Have You Stopped Sinning?
The following is a dialogue between the Bible and a sin-lover. The superscripts are references to verses in the Bible. You will find these references footnoted at the bottom of the appropriate column. Please read them.
Bible: Go and sin no more.(1)
Sin-lover: But everyone sins!
Bible: No(2). All have sinned(3) (past tense) and now God commands everyone to turn from their sins(4). He commands you to come to your senses and stop sinning(5).
Sin-lover: That's impossible!
Bible: All things are possible through Christ(6) for anyone who believes. God has given us everything we need to live a godly life(7). He promises that you will never be tempted above what you are able to endure(8).
Sin-lover: But I have a sinful nature. I won't be able to stop sinning until I die.
Bible: You are not controlled by the sinful nature but are led by God's Spirit, if his Spirit is really in you(9). Those who belong to Christ have put to death the sinful nature along with its desires(10). Stop sinning or something horrible will happen to you(11).
Sin-lover: Hey, if you are referring to hell, I'm already a Christian. I've been 'born again'. I know Jesus!
Bible: Whoever is born of God does not commit sin(12). Whoever sins does not know him(13). Anyone who sins is a slave to sin(14) and a servant of the Devil(15). There will be many who call Jesus their Lord but won't get into heaven because they continued in sin(16).
Sin-lover: You are judging me!
Bible: This is the Word of God - it judges the thoughts and attitudes of your heart(17). You must realize that no sin, nothing impure, will enter the kingdom of heaven(18).
Sin-lover: If I can stop sinning then why do I need Jesus?
Bible: You can only stop sinning through faith in Jesus. He died for you so that you would stop sinning and live for what is right(19). God's grace that brings salvation teaches us to say no to sin and to do what is right in this present world(20). Only by accepting God's grace and what it teaches will you stop sinning and have eternal life with God.
Sin-lover: I just can't believe that I can stop sinning!
Bible: Without faith it is impossible to please God(21). Dear sinner, if you reject the truth(22) you are without hope(23), for it is only the TRUTH that can set you free from sin(24).
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not...
This tract does not suggest that it is impossible for a Christian to sin, but rather, that it is possible, through grace, that he doesn’t. This is the normal Christian life.
READ, STUDY, AND OBEY THE BIBLE!
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Remember, the Bible reveals that God commands all men to repent (Acts 17:30). Biblical repentance can be defined as a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. Repentance is the first condition that one must fulfill to become a Christian (Mark 1:15). In essence, the command to repent is nothing more that a divine charge to stop breaking God’s law. In short, God commands all men everywhere to stop sinning. Did you know God expects you to stop sinning? Many refuse to forsake their sins, yet they believe they will find mercy with God (see the faulty reasoning behind continuing in sin). But the Bible warns…
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Tragically, if you commit sin, then sin has become your master (John 8:34). Hence, you are not only under the penalty of sin you are likewise under its spellbinding power. Dear sin-lover, the problem with man is not merely one of behavior but one of nature. Therefore, the Bible declares you must be utterly changed (John 3:3). However, it is impossible for you to deliver yourself (Jeremiah 13:23) as sin has rendered you helpless, shattered, and lost. You are not only in need of forgiveness but you are also in need of cleansing. What will you do? Is there any hope? Is there anyone who can help? The Bible alone offers you this good news:
JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAVIOR AND DELIVERER FROM ALL SIN!
If you will be saved from the power and penalty of your sin, you must repent (turn from all sin to serve and follow Jesus) and put your complete faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son. When Jesus died on the cross, He became your sin-offering, dying to free you from the bondage of sin. He, once and for all, stepped into the courtroom of your judgment and completely paid the fine. Then He rose from the dead, defeating death. If you want to be saved from sin and hell, confess and forsake your sin (Proverbs 28:13) and put your faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation. When you make Jesus your Lord (Romans 10:9) you will pass from death to life. Now, go and sin no more, read the Bible daily and obey what you read (see John 14:21). God will never fail you. -B.W.
KJV Bible References footnoted below, please read each verse in context to learn and know the truth...
1. John 8:11
2. Galatians 2:17
3. Romans 3:23
4. Acts 17:30
5. 1 Corinthians 15:34
6. Philippians 4:13
7. 2 Peter 1:3-4
8. 1 Cor. 10:13
9. Romans 8:9
10. Galatians 5:24
11. John 5:14
12. 1 John 3:9
13. 1 John 3:6
14. John 8:34
15. 1 John 3:8
16. Matt. 7:21-23
17. Hebrews 4:12
18. Revelation 21:27
19. 1 Peter 2:24
20. Titus 2:11-14
21. Hebrews 11:6
22. John 3:19-20
23. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
24. John 8:31-36