What about the third verse? "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" (I John 1:8). Doesn't this prove that as long as we are in the world we must sin? No, it certainly does not.

The following verse informs us that if we will confess our sins God will forgive us and cleanse us.

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

"From all unrighteousness"!

The entire Book of First John is an admonition to Christians concerning righteous behavior, warning them that sin has no place in Christ, in the eternal Life and Light who was with the Father from the beginning.

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. (I John 3:6)

The entire New Testament stresses one fact: if we come to the Lord Jesus in repentance, changing our manner of life, we will be forgiven our past sins and find wisdom and strength to walk before God in holiness and righteousness.

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [appeasement] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25)

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. (Luke 1:74,75)

"Might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him."

From Genesis to Revelation we are taught that sin brings destruction and death. In the New Testament we are instructed that those who will come to Christ can find in Him the wisdom and power necessary to overcome sin and thus to enter eternal life.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end [and the result is] everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)

It is both necessary and possible to overcome sinful behavior through the grace of the Lord Jesus. Major portions of the New Testament are exhortations to believers to crucify their flesh and live a godly life, warning them that if they do not bring forth the fruit of Christ's moral image in their personalities they will come under the judgment of God.

The second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation speak to the conquerors, the victorious saints. The rewards we ordinarily associate with being a Christian are assigned to those who overcome the sins and problems found within churches.

These two chapters are a perfect example of the importance of works in the Christian redemption. The emphasis is on the works of the consecrated saints, not on their belief in doctrine.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:5)

"Do the first works."

To be continued.