If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
(1Jn 1:8-10)
The YouTube algorithm has shown me another man who claims Christ, and gives the bold claim that it is impossible for a born-again believer to sin. Ever. In that, if someone who claims to be a born-again believer is still sinning, then it is evidence that that person has never truly converted to Christ. Will goes even further by saying that the way to become sin-free through Christ is to truly surrender yourself to Christ.
Now, on the surface, it all seems well and good.
However, I worry that this will make believers worry about their own salvation, in that if Will's doctrine was heeded faithfully, even the smallest sins amongst "believers" (for example, evil thoughts, see Proverbs 6:18) are evidence enough that such a person has not truly converted, for if they have truly converted, they would have committed NO sins at all post-conversion.
Naturally, I was about to expose this gentleman left and right. The thing is, I don't need to. Just read the comments in the following page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D3aQvISIYU (I refuse to link it for obvious reasons) and you'll see why. I even made a comment (which was later deleted because I hid him from my feed), which reads:
Oh wow, the Ephesians 5:11 is deep in the comments section. Here's some more help folks: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1Co 11:27-32) In this Scripture, Paul is warning the Corinthian believers that those who commit sacrilege against the bread and the cup of the Lord's Supper are guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. In fact, Paul is saying that many of such believers have already sinned in this manner, and thus have suffered the consequences of sickness and bodily death. Yet, in the Lord's judgment and chastisement, there is a chance for them to return to righteousness. Next: 2Co 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. This was in reference to I Corinthians 5, when Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for tolerating a sin among the believers that not even the pagans would tolerate! Yet, repentance is possible. Next: Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (Jas 5:13-15) James is suggesting in this Scripture that it is possible for a believer to have committed sins, James is speaking to BELEIVERS (James 1:2, "brethren"). Yet, forgiveness is possible. Next, as an example: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (Rev 2:20-22) Jesus is addressing the church in Thyatyria, rebuking the church for tolerating the false prophetess Jezebel. She led Christ's SERVANTS to sin. Yet, repentance is possible ("except THEY repent of THEIR deeds"). Now, as for one of Will's proof texts: 1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Many other translations of that verse and others render "commit sin" as "keep on sinning". And this appears to be a sound translation given I John 1. Will, what I find troublesome with your doctrine is that those who adhere to it are liable to be anxious about their own salvation, as if, if they commit even one sin after conversion, it's proof that they've never converted at all. I agree that we are to avoid sin at all costs (Hebrews 12:4), and that sinning should NEVER be encouraged (Romans 6). However, PLEASE consider ALL of the Word of God (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4, Acts 20:27). How is it even possible for a true born-again believer to be sinless and yet, among true born-again believers, acts of sin has been recorded in Scripture? The impossibility of believers to sin and the examples I've shown above appear to be contradictory. I welcome correction (Proverbs 6:23).
Oh wow, the Ephesians 5:11 is deep in the comments section. Here's some more help folks: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1Co 11:27-32) In this Scripture, Paul is warning the Corinthian believers that those who commit sacrilege against the bread and the cup of the Lord's Supper are guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. In fact, Paul is saying that many of such believers have already sinned in this manner, and thus have suffered the consequences of sickness and bodily death. Yet, in the Lord's judgment and chastisement, there is a chance for them to return to righteousness. Next: 2Co 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. This was in reference to I Corinthians 5, when Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for tolerating a sin among the believers that not even the pagans would tolerate! Yet, repentance is possible. Next: Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (Jas 5:13-15) James is suggesting in this Scripture that it is possible for a believer to have committed sins, James is speaking to BELEIVERS (James 1:2, "brethren"). Yet, forgiveness is possible. Next, as an example: Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (Rev 2:20-22) Jesus is addressing the church in Thyatyria, rebuking the church for tolerating the false prophetess Jezebel. She led Christ's SERVANTS to sin. Yet, repentance is possible ("except THEY repent of THEIR deeds"). Now, as for one of Will's proof texts: 1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Many other translations of that verse and others render "commit sin" as "keep on sinning". And this appears to be a sound translation given I John 1. Will, what I find troublesome with your doctrine is that those who adhere to it are liable to be anxious about their own salvation, as if, if they commit even one sin after conversion, it's proof that they've never converted at all. I agree that we are to avoid sin at all costs (Hebrews 12:4), and that sinning should NEVER be encouraged (Romans 6). However, PLEASE consider ALL of the Word of God (Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4, Acts 20:27). How is it even possible for a true born-again believer to be sinless and yet, among true born-again believers, acts of sin has been recorded in Scripture? The impossibility of believers to sin and the examples I've shown above appear to be contradictory. I welcome correction (Proverbs 6:23).
Now, as I've said, this is an ongoing exposure of @willforthelord, because I have a feeling I will be hearing from him soon. All I can say is, stay tuned.
Update: Honestly, I am very disheartened at this doctrine of @willforthelord, and while in a practical sense, I do acknowledge that to live sin-free on this earth would be a wonderful thing (and yes, I do agree that it is not of our own righteousness or effort that we stay away from sin), I find so many pieces of Scripture that contradict this, as seen above! Even more evidence:
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
You know what? Because Will's doctrine is so foreign to me, I must heed the following from Jesus:
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
I have blocked Will's YouTube channel as much as I can.
As I've said before, there is one thing I agree with Will about, is that it's not of us to keep from sin, but of God:
As I've said before, there is one thing I agree with Will about, is that it's not of us to keep from sin, but of God:
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
At the very least, it means that God keeps us from apostasy. It is impossible for true Christians to fall away from the faith.
Those who trust in God will be righteous because God will carry us to such:
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
11/25/2024 Update: I've got another piece of Scripture that contradicts Will Allen:
7:16PM Update: I remembered something. I remembered that Will Allen defines "sin" as an intentional act, which, based on that definition, makes his doctrine sound more plausible, as, if I understand it right, no true believer commits an intentional sin, it just has too many Hebrews 10:26 vibes, correct me if I'm wrong (Proverbs 6:23)
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
(Jas 5:19-20)
James is calling the erring brother a sinner. Why would James call them brethren if they're outside the faith? If I take nothing else away from this, I must take away this: Repentance ALWAYS leads to life (For example, Acts 8:27b).
However, Will's definition is sorely incomplete, as unintentional sin also exists (I'm using the ESV here for clarity):
““Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD's commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them,” (Leviticus 4:2, ESV)
There's more where that came from in that chapter, by the way.
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