“Our text says, ’Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’  I wish to publicly thank God for this peace in my soul.  Jesus saves me from my sins.  I know that the verse, 1 John 1:8, is a stumbling-block to many, yet it is simple when understood.  John was stating fundamental propositions.  He began by saying that, ’if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.’  Then, as if turning back to state the basis, or antecedent of his remarks, he said, ’If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.’  In other words, there was sin to be cleansed from the hearts of sinners, and to declare there was no sin to be cleansed from, was only to deceive themselves.  The same arrangement follows in verses 9 and 10, where the truth is first stated that ’if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,’ and then John stated the basis or antecedent of forgiveness, which is the fact that all have sinned.”

“Yes, yes, you can explain all you wish, young man, but you cannot get around those other texts I quoted.  ’He that saith he liveth and sinneth not is a liar and the truth is not in him.’  That’s Bible, I tell you,” said Peter with vigor.

“Where is that in the Bible?” demanded Robert.

“It is there somewhere.  I will find it soon,” said Peter as he started thumbing his Bible.  The congregation waited in expectancy.

“I will give you five dollars if you will find that in the Bible,” said Robert.

“Oh, you don’t think it is in the Bible?  I will get it.  Maybe I cannot find it now but it is there, and I will find it,” said Peter.  “But what about Solomon’s sayings, ’There is no man that sinneth not’?”

“Solomon lived a thousand years before Christ, Mr. Newby, and do you not think that Christ did something for us that the law could not do?  ’He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises,’ says Paul, in Heb. 8:6.  It was probably true that, in Solomon’s day, no one lived free from committing sin, but since Christ came to redeem us from sin, we can be saved.  Of course, anyone can sin, and there is danger of sinning, but if we live close to Jesus, He is able to keep us from falling, as Jude. 24, 25 says,” replied Robert, as he sat down again.

Peter Newby closed the debate by saying:  “Next week we shall study the sixth chapter of Romans.  The young man who spoke tonight seems to know considerable about the Scripture, so we shall appoint him leader.  I will find that text he asked for.  It is in my old Bible at home.”  And the crowd dispersed.

CHAPTER FOUR

The schoolhouse debates (continued)