Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” John 5:14 WEB
Many people criticize Christianity for the concept of forgiveness. Some assume that God’s willingness to forgive leads to a cycle of sinning with the expectation of forgiveness. This unrepentant view of Christianity causes some to see the so-called faithful as depraved, lacking self control, freely living lives of corruption and disobedience to the will of God.
This false view of genuine discipleship to Jesus Christ applies to many who call themselves Christian. Never truly giving up our carnal nature and relying on endless forgiveness is inconsistent with the teaching of Christ. As Jesus warns the man he healed in chapter five of John’s gospel account “go and sin no more,” the gospel teaches repentance, forgiveness, and obedience to the word and will of God.
To a woman accused of adultery, Jesus gives the same command forbidding further sin. The Lord’s instruction to her is recorded in John 8:11 as he says, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more. WEB” In danger of death from the crowd who accused her, Jesus shows compassion and forgiveness, but also gives a prohibition to further acts of sin.
Keep My Commandments
Our faith is proven through trials and resistance to temptation. We demonstrate our love of God and of Christ through obedience to God’s word. As Jesus says to his disciples in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments. WEB” Our faith, as with Abraham in the Old Testament, is counted by God as righteousness. But our deeds prove our faith. As we read in James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. WEB”
Salvation comes by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. However, this is not permission to live in sin. Paul raises this question in Romans 6:1-2 which says, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? WEB” Paul adds to this in Romans 6:11, “Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. WEB” This statement is consistent with Jesus’ command to forgiven sinners, “go and sin no more.”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the clarity of your holy word. Thank you for the truth Christ taught to “sin no more.” Lead me away from temptation. Give me strength to resist. Guide my steps to serve you and only you. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: As They Were Looking
