Inquiry:
Does every man sin? Some Bible passages say that every one sins (1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiates 7:20; 1 John 1:8-10), yet some passages say that those who are born of God do not and cannot sin (1 John 3:9). Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Notice:
- Man has sinned (1 John 1:8, 10).
- There is forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9; 2:1).
- God’s word encourages us not to sin (1 John 2:1).
1 John 3:6 states, “…whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” Thsoe who have had their past sins forgiven, and live for Christ do not sin. This does not mean “sinless perfection,” but rather sin is not a way of life for them. The Weymouth New Testament has rightly rendered this text, “No one who continues in union with Him lives in sin; no one who lives in sin has seen Him or knows Him.” They may slip into occasions of sin, but sin is not habitual with the child of God. Those who habitually sin have borne evidence that they are not His.
There is no contradicion.
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