Why 1:16? Sin no More (Part 1 of 5)

The Numbers

The Bible—God’s Holy Word—is made up of 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Across those books are 1,189 chapters (Google counted, not me) and 31,102 verses (again, Google counted, not me). Out of all of that, only 52 books have a Chapter 1, Verse 16—and interestingly, three of those books only have one chapter total.

That means there are only 52 “1:16” verses in the entire Bible. That’s just 0.16% of all Scripture. So, why would we call ourselves 1:16 Bible Study Group if we’re focusing on such a small slice of the Word?

Simple: because even a few verses, when chosen prayerfully and studied deeply, can have a massive impact. Of those 52 verses, we’ve selected five to serve as the spiritual foundation of this group. Since you all love math so much, here’s some more- that’s just 9.6% of the available 1:16s in the Bible—but each one is rich with meaning and purpose.

The verses we chose come from:

• Isaiah

• John

• Romans

• Colossians

• 1 Peter

Let’s start with Isaiah 1:16.

Isaiah 1:16

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil."

Before we dive deep into a full study of Isaiah chapter 1 (coming soon!), let’s look at why this single verse matters so much.

In context, the prophet Isaiah is delivering God’s message to Judah, one of the two kingdoms that made up Israel after its division. God’s people had turned their backs on Him. They were steeped in sin, proud in rebellion, and going through religious motions while living corrupt lives.

However, this warning wasn’t just for Judah—it’s for us too. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:11, these accounts were recorded to instruct and warn future generations. Many today who identify as Christians are repeating Judah’s sin.

Let’s be real:
We’re sexually immoral.
We lie.
We gossip.
We cheat.
We backstab.
We idolize celebrities, money, ourselves, etc.
We harbor jealousy, pride, anger, and bitterness.
Some exploit the church—pimps disguised as pastors, thieves cloaked in title and “authority”, all while bringing disgrace to God’s name and deceiving those who want to be deceived.

This isn’t finger-pointing. This is an “if the shoe fits” segment and some of this is a size 10.5 (my size). We must constantly have moments of honest reflection. And when we think we’ve discovered all our sin, we should ask the Lord to reveal the hidden sins that have taken root in our heart.

Many believe they are good with God or that God is “ok” with their sin as they say, “God knows my heart.”
The truth is yes—He does know your heart but it might not be what you think. He says this about it:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

What Isaiah 1:16 Means for Us

This verse is a reminder that we must repent, humble ourselves, and surrender to God’s way daily. We must allow the blood of Jesus to wash us clean—over and over again. We must stop doing evil. Not just outwardly, but inwardly. In our thoughts. In our motives. In our habits.

Isaiah 1:16 reminds us that we can’t just claim God's name—we have to live in His truth.

So that’s why we begin here.
This is not about perfection.
It’s about having a heart that is truly turned toward God.

We are 1:16 Bible Study Group, and this is the heart behind who we are and what we study.

Why 1:16? Next Up: John! (Part 2 of 5)

Okay class, there will be no math today! (That only makes sense if you’ve read our first post.) In Part 1 of “Why 1:16?” we explained why Isaiah 1:16 was chosen as a foundational Scripture for our Bible study group.

Just like the people of Judah were called to cleanse themselves and stop doing evil, we—the Church—must do the same. Our God is holy and righteous, and He expects His people to reflect His character.

Now, let’s shift to a very different kind of 1:16: John 1:16.

A Different Tone: Grace Upon Grace

John 1:16 (NKJV):
“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”

Right away, this verse feels different. To understand whose fullness we’re talking about, we need to look at the whole chapter—which we’ll get to in a future post. But here’s a spoiler: it’s Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Fullness in Christ

We’re not KJV-only at 1:16 Bible Study Group. While we lean toward the New King James Version, we often reference others like the NASB, NLT, and occasionally the ERV (Easy-to-Read Version), especially when breaking down complex texts.

Here’s how the NASB phrases John 1:16:
“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.”

That’s powerful. The “fullness” we receive from Jesus includes grace and truth. Just two verses earlier, John 1:14 says:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory… full of grace and truth.”

Truth and Transformation

Jesus didn’t just bring the truth—He is truth (John 14:6). His very essence is truth. If we are truly His followers, then we are called to walk in that truth daily. That’s not always easy—but by His grace, it’s possible.

And speaking of grace…

John says we receive grace upon grace. That means:

• We didn’t deserve it.

• We couldn’t earn it.

• And we definitely can’t exhaust it.

If John had kept writing, he might’ve added:
“...upon grace, upon grace, upon grace...”
(And honestly, that might’ve been the entire Gospel of John.)

Why John 1:16 Matters

As much as we miss the mark, God’s grace is deeper still. Romans 5:20 reminds us that “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”

That’s not an excuse to sin—it’s an invitation to return. When we come back to God with a humble, repentant heart, His grace meets us there every time.

So why John 1:16?

If Isaiah 1:16 shows us our condition, John 1:16 shows us God’s solution.
We deserved His wrath.
But in Jesus, we received His grace.

Why 1:16? Unashamed of the Gospel of Christ (Part 3 of 5)

In Part 1, we learned from Isaiah 1:16 that we are called to cleanse ourselves and stop doing evil. In Part 2, John 1:16 reminded us that even in our sin, God lavishes us with grace upon grace through Jesus Christ. So now what?

Well, since you missed your math lesson in part two of this series:
Isaiah 1:16 + John 1:16 = Romans 1:16.
Let’s explore that thought.

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

What Is the Gospel?

Most of us are familiar with the term, but here’s a quick breakdown so we’re all on the same page:

• We were born into sin
  (Genesis 3; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:23)

• The cost of sin is death
  (Genesis 2:16–17; Romans 6:23; James 1:15)

• Jesus died in our place
  (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Revelation 5:12)

• God raised Him from the dead
  (John 2:19–22; Acts 4:10; Romans 10:9)

• By faith (in Christ), we are saved
  (Romans 10:9, 10:13; John 3:16)

This is the gospel—the good news that salvation is available through Jesus Christ alone.

Tying It All Together

When we reflect on Isaiah 1:16, we’re reminded of our sinful nature.
When we read John 1:16, we’re reminded that God meets our sin with overwhelming grace.
Now, Romans 1:16 calls us to action: to boldly proclaim the gospel without shame.

The first two points in the gospel breakdown above represent our sin.
The last three represent God’s grace.
And Romans 1:16 is where we live now—redeemed, called, and unashamed.

Unashamed: Out of the Mud

Picture this:
All of humanity is stuck in a pit of mud—filthy, helpless, and weighed down by the density of the mud. That’s how we all started.

Now imagine someone reaches into that mud and pulls you out. You didn’t earn it. You just asked. You were washed clean—not because you deserved it, but because of grace.

Would you be ashamed to say you were rescued?
Would you hide the fact that someone saved you?

Of course not. You’d shout it. You’d stand at the edge of that pit and call out to others:
“There’s a way out! Let me tell you how I got free.”

Why Romans 1:16 Matters

As Christians, we’re not better—we’re just forgiven.
We’re not holier-than-thou—we’re humbled by grace.
We didn’t earn access to God’s Kingdom—it was given.

And now, we carry a message that can rescue others from the same mud we were in.
That’s nothing to be ashamed of.

We’re unashamed—not because of who we are,
but because of whose we are.

Why 1:16? The Creator (Part 4 of 5)

In the beginning, God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in them (Genesis 1).
The Gospel of John puts it this way:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory…”
(John 1:1–5, 14)

Jesus is not only the Savior—He is the Creator. And this leads us to the next 1:16 verse in our study:

Colossians 1:16

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

God the Creator of All

In today’s noisy, fast-paced world, it's easy to forget: God created everything.
Even the things we invent come from creative abilities that God planted in us. Whether directly or indirectly, all creation begins with Him.

He didn’t create the world and then walk away. He remains the sovereign King over heaven and earth. He rules with power and purpose—and He created us for Himself.

Not for Ourselves

Let’s be clear:

• We didn’t create ourselves.

• We didn’t evolve from apes.

• We aren’t the result of a simulation.

• We weren’t planted by aliens.

We were intentionally designed by a holy God—for a divine purpose. While He gave us free will, we were ultimately created to serve Him and be used for His glory.

Rules of a Kingdom

Every kingdom has rules. Whether you agree with them or not, a king sets the standards, and his people must follow them.

In any just kingdom:

• Obey the king, and you enjoy the peace and benefits of the kingdom.

• Disobey the king, and you face consequences—sometimes even banishment.

God’s Kingdom is no different. And it’s no surprise—we model earthly kingdoms after heavenly patterns (Genesis 1:26–28).

Living in God’s Kingdom

Whether we believe it or not, we are living in God’s world. Yes, there are rulers of darkness and spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12), but after His resurrection, all authority in heaven and earth was given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18).

If we want to be part of His eternal Kingdom, we must submit to His standards. Learning what those standards are—and living by them—is essential to becoming a faithful citizen of God’s Kingdom.

Why Colossians 1:16 Matters

This verse reminds us of who made us, why we were made, and who we belong to. We didn’t earn our place on this earth. We were granted life because God willed it and has both a plan and purpose for every person He created.

So, the question becomes: Are you living for the One who created you—or are you living for yourself?

God didn’t create us by accident. He designed us with intention, for His glory. We were made by Him and for Him. And only when we stop living for ourselves and start living for Him, will we begin to experience the true peace, purpose, and joy that comes from belonging to His Kingdom.

What will it be? Will you choose to live for the One who gave you life?

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, we give you all the praise, honor and glory for giving us life. You alone are the creator of heaven and earth. You alone can grant and sustain life. We humble ourselves before You, acknowledging that without You we are nothing but clay, but through You we are more than conquerors and can do all things. Help us to daily acknowledge You as the Sovereign King of heaven and earth. Let this understanding reflect in how we live our lives according to the standards of Your kingdom. Forgive us for all the times that we’ve sinned against You. Lastly, we ask that You help us to recognize the purpose that You’ve designed for us from the beginning and to begin walking in our purpose. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Please feel free to make this prayer personal.

Why 1:16? The Call to Holiness (Part 5 of 5)

Before the 1:16 Bible Study Group was even an idea, the standard of holiness weighed heavily on me. I grew up in church. I wasn’t perfect—not even close—but I never wanted to excuse my sin or presume that God's grace gave me a license to live however I wanted.

God’s standard of holiness hasn’t changed just because “times have.” And even now, as an adult who has lived through both successes and failures, that same call to holiness still presses on my heart.

That’s why 1 Peter 1:16 was chosen as one of, if not the foundation Scripture for this group.

1 Peter 1:16

“Because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

The Church's Call

The church—meaning the people, not the building—was given a clear, uncompromising command:
Be holy, because God is holy.

It’s simple in its wording but feels impossible in its expectation.
After all, WE’RE HUMAN.

How can flawed, limited people ever live up to the standards of a perfect God who is so far above sin that He can’t even be tempted by it (James 1:13)?

It’s like 7’1” prime Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal for you non-sports folks) telling 5’10” me—on a good day with a mini-fro, and a belly chub and skinny legs—to dunk on a 10-foot hoop. Ain’t happening.

But… what if I humbled myself and let him lift me?

Then you might just see me hang from the rim like I did something.
Let’s unpack that.

 Holiness by the Holy Spirit

Shaq is obviously not the Holy Spirit, but even as I wrote that analogy, it hit me:

I can’t dunk on my own—and I can’t be holy on my own either.

But if I humble myself and let the Holy Spirit lift me, what was once impossible becomes possible.

Could that be why Jesus said:
“Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
(Mark 10:15)

Children know their limits and ask for help.
Adults—especially men—struggle with that.
But holiness starts with humility. And we cannot walk in holiness without the Holy Spirit.

What Is Holiness?

Holiness means being set apart for sacred use—being spiritually pure, untainted by evil, without sin, sinless.

But holiness isn’t just about what we avoid. It’s about the condition of the heart.

Circumcision of the Heart

In the Old Testament, circumcision was a physical act that:

·       Removed the foreskin that all males are born with.

·       Once completed, it separated Israelite men from the rest of the nations.

·       It was the physical act that brought Israel into covenant with God through Abraham.

·       Practically, it’s easier to cleanse.

Spiritually, God calls us to circumcise our hearts—to remove the sin we were born with so that we can enter into covenant with Him through Jesus.

A circumcised heart:

·       Removes the foreskin of sin from our heart that we're all born with.

·       Once done, it separates those who have done so from the rest of the world.

·       It brings us into covenant with God through Jesus.

·       Spiritually, it’s easier to shape and cleanse from sin than a hardened heart.

·       Establishes and openness to Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

You can’t go to a doctor and ask them to remove the “foreskin” of your heart.
This is a spiritual surgery, and it begins with repentance—turning from sin and turning back to God.

Why 1 Peter 1:16 Matters

God doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

We won’t be able to stand before Him and say,
"But Lord, I was just living by the standards of my generation."

No. What God commanded Israel in Leviticus 19:2, Peter repeated to the Church in 1 Peter 1:16, and that same call still stands today.

God’s standard of holiness will never lower itself to meet our comfort.
So we must not twist His truth to fit our desires.

Instead, we must daily ask the Holy Spirit to dwell in us—so that we can live out the holiness God requires.

And when we live as a holy church, we show the world what God expects from the citizens of His Kingdom.

Final Thought

We hope this series has blessed and challenged you.
More than anything, we pray it has reminded you of who you are, whose you are, and what it truly means to walk in grace, truth, and holiness.

What will you do with the call?

Will you choose holiness?

Will you choose Jesus?