is sin O.K.?

The above image was published by a group named "Nine Seven Zero Church" (www.970.church).  In saying "we're all messed up," the folks at that church obviously mean to include themselves among the "all" who are "messed up."  More important, the people who published that message presume to speak not for themselves only, but they gave that message their official endorsement as a church.  The idea, that Christians in the Church are "all messed up," is not only pervasive amongst America's churches, but that idea is actually one of the "core values" of the contemporary American Church (see, the upper right corner of the above image).

I must unhappily agree that, for the most part, America's churches and churchgoers are "all messed up."  But is that O.K. with God?  Is that the way it is supposed to be in Christ?  Does the Bible teach that professing Christians are somehow accounted by God as being holy ~ even though they confess to being "messed up" (which is to say, carnal, sinful)?   Certainly, that is the message that is being promoted by popular "Christian" culture.  There is a well known slogan that's been around for several years, which succinctly though subtly suggests that same idea, as follows: "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven."  But that slogan conveys a hidden message, one which suggests that Christians are forgiven ~ notwithstanding their imperfections (a euphemism for "sins").

In the plainest possible words, the contemporary Church in America teaches that:  Sinners in the world go to hell ~ but sinners in the Church go to heaven.

How does that work?   It doesn't.

"The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?  He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high...".  (Isaiah 33:14-16)

The contemporary American Church has been overtaken by false doctrine.  A large and growing number of very well known church leaders teach that the sacrifice of Christ on the cross covered ALL SINS that a person has ever done ~ or ever will do in the future!  Once that a person says the so-called "sinner's prayer," then all of his or her sins ~ past, present and future ~ are all put under the blood (so those heretical teachers claim).  But here is what the Bible says about that:

"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."  (Romans 3:21-26)

I quoted the highlighted section, above, in the full context in which that appears ~ lest there should be any doubt about its context or meaning.  That passage would have been the perfect place for the Holy Ghost to have said something like the following: "for the remission of all sins past, present, and future;" but He said no such thing.

Following, are a few more passages that militate against the notion that future sins have already been forgiven in advance:

"Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:1-7) 

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  (Hebrews 10:23-31) 

"Then said [Jesus] unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"  (Luke 17:1)" 

What is the Father's will concerning the Church?  Why was Jesus Christ willing to suffer and die?

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." (1 Thessalonians 4:3) 

"..Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27) 

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:14)

Is it then true ~ as the contemporary American Church claims ~ that Christians cannot help but to sin every day?  Or is it actually possible to live above sin?  Hear the testimony of some of the saints in Scripture:

John: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." (1 John 3:22) 

Peter: "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ...". (1 Peter 1:14-19) 

Zacharias and Elizabeth (parents of John the baptist): "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." (Luke 1:5-6)

Many more such testimonies could be added to the above list ~ all of which plainly shows that followers of Jesus Christ are required ~ because that we are enabled by the Spirit of Christ in us ~ to put away all sin and live holy unto the Lord.

In light of the blazing light of truth concerning the necessity of true holiness in the life of every child of God, doubtless some will then try to backpedal, so to speak, and argue that the phrase "messed up" doesn't really mean sinful but, instead, it merely means that everybody has "issues."  But that were nothing other than sophistry.  "Nobody is perfect," is a common objection that is supposed to justify carnality ~ as if to say that sin can't be helped.

But if it is true that Christian persons continue to be sinners by nature notwithstanding their supposed spiritual regeneration: then, the Word of God is a lie and Christ died in vain.  The Bible declares:

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ.... For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain."  (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; 21; 6:1)

I see it on bumper stickers or on signage in church yards; I hear it on so-called Christian radio: that is to say,  messages which are supposed to make worldly people feel more comfortable about coming to church;  such as the following:

• No perfect people welcome here.
• Our pastor is a sinner, too.
• Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.
• God loves you just the way you are.

This generation of Americans is reaping the bitter harvest of the (worldly) Church's apostasy.  What is the answer?  "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil."  (Proverbs 16:6)

We must urgently return to ~ and boldly proclaim ~ the truth of Christ.