Are Pastors today following the same example as the Disciples? In today’s ecumenical and universal protestant church environments, the phrase "I don't practice sin" has become a common justification used to soften the biblical standard of holiness and sinlessness. Many religious groups adopt this language to acknowledge human weakness while avoiding the call to absolute freedom from sin as outlined in Scripture. While this statement might seem humble or realistic, it falls short of the biblical teaching that those who are truly born of God "do not commit sin" Ⅰ John 3:9. The concept of "not practicing sin" often leaves room for moral failure, portraying sin as inevitable and excusable rather than conquerable through Christ.

This reasoning allows individuals to maintain a duality: identifying as Christians while continuing to fall short of biblical holiness. By saying, "I don't practice sin," people imply that as long as sin is not habitual or premeditated, it does not compromise their spiritual standing. However, this interpretation undermines the transformative power of salvation. It assumes that sin is an occasional misstep rather than a condition from which believers are completely delivered through the new birth in Christ.

The Issue with "Not Practicing Sin" in Modern Church Culture - Shifting Standards of Holiness: In many modern church contexts, this phrase reflects a compromise with worldly standards. It allows individuals to live in a state of spiritual complacency, where sin is viewed as an unavoidable part of life. Churches that propagate this belief often emphasize “saved by grace” without accountability, focusing on the forgiveness side of salvation rather than on transformation side. This message contradicts Paul's teaching: "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1-2.

Tolerance of Sinful Behaviors: The phrase "I don't practice sin" creates a loophole for tolerating behaviors that Scripture condemns. In ecumenical circles, where unity among denominations often takes precedence over doctrinal purity, this approach minimizes the gravity of sin to avoid alienating individuals, not to offend and to secure memberships without disruption of hard sayings. This broad acceptance of imperfection dilutes the message of sanctification and hinders believers from striving for the holiness that God requires: “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Ⅰ Peter 1:16.

Excusing Spiritual Weakness: The concept of "not practicing sin" can become an excuse for spiritual weakness and a lack of discipline. Instead of relying on the grace and power of God to overcome sin, individuals may accept repeated failures as part of the Christian experience. This mindset contradicts John's declaration: “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not;” Ⅰ John 3:6. The Gospel calls for a life of victory over sin, not a tolerance of it.

Redefining Repentance: This justification often distorts the biblical concept of repentance. Genuine repentance involves a complete turning away from sin, not merely an effort to avoid habitual wrongdoing. Saying, "I don't practice sin," downplays the seriousness of even occasional sin and suggests that repentance is only necessary for egregious or repeated offenses. However, Scripture commands believers to “go on to perfection” Hebrews 6:1 in their walk with Christ: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” Matthew 5:48.

Sinlessness through Grace: The Bible does not describe salvation as a partial victory over sin or a balancing act between sin and righteousness. Instead, it teaches that true believers are empowered by God’s grace to live above sin entirely. John writes: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” Ⅰ John 3:9. This does not imply human perfection apart from God but highlights the transformative work of grace that makes sin incompatible with the Christian life.

Jesus stated: “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant (slave) of sin” John 8:34. To claim that occasional sin is acceptable undermines Christ’s promise of freedom: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (for-sure)” John 8:36. When the Son make you free, what is He making you free from? Let the word of God answer “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22. In the midst of false prophets and ecumenical protestant religious denominational environments where every one of them claim to have truth, Jesus makes a clear distinction on how to identify the truth that “MAKES” men free. He said “you shall know the TRUTH (who and what is right) and the truth shall “MAKE” you free. The gospel should be ringing the doctrine of Jesus “Go and sin no more” from pulpits today. But sadly the people are ignorant, being destroyed for the lack of knowledge. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 “…and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Romans 10:14,15. Faith in God’s word to live free from sin must be heard and believed. If not the people will never TURN from sin completely. “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have TURNED them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.” Jeremiah 23:21. It’s difficult to preach what one doesn’t believe or live “day-in” and “day-out”. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you…Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin... And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth (freedom from sin) shall be evil spoken of.” ⅠⅠ Peter 2:1,2,14

Paul teaches that believers are no longer under the dominion of sin: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14. Grace empowers believers to live righteously, not to excuse sin.

They must reject the justification of “not practicing sin” as a diluted form of holiness. True Christianity demands a life that reflects the righteousness of Christ. While human weakness exists, the Gospel offers a complete remedy through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13, affirming that victory over sin is both possible and expected for those who walk in the Spirit.

A discussion once took place between a Church of God minister and two Protestant ministers who vehemently denied the doctrine that Christians can live free from sin, despite the overwhelming evidence of this truth in the New Testament. The Church of God minister posed a simple yet profound question: “What is the difference between sinners and these so-called ‘sinning Christians’?” The Protestant ministers responded that "sinning Christians" confess their sins and ask for forgiveness daily, while sinners do not. The Church of God minister replied, “From what you’ve described, their lifestyles look very much the same to me.”

This response underscores a fundamental issue in modern theology: the attempt to blur the line between the life of a true Christian and that of a sinner. Some claim that Christians sin every day and attempt to justify this belief by quoting Matthew 18:21-22: “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

This scripture, however, does not support the idea that Christians are allowed to commit sin daily. It is entirely misapplied. The context of this passage is not about Peter sinning, nor is it about personal sin against God. Instead, it addresses how often a believer should forgive a brother who sins or offends them. Jesus was teaching the principle of limitless forgiveness, not endorsing the idea of habitual sin in the life of a believer. This passage calls for forgiveness in human relationships, not leniency toward sin in our walk with God.

God's Clear Line of Demarcation The Bible draws a distinct and unmistakable line between sinners and Christians. As previously demonstrated through numerous scriptures, God’s people are saved from their sins and do not commit sin:

• “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” Ⅰ John 3:6.
• “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” Ⅰ John 3:9.
• “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” Ⅰ John 5:18.

The distinction is absolute: those who are born of God are empowered to live without sin. To suggest otherwise diminishes the transformative power of salvation and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. While sinners are bound by sin, true Christians walk in righteousness, reflecting the nature of their Savior: “He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” Ⅰ John 3:7. God’s standard is clear. A life of holiness is not merely aspirational; it is the expected outcome of being born again. The idea of “sinning Christians” is a contradiction to the Word of God and undermines the truth that “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

When the doctrine of salvation from sin and a holy, sinless life is presented, people frequently come forward with certain objections to this standard. Now, so far as these objections are sincere, based upon certain Scripture texts, they are worthy of consideration and explanation; for when rightly interpreted, they harmonize beautifully with the general plan of redemption. There is no contradiction on this subject in God’s Word when understood in relation to His progressive plan of salvation.

Objection 1. “…There is no man that sinneth not…” Ⅰ Kings 8:46. “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20.

• Answer: These words were uttered by King Solomon, who lived about one thousand years before Christ, in the dispensation when it was “…not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4. Many men of that dispensation possessed great faith in God and, considering the general standards of those times, lived very good lives; hence they were accepted by God on the ground of their faith, when they conformed to the highest standard of His revealed will. But the experience of the new birth, the regeneration of the soul which makes men “new creatures,” was not realized in those days; hence people then did not claim to live without committing sin. The plan of salvation from all sin through Christ was from the foundation of the world a “mystery” which was “hid in God” Ephesians 3:9, a mystery which even “…the angels desired to look into” Ⅰ Peter 1:12, but which in the gospel dispensation “…is made manifest to his saints” Colossians 1:26. Jesus said to His disciples, “…Many prophets and righteous men [of the old dispensation] have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew. 13:17,16.
  
  These prophets, however, caught a glimpse of this coming redemption, and wrote of it, though they did not themselves experience it. This is clearly stated by Peter, who wrote concerning brethren in the new dispensation: “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven…” Ⅰ Peter 1:9-12. This makes it clear that the experience of salvation which we now receive through Christ was not experienced before His coming, even by the prophets who wrote of it. Those who deny the sinless life are sure to quote Ecclesiastes 7:20, which says that “there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” But why do they not quote Ⅰ John 3:9, which says that “whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin”? Do these texts appear contradictory? So they are in statement, but they are not contradictory in the plan of God, for Solomon wrote under the old dispensation, while John wrote under the new. The true basis of harmony is found in the fact that “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Ⅰ John 1:7.

Objection 2. Paul’s experience in Romans 7:18-24, where he says: “I know that in me dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Oh, wretched man that I am!” etc.

• Answer: A study of the entire chapter shows clearly that the apostle was describing his experience under the law of Moses, before he found Christ. He first speaks of his infantile state, when he was “alive without the law”—did not even know that the law said, “Thou shalt not covet.” Afterward “when the commandment came” to him, he says, “sin revived, and I died.” (See verses 7- 13.) This law under which he was brought up was good in that it defined sin and revealed his condition as an actual sinner, but it did not bring to him deliverance and salvation from sin; therefore he cried out, “Oh, wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Then he obtained a ray of hope and answered the question himself: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Verses 24-25.) This sin-experience was the experience of Saul, the man who zealously defended the law and persecuted the church of God; but immediately following we have, in his own words, the experience of Paul the Christian: “There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law [of Moses] could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4. Reader, which do you desire, the experience of Saul, or the experience of Paul? After he found deliverance from sin through Christ, he taught that Christians are to live without sin. “…Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: FOR YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE” verse 14. This last text clears up the entire matter. Under the law sin had dominion over the people; under grace, God’s people have dominion over sin. Under the law, it might be said, “There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not;” but under grace, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” “The law was given by Moses; but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” John 1:17. Yea, “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Why? Because Christ “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14. That the sin-experience described in Romans 7 was not the experience of Paul the Christian at the time when he was writing this chapter, is shown also by other facts.
  
  This Epistle was writing about the year A.D. 60. Six years before this time, or in A.D. 54, he was living a much better life than that; for he declared to the Thessalonian brethren, “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.” Ⅰ Thessalonians 2:10. Was he a backslider at the time when he wrote the Roman Epistle? No; for about that same year, A.D. 60, he testified before a council, “…I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” Acts 23:1. And a few days later he said, “Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16. Neither did he dishonor God and His cause by departing into sin after this time, for in his dying testimony, given about six years later, he said: “…The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” ⅠⅠ Timothy 4:6-7. Objections based on certain other texts of Scripture (for example, Romans 3:10) are of this same general character; for almost without exception they relate to Old Testament conditions, not to the New Testament standard of salvation. The doctrine of sinning Christians originates either in a perverse state of the soul or else in a total failure to understand dispensational truth; for this last-named fact disposes of all the objections to holiness. A proper understanding of the difference between the old covenant and the new will forever settle the subject concerning the present relation of God’s people with sin.

Sin comes in various forms as worldliness. Since sin in its various forms has become universal, surrounding us on all sides, as real as nature itself, the Bible writers often refer to it as “the world.” This includes not only the grosser forms of sin, but all manner of disobedience to God of whatsoever nature or extent. God’s people must be free from all these things. Paul says to the brethren who had been quickened in Christ, “…In time past ye walked according to the course of this world…” Ephesians 2:2. But Christ “…gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world…” Galations 1:4, that our separation from the world in this sense is to be real, is shown by the words of Christ, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:19. Reader, bear in mind that if you take your stand for God and for the whole truth of His Word, determined to be free from all worldliness, there will be a real separation in spirit and in life between you and the worldly minded. You will even have opposition.

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” ⅠⅠ Timothy 3:12. This experience was truly realized by the first disciples, for we have the testimony of Jesus Himself that they were free from the world. He said of them in prayer to the Father: “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:14-16. To us this means that everything which partakes of the spirit and nature of the world must be forsaken—worldly sentiments, worldly associations, worldly ambitions, worldly amusements, and worldly dress—everything that is not in strict harmony with the plain teaching of God’s Word. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” Ⅰ John 2:15-17.

The Word of God comes even closer and lays down certain rules concerning the Christian’s dress. The command of the Word is, “…Glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Ⅰ Corinthians 6:20. We must “…be holy both in body and in spirit…” Ⅰ Corinthians 7:34. If we have holy, humble hearts, hearts free from vanity and pride, then our outward lives must in every way be consistent with the inward condition. Now, when people’s hearts are full of the “pride of life,” how do they manifest it? By proud actions and by worldly dress. They seek to adorn themselves with gold, pearls, diamonds, rubies, and costly array; until the beholder views a dazzling display of ear-rings, finger- rings, bracelets, lockets, and other ornaments; not to mention an immense amount of other costly, useless, and foolish array. What does the Word of God say on this subject? “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel: but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Ⅰ Peter 3:3-4.

Yet how many professing Christians totally disregard the plain teaching of the Word on this point, and dress in all the pride and fashion of this world! In the scriptures just given, the apostle Peter forbids the wearing of that outward adornment which women must be dressed. He says, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Ⅰ Timothy 2:9-10. They must be arrayed in “modest apparel...not with gold, or pearls, or costly array.” These articles of adornment, then, are not modest apparel. The wearing of them is prompted, not by feelings of humility and modesty, but by pride in the heart. It is plain from this scripture that such things do not “become women professing godliness.” Reader, are you a woman “professing godliness”? Are you adorned with these things? If so, then they do not “become your profession,” and you are not arrayed in “modest apparel.” “Modest apparel” requires a dress that is clean and neat, so as not to become immodest, through the failure to measure up to ordinary standards of decency; but, on the other hand, it is dress that is free from useless, worldly trimmings and accompaniments, from ostentation and show. Ear-rings, finger-rings, necklaces, lockets, bracelets, and many other like things, “are not of the Father, but are of the world,” when it comes to the matter of the Christian’s dress. “BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD,” the Word of God rings out Romans 12:2, and all the pure and holy in heart are ready to say amen. These principles apply with equal force to the male sex. The foolish, vain, and immodest styles and fashions to which the worldly-minded cater are an abomination in the sight of God and in the sight of His redeemed saints. Do not deceive yourself, reader, in the belief that you can continue to wear things which the Word of God forbids, and still be a spiritual person, filled with the grace of God. It is impossible. God’s children are to be “…obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.” Ⅰ Peter 1:14. How often we meet professing Christians who are living in open violation of this part of the Bible, and who, when we mention the fact to them, are ready to excuse themselves, saying, “Oh, these things are not in my heart!” Well, if they are not in the heart, then why are they carried about on the person? When we enter the city and see a display sign outside of a store, we naturally expect to find the goods thus advertised kept in stock in that store.

Now, we know that proud people manifest their pride in their dress. If you are humble in heart, free from this worldly abomination, and do not wish to be mistaken for a proud person, then take down the sign. If you think these things are not in your heart, then it will be a very easy matter for you to prove it by obeying God’s Word and removing them from your person. When you undertake to do this, however, you may find, as thousands of others have found, that the love of such things goes deeper than you have ever imagined. Your teeth may rest so easily in your mouth that you seldom think of them; but when the dentist attempts to remove one, you become painfully aware of the fact that it has long roots and draws hard. Similarly, you may be so accustomed to wearing worldly adornments that they seem perfectly natural and easy, so that you are deceived into thinking that they are all on the outside; but when you attempt to obey God’s Word and discard them, you will find that they are rooted in your affections and reach down deep into the soul. But Jesus says, “… If a man love me, he will keep my words…” John 14:23. “… Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46.

Nor is holy life to be judged solely by a negative standard— by what we put off of sin and worldliness. There is a positive side. When we die to the world, we “put on Christ.” Then we can say with the apostle Paul, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galations 2:20. Our whole desire is to manifest Christ to the world. Being “risen with Christ,” we “seek those things which are above” Colossians 3:1. We “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;” Colossians 3:12. The graces of the Spirit implanted within find outward expression in “the fruit of the Spirit,” which is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…” Galations 5:22-23. Our aim in life is to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man. But even in this we do not allow the voice of conscience alone to dictate in matters of religions faith, but we render loving and willing obedience to all the commandments of our Lord and require our conscience to come into line with what the Word plainly says. Thus our lives are free and happy, and are made a blessing to all around us. This phase of the subject will be more fully treated hereafter. Oh, how much it means to serve God “…without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.” Luke 1:74-75!