The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-23, titled "Questions and Answers--Part 51."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

Answer

That’s a good question, and it does not mean that you’re not a Christian. I’m more aware of my sin now than I’ve ever been and it seems that every year I live, I become more and more sensitive to my sin. I had nowhere near the sensitivity to sin when I was first converted that I have now; that’s part of spiritual maturity. God has a total aversion to sin and so, as you grow spiritually and you become more godly-as you become more like Christ-you have an increasing aversion to sin. It isn’t that you for the first time want forgiveness; it isn’t that for the first time you recognize your sin; but it is part of spiritual maturity to have an increasing animosity towards sin. That goes with spiritual growth. In fact, that stimulates spiritual growth! If I never felt worse about my sin, I’d be content with where I am, right? So it’s not only the positive side of learning more about the Lord and wanting to love and worship the Lord; growing spiritually means becoming more and more aware of how bad I am as I become more and more aware of how glorious He is.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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