TMOTCS: WHEN THE CHRISTIAN SINS.

We can ask the question; do christians sin? Of course they do! When a christian sins, his fellowship with God is broken but the relationship with God may not be altered instantly. When David committed adultery, deception and murder; he still remained God’’s child but out of fellowship with Him. A christian sinner will remain separated from God but with the opportunity for pardon and restoration to fellowship if he repents; though he shall not be unpunished as deterrence (Prov 16:5). God is merciful to pardon and forgive when we repent.

The effect of a christian living out of fellowship with the Lord is unbearable. It soils the soul because sin is dirty and polluting. It fills the mind with guilt and dominates the thoughts. It stings and condemns one’s conscience towards God. It depresses the heart and causes loss of internal joy. It affects the body and causes loss of harmony within oneself. It sours the spirit with the feeling of wrongdoing. It prevents testimony and blocks answers to prayers because the sacrifice of the sinner is abomination to God (Prov 18:8).

What then should a christian sinner do to restore fellowship with God? Since God is merciful and His love is enduring, the fallen believer is to first be assured about God\’s unfailing love and compassion. Although God hates our sin but He loves us with an everlasting love. He mourns over our sin but waits to forgive us when we return to Him in penitence. So we must go back to him in penitence, soberness and with humble faith (Ps 139:23-24). God not only forgives but forgets when He forgives (1John 1:9).