Misunderstanding Sin and Forgiveness
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Addressing some of the egregious errors that have arisen when John's teaching on sin and forgiveness is misunderstood and misapplied.
Text: 1John 2:1-2
Date: 03/15/2026, the Evening service.
Series: "Evenfall; Sunday Evening Worship" Part 44
Description:
In this meditation we will return to the first two verses of the second chapter of John's first epistle, focusing on some of the ways people and churches have misread, misunderstood, and misapplied John's words. It is deeply ironic that a book that was written to correct false teaching has been the target of so much false teaching ever since! We will expose four ways that John's teaching on sin and forgiveness has been twisted to justify egregious errors in doctrine. These errors are particularly significant because they are reflected in various ways and to varying degrees in perhaps the majority of Christian churches in the world today. But as always, ultimately the truth will prevail as we set out to correct these misunderstandings on sin and forgiveness.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, 1John 2:1-2.
A. Context
B. Four errors concerning sin and forgiveness.
1. The error of passivity, Eph. 4:11-16,22; Phil 2:12,13; Col. 3:5; 1Tim. 6:12; Rom. 6:11.
2. The error of perfectionism, Matt. 5:48, 15:18-20; Psa. 14:2-3.
3. The error of antinomianism.
a. Defining "antinomianism".
1) The basics of antinomianism, Rom. 5:20, 6:1-2.
2) Multiple "brands" of antinomianism.
a) Classic antinomianism.
b) The "God wants me to be happy" antinomianism.
c) The "lesser of two evils" antinomianism.
b. What John really said, Titus 2:11-14.
4. The error of universalism.
a. Defining what John said.
b. Explaining what John said.
c. Noticing John's address.
III. Conclusion
