A series about critical doctrines you must not deny or change

“You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” (1 John 3:5 ESV)

Over the past few days

I’ve been discussing doctrinal errors held by the many progressive churches around the world that have redefined many church doctrines to reflect their new unbiblical beliefs.

I have heard stories from people who said that they had attended one of these progressive churches for many years, and they said it didn’t start out with doctrinal errors. But it happened gradually as new leadership came in and bit by bit redefined the church’s doctrines and purposes. It’s like the old story about the frog in cool water that gets heated up so slowly, one degree at a time, that the frog doesn’t notice until it's too late and is cooked. A lot of times, these changes happen because people stop emphasizing Bible truths and instead focus on other things until the old essential doctrines are forgotten.

Most progressive Christians don’t openly say that Jesus was a sinner but their emphasis is often on Jesus' humanity. But the sinlessness of Jesus is crucial and must never be deemphasized. Here’s why.

Jesus Christ, who is God, cannot sin because He is God

The Bible makes it clear that even though Jesus Christ was tested in every manner, just like we are, He did not sin.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15 ESV)

“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” (Heb. 7:26 ESV)

Why it matters

There would be no atonement for sin if Jesus had committed sin. 

“You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” (1John 3:5 ESV)

“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” (1 Peter 2:22 ESV)

(1 John 3:5). He committed no fault, and there was no dishonesty detected in His words, as the apostle Peter made abundantly clear (1 Peter 2:22).

We are separated from God by sin and need a savior

Sin entered the earth as a result of Adam and Eve's disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6). Death resulted from their sin, as God had foretold (Genesis 2:17). As a result, sin is now a part of human nature from the moment of conception (Romans 5:12–19). (Psalm 51:5).

Our inherited sinful nature put a barrier between us and our Creator, condemning us to both physical and everlasting death because "the penalty of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). 

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Heb. 9:22 ESV)

Therefore

“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:21 NLT)

“So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Heb. 9:28 ESV)