Welcome to Volume II of our special series, Order in the Court of the King! You can download a free copy of Volume I here or begin reading the series online here.
We are searching for solutions to those things that divide Christians from one another. Our goal is simple – to see the Church unified for the glory of God and to finish the work He has given us to do.
The Problem
The ‘problem’ the Church faces today is ‘us.’ Here’s why I say that.
God has done everything for us. He created the heavens and the earth. He created an orderly system. We have water to drink, food to eat, light to see, and dark to rest. The sun rises every morning and sets every evening. The moon goes through its phases every month. The stars ‘come out’ at night. Seasons move from one to the other, year after year, century after century. Babies are conceived, grow in their mother’s womb, are born, and grow into adults who are able to produce more babies – generation after generation. Plants grow and produce food we can eat. Animals are born and grow. We are surrounded by order.
However, we also see disorder. Family conflicts. Personal attacks. Pride. Evil intent. Wickedness. Wars. Why? What causes this and what does God think about it?
The Cause
We don’t have to look far to find the cause. God’s Word makes it clear that the problem is ‘us.’ Despite the beautiful planet with all its order, people turned against God and against each other –
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord … The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. Genesis 6:5-8, 11-12
God chose Noah and his family to ride out the great Flood that ‘cleansed’ the earth of the wickedness, violence, and corruption. Once the waters of the Flood receded Noah, his wife, three sons, their wives, and many animals, birds, and creeping things left the Ark to begin ‘filling’ the earth again. However, God knew something about the human heart that continues to be our problem to this day – “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (Genesis 8:21b). God told the prophet Jeremiah, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
The Apostle John wrote this about how Jesus responded to people who believed in Him “when they saw the signs which He did.”
But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. John 2:24-25
Okay, you might say, that’s the heart of the unsaved person – the unbeliever. Christians, members of the Church, the Body of Christ, are made new through faith in Christ. Their hearts have changed. Right? Well …
The Transition
If you are a Christian and reading this article right now, you’re still alive on earth. God has done a marvelous work in your heart through Christ. However … you are in a ‘transition’ period. The Apostle John explained it this way –
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2
There’s no question John was writing to believers because he called them ‘beloved’ and ‘children of God.’ However, he said that ‘it has not yet been revealed what we shall be.’ What did he mean by that? John continues – ‘but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.’ And there you have it. We are in a transitional period. We aren’t what we used to be (unsaved), but we also aren’t yet what we will be (like Jesus – immortal and incorruptible). That’s a future event, as the Apostle Paul explained –
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Those of us who are God’s children and still alive are ‘waiting’ for Christ to return for us. Until then we live in bodies of flesh and blood. That means we are still affected by sin. I know many Christians believe that we no longer have the ‘sin nature,’ or never were sinful by ‘nature.’ I know many Christians who believe in the doctrine of ‘sinless perfection.’ They believe a Christian can reach a point where they no longer ‘sin.’ That’s fairly easy to disprove – Scripturally and personally.
New Testament Evidence
There are so many portions of the New Testament that are in opposition to the teaching of ‘sinless perfection’ that I would have to write more articles just to hold all the verses. Here’s a small sampling, starting with Jesus, then moving to the apostolic writings –
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12
[The word ‘forgive’ is aphiémi, which means ‘send away from, remit, release, forgive’ … ‘debts’ is the Greek word opheiléma, which means ‘that which is owed, offense, trespass, sin’]
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:15-25
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 1:1-2
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? 1 Corinthians 3:1-4
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:17-32
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10
I’ll stop here for space, though it would be easy to keep quoting New Testament Scriptures that refute the teaching of ‘sinless perfection.’ Much of what you read in the apostolic letters address the problem of sinfulness by church leaders and members. If church leaders and members didn’t sin, why so many letters addressing so much sin by 1st century churches? Simple. Christians continue to sin until Jesus returns for us. As Paul wrote the Philippians – “… being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
When Jesus dictated His letter to John for delivery to seven churches in Asia Minor, five of them pointed out ‘serious’ areas of sinfulness among leaders and members. Jesus said that church leaders and members had ‘left their first love,’ ‘held to the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality, ‘held to the doctrine of the Nicolaitans,’ which Jesus said He ‘hated. Some church leaders and members ‘committed sexual immorality’ and ate things ‘sacrificed to idols.’ Jesus told one of the churches that “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” Whoa! Jesus told another church that “because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.’ Yikes!
This is Jesus Christ – King of kings, Lord of lords – telling His people that they are sinning against Him. He tells them to ‘repent’ (metanoeó, ‘change one’s mind or purpose, think differently after’). Jesus did not say they had to be saved again (for those who were truly saved), but He told them to change their mind and think differently after hearing what He said. What they were doing was wrong in His sight and He wanted to see them change their thoughts and behavior.
Was Jesus serious about their sinful behavior? Read this and tell me what you think –
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Revelation 2:5
Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. Revelation 2:16
Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. Revelation 2:22-23
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. Revelation 3:3
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:18-19
Hopefully, we can agree that Jesus was serious by what He said to the ‘churches.’ The Lord was addressing the leaders and members of real churches located in Asia Minor. Christians heard these words read to them about them. Their Master commanded change. Why? Because they were transitioning, as are we. What letter do you think Jesus Christ would dictate to the leaders and members of your church?
Hebrews 12:3-11 – read it. It’s about how God disciplines those He loves –
For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? Hebrews 12:6-7
These words are not out of meanness. It’s part of raising ‘children.’ That’s who we are – children of God. Why is this important to understand, accept, and embrace?
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
If we as God’s children have reached ‘sinless perfection,’ then why the need for discipline and chastening?
Personal Evidence
Anyone who says they have reached ‘sinless perfection’ can be shown to be wrong with a simple action. I don’t recommend doing this because I don’t want to ask any Christian to sin themselves just to prove that a Christian is wrong in what they’re teaching, but it is worth considering what would happen ‘if’ you did this.
The story is told of a famous preacher in England in the 19th century by the name of C.H. Spurgeon. He attended a conference where another preacher taught ‘sinless perfectionism’ to the assembled crowd. Spurgeon didn’t challenge the speaker at that time. Instead, he poured a pitcher of milk over the man’s head the next morning. Witnesses said the ‘sinless perfection’ man responded with the kind of anger and rage that any sinner would recognize as sinful. So much for ‘sinless perfection.’ Sinners are going to sin, even sinners who have been forgiven by grace through faith in Christ.
Any of us could do the same type of thing to someone who says they are ‘sinless,’ though I don’t recommend it. I’ve attempted to use Scripture and logic with ‘sinless perfectionism’ believers and teachers before and seen how angry they became because I wouldn’t submit to their ‘authority.’ That’s how they put it. They believed they had ‘authority’ over me because they were ‘sinless.’ Sorry. That won’t work on me unless you can back it up with Scripture. They can’t, so they get angry. Isn’t anger a sin? Jesus called it a sin. The apostles called it a sin. Yes, I do believe that anger is a sin. You could point that out to a ‘sinless perfectionism’ teacher or believer when they get angry with you, but that’s probably not the correct heart attitude we should take with them. I’d prefer teaching the truth in love and praying God would show them His truth.
Not Under Law
The Apostle Paul gives us an important ‘key’ or ‘clue’ to this transitional period we go through as Christians.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 6:16-18
Do Christians sin? The teachings of Jesus and the words and writings of the apostles make it clear that we do sin. Thankfully, the New Testament also teaches that the blood of Christ covers us from all iniquity.
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” Romans 4:5-8
Christians sin, but their sins are covered. That’s the wonderful meaning of God’s mercy and grace. God forgives us because of the faithfulness of the Son of God who volunteered to die for my sins.
Next question. In light of these Scriptural facts, should Christians go out and paint the town with their sin since the blood of Christ covers them and they are not under the law? Here’s how the Apostle answered that question –
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4
Even though God’s children (the Church on earth) sin, we shouldn’t want to live that way. We should want to walk ‘in newness of life.’ That’s what Paul meant when he wrote about dying to sin and not living in it any longer. We need to “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The word ‘reckon’ is logizomai and comes from the root word for the English word ‘logic.’ It’s logical and reasonable to ‘consider, count, conclude’ ourselves as being ‘dead to sin’ (nekros men tē hamartia).
The Church as Family
Jesus Christ came from Heaven to earth to destroy the works of the devil. One of those ‘works’ is ‘deception.’ Another is ‘division.’ There are others, but I mention deception and division because even though Christians are saved and have the Holy Spirit of God living in them they can still be deceived and divided. We see that in the Church today. Tens of thousands of denominations. Hundreds of divisions within many of those denominations. What a mess!
There’s only one cure – obey Christ our King. Do what He says. Repent when He says repent. Do when He says do. Go when He says go. Jesus is our ‘peace.’ He broke down the middle wall of separation between Jew and Gentile ‘in His flesh.’ Jesus created ‘in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.’ He reconciled us to God ‘in one body through the cross.’ We are ‘family’ because of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross.
Jesus gave His Church, the Church He is building, apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers, “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4)
The problem in today’s Church is ‘us’ – our disobedience, our pride and selfishness, our greed and sinful desires. The solution is also ‘us’ – our obedience, our humility and caring for others, our giving hearts and holy desires. The solution is easy to describe, but hard to do. Read carefully the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God –
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24
Church – we have a lot of work to do.
Next Time
Now that we understand the ‘problem,’ we need to learn next about the ‘choice.’ Remember the objective – to glorify God and finish the work He gave us to do.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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