Twice while Jesus was working to save souls during His physical stay upon this earth He gave the instruction to “sin no
more”.   Let us begin by showing those two places: “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight
years.  When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou
be made whole?  The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the
pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.  Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.  
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.  
The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.  He
answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.  Then asked they him,
What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?  And he that was healed wist not who it was: for
Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.   Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and
said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:5-14).

       “And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and
taught them.  And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her
in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the law
commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?  This they said, tempting him, that they might have
to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.  So
when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him
first cast a stone at her.  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  And they which heard it, being
convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left
alone, and the woman standing in the midst.  When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said
unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus
said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:2-11).


     So many people will decide that they are going to sin.  In fact, we often hear people say things like, “when I sin I just pray
for forgiveness and I’m okay”.  If, NOT WHEN, a Christian might sin they can confess, repent, and have those sins forgiven (I
John 1:9; 2:1 and Acts 8:18-24).  If you are planning on committing sins you have never truly been converted (Acts 3:19).  

     Jesus did not instruct something that was impossible to do.  Through the sacrifice, example, and instructions given by Christ
(I Peter 2:21-25, II Timothy 3:15-17, and I John 2:4-6) we can live sin free lives.  This is not an arrogant claim.  It is a
Scriptural fact.  Christians are expected by the Lord to live pure, holy, sinless lives.  Let’s allow the Scriptures to speak for
themselves: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect…   Having therefore these
promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the
fear of God…  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God
of love and peace shall be with you…  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us
with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of
the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love…  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear
children…   And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he
reconciled.  In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his
sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye
have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister…   
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect
in Christ Jesus…  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be
brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the
former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy...  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent
that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (Matthew 5:48, II Corinthians 7:1, II Corinthians 13:
11, Ephesians 1:3-4, Ephesians 5:1, Colossians 1:21-23; 28, I Peter 1:13-16, and II Peter 3:14).

     To those who twist passages, trying to conclude that all men will continue in sin, I have to ask why do you ignore the many
Scriptures above which prove otherwise?  Jesus did not give impossible instructions any more than did the inspired Apostles
Paul and Peter.  When a person obeys the Gospel of Jesus Christ they ought to detest the lives they lived according to the flesh
(Romans 12:9).  We ought to have concluded that we would never again want to be dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1-3).  We should
have begun a different way of thinking in which we bring all of our thoughts unto the obedience of Christ (Romans 12:1-2 and
II Corinthians 10:5).  It’s not just possible to cease from sin, it is amazing that any Christian would think they’ll sin.  Have we
come to realize that when we sin we cease being the children of God and go back to having Satan as our father (I John 3:1-
8)?  Certainly, the most popular message is that no one is perfect.  The truth, which is never the popular message (Matthew 7:
13-14, Matthew 10:22, and John 6:60-68), is very much the opposite of most of what I have seen written and heard
preached.  I suppose it is comforting to think that you’re just like everyone else, not perfect.  Think about how sad of a
statement that is (Titus 2:11-14 and I Peter 2:5; 9).


     When we begin to excuse ourselves we’ll find that it is easier to sin, but we’ll later find it is impossible to be in Heaven.  Let’
s become people who are busy in the Lord’s work and cease having time to spend being tempted.  We shall conclude with a
powerful quote: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we,
that are dead to sin, live any longer therein” (Romans 6:1-2)?
Volume VIII    ~    Issue XXXI   ~   April 27th, 2008
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
Sin No More
By: Brian A. Yeager
Conclusion
Did Jesus Give An Impossible Instruction?