BGEA: Is it possible for a Christian to live without sinning?

Is it possible for a Christian to live without sinning?

Nowhere does the Bible say that a Christian in this life will ever be completely perfect—that is, free from all sin (1 John 1:8).

As long as we are on this earth, we will always struggle against temptation and sin. That is one reason Jesus taught His disciples to pray (in The Lord's Prayer), "Forgive us our sins ... And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Luke 11:4, Matthew 6:13).

Sometimes we sin by our actions; sometimes by our motives. Often we sin not because of what we do, but because of what we fail to do. For example, we fail to love or forgive others, or in other ways fail to do things we ought to do—and that is sin.

However, there are three important truths we need to repeat over and over to ourselves. First, just because we sin does not mean we are no longer God's children. Our fellowship with God may be broken, but our relationship is not. Second, when we sin God stands ready to forgive us, and we need to turn to Him immediately.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Third, God wants to help us (through His Holy Spirit, who lives within every believer) to avoid sin in the future. "Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Galatians 5:16).

Thank God that you belong to Christ, and thank Him for His grace and forgiveness when you do sin—and for strength to overcome future temptation. "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One" (1 John 2:1).

11 Comments

Ubon.Dick says 3.19.2013, 2:17 p.m.

It takes only the grace of God to be totally free from sin. Satan is never ready to see a soul returning to God without sending out his agent to tempt that very soul in a thousand way, that's why one needs to be powerful. In every second God is not happy with a sinner. Repent and marry Your Bible.

RC says 10.1.2012, 4:46 p.m.

God is so great, he knows all and when we live with unconfessed sin, he knows it and waits for you to confess, be cleansed and get close to his Holiness once again. We will never measure up "we are as filthy rags" just as Jesus said.

Thsiitho says 8.12.2012, 11:19 p.m.

God's grace is not a license to sin again. Sin-confess-sin-confess is, i believe, the greatest lie. We either commit a concious sin or unconcious sin. There is a danger in commiting a concious sin because the devil knows well to build a bondage out of it. 1John 3:6 says, "No-one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No-one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."We renew our mind daily with the Word of God and avoid anything that hinders our relationship with Christ and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Amen!

Emmanuel says 7.17.2012, 05:41 a.m.

I just want to believe that sin is a spirit.i in person,i have struggeld with sin of diffrent sort.but i want to believe that it is to streanghtin us in faith,and to believe in the power of is might.

Mike says 7.13.2012, 8:04 p.m.

I believe we should be able to live with no evident sin in our lives, being outward sin with the help of the Holy Spirit as stated in Galatians 5:16. Otherwise people would get a real distorted view of the power of Christ working in our lives.

Sondra says 6.15.2012, 11:13 a.m.

Thank God for The Blood Of Christ that cleanses us from all unrighteousness and when The Father looks at us He sees Jesus. Being one Spirit with the Trinity. Granted once you get the true revelation of Gods love for you, you are falling in real LOVE.

Brian says 5.10.2011, 6:11 p.m.

I have struggled with sin, but I believe and trust in God, that he is in control, and will always forgive me. That does not mean I don't have to repent and turn away from my sin, but that Jesus is there when , even as a christian I am going to sin. I repent and do the best I can, but every negative and darkened thought that enters my mind is a sin, and I have to ask for forgiveness. So I do, and I will keep repenting and praying for God's spirit to engulf me and transform me into the man he wants me to be. I am so thankful that God sent his Jesus to die for me, so thankful that he gave me a way out of my sin and death. He gives us all a chance at life, and I for one am glad I know my savior. Thank you Jesus

Robin says 1.23.2011, 01:52 a.m.

Thank God for his son Jesus Christ for dying in the place of mankind or else we would not exist. Even if we sin as stated in 1 John 2 : 1,2. Jesus here is also represented as unto an attorney that stands to defend us, but that doesn't mean that we continue to sin after forgiveness.

Anita says 12.24.2010, 6:14 p.m.

You quote 1 John 2:1, where the Apostle said "I write this to you so that you will not sin." In the next sentence, John went on to say, "IF" not "when" you do sin . . . . Throughout the first chapter he wrote about "that which was from the beginning, that which was "of the Word of life." In verses 5-6, he tells us what some of that "from the beginning" message was: "God is light, and in him is not darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie." Verse 7 then tells us that if we walk in the light, we will have that fellowship, and that Christ's Blood cleanses such from all sin. Verse 9 then tells us that confessing our sins provides forgiveness and, again, promises cleansing from all unrighteousness. In verses 8 and 10, he lets us know that confession is required. Proverbs 28:13 also shows the necessity of confessing our sins. However, Solomon added "and forsaketh them," and says there is mercy (pardon and acceptance) for ONLY those who forsake, as well as confess, their sins. John confirms this, then, in 1 John 2:1. He says that everything he wrote in chapter 1 was for a single purpose -- so that you will not sin! God thought so much of John's epistle that He had in included in His Sacred Word. So, we can honestly say that the New Testament was written so that we will not sin. Although you say, "Nowhere does the Bible say that a Christian in this life will ever be . . . free from all sin," John wrote his epistle for that exp

BrotherGreg says 10.13.2010, 08:58 a.m.

It is so important to rely upon the Holy Spirit who "keeps us."

Angela says 8.7.2010, 08:36 a.m.

Praise God for Jesus Christ who was crucified died and rose again to give us eternal life Praise God for all People of God who Preach of Christ . There is nothing more good than to spread the gospel.