PEOPLE ARE SO QUICK TO GAIN WORLDLY WISDOM, WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO BE SPIRITUALLY WISE ??

1. I John is on the Theme of the Spiritual Joy that comes from walking close to God- in His Will.
2. But Satan's little Imps so quickly tricks us, out of focus, into sin, Marred Image-THEN WHAT?
3. The world boasts of a man being so sophisticated that he knows how to hold his liquor", or smart enough to play with sin & avoid its consequences- DO WE KNOW HOW TO HANDLE SIN??

I.- DOES A CHRISTIAN SIN ??? I John 1: 7-10

John uses the Sandwich method- The correct answer between two corrected errors - gently, plainly

A. IF WE SAY WE HAVE NO SIN, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN US ! V. 8

1. v.7 leaves the Christian cleansed from all sin- a new creature in Christ- new worlds ahead!
2. v.8 warns about thought-now that I am washed I'm so great I have no sinful nature!
3. Believe this and you have fooled yourself- "I'm not an addict - I do nothing wrong!"- Oh yeah?

B.- IF WE SAY WE HAVE NOT SINNED, WE MAKE HIM A LIAR, AND HIS WORD IS NOT IN US - V. 10

1. This is to say that I am no longer committing any sinful act, no nature! great, but a lie!
2. God's word warns us of sin, carnality, corruption, danger in every heartbeat, thought-not perfect
3. The Christian still has the Old Nature-, Satan's imps still tempt, & World still glitters!

C. SIN IS A FACT OF HUMAN LIFE, AND WE HAD BETTER BE AWARE OF ITS ILLUSIVE NATURE,- Rom 3:23

1. With Adam's nature we sin- iniquity, miss the mark, trespass, lawless, or just unbelief!-but real
2. It is an ACT-against revealed Will of God; STATE-absence of right; NATURE - enmity toward God
3. It can be an act, an intent of heart, a thought, or even an attitude or mood:- lack of love!

Anything that does not contribute to our Spiritual health-is less than perfect- sin! 
Murder, Theft- etc. is terrible but so is NOTHING -when God surrounds us with gifts of love.

II.- WHAT DOES GOD OFFER THE SINNER?

When a person sins- fellowship is strained, or severed; opportunity lost! need reconciliation

A.- GOD PROVIDES CLEANSING "THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN" v.7b

1. Rom 5:8 tells us that while we were yet SINNERS Christ died for us, Christ died for us, So not?-Grace v.9,10
2. Throughout I John the Death of Christ is mentioned- 3:16, 4:9,10- His great sacrifice for us
3. If we walk in the light- It shows any blemishes- & His Blood keeps on cleansing us

B.- AND IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS v.2:1

1. If we expect to stumble- we need a Comforter John 14:16, a lawbreaker needs a lawyer- Advocate
2. Like a lawyer- He calls on us to know our sin, to see the damage, to us & God; & to repent
3. Then he calls on God- witness of love to stand with us, & plead our case, & pay our fine!

C.- JESUS CHRIST IS THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS, TO OPEN THE DOOR AGAIN TO GOD'S BLESSINGSv.2:2

1. Propitiation means to do some right so that God can show mercy- word from Mercy Seat in 0.T.
2. Judges today want to show mercy- any sign from a defendant, humility, repentance, -etc.!
3. But again Christ's Blood-Mercy Seat offering -keeps channel of blessing open to whole world!

All of God's power is directed toward salvation, forgiveness, restoration, and display of love

III.- WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF US ???

What we do is so little but it is vital! God will not violate our free will- force his love!

A.- COME TO THE LIGHT, WALK IN THE LIGHT, SO THAT GOD CAN SAVE YOU AND AND BLESS YOU !

1. Jesus said "I am the light of the World"- John 8:12 - come to Him, see yourself & be saved
2. The real condemnation is that when Light is here- men love darkness- John 3:19,21- what of You?
3. Your part is to come to that light-no matter what it shows! about us, our sin, our open heart

B.- IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, - v.9 NOT TO CONDEMN US, BUT TO REOPEN PRECIOUS FELLOWSHIP - HONESTY!

1. Sin is like a narcotic-tempts, builds craving, gives pain-guilt-depression-leads to more sin
2. We need rebound!--Illus. at home-child stole, was grumpy, moody; Confessed-felt better!
3. Confession does not pay for the sin- but cuts guilt/depression cycle- lifts hands to God

C.- WE MUST DEAL WITH SIN QUICKLY, LEST IT BUILD UP INTO A DEADLY CANCER - FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN

1. Be quick to deal with sin-quick judgement, quick repentance, Confession-forgiveness- then forget it.
2. We need the assurance of truth in word and deed- I John 3:19-21 -Openhearted confidence
3. When we keep unconfessed sin-we give Satan a rope around our neck- Confession cuts rope-

Through this we can learn not to be trapped by that same sin again- but do we?

WILL YOU DEAL WITH YOUR SIN THE WAY GOD COMMANDS, OR WILL YOU LET IT BECOME A CANCER? & DEATH

1. Maybe it is just a little one-A small pimple can become a great gaping wound- & leave scar!
2. Don't run from the Doctor- but come to him- Come, Confess, & he will help you victory
3. But the decision is yours- with every invitation! Revival or hardness of heart- choose!