We’re going to use many verses we’ve seen before. As Paul said, “To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you” (from Phil. 3:1). We’re looking at sin a little differently this time, looking at one point in particular.

Sin separates from God. That’s what happened in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve walked and talked with God and then sinned and had to leave His presence. I have a whole book called “Sin Is Bad” if you need convincing sin is bad and we’re not intended to sin. We’ve looked at verses from 1 John chapter 3 that even say we cannot continue in sin once we are believers (1 John 3:9).

A believer is never to choose to sin.

1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

We’re not to sin. But, if it happens, Jesus will plead with us before the Father to spare us and help us to repentance.

Let’s define repentance again. It’s a turning around. I was going one way, but now I am going the complete opposite way. It’s not saying, “I’m sorry” and then doing it again. You have not repented if you are continuing to choose to sin. It’s turning from your sin and never going that way again. Jesus came to save us from sin, not just forgive our sins. We’re not to choose to sin. Jesus said, “If you love me, you’ll keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Choosing sin is loving sin and hating God.

Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

It’s not okay to choose sin. Hopefully, we’ve established that.

But we’re human. We mess up. Jesus’ sacrifice covers our unintentional sins. We learn that from Scripture. It was always like that in the Old Testament and all that time of animal sacrifice. But once we’re aware of our sin, we need to confess and repent.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Those verses say He will clean ALL our sin away from us. What a great promise! We walk with Jesus and His light will show us where and when we’re off. We confess and repent. We ask Him to clean it away. We ask His help removing it from our lives. He does all the work. We make the choice of loving and fearing God. In this way, we remain blameless in God’s sight. There may be things that still need the light to expose them and clean them away, but we are pure and blameless in His sight with a clean conscience. The sins we’re committing in ignorance are covered by His blood.

The sin that’s been revealed to us needs to be put to death.

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

We’re meant to be blameless.

Jude 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy…

Psalm 18:24-25 So the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show yourself blameless.

Ephesians 1:4 Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

Colossians 1:22 He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

Ephesians 5:27 (NIV) …to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

We’re meant to be pure. Jesus said, “Be perfect as I am perfect” (Matthew 5:48)!

It’s available to us. His mercy is sufficient for our pardon. His blood is sufficient for our cleansing. His Spirit power in us is sufficient to overcome sin. His grace is sufficient for godliness.

Lesson Point: We may always have something more that needs perfecting, but at the same time we can always live with a clear conscience and blameless before our Father.

Challenge Question: Do you know that you have confessed all your sins? Ask God to show you if you are holding onto any sins you have not confessed. Confess. Repent. Ask His help to hate the sin and turn from it. He’s a ready helper. Know you are forgiven and can enter the throne room with confidence, blameless and joyful before the Father.