Today, what we call sin is not what we think it is. What I am about to share with you is going to sound weird, but it is the scriptural truth—everything shared here is backed up by scripture(s). Before you become prejudicial, kindly give me time to explain myself. I would like to start by showing you a scripture that will blow your mind:
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (James 4:17 NLT)
“All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.” (1 John 5:17 NLT)
This is rarely preached about. You will hear about the big sins, and people think, “Oh, these are small sins.” To the extreme, most don’t consider speeding as sin. Then they will start showing you the consequences of sin: if you commit adultery, God will not bless you; if you kill, you won’t go to heaven; if you don’t forgive, God won’t forgive you.
And yet, when you read the Bible, the clear definition of sin is what the church has considered small. Literally, everyone is sinning.
Breaking the speed limit, unbelief (doubt), not loving your wife as Christ loved the church—these are the same as killing or committing adultery. It’s all sin.
What’s my point? My point is that we were taught about the big sins, and because you don’t kill, commit adultery, or engage in idolatry, you think you’re holy. And with that belief, you think God is pleased with you.
The Bible gave us the definition of sin to show that no one is capable of living a holy life. Not everyone is living in faith—that’s sin. Everything you know is right, but don’t do—it’s sin.
Now, explain to me: how many people can live up to that standard? Yeah! I’m talking to you who is reading this. And if the message the average church is preaching is that “if you sin, you’re not going to heaven,” then friend, tell me—who will make it there? That’s all nonsense.
Living holy has nothing to do with your salvation or entering heaven. It’s about believing and trusting in Christ.
God wants us to put our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ because, in and of ourselves, we can’t live holy lives.
And I’m not saying our works or holiness shouldn’t be considered—they should. But not with the motive of earning, receiving, or sustaining salvation, or trying to please God. Holiness is simply the fruit that comes after trusting in what Christ has already done.
People are basing their relationship with God on their holiness. They think, “If I do A, B, C, D, God will do this for me.” No, that’s not how it works. God is not using you because you’re holy. He is not blessing you because you’re perfect. God is not, even once, factoring His love based on your holiness.
He is doing everything for you because you trust in Jesus Christ. That’s the determining factor. I’m telling you,-if people still trust in their holiness—like going to church, giving tithes and to charity, etc.—all those people will break hell open.
They will be like those in Matthew 7:21. who did everything right, did great works, performed miracles, and yet, in the end, Jesus Christ didn’t know them. (I recommend you get my teaching on Mathew 7:21.)
Christ is not considering your holiness for salvation, it’s trusting what He has done for you at the cross, not what you have done for Him