrestle with a troubling question: Can a true believer, who has repented and put their faith in Jesus, knowingly and willingly continue in a sinful lifestyle? Can a person claim to be saved while consistently choosing to disobey God’s commands?
Let’s explore what God’s Word says about the relationship between saving faith and personal holiness. I’ll also provide tips for those struggling with this issue.
The Tension of the Christian Life
The answer to our central question is both simple and nuanced. This paradox reflects the complementary tension we often find in biblical theology.
The Reality of Sin in the Believer’s Life
Let’s start by addressing a fundamental truth: Christians still sin. This might seem obvious to some, but it’s a reality that often causes confusion and distress among believers. The Apostle John, in 1 John 1:8-10, provides crucial insight into this matter:
“If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving 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 we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
This verse delivers a clear message: claiming sinless perfection is not only inaccurate but also a form of dishonesty. The Apostle John, addressing fellow Christians, includes himself in this reality. He states that asserting sinlessness is self-deceptive and, more gravely, makes God a liar. This truth makes a key point: salvation does not erase our sinful nature. The battle against sin persists even after we’ve embraced Christ.
This ongoing struggle implies that, at times, even a Christian may knowingly choose to sin, acting against their conscience and grieving the indwelling Holy Spirit. No believer, no matter their maturity, is immune to temptation or failure.
The Christian life is inherently cyclical. We stumble, we repent, we seek and receive God’s forgiveness, and then we strive for greater obedience. This pattern of falling and rising, seeking forgiveness and pursuing holiness, characterizes the believer’s walk until we reach eternity.
The Call to Holiness
While acknowledging the reality of sin in the believer’s life, the Bible also presents a clear call to holiness. Let’s continue reading into 1 John 2:1-2:
“My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the righteous one. He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for those of the whole world.”
John’s primary aim in writing is to exhort believers toward sinlessness. This underscores that the pursuit of a life free from sin should be the goal of every Christian. However, John tempers this with the truth that, if we stumble, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ.
This juxtaposition beautifully illustrates the tension inherent to the Christian life. We must seek holiness. At the same time, we need Christ’s advocacy and forgiveness. When we do fall into sin, as all Christians inevitably will, we find solace in the glorious promise of the Gospel.
As believers, our sins are fully atoned for by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. When we repent, God faithfully forgives and cleanses us, restoring our fellowship with Him. This promise of forgiveness isn’t a license to sin. It’s a safety net that catches us when we falter and redirects us to the path of holiness.
The Nature of Saving Faith: Truly Saved, Truly Changed
To further understand this tension, we need to examine what the Bible says about the nature of saving faith. Does genuine saving faith allow for a lifestyle of unrepentant sin? Let’s look at 1 John 3:6:
“Everyone who remains in Him does not sin. Everyone who sins has not seen Him or known Him.”
At first glance, this verse might seem to contradict the reality of sin in the believer’s life. However, most biblical scholars agree that when John says, “Everyone who remains in Him does not sin,” he’s referring to a continual, unrepentant lifestyle of sin. The Greek verb tense here implies ongoing action. A more accurate rendering might be, “Everyone who remains in Him does not continue sinning habitually.””
A person who has been truly born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit cannot happily continue in a lifestyle that violates God’s commands. This doesn’t mean a Christian will never sin or experience spiritual dullness and disobedience. However, it does mean that the overall trajectory of their life will be toward holiness, not unrestrained sin. The Spirit will produce increasing fruit of righteousness in a believer’s life (Galatians 5:22-23). An authentic Christian may stumble and fall, but they will not contentedly wallow in the mire of iniquity.
The Transformative Power of Genuine Faith
Genuine saving faith is more than agreeing with some truths. It is a life-changing experience that alters the believer’s relationship with sin. While Christians will still struggle with sin, they cannot remain comfortable in it or continue in it without conviction.
The Apostle Paul describes this transformation in 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
This verse tells us that when someone comes to faith in Christ, a fundamental change occurs. The “old” sinful nature, while not completely eradicated, is dethroned, and a “new” nature, empowered by the Holy Spirit, takes its place.
The Internal Struggle of the Believer
This new reality sets up an internal struggle within every believer. Paul vividly describes this conflict in Galatians 5:16-17:
“I say then, walk by the Spirit, and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh. These are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.”
Every believer experiences this agonizing struggle within their soul. Here, Paul acknowledges the ongoing battle between our old sinful nature (the flesh) and our new nature in Christ (led by the Spirit). He describes an internal conflict that serves as evidence of our new life in Christ. On one hand, we have the Holy Spirit leading us towards righteousness and godliness. On the other hand, we have our sinful nature pulling us towards disobedience and self-gratification.
This passage reveals several important truths about the Christian experience:
- The possibility of victory over sin through the Spirit’s power. Even though the struggle is real, we are not powerless.
- The ongoing presence of sinful desires in the believer’s life. Complete eradication of our sinful nature awaits the future; the battle continues in the present.
- The opposition between our old and new natures. This internal conflict highlights the transformation taking place within us.
- The frustration of not always doing what we know is right. This tension is a common experience for believers as we grow in sanctification.
This internal struggle is a hallmark of the genuine Christian experience. It’s evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, convicting us of sin and spurring us toward holiness.
Paul’s Personal Testimony
Perhaps the most vivid description of this internal struggle comes from Paul’s personal testimony in Romans 7:14-20. His honest confession resonates with believers across generations:
“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold as a slave under sin. For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one that does it, but it is the sin that lives in me.”
Every Christian can identify with Paul’s lament. We delight in God’s law in our inner being, yet find another law waging war within us, making us slaves to sin. This conflict is not a sign of spiritual defeat; rather, it is the mark of a genuine work of God in a person’s heart. The unbeliever doesn’t war against their sin because they are dead to righteousness. But the believer, awakened by the Holy Spirit, feels the heinousness of their sin and strives for holiness.
This honest portrayal of the Christian struggle offers several insights:
- Even mature believers like Paul continue to struggle with sin.
- The presence of this struggle is evidence of a renewed mind that desires to please God.
- Sin, while present, is no longer the defining feature of the believer’s identity (“I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me”).
- The believer’s inability to perfectly keep God’s law points to our continual need for grace.
Believers often find themselves doing the very things they hate and failing to do the things they know are right. This struggle is not a sign of spiritual failure but a common experience among genuine believers.
The Difference: A New Attitude Towards Sin
While Christians may still sin, there’s a fundamental difference in how they relate to sin. A true believer will not be comfortable living in ongoing, unrepentant sin. The Holy Spirit within them produces conviction, leading to repentance and a desire for change.
Consider the illustration of a woman who struggled with alcohol addiction. Before her conversion, drinking excessively didn’t bother her conscience. But after coming to Christ, even a momentary lapse filled her with remorse and led her to repentance. This change in attitude towards sin is a hallmark of genuine faith.
The Danger of Unrepentant Sin: Repentance is the Mark of Genuine Faith
We know Christians will struggle with sin. But, we must understand the danger of willfully continuing in unrepentant sin. Hebrews 10:26-27 offers a stern warning:
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.”
This passage speaks to the seriousness with which we should view sin. Stumbling is part of the Christian experience. But, a life of unrepentant sin is incompatible with true faith.
The Fruit of Genuine Faith
Jesus taught that we would recognize true believers by their fruit (Matthew 7:16-20). While this doesn’t mean perfection, it does imply a general trajectory of growth and increasing holiness in the believer’s life.
The Apostle John echoes this teaching in 1 John 3:9-10:
“Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because his seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God. This is how God’s children and the devil’s children become obvious. Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother or sister.”
Again, the emphasis here is on habitual, unrepentant sin. John is saying that those who are truly born of God cannot continue in a lifestyle of sin without conviction or repentance.
The Role of Repentance and Confession
Given the reality of ongoing sin in the believer’s life, what should our response be? The Bible is clear: repentance and confession. Let’s revisit 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse offers the beautiful promise of God’s forgiveness when we confess our sins. It’s a continual process, not a one-time event. As believers, we’re called to regularly examine our lives, confess our sins, and turn away from them.
The Assurance of Forgiveness
It’s important to note that our forgiveness is based on God’s faithfulness and righteousness. This truth reassures believers who may feel guilty or unworthy. Despite our ongoing struggle with sin, we have a glorious promise in Christ:
Romans 8:1 further reinforces this assurance:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.”
Even in our struggles with sin, we can rest in the knowledge that in Christ, we stand forgiven and free from condemnation. This verse assures us that our salvation is secure in Christ, not based on our perfect performance but on His finished work on the cross. While we should strive for holiness, we can find peace in knowing that our failures do not negate our standing before God.
Practical Applications
Having explored the Bible on this topic, let’s consider some practical uses for our daily walk with Christ.
- Acknowledge the Reality of the Struggle: Recognize that struggling with sin doesn’t mean you’re not a genuine believer. In fact, the presence of this struggle is often evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.
- Pursue Holiness: We can’t be perfect in this life. But, we should strive for holiness. As Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'”
- Practice Regular Confession: Make confession a regular part of your spiritual discipline. This helps maintain a clear conscience and a close relationship with God.
- Rely on the Holy Spirit: Remember Paul’s words in Galatians 5:16, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Cultivate a dependence on the Holy Spirit for strength to resist temptation.
- Embrace God’s Grace: When you do sin, don’t wallow in guilt or shame. Instead, quickly confess, receive God’s forgiveness, and move forward in grace.
- Stay Accountable: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage you in your walk and hold you accountable. As James 5:16 instructs, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.”
Conclusion: The Ongoing Battle
The Christian life is not one of sinless perfection, but of ongoing transformation. We are called to wage war against sin, even as we recognize our dependence on God’s grace. As J.C. Ryle wisely said:
“The true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it.”
In contrast, the person who claims Christ but sins without guilt shows a heart that is unchanged. A believer who shrugs off their sin, saying “God will forgive me,” is deceived. They continue in unrighteousness and misunderstand the nature of saving faith. True saving faith will always be accompanied by the fruits of repentance and the pursuit of holiness.
This ongoing struggle against sin, far from disproving our faith, is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. It’s a sign that we are engaged in the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). The very fact that you’re concerned about sin in your life is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work within you.
So take heart, believer. Your struggle against sin is not in vain. Keep fighting, keep confessing, keep believing, and rest in the assurance that one day, we will be fully delivered from the presence of sin. Remember, Paul encourages us in Philippians 1:6: “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
God is faithful, and He will complete the work He has begun in us. Until that day, may we continue to grow in grace, fight against sin, and fix our eyes on Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
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