Even Babes In Christ
Many people claim that young Christians sometimes behave in ungodly ways and manifest ungodly characteristics and that such behavior is excusable because they are only "babes". Some people have said that there is a difference between someone who is "saved" and someone who is a "disciple"-that a "saved" person may not be as fully committed or as serious of a God-seeker as a "disciple". These false premises promote lukewarm Christianity; they extend a hope of salvation to people who are not saved at all. This study will examine what characteristics the Scriptures say exist in all true Christians-new and mature. We will examine what true faith produces in every real Christian. It will be shown that all real Christians-whether they have been Christians for a short or long time-are whole-heartedly committed to Christ. They have victory over sin and temptation in their daily lives and all truly "saved" people are also "disciples"-serious students of their Master. While it is true that young Christians need to "grow" and learn more, this does not imply that young Christians sin. In what ways young Christians need to grow will be addressed in a future study. What will be shown from the Scriptures below is that growth DOES NOT mean: to gradually give up your sins.
Human Testimony: "Not that I accept human testimony, but I mention it that you may be saved" (John 5:34).
John Wesley wrote: "But `if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just,' not only `to forgive us our sins,' but also `to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,' that we may `go and sin no more.' (John 5:14) In conformity, therefore, both to the doctrine of St. John, and the whole tenor of the New Testament, we fix this conclusion: A Christian is so far perfect, as not to commit sin. This is the glorious privilege of every Christian, yea, though he be but a babe in Christ....Thus doth Jesus save his people from their sins, not only from outward sins, but from the sins of their hearts.
Adam Clarke wrote: "And being cleansed from all sin is what every believer should look for, what he has a right to expect, and what he must have in this life, in order to be prepared to meet his God. Christ is not a partial saviour, he saves to the uttermost, and he cleanses from ALL sin."
"If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater" (1 John 5:9).
I. Go and Sin No More
A. Jesus told a sinner, caught in the act of adultery to "go and sin no more" (John 8:11)
B. Jesus said to a man he had healed, "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee" (John 5:14).
1) Jesus did not make these statements to "mature Christians", but rather to people who were just beginning or had not yet even begun to live as Christians
2) When I have talked to people about not sinning, some have argued that I was giving "meat" to people who weren't ready for it yet, but Jesus said this to sinners.
C. This is the message that has been proclaimed from the beginning (1 John 2:5-7; 3:9-11).
1) Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
2) Isaiah 1:16-17 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
3) Ezekiel 18:30-31 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
4) Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
5) Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6) 2 Tim. 2:19 "...Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness"
Ezra 9:13-14 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve , and hast given us such deliverance as this; Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
II. All True Christians are Made New
A. When anyone first comes to know Christ we are told about putting off our old self and putting on new self (Eph. 4:20-24)
B. All who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh (Gal. 5:24)
C. New creation (2 Cor. 5:17)
D. New leadership: the Spirit leads them now (Rom. 8:14)
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
III. Qualifications Given By Christ and the Apostles
A. Only those who do the will of God will enter heaven (Matt. 7:21-23)
1) The man who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17)
2) Persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive the promise (Heb. 10:36)
3) To him who does my will to the end (Rev. 2:26)
B. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself" (Matt. 16:24)
C. "Anyone who has faith in me will do what I've been doing" (John 14:12)
1) If we claim to be in him, we must walk like Jesus (1 John 2:6)
D. Love Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Luke 10:27)
1) If you love me you will obey what I command (John 14:15)
2) This is love for God: to obey his commands (1 John 5:3)
E. Book of 1 John gives many characteristics of all true Christians: overcoming sin (3:6-10), obedience (2:3-5; 5:3-4), living like Jesus (2:6; 4:17), loving others (3:14-18), and young men have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:13, 14)
F. No impure person will enter heaven
1) No murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:15); most people will agree that a murderer will not enter heaven, but they have a harder time agreeing that no one impure or no liar will enter heaven either-see the next verses
2) The unbelieving, those who do what is shameful or deceitful and liars won't enter heaven (Rev. 21:8, 27)
3) You can be sure that no impure, immoral or covetous person will enter heaven; let no man deceive you about this (Eph. 5:5-6)
a) don't be deceived, the unrighteous won't inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9)
b) don't be deceived, whoever does what is sinful is of the devil (1 John 3:7-8)
IV. If We Sin
A. IF we sin, we have an advocate (one called alongside to help) with the Father (1 John 2:1-2); This does not mean that a Christian should expect to sin, but IF he does, there remains a way to be restored
B. It is impossible if one falls away for him to be brought back to repentance (Heb. 6:4-5).
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