“Go and Sin No More”
What did Jesus mean when He said, “Go and sin no more”? (John 5:14, 8:11). I'm persuaded, “He said what He meant, and He meant exactly what He said.” However, many would have us believe that this is not possible; but why would Jesus give instructions to do something they were not capable of doing?
As Christians, we are empowered by His abiding presence, being daily transformed, into that same image of Christ who lived as a man among the multitudes and was yet without sin. He received His Glorious Body only after the resurrection. Until then he lived a sinless life.
Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye abide in me. (John 15:4) Our ability to live sinless lives grows from our steadfast abiding in Him. “…In Him is no sin” and “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not.” (1 John 3:5-6).
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow in His steps. Who did no sin…. (1 Peter 21-22)
Some have argued, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” But the scripture read in context says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9). Once cleansed, we have an obligation to “Walk in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16).
Furthermore, Paul writes:
• "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1) Whatever the excuse for falling back into sin, “God forbids, how shall we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:2).
• “Let not sin therefore, reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lust thereof.” (Romans 6:12)
• Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin…” (Romans 6:13).
• “For sin shall not have dominion over you. (Romans 6:13).
“However, every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin…." (James 1:14-15)
“But it happened unto them according to the true proverb. The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (2Peter 2:22).
Like the Hebrew boys, we must take a stand against all sin. Refuse to bow and you will not burn. We must be determined to stand, regardless of the consequences we may face. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37).
Moreover, the scripture says “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” (Hebrews 12:4).
Others have argued that this was Paul’s struggle. “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24) The answer to this question is in the very next verse, where Paul says, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord… and then he continues in Chapter 8:1. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Life in the Spirit is the key to a sinless life—now.
As Christians we are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29). Daily dying--“That the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:10-11).
As Christ was sinless, so too can we also live sinless lives. He said, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11).
But Hallelujah, the best is yet to come, for, when He shall appear, this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, for, “He shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:21).
Hallelujah, “Now let the Church say AMEN “
