WHAT IS SIN?
James 2
8, If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
9, But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10, For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, YOU ARE BECOME A TRANSGRESSOR OF GOD'S LAW
James is pretty clear if we brake ANY of God's Law (10 commandments) then we are a TRANSGRESSOR of God's LAW
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1 John 3
4 Whosoever commits SIN transgresses also the law: for SIN is the transgression of the law.
John is in agreement with James and states that if we TRANSGRESS God's LAW then we commit SIN because SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW. So it is very clear that SIN is breaking ANY of God's LAW (10 commandments)
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Romans 7
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known SIN, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Well here we have Paul in agreement with James and John also telling us that SIN is breaking God's commandments and uses the 10th commandment as an example of breaking any of God's LAW (10 commandments) = SIN (Exodus 20:17)
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Romans 3
20, Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: FOR BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN.
Once again Paul is in agreement with John and James which all agree together that if we break any of God's LAW (10 commandments) we commit SIN because as James, John and Paul all agree together that SIN is breaking ANY of God's 10 commandments.
God's Word defines SIN in breaking God's LAW; Now that we have the definition of Sin from God’s WORD let’s connect some of the scriptures and look at the CONTEXT you have left out of your interpretation of 1 John 3:23 starting at the beginning of 1 John 3.
1 John 3
3, And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
4, Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF GOD'S LAW.
5, And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6, Whosoever abides in him SIN<breaks God's LAW> not: whosoever SIN<breaks God's LAW> hath not seen him, neither known him.
7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous <Psalms 119:172 All your commandments = RIGHTEOUSNESS>.
8, He that commits SIN<breaks God's LAW> is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9, Whosoever is born of God DOES NOT commit SIN<breaks God's LAW>; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot SIN<breaks God's LAW>, because he is born of God.
10, In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.
11, For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12, Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
13, Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14, We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death.
15, Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Some key points..........
v4. SIN = Breaking God's Commandments
v6. Those who knowingly break God's commandments do not know God
v7. Don't be DECEIVED only those who DO NOT break God's commandments are is RIGHTEOUS as HE IS RIGHTEOUS
v8. If you are living in a life of KNOWN UNREPENTANT SIN you are following the DEVIL and not GOD (Acts 17:30-31; Heb 10:26:27)
v9. If you are BORN OF GOD you will NOT practice SIN
v10. LOVE AND OBEDIENCE to GOD'S LAW SHOW WHO ARE GOD'S PEOPLE and DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD'S LAW SHOW THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL
v15. Example of the 7th commandment (Exodus 20: 13) being broken. Those who brake God's LAW and SIN DO NOT have ETERNAL LIFE
Links to what Jesus says in Matthew..............
Matthew 7
21, Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; BUT HE THE DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN <FAITH THAT WORKS BY Love and OBEDIENCE>
22, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23, And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU <1 John 3:6 = has not seen him or known him because they break God's LAW and practice SIN>: DEPART FROM ME YOU WHO WORK INIQUITY (SIN)
So once again it is very clear the CONTEXT of 1 John 3:23 is discussing the breaking of God's LAW (10 Commandments) even using the example of murder in v15. The same deinition of SIN which is breaking God's LAW (10 Commandments) is repeated by PAUL, JAMES AND JOHN who all agree that SIN is breaking GOD'S 10 Commandments.
SO in Summary NO my friend you leave out the CONTEXT of 1 John 3:23 which is talking about SIN which PAUL, JAMES and JOHN all agree is breaking GOD'S LAW (10 Commandments)
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In times of ignorance God winks at but now ,<when a KNOWLEDGE of the truth has come> calls all men everywhere to REPENT (FOLLOW) (Acts 17:30-31).
There is not one scripture in all of God's Word that says that God's 4th Commandment is now ABOLISHED and we are now commanded to KEEP Sunday as a Holy day.
God's 4th commandment is one of the ten (Exodus 20:8-11) If we knowingly break it when God asks us not to we stand guilty before God of committing sin (James 2:8-12). If we do not seek him in repentance and forgiveness we are in danger of the Judgement (Hebrews 10:26-27)
Sunday worship is a tradition and teaching of man that has lead many to break the commandments of God. Jesus says that if we follow the traditions of man that break the commandments of God we are not following God (Matthew 15:3-9)
Who should we follow the teachings and traditions of men or the Word of God? Who should we believe the Words of men or the Word of God?
May God bless you as you seek him through His Word.