The Curse of Evil
The Pain of Evil – Part 3

Scripture Reference: Genesis 3:16-19

Scripture Verse: Genesis 3:16

Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”

What happens when a believer truly rebels against a known commandment of Christ Jesus? The Apostle John wrote directly to the question: “My dear children, I write this to you that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the righteous one” (1 John 2:1-2). From this very direct and clear statement, we can learn two truths. First: it is possible and expected that Christ followers stop sinning. John said he was writing for this very purpose, that we will not sin. In fact, later in the same letter, John wrote: “No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or knows Him” (1 John 3:6). The Apostle Paul agreed and confirmed this truth when he wrote: “Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!” (Romans 6:15). Don’t let anyone convince you that Christ followers sin everyday in word, thought and deed; there is absolutely NO biblical support for that kind of thinking.

The second truth in 1 John 2:1-2 is that it is indeed possible to sin as a believer, and when one does Jesus can and will forgive the repentant heart: “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When we do something that we were absolutely aware was wrong, we must confess that and receive God’s forgiveness. (Continued)

Father, I will trust you and your love for me, even when I sin. In Jesus name, amen.