Sins and Sin: Two Problems, Two Cures
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey · 2 min read
When Professor Gary Maxey first speaks of deeper cleansing, he starts with a small grammatical point. Paul writes about "sins" in the plural and "sin" in the singular. The two are not the same thing, and the difference explains a lot of confusion in the church.
Sins: what we did
Sins are acts. They are willful rebellion against God. A guilty sinner is fully responsible for them. He must come to God with sorrow and repentance. The promise is plain. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9).
At new birth, Professor Maxey says, these sins are completely forgiven. They are washed away and removed as far as the east is from the west.
Sin: what we inherited
Sin in the singular is something we were born with. Professor Maxey explains that this inherited nature is not something for which we are held guilty, and for that reason it cannot simply be forgiven. It must be cleansed or removed. He reads the second half of 1 John 1:9 that way. God also cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
Many names are used for it. He lists several from Scripture: the carnal mind (Romans 8:7), the flesh (Galatians 5:17), a stony heart (Ezekiel 36:26). Theologians call it inbred sin, original sin or depravity.
A common experience
Professor Maxey says that whatever our theology, there is a common experience among believers worldwide. If we keep obeying God, sooner or later we find a deeper need. Though forgiven and walking with a clear conscience, we discover unChristlike tendencies still in us.
Why it matters
Two mistakes follow if the two are confused. If we treat the inherited nature as a list of sins, we confess and confess and feel nothing changes. If we ignore it, we call every inner struggle a spiritual failure and fall into despair.
Two requests
Take each problem to God in its own way. For sins, confess and receive forgiveness. For the inner nature, bring the whole root to him and ask for cleansing. Ask in faith, and do not stop at forgiveness when God has promised more.
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey.
