Today, our Guest Author, Mathew Mikhail gives us and insight to his background apart from his bio on our DOW website.
Be sure to read his article that follows entitled “Do Christians Sin?” Ed.
ASK THE AUTHOR
This is a new initiative where from time to time, we will feature our authors to find out a little more about their behind-the-scenes backgrounds and interests.
Our author today is: Mathew Mikhail
Ed: When did you first start writing?
Mathew: The first article I have ever written was for DOW was in April 2023 titled “Consider your ways”.
Ed: Do you remember what sparked this interest?
Mathew: I was approached by Uncle Bill who explained the ministry and his desire to want to expand it to “guest writers”. I thought it was a great honour and privilege to be a fellow labourer and carry on the work with Uncle Bill and the other writers.
Ed: Where do you get your ideas?
Mathew: Quiet time, messages and lessons from Bible College.
Ed: What are you passionate about?
Mathew: Youth and Young Adult ministry. From personal experience: I recognise it can be a difficult time in a person’s life and it is important to protect them from the world and the consequences of sin.
Ed: What types of books do you enjoy reading?
Mathew: Other than the bible, leadership books (for example John Maxwell and Stephen Covey) and books by Max Lucado.
Ed: How do you handle tough times?
Mathew: Prayer, reading scripture and my wife.
Ed: What would you describe as your greatest accomplishment so far?
Mathew: Being a faithful husband and father. My family is my most important ministry.
Ed: What are your current priorities in this season of your life and why?
Mathew: Family, ministry and work. My wife and I have 3 young children who require a lot of time and attention which is a big priority during this season in life. Also time in ministry and work which requires a lot of time and attention.
Ed: How has your upbringing influenced your worldview?
Mathew: It taught me about respect and trust as well as prudence in picking friends. It also taught me the importance of family and, most importantly, God’s providence in life.
DOW would like to thank Mathew for his willingness to share a little bit about himself apart from his Bio here.
Lesley Mathews
Editor
Today, our Guest Author, Mathew Mikhail, discusses the all-important question: Do Christians Sin? Read through to the end and discover his Biblical conclusion. Ed.
The Epistle of 1st John is based on a relationship with God and how John speaks of the fact that the church can know God. As we get into chapter 3, we see that it revolves around the theme of the believer’s identity as children of God. We see a few interesting verses that, as we read as believers, we might scratch our head over.
1: 6” If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV).
Now the bible is clear on how a sinner can come to salvation through repentance of sins and belief on the gospel; and we read in these verses in scripture that believers do not commit sin. That first part of Verse 9 is especially direct, . 9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Some people have argued that these verses indicate a sinless perfection that comes at Salvation only for the true born-again Christian, but I will say that we will not achieve true sinless perfection this side of glory.
So what does it mean? “We have no sin” shown here in verse 8 does not represent an absolute, as being perfect or sinless perfection. John contrasts the lifestyles of those who practice righteousness with those who practice sin. He emphasizes that those who continue to sin are not truly born of God, while those who are born of God do not make a practice of sinning.
1 John 1:9 tells us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Christians are told to confess their sins. Confession of sins is key to our Sanctification and receiving God’s forgiveness.
Also, 1 John 2:2 (NKJV) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.” Jesus’ sacrifice appeases God’s wrath and atones for our sins. It’s not limited to the believers but is available to all the world.
Conclusion – Do Christians Sin?
Yes, Christians can and do sin and will continue to do so until we are presented perfect before the Lord Jesus at death or the Rapture. But, while Christians may still struggle with sin, our relationship with sin is fundamentally different after we come to faith in Jesus Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the transformative work of Christ in our lives, Christians are enabled to resist sin and grow in righteousness.
While Christians may still sin, it is not our practice or lifestyle. We have a new nature in Christ that enables us to live in accordance with God’s will and to resist the power of sin.
Mathew Mikhail
November 27, 2024
Dancing on Water 