Jump Start # 1565

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

  This week we are looking at the word deceive. That word involves lies, fraud and twisting the truth. Eve was deceived by Satan. The young prophet was deceived by the old prophet in 1 Kings 13. There are many warnings about not being deceived. The worst deception is when we deceive ourselves.

Our verse illustrates one way we can deceive ourselves. This section of 1 John outlines several situations. The repeated use of the word “if” shows this.

• If we say that we have fellowship with Him (6)
• If we walk in the light (7)
• If we say that we have no sin (8)
• If we confess our sin (9)
• If we say we have not sinned (10)

If we say—is contrasted to if we walk and if we confess. Saying verse doing. Our verse today is a tough one. It’s tough to put in the place of our relationship with the Lord and it’s tough to come to terms with it.

If we say that we have no sin—most would like to say that. Most look at themselves and would think that they are doing pretty good. Sure, we could improve here and there, but all-in-all, things are good. To admit sin, is to admit failure. It is to admit wrong choices. It is to admit disobedience to God. It is to admit that we are not doing as good as we think. Sin isn’t nice. We don’t want to be put in that category.

It is easier to point out the failures of others than it is to admit your own sins and mistakes. We can complain about the government, the schools, and even the churches, while giving ourselves a pass. We point fingers at others but find ready excuses for ourselves. There was a time not too long ago, when it was a regular occurrence at the end of sermons for someone to walk to the front of the auditorium, tears streaming down their cheeks, and confessing wrongs. It doesn’t happen much now. Today, it’s usually just the “big” things and that happens after one has been caught and exposed. Why is it? Are we living better today? Do we sin less today? Maybe we’ve moved away from that formal confessing? Maybe we don’t need the prayers of others? Maybe we are deceiving ourselves?

If we say we have no sin, we don’t need the blood of Jesus. If we say we have no sin, we do not need forgiveness. If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves. Why would a person say that he had no sin? Is he trying to look better than what he really is? Was he trying to keep up with others and lying and denying was the only way? Could it be that sin was softened and not recognized? That’s common in our times. No one uses the word fornication. It’s an affair. Drunkenness is a disease. Homosexuality is an alternative lifestyle. Drugs are legal. Everyone lies. Sin is no longer sin. How easy it is to say that I do not sin, when one doesn’t even recognize what sin is. Whitewashing sin. Renaming sin. Softening sin. None of those things lessens the impact of what happens with God.

The point of the passage is that we sin. We sin. That includes all of us. That includes the best of us. The preacher sins. The shepherds sin. The sweet grandma that sings so nice sins. The guy that gives the children candy sins. There’s not a person in the church building who can honestly say, “I do not sin.” He cannot say, “I never sin.” He cannot say, “Sin is not a part of my life.” That cannot be said. Not truthfully. Don’t go down the road of trying to figure out how long you can go without sinning. Don’t boast, “I didn’t sin yesterday.” The “I don’t sin” thinking leads to pride and all kinds of trouble.

Now all of this leads to some simple observations:

First, we are all in the same boat. We all sin. No one is excluded. None of us are better than others. The guy who knows the Bible so well sins as does the guy who barely knows the Bible. The guy who preaches sins as does the guy who listens to the sermon. The really strong Christian sins as does the really weak Christian.

We have a common link to each other. We share a common problem, we sin. Instead of pointing fingers, maybe we could help one another. Maybe instead of judging, we could cry together over the fact that we all disappoint and break the heart of God. Some may sin more than others, but that doesn’t change the fact that we sin.

Second, we all need the same thing, the blood of Jesus. Not everyone needs college. Not everyone needs medicine. Not everyone needs a vacation. But everyone needs Jesus. The strong Christian needs Jesus as does the weak Christian. We have a common link and a common need. We sin and we need Jesus.

Third, God doesn’t give up on us because we sin. That is a thought many have. We tend to think that if we sin, then God is through with us. That may be one of the reasons why a person denies he has sin. He fears the fellowship with God will be broken. He fears Hell. He fears that God will be finished with him. This may be why the next verse tells us to confess our sins. It assures us of God’s promise to forgive us and cleanse us. That is the hope. It is not in wearing masks and lying. It is being honest and seeking the mercy of Jesus.

As Jesus was walking towards one village, a group of lepers raised their voices and shouted, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” That’s our story. That’s us. We are spiritual lepers. We have sin and that sin will kill us. We cry out for the mercy of God. Our faith leads us to being honest and not hiding the facts. Our faith recognizes that we are weak and God is strong. Our faith moves us to understanding that we always need God.

Modern preachers, like Mr. smiling Joel Osteen, admits that he never uses the word “sin,” in his preaching. Peter did. Paul did. God uses the word sin. Preaching that never mentions sin can lead a person to believe that one does not sin. That deception will get you in trouble. That deception is not the way it really is. It is better to be honest. It is better to admit what really happened. It is better to seek the mercy of God.

Deceiving yourself. Believing a lie. Trying to make things seem better than they are. God doesn’t open the doors of Heaven because we are honor roll material. We are not varsity. We are sinners who are saved by the grace of God. Admit it. It will help you with yourself and it will help you relate with others.

Stop the lies…seek Jesus.

Roger