Having Sin

Having Sin

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

Having sin is not the same as committing sin, for “whoever has been born of God does not [commit] sin.” Ch. 3:9.

Having sin is the same as having a flesh in which nothing good dwells; i.e.—having a self-will. Rom. 7:18. He who says he does not have sin deceives himself. This is useful information that the apostle gives us. If we reckon with the fact that we have sin, we will have a fear over us. Then we will have use for the word, “Watch and pray.” Paul was faithful to the truth. “I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.” Rom. 7:21. Seeing that this is a fact, I have to reckon with it and be humble and meek of heart.

Jesus did not threaten when He suffered, but He committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Pet. 2:23. He had the flesh of a man and He suffered; and when He suffered He reckoned that He could not see clearly, so He committed Himself to His Father. We should be even more humble and reckon like that. When a person suffers, he thinks and speaks much, resulting in a lot of suspicion. We should reckon with the fact that we have sin. We should desist from all suspicious thoughts and from judging, knowing that the evil is present with us. It is obvious that we don’t see clearly when it concerns ourselves. We should leave all vengeance to the Lord. “‘I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Rom. 12:19. We ought to be that humble!

We see how seriously Paul exhorts Timothy not to do anything with partiality. 1 Tim. 5:21. Paul reckoned that the evil was present with him—even with such a man of God as Timothy.

Where are these people who after they have experienced the baptism in the Spirit and are not aware of any temptation for a while, right away reckon that the body of sin has been taken away and that everything is just Spirit? They reckon when they are tempted that they are tempted from the outside, contrary to what James writes. Jas. 1:14-15. John says the truth is not in them. It is a terrible result of being blessed by God.

What does a person actually think about himself when he finds fault with this or that person and is critical of this or that and is dissatisfied? Does he believe that he has no sin so he can judge everything correctly? When we consider this matter soberly, we have to admit that there is pitifully little fear of sin. People are quick to give their opinions with full confidence.

May this teaching with which John instructs us result in humility and fear over our lives so that we do not deceive ourselves. Just look at how Jesus reacted in the days of His flesh; for he who commits sin shall die. Heb. 5:7.