You don't have to sin!

"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin" (1 John 1:1a).

Wow! John is pretty bold to write that he has the secret to a life without sin.

I'm guessing that most of us would like to read what that secret is.

Then we just have to study what John has written, so we'll back up to the beginning of 1 John.

John begins by writing about the Word of life, Jesus Christ. He has eternally been with the Father, but was revealed to man. He came to earth and revealed the Father to us (1:1-2).

Christ was revealed so that we can have fellowship with the Father, with His Son Jesus Christ and with other  believers (v 3).

And when we enjoy this type of fellowship, our joy can be full (v 4).

So Christ came that we can have relationships and joy.

How do we maintain fellowship with the Father, the Son and other believers, gaining the by-product of joy?

By having a biblical view of God and sin.

God is light. Sin is darkness. Light and darkness can't exist in the same place at the same time.

If we want to have fellowship, we have to choose not to sin (v 5-7) and admit our sinfulness and sins (v 8-10).

We can choose not to sin, but if we fail and choose sinfully, there's still hope.

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (v 7). Because He is faithful and just, He will forgive us and cleanse us (v 10). He is the advocate with the Father on our behalf (2:1) and He has satisfied God with His sacrifice (2:2).

Put it all together and we have no reason to sin.

We can choose to have fellowship with God, Jesus and other believers, filled with joy.

Or we can choose to live a secret life of sinfulness, filled with fear of discovery.

What's your choice?