Deeper Life #130

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.

—1 John 1:7

THE BIBLE NEVER CONFUSES SIN and sins. Sins must be forgiven, while sin must be cleansed. The Bible never uses the word forgive in connection with sin.

John wrote his first epistle to Christians who say there is no such thing as a disposition of sin. John says that if you think you have no sin, you deceive yourself (1 John 1:8). The disposition of sin “is enmity with God” (James 4:4) and cannot be reconciled to God. There is only one thing to do with it. You must enter into the death of Jesus and have the “old man” of sin crucified with Christ.

First John 1:9 tells us that “if we confess our sins [not sin], he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins [not sin], and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”—that is, from the disposition to sin. We must deal with this disposition of sin, a principle that rules human nature.

Prayer Thought: Crucify once and for all this disposition of sin within me, dear Father.

SUGGESTED READING: 1 John 1