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Why Born Again Christians Cannot Sin?

 

 

No More Sins

The Bible tells us that whoever has been born of God does not sin and cannot sin. However, we do not see all Christians becoming perfect instantly, so why did the Scriptures say born again Christians cannot sin?

 

Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. ~ 1 John 3:9

 

 

What is Sin?

 

First, let us find out what is sin. John gave us a simple definition of “sin” in the following verse:

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. ~ 1 John 3:4

The definition of "sin" is simply breaking the Law. Adam sinned not because he has eaten a piece of fruit, but because he has broken the Law. And there is only one penalty to sin, and that is, Death.

 

This is probably different from what most people think. There is really no difference between “big sin” and “small sin”. If a person breaks a Law, he is sinful and punishable by death. We can see many examples in the Old Testament. 

 

Aaron’s two sons were devoured by fire just for making an offering inappropriately (Leviticus 10:1-3), and Uzzah was struck dead immediately for accidentally touching an ox cart that carried the Ark of the Covenant (2 Samuel 6:1-8). As James has written:

 

Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. ~ James 2:10

 

Praise to God, Jesus has Redeemed Us All!

 

Thanks to Jesus, He has redeemed us from all the Law and its curses through His death on the cross! This is because the one who is under the Law is our Old Man. When we are born again, we receive the new life from Jesus, and our New Man is not under the Law. 

 

Or do you not know, brothers, that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? ….. Therefore, my brothers, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another - to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. ~ Romans 7:1-4

 

When someone is baptised, he declares death to the Old Man who is already destined to be put to death by the Law. When he arises as a New Man, he will receive the nature of Jesus and cannot sin. Moreover, our new King Jesus does not put us under any external Law in His Kingdom, and it is therefore no longer possible for any New Man to break the Law or commit any sin.

 

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:4

 

 

Then Why are Jesus’ Followers Not Perfect?

 

Some may ask, If all born again Christians have the nature of Jesus, why are they not perfect like Him? This is because when someone is baptised, he only declares death to the Old Man but does not kill him instantly. Therefore most people are still struggling between the influence of the Old Man and the New Man, and can make wrong decisions sometimes when the flesh is weak. 

 

That is also why Jesus said we must take up our cross daily to follow Him. Everyday we must crucify (by denying) the carnal nature of our Old Man and follow the godly nature of Jesus until we are totally transformed.

 

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ~ Luke 9:23

 

 

The Law will be Written in Our Hearts

 

Even though our Father has given us free will to do whatever we want, we will not want to do anything unrighteous anymore because we will have the godly nature of Jesus. Even if we happen to make mistakes sometimes, the Holy Spirit will remind us and put us back on the right track. (Please see our post "What Does Writing Laws on Our Hearts Mean"?

 

Under the New Covenant in the Kingdom of Jesus, we can finally live freely and righteously in the Love of our Father. We no longer have to fear the restrictions of the Law or the punishment it may bring, because we will be living under the grace of God. 

 

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ! John 1:17

 

JESUS HAS COME TO SET UP FREE!