QUES. 8. – How far is it possible for a Christian to go into sin if he yields to the flesh? Does 1 Pet. 4 :15 teach that he might be a murderer? Does 1 John 3 :14, 15 exclude the possibility of such a sin by a Christian ?

ANS. – We give the substance of several questions on this subject, and will endeavor to give a brief outline of the teachings of God's word regarding it.

The reply of a coachman when examined as to his abilities occurs to our mind here. In answer to, How near can you drive to a precipice? he said, "I keep as far from it as I can, sir."This is the constant manner of Scripture:"Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? " (Rom. 6:1)." Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey ; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Rom. 6:16)."Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" (1 Cor. 6:9,10). "The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry , witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like :of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Gal. 5:19-21). These and other scriptures show how all Sin in the child of God is abhorrent to God. Notice that sins are not pat into classes in these passages. There is no distinction, as the church of Rome teaches, between mortal, or deadly, and venial, or pardonable sins. Side by side we find the unspeakable vices of which "it is a shame to speak," the awful crime of murder, and the all too common "wrath, strife, emulations." In 1 Pet. 4:15 murder, theft, evil-doing, busy bodying are grouped together. There is no such thought as a " little sin" in the sight of God."All unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17).It comes from the natural man's heart – "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders," etc. (Matt. 15 :19). In John's epistle, where the distinction is so constantly drawn between the two natures, their source and destiny, the apostle declares, " He that committeth sin is of the devil;" "Whosoever is born of God doth not Commit sin" (John 3:8,9). Nor does the translation, "practice," make the distinction between occasional and frequent lapses. John describes the child of God and the natural man, One is marked by righteousness, the other by sin.

But the possibility of a child of God's committing sin is considered, and provision made for his recovery. " My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not (that ye may not sin). And if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father "(1 John 2:1). "If a man be overtaken in a fault (transgression), ye which are spiritual restore such an one" (Gal. 6:1).

The "flesh" is capable of every evil, and incapable of really pleasing God. The believer is not "in the flesh," is no longer "in Adam," in God's sight, but "in Christ," and "in the Spirit." If there is carelessness, lack of self-judgment, want of "walking in the Spirit," there can be only one result-" the works of the flesh" will manifest themselves; it may be in a carnal state, levity, malice, etc., or if previous tendencies led that way, in drunkenness '' and such like.'' Indeed, did not the mercy of God interpose, into what extremes of evil might not one fall? Here, of course, previous training, public opinion and many other external deterrents may prevent extremes in which others in different circumstances might fall.
As to 1 John 3:15, "He that hateth his brother is a murderer:and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him," the apostle speaks of what is characteristic. Alas, a child of God may entertain such a feeling, if he does not walk with Him, until he is led to judge it. Thank God, the characteristic of His people is love of the brethren, for whom "we ought to lay down our lives" (1 John 3:16).

Let us guard against extreme statements which may be misunderstood, and injure the truth. Sin is too serious to strive over; it crucified Christ; it mars all communion and testimony in the saint; it dooms the unbeliever to the eternal abode of wrath. "Be not ye therefore partakers with them."
S. R.

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