Sin is what keeps us from God.  How many are deceived thinking that since they believe in Jesus, put their trust in Him and still remain dead in their sins think they are saved?  We cannot confess the Lord Jesus Christ if we do not also confess (acknowledge) our sin(s).  Some think that since they prayed a prayer asking the Lord to forgive them of their sins they have confessed them.  But in truth, according to the scriptures confession and repentance are not a one-time thing but a lifestyle. James 5:16, 2 Tim 2:19, 1 John 1:8-10.  

Unless we get this, we cannot receive the forgiveness of our sins Christ has given us. If we cannot receive we cannot expect to live an abiding life Jesus commands:  John 15.  How many faithfully attend Sunday services, and bible studies during the week and do not have the desire to live an abiding life in Christ or even know what that means?  How can this be? 

The gospel of Jesus Christ for many is summed up in this verse:  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph 2:8-9, and there is nothing wrong with this verse for it is the truth!  Picture an accident scene and how they tape off the area with yellow caution tape to restrict anyone from entering to displace or tamper with it.  I liken this kind of a thing to how many treat the Gospel of Christ, for fear they tape off the said verse as the sole place where we learn of the Gospel and no other verse is allowed in the mix that would taint what this verse says.  This verse while it is true does not fully explain the Gospel of Christ Jesus.  It does not speak of what it is we are saved from.  It does not tell us what are ‘the works?’ When we pull this verse out to become the poster child for the Gospel of Christ it can take on interpretations that are misleading at best and in error at worst.  I believe that Paul expounds the teaching of the Gospel in Romans throughout, specifically Romans 5, 6, 7 & 8.   To reduce the Gospel into one verse is doing a disservice to the Lord.  Yes, the Spirit can work in just a few words, but are we not go ‘go out and make disciples?’ Meaning in the sense that we are to teach correctly and thoroughly the truth of Christ our Lord to new believers?  

Sin offends, and I believe this is the reason one verse is used specifically this one to be the Gospel truth for many, but Paul does not mince his words and is clear on the meaning of grace and sin in Romans 6. 

We cannot ever hope to enjoy the kind of fellowship the Lord desires with one another unless we are bound together in unity in the doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I can come to a church weekly, or attend bible studies with other believers and still not be in true fellowship as explained in John 17 and the verse below. Many are okay with this, but true Saints are not.  I believe a large reason for this is because sin has not been dealt with, through ignorance, or because it offends – according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and there remains a stumbling block for unity.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10.