To Sin or Not to Sin: Embracing Hope and Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: Our Hope Is in Christ Alone

True hope is not a vague wish but a confident expectation rooted in Jesus, whose resurrection assures us of God’s promises and gives us strength, endurance, and peace even in suffering. This hope is not found in our achievements, relationships, or possessions, but in Christ Himself, who purifies us from the inside out and calls us to live transformed lives. When we set our hope on Him, we are inspired to put away every defilement and sin that clouds our vision, resting in the assurance that our future is secure in His hands. [55:49]

1 John 3:3
"And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure." (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been placing your hope in something other than Jesus? How can you intentionally shift your focus to rest in Christ’s hope today?

Day 2: Sin Is Our Enemy

Sin is not just a mistake or a minor flaw—it is lawlessness, a rebellion against God that separates us from Him and opens the door for the enemy to gain a foothold in our lives. Recognizing the true nature and wickedness of sin is the first step toward holy living; we must own our failures, confess them honestly, and refuse to rationalize or minimize them. When we call sin what it is and surrender it to God, we break the enemy’s hold and begin to walk in freedom and restoration. [01:02:23]

Ephesians 4:27
"And give no opportunity to the devil." (ESV)

Reflection: Is there a sin in your life that you have been excusing or minimizing? What would it look like to confess it honestly to God today and ask Him to reclaim that ground?

Day 3: The Atonement of Christ Is Essential

Jesus was revealed to take away our sins, bearing the penalty, power, and presence of sin on our behalf through His sacrificial death and resurrection. We could never remove our own sin or its consequences, but Christ stepped into our place, carried our burden to the grave, and rose again so that we might be forgiven and made new. This is the greatest love: that He laid down His life for us, and our gratitude for this atonement should overflow in thanksgiving and worship, especially as we gather with family and remember all He has done. [01:05:13]

1 John 3:5
"You know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin." (ESV)

Reflection: As you reflect on Christ’s sacrifice, who is one person you can share this good news with or pray for this week, so they too might know the freedom of His forgiveness?

Day 4: Abiding in Christ Produces Consistent Spiritual Fruit

A life connected to Jesus is marked by a break from habitual, willful sin and a growing desire for righteousness and love. While we all stumble, the Holy Spirit convicts us and calls us to repentance, so that sin does not become our identity or lifestyle. Abiding in Christ means daily seeking His presence through the Word, prayer, and fellowship, allowing Him to purify us and make His joy and freedom visible in our countenance and relationships. [01:08:30]

John 15:4
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (ESV)

Reflection: What is one daily habit you can begin or renew this week to help you abide more closely in Christ and allow His Spirit to produce fruit in your life?

Day 5: Love Is the Mark of God’s Children

The evidence of being God’s child is not just in right beliefs or actions, but in genuine love for others—a love that reflects both the righteousness and compassion of Jesus. We are called to love without compromising truth, and to pursue righteousness without neglecting love, knowing that real love is the greatest righteousness and real righteousness is the greatest love. As we love one another deeply, we shine the light of Christ into the world, inviting others to experience His freedom and forgiveness. [01:16:16]

1 John 3:10
"By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." (ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life—perhaps even someone difficult to love—that you can reach out to with a word of encouragement, gratitude, or prayer today, demonstrating the love of Christ?

Sermon Summary

As we enter this season of thanksgiving, it’s important to pause and reflect on the things and people we are most grateful for. Our gratitude should not just be a feeling, but an action—something we express to those around us. I encouraged everyone to reach out to family and friends, letting them know how much they mean to us, and to make this a daily practice. This simple act of thankfulness not only blesses others but also deepens our own sense of joy and belonging.

We also considered the vital role of spiritual conversations within families, especially between parents and children. Studies show that regular discussions about faith in childhood are one of the strongest predictors of a lasting, vibrant faith in adulthood. Fathers, in particular, have a unique influence, but all of us—parents, grandparents, friends—are called to invest in the spiritual lives of the next generation.

Turning to 1 John 3:3-10, we confronted the reality of sin. Sin is not just a list of bad behaviors; it is the deep-rooted rebellion that separates us from God and from one another. It is our greatest problem, the “Houston, we have a problem” of the human condition. But the good news is that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, to take away our sin, and to offer us hope and transformation—not just behavior modification, but a new heart and a new identity.

We are called to rest in the hope that comes from Christ’s resurrection, to recognize sin for what it is, and to never make peace with it. The atonement of Jesus is essential; only He can bear the penalty, power, and presence of our sin. As we abide in Him, our lives will bear spiritual fruit—not perfection, but a consistent turning away from sin and toward righteousness. This is not about living without ever stumbling, but about refusing to let sin define us or become our lifestyle.

Finally, love is the standard by which we are known as God’s children. Righteousness and love are not opposites; they are perfectly united in Jesus. We cannot claim to love God while living in habitual sin, nor can we claim righteousness without loving others. Our gratitude, our confession, our pursuit of holiness, and our love for one another all flow from the atoning work of Christ. As we go into this week, let us be people who are marked by thankfulness, transformed by grace, and known by our love.

Key Takeaways

1. Invest in Faith Conversations at Home Regular, meaningful conversations about faith within families—especially between parents and children—are foundational for a lasting relationship with God. These moments shape not only beliefs but also character, forgiveness, and a sense of belonging. Our investment in the spiritual lives of the next generation is one of the most significant legacies we can leave. [49:10]
2. Sin Is Our True Enemy Sin is not merely a list of mistakes; it is a force that divides us from God, others, and even ourselves. Recognizing sin’s true nature—as lawlessness and rebellion—prevents us from minimizing or excusing it. Only by naming and confessing our sin can we begin the journey toward freedom and restoration. [52:31]
3. The Atonement of Christ Is Essential Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection are the only means by which the penalty, power, and presence of sin are removed from our lives. We cannot save ourselves through good behavior or self-effort. The atonement is not just a doctrine to believe, but a reality to embrace with gratitude and humility, especially in seasons of thanksgiving. [65:13]
4. Spiritual Fruit Grows Through Consistency A life connected to Christ will not be marked by sinless perfection, but by a consistent turning away from sin and a pursuit of righteousness. The difference is not in never stumbling, but in refusing to let sin become our identity or lifestyle. Confession and repentance are ongoing practices that keep us in step with God’s Spirit. [68:30]
5. Love and Righteousness Are Inseparable True love never compromises righteousness, and true righteousness is always expressed in love. These are not competing values but are perfectly united in the person of Jesus. Our ability to love others well is the evidence of God’s righteousness at work in us, and our pursuit of holiness is incomplete without genuine love for our neighbor. [76:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - The Power of Thankfulness
[02:30] - Faith Conversations in the Family
[06:10] - The Role of Fathers and Grandparents
[09:00] - Thanksgiving Assignment: Expressing Gratitude
[12:00] - Introduction to 1 John 3:3-10
[15:00] - To Sin or Not to Sin: The Real Question
[18:30] - Sin: Humanity’s Deepest Problem
[22:00] - Resting in the Hope of Christ
[25:00] - Sin Defined: Missing the Mark
[28:00] - The Enemy’s Foothold and Confession
[32:00] - The Atonement: Christ’s Sacrifice for Us
[36:00] - Consistency and Spiritual Fruit
[40:00] - Abiding in Christ and Rejecting Sin
[44:00] - Love as the Mark of God’s Children
[48:00] - Invitation and Prayer for Thanksgiving

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

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### Bible Reading

**1 John 3:3-10 (ESV)**
3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

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### Observation Questions

According to 1 John 3:3-10, what is the relationship between abiding in Christ and the practice of sin?
In the sermon, what practical assignment did the pastor give the congregation for expressing gratitude during the week? ([49:10])
What does the passage say is the purpose for which the Son of God appeared? ([52:31])
How does John describe the difference between God’s children and the devil’s children in these verses?

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Sin is not just a list of bad behaviors; it is the deep-rooted rebellion that separates us from God and from one another.” How does this understanding of sin change the way someone might view their own struggles? ([52:31])
The pastor emphasized that “our salvation…is not behavior modification, but transformation that comes when God purifies us through the power of his Holy Spirit.” What does it look like in real life to pursue transformation instead of just trying to be “good”? ([55:49])
The sermon highlights that “love is the standard by which we are known as God’s children.” Why is it impossible to claim righteousness without loving others, according to both the passage and the sermon? ([01:16:16])
The pastor mentioned that regular faith conversations in the home are one of the strongest predictors of lasting faith. Why might this be so important for the next generation? ([49:10])

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### Application Questions

The pastor challenged everyone to reach out to someone each day this week to express gratitude. Who is one person you can thank today, and what specific thing will you say or write to them? ([49:10])
Think about your own family or close relationships. How often do you have spiritual conversations with your children, grandchildren, or friends? What is one way you could make these conversations more regular or meaningful? ([49:10])
The sermon says, “Sin is our greatest problem…the ‘Houston, we have a problem’ of the human condition.” Is there a sin or pattern in your life that you tend to minimize or excuse? What would it look like to “call it what it is” and begin to confess it honestly? ([52:31])
The pastor said, “We are called to rest in the hope that comes from Christ’s resurrection.” When you face discouragement or guilt, what helps you remember and rest in this hope? ([55:49])
The sermon teaches that “spiritual fruit grows through consistency, not perfection.” Can you think of a time when you saw growth in your life because you kept turning back to God, even after stumbling? How can you build more consistency into your walk with Christ? ([01:08:30])
“Love and righteousness are inseparable.” Is there someone in your life you find difficult to love? What is one practical step you can take this week to show them genuine love, even if it’s hard? ([01:16:16])
The pastor said, “Our gratitude, our confession, our pursuit of holiness, and our love for one another all flow from the atoning work of Christ.” Which of these four areas—gratitude, confession, holiness, or love—do you most want to grow in this season? What is one step you can take to pursue that growth? ([01:05:13])

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Sermon Clips

Because Jesus never sinned, he resurrected, therefore we have hope. We have hope, that's what we have. We have hope, we have the promise of God. Number two, sin is our enemy. Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law. Sin is the breaking of the law. In the Bible, sin is defined as anything that goes against God's standard, including any action, thought, or attitude, his law, or shows rebellion against him. Literally, it means this, it means to miss the mark. [00:59:39] (36 seconds) #JesusTakesItAway

We often fail to fail in the battle against sin because we won't call it what it is. It's lawlessness, an offense against the great, the great lawmaker, God himself. Instead, we say things like, well, if I've done something wrong, come on guys, we do this, or mistakes were made and so forth. Call it for what it is, sin and lawlessness. The first step towards holy living is to recognize the true nature and wickedness of sin. [01:03:27] (33 seconds) #FreedomInChrist

Is there any sin we can carry that God cannot forgive us from? Is there any sin or any bondage that God cannot break? No, God can do that. That's what he does. Christ is our covering. He is our protection. He is our protection. He's the one who walks with us. He's the one we depend on. That's what it is. [01:12:23] (22 seconds)

We don't need to be scared of death. We need to be scared of not living. It's not the length of life, it's the breadth of life. It's what we do with every single day. God brought us into this world at a certain time. He will not let us get out of this world until he wants us to get out of this world. He is the one who's in control of that. We cannot live in fear of that. There is no bondage that Satan could put on you that God cannot break. It's what he does. He destroys the works of the devil. [01:13:08] (33 seconds)

What is important is that we never sign a peace treaty with sin. I love what this commentator put it: we never sign a peace treaty with sin. We never wink at its presence or excuse it as saying, everybody has his own sinful areas and this is mine, Jesus understands. No, we cannot rationalize sin. Paul said, should we sin more that grace may abound? Absolutely not. This is completely goes against everything that we are in Christ. [01:14:00] (29 seconds)

How do righteousness and love balance? Listen to this, they don't. We are never to love at the expense of righteousness and we're never to be righteous at the expense of love. We aren't looking for a balance between the two because they are not opposites. Love and righteousness are each most perfectly displayed in the nature of Jesus. He was both righteous and completely loving at the same time. Listen to this, real love is the greatest righteousness and real righteousness is the greatest love. [01:16:22] (38 seconds)

We can celebrate because we have been redeemed, but we're not redeemed by our good works, we're not redeemed because we're good people, we're redeemed because of the blood of Jesus Christ, and we should be most thankful for that above all things. Because if we get out of this world and don't understand that, then we miss the real purpose of our existence here in the first place, which was to be in right relationship with him. [01:19:13] (23 seconds)

You want to know what joy is? You want to know what peace is? You want to know what purpose is, direction is? That all comes by being connected with him. That only comes through relationship with him. I'm not saying our lives sometimes aren't going to be messed up, not we're going to go, we're going to do things we shouldn't do, but we should not live in that, we should not set up residence there, we should not say this is my identity. [01:19:36] (22 seconds)

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