School teacher by day … … itinerant Baptist minister by night … (and in holidays)

School teacherSchool teacher by day …by day …

… … itinerant Baptist itinerant Baptist ministerminister by night … by night …

(and in holidays)(and in holidays)

www.mikefuller.org.ukwww.mikefuller.org.uk

£9.99£9.99

£7.99£7.99

How much can I How much can I

sinsin without without losing my losing my

salvationsalvation??

How much can I How much can I sinsin without losing my without losing my salvationsalvation??

IncarnationIncarnation God in human formGod in human form

AtonementAtonement Why Jesus diedWhy Jesus died

Scripture Scripture What sort of What sort of

authorityauthority??

SanctificationSanctification Becoming like Becoming like

JesusJesus

JudgementJudgement What happens What happens when we diewhen we die

““Original sin”Original sin” inevitableinevitable


Where would you put the limit on a Where would you put the limit on a scale between impure thoughts and scale between impure thoughts and

murdermurder??


1.1. The full The full horrorhorror of the of the human human predicamentpredicament sin in the Old Testament and the sin in the Old Testament and the New TestamentNew Testament

2.2. The The answeranswer to sin to sin in the Old Testament, and in the New in the Old Testament, and in the New TestamentTestament

3.3. Do Do ChristiansChristians sin sin??

4.4. Is it possible for a Christian to Is it possible for a Christian to loselose their their salvationsalvation?? “Once saved, always “Once saved, always saved”saved”??

5.5. How muchHow much can I sin without can I sin without losinglosing my salvation my salvation??

Where we’re goingWhere we’re going



The full The full horrorhorror of the of the human human predicamentpredicament

What What the the

BibleBible says says

about about sinsin



the Bible is a the Bible is a book about sinbook about sin … …

… … 840 references840 references to “sin” to “sin”

… … from beginning to end, the Bible from beginning to end, the Bible seeks to seeks to explain explain the problem of sin, the problem of sin, and offer and offer God’s answerGod’s answer



to to missmiss, , failfail, , fall fall shortshort

to to revolt revolt or or rebelrebel

to to overstepoverstep or or transgresstransgress

to to refuse to obeyrefuse to obey

to be to be godlessgodless

to to act wronglyact wrongly

to be to be badbad

to be to be wickedwicked

to sin to sin inadvertently inadvertently or or through through ignoranceignorance



to to missmiss, , failfail, , fall fall shortshort

to to be guiltybe guilty

to to trespasstrespass

to to be lawlessbe lawless

to be to be wickedwicked

to be to be disobedientdisobedient

to be to be ungodlyungodly

to be to be morally evilmorally evil

to be to be unrighteousunrighteous

to to owe a debtowe a debt



many other words and phrases many other words and phrases describe describe specific areasspecific areas of of failingfailing or or weakness weakness ……

… … but the but the rootroot of biblical thinking is of biblical thinking is deeper than deeper than acts of sinacts of sin … …

the Bible concern is that sin is the Bible concern is that sin is estrangement from Godestrangement from God

estrangement estrangement leads toleads to transgression transgression



In old English, a “In old English, a “sinnersinner” was an ” was an arrow that not only missed the arrow that not only missed the bulls-eye, but bulls-eye, but fell shortfell short of the of the targettarget



the the Old TestamentOld Testament does not does not reflect much on the reflect much on the originorigin of of evil, except for telling the story evil, except for telling the story of the “ of the “FallFall” ” Genesis 3Genesis 3 … …

it simply marks the it simply marks the iniquityiniquity of the of the human heart, and asserts that there is human heart, and asserts that there is no righteous manno righteous man on earth on earth Isaiah 29 Isaiah 29 1313, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiastes 77 20 20

all sin is all sin is against Godagainst God Psalm 51 Psalm 51 44

the the devildevil as as adversaryadversary appears rarely appears rarely JobJob



in the in the New TestamentNew Testament, Jesus , Jesus focuses on the situation of the focuses on the situation of the sinnersinner, rather than on sin … , rather than on sin … Matthew 9 Matthew 9 1212

… … but He talks about sin as even but He talks about sin as even darker darker than the Pharisees could than the Pharisees could perceive perceive Matthew 15 Matthew 15 1919; Matthew 6; Matthew 6

Jesus experiences Jesus experiences temptationtemptation to to sinsin from the devil from the devil Matthew 4Matthew 4



in the letters, the in the letters, the devil devil and and demonic forcesdemonic forces play their part play their part in seeking to oppose God’s in seeking to oppose God’s people people Ephesians 6 Ephesians 6 10ff10ff; 1 Peter 5 ; 1 Peter 5 88

in his explanation of how the death in his explanation of how the death and resurrection of Jesus reach all, and resurrection of Jesus reach all, Paul Paul develops a “develops a “counterpointcounterpoint” of the ” of the sinsin of of AdamAdam Romans 5 Romans 5 12-2112-21



the the universalityuniversality of of human failinghuman failing is underscored: is underscored: “… all have “… all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of sinned, and fall short of the glory of God …” God …” Romans 3 Romans 3 2323

“… “… (we have) proved that we are (we have) proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us”.lives God wills for us”.



What is What is sinsin??



Personal alienation from Personal alienation from God, experienced by all, God, experienced by all,

rooted in human rebellion, rooted in human rebellion, and leading to wrong and leading to wrong

livingliving

Theologically:Theologically:



Stranded between the Stranded between the ontological polarities of ontological polarities of facticity and potentialityfacticity and potentiality

(Fed up that we’re not what we could be)(Fed up that we’re not what we could be)

Philosophically:Philosophically:




The The answeranswer to sin to sin

In the In the Old TestamentOld Testament::

there is provision for forgiveness there is provision for forgiveness in the in the ritualsrituals prescribed in the prescribed in the Law Law Leviticus 1-7Leviticus 1-7



In the In the Old TestamentOld Testament::

alongside this, it is possible to alongside this, it is possible to appeal to God for appeal to God for mercymercy Psalm 51Psalm 51

later Jewish thought develops the idea later Jewish thought develops the idea obedienceobedience to the to the TorahTorah to be in right to be in right relationship with God relationship with God c.f. Paul, Philippians c.f. Paul, Philippians 3 3 66



In the In the New TestamentNew Testament:: Jesus is heralded as “… the Jesus is heralded as “… the

lamb of Godlamb of God, who , who takes awaytakes away the the sins of the world” sins of the world” John 1 John 1 2929

Jesus anticipates that his death will be a Jesus anticipates that his death will be a ransomransom for for manymany Mark 10 Mark 10 4545

the death of Jesus becomes the the death of Jesus becomes the truetrue and and final final sacrifice sacrifice Romans 3 Romans 3 2525, Hebrews 10, Hebrews 10

it is seen as the it is seen as the defeatdefeat of of sinsin and and deathdeath 1 Corinthians 15 1 Corinthians 15 55-5755-57



In the In the New TestamentNew Testament:: “… “… everyone who everyone who believesbelieves in in

(Jesus) receives (Jesus) receives forgivenessforgiveness of of sinssins through his name” through his name” Acts 10 Acts 10 4343



A summary so far:A summary so far:

In the In the Old TestamentOld Testament the the starting pointstarting point is the need for is the need for an answer to the problems of human an answer to the problems of human sinsin and and guiltguilt. . The The answeranswer is through is through ritual ritual sacrificesacrifice, appeals to , appeals to God’s mercyGod’s mercy, and , and obedienceobedience to the to the TorahTorah..



A summary so far:A summary so far:

In the In the New TestamentNew Testament, the , the starting pointstarting point is God’s is God’s definitive definitive answeranswer to the problem of sin and guilt to the problem of sin and guilt in the death and resurrection of Jesus. in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The The focal questionfocal question then becomes, how to then becomes, how to go on livinggo on living in a in a right relationship with God in Jesusright relationship with God in Jesus


Do Do ChristiansChristians sinsin??



Why ask the questionWhy ask the question??

there are some New Testament verses there are some New Testament verses which – taken on their own – might which – taken on their own – might appear appear to suggest that to suggest that ChristiansChristians do do not not sinsin

““We know that anyone We know that anyone bornborn of of God God does notdoes not continue to sin …” continue to sin …” 1 John 5 1 John 5 1818

“…“…if anyone is in Christ, he is a if anyone is in Christ, he is a new new creationcreation; the old has gone, the new ; the old has gone, the new has come!” has come!” 2 Corinthians 5 2 Corinthians 5 1717



HOWEVER …HOWEVER …

Jesus taught about how to deal with a Jesus taught about how to deal with a “brother” who “brother” who sinssins against you against you Matthew Matthew 1818

Paul talks about his own Paul talks about his own wretched wretched compulsioncompulsion to do what he does not to do what he does not want to do want to do Romans 7 Romans 7 15ff15ff

he also gives he also gives adviceadvice on how to deal with on how to deal with a a ChristianChristian who has sinned who has sinned Galatians 6 Galatians 6 11




Paul repeatedly points to Paul repeatedly points to contrastscontrasts or or tensionstensions which suggest an ongoing which suggest an ongoing battle with sin: battle with sin: being “ being “deaddead” to sin and ” to sin and alivealive in Christ in Christ Romans 6Romans 6; ; living living

according to the promptings of according to the promptings of human human naturenature, or living according to the, or living according to the Spirit Spirit Romans 8Romans 8




in 1 John, other verses describe in 1 John, other verses describe Christians sinningChristians sinning::

““If we claim to be without sin, we If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is no in deceive ourselves and the truth is no in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us …” and just and will forgive us …” 1 John 1 John 8,98,9



What is the Bible teachingWhat is the Bible teaching??

In the In the deathdeath and and resurrectionresurrection of Jesus, the of Jesus, the powerpower of sin and death is of sin and death is brokenbroken for all for all

time.time.

In In principalprincipal, we are , we are no longer no longer ruled by sin. ruled by sin. “We have died to sin”“We have died to sin”

Romans 6 Romans 6 11; also Galatians 5 ; also Galatians 5 2424

In In practicepractice, an , an ongoing battleongoing battle continues. continues.

We should not We should not give ingive in!! Romans 6 Romans 6 15 ff15 ff




““You … have You … have two naturestwo natures in in conflictconflict, and each one is striving , and each one is striving for dominance” for dominance” Martyn Lloyd-JonesMartyn Lloyd-Jones

“… “… this transformation takes … a this transformation takes … a lifetimelifetime to complete” to complete” Billy GrahamBilly Graham




““This sanctification is This sanctification is throughout the whole man, throughout the whole man, yet yet imperfectimperfect in this life; in this life; there abideth still some there abideth still some remnantremnant of of corruptioncorruption in in every part … a every part … a continualcontinual and and irreconcilable irreconcilable war” war” The The Westminster ConfessionWestminster Confession


Is it possible for a Christian to Is it possible for a Christian to lose lose their their salvationsalvation??

Why is this an issueWhy is this an issue?? some some Bible versesBible verses suggest it is a suggest it is a

possibilitypossibility::

““It is impossible for those who have It is impossible for those who have once once been enlightenedbeen enlightened … if they … if they fall awayfall away, to , to be be brought backbrought back to repentance …” to repentance …” Hebrews 6 Hebrews 6 4-64-6

““If we deliberately If we deliberately keep on sinningkeep on sinning after after we have received knowledge of the truth, we have received knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sinsno sacrifice for sins is left …” is left …” Hebrews 10 Hebrews 10 2626



Why is this an issueWhy is this an issue?? in the parable of the in the parable of the sowersower, Jesus , Jesus

appears to suggest that some appears to suggest that some “conversions” will be “conversions” will be short-livedshort-lived Mark 4 Mark 4 1-201-20

Jesus also warns of some at the day of Jesus also warns of some at the day of judgement who will be found judgement who will be found mistakenmistaken in in their belief that they knew Jesus, and will their belief that they knew Jesus, and will be thrown into eternal fire be thrown into eternal fire Matthew 25 Matthew 25 31-4031-40

Jesus also teaches about an Jesus also teaches about an unforgivable unforgivable sinsin, blasphemy against the Spirit , blasphemy against the Spirit Matthew Matthew 12 12 3131



HOWEVER …HOWEVER … the promise of the promise of eternal lifeeternal life to a believer is to a believer is

not not conditionalconditional John 3 John 3 1616

Jesus teaches that someone who has Jesus teaches that someone who has heard Him and believed has “crossed heard Him and believed has “crossed over” from death to life over” from death to life John 5 John 5 2424

Paul’s teaching on the “Paul’s teaching on the “heirheir” ” does not suggest does not suggest reversabilityreversability! ! Romans 8 Romans 8 1717, Galatians 4 , Galatians 4 77



A conclusion …A conclusion …

Where the Bible appears to suggest Where the Bible appears to suggest that salvation might be that salvation might be lostlost, this is , this is

only in the case of a only in the case of a total total and and deliberatedeliberate rejectionrejection of what we of what we

have been offered in Christhave been offered in Christ

Many Christians would argue that Many Christians would argue that the the gracegrace of God is of God is so greatso great that He that He

would would never rejectnever reject His own child His own child


How muchHow much can I sin without can I sin without losinglosing my my salvationsalvation??



Remember that Jesus was concerned not Remember that Jesus was concerned not simply with wrong done, simply with wrong done, but also with the issue of motivation but also with the issue of motivation

How much How much sin can I get sin can I get away withaway with??

What damage What damage is this is this

compulsion compulsion doing to my doing to my relationship relationship with Godwith God??





where is the where is the evidenceevidence of of relationshiprelationship??

is there any is there any desiredesire to to pleaseplease God God??




What damage What damage is this is this

compulsion compulsion doing to my doing to my relationship relationship with Godwith God??

joinjoin the the clubclub!!

you’re you’re normalnormal!!

how can the how can the Body of ChristBody of Christ helphelp you in you in your your battlebattle??



Within authentic relationship with God in Within authentic relationship with God in Jesus, all can be forgiven. Ask forgiveness, Jesus, all can be forgiven. Ask forgiveness, strive to change with God’s help, seek help strive to change with God’s help, seek help

from the Body of Christfrom the Body of ChristWhat damage What damage

is this is this compulsion compulsion doing to my doing to my relationship relationship with Godwith God??



Outside authentic relationship with God in Outside authentic relationship with God in Jesus, you are outside of the promise of Jesus, you are outside of the promise of

salvation. Hear the Good News of His offer of salvation. Hear the Good News of His offer of free forgiveness!free forgiveness!



Five ways to keep on dying to sinFive ways to keep on dying to sin1.1. don’t focus on the don’t focus on the sinsin – –

focus on focus on building relationshipbuilding relationship

2.2. establish (safe) establish (safe) accountabilityaccountability

3.3. recognise that your Father recognise that your Father is is forfor you, not you, not against against youyou

4.4. plan plan strategiesstrategies to resist in to resist in areas of areas of habitual vulnerabilityhabitual vulnerability

5.5. don’t give updon’t give up!!

Documents

School teacher by day … … itinerant Baptist minister by night … (and in holidays)