Using our free will to violate our free will

bia

Member
Mar 3, 2014
7
3
✟15,142.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
We can all attest that there are both great people in the church and others who are struggling in our journey. However, there is a common denominator I have seen. God has given us free will and with our free will we violate that will. Some blame it on sin and others will just ignore it or blame it on something/someone else. I'm not saying we are all hypocritical but in reality we are. I challenge anyone to read this to defend this "theory" I have noticed over the years. I know someone will reply, "sin is inevitable" but I really feel that is an excuse...or maybe sin is inevitable. If so, how can we justify giving advice on this very forum being filthy hypocritical sinners?
 

DreyDay

Newbie
Jun 9, 2013
163
30
✟11,342.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Some people have the spiritual gift of teaching and/or edification, although these people would have a higher responsibility because of teaching such an important subject as our very own faith. By grace we are saved, and we should strive for perfection, even though we will never be perfect until we are either raptured or leave this life.

Blaming something outside of yourself is a form of weakness, and so taking responsibility for everything shows an inner fortitude. The Bible says we were all sinners, but Christ died for us anyways. Regardless if you think sin is inevitable or not, if you believe in the resurrection and strive to avoid sinning, then you're good to go.

I believe it's what belief you are congruent with at the time. To one man something is sin, to another it is not.

Romans 14 1-11 says

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

5In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

10So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jaugu
Upvote 0

DiscipleHeLovesToo

Regular Member
Site Supporter
Nov 13, 2010
2,724
529
✟77,537.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
We can all attest that there are both great people in the church and others who are struggling in our journey. However, there is a common denominator I have seen. God has given us free will and with our free will we violate that will. Some blame it on sin and others will just ignore it or blame it on something/someone else. I'm not saying we are all hypocritical but in reality we are. I challenge anyone to read this to defend this "theory" I have noticed over the years. I know someone will reply, "sin is inevitable" but I really feel that is an excuse...or maybe sin is inevitable. If so, how can we justify giving advice on this very forum being filthy hypocritical sinners?

there are 2 definitions of sin in the Bible; one describes the conception of sin, and the other the birth of sin.

Rom 14:22-23 KJV
(22) Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
(23) And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

this is the conception of sin. since faith is believing God, then 'whatsoever is not of believing God is sin' - sin is not believing God

1Jn 3:4 KJV
(4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

this is the birth of sin; the result of not believing God ('whatsoever is not of faith').

1Jn 2:1-2 KJV
(1) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
(2) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Jesus paid the price for all transgressions of the law; this is why forgiveness is available to the lost (the group to which we all belonged at one time); so our transgression of the law does not make us (reborn believers) 'filthy hypocritical sinners' in God's eyes. if one does not believe 1John 2:2, then they are an unbeliever, and guilty of the conception of sin - even though their transgressions of the law (sin 'births') have been paid for in God's eyes; this doesn't change how God relates to them, it changes how they relate to God.

Joh 10:27 KJV
(27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

this is why we can give advice - we believe that we hear His voice and follow it (in this case, by offering what we believe is the advice that He wants to give); if we mess up, we know we have not conceived sin, because it was not in our hearts to not believe Him.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BFine
Upvote 0

Emmy

Senior Veteran
Feb 15, 2004
10,199
939
✟50,995.00
Faith
Salvation Army
Dear bia. Yes, we are given free will, and God Loves us and wants us to be His Loving sons and daughters. We live in an imperfect world, where sin is to be found daily. Jesus gave us good advice in Matthew 22: 35-40: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it:
love thy neighbour as thyself. That is easy to remember and straightforward. In Matthew we are told:"ask and you shall receive," then thank God and ask for Love and Joy to share with your neighbour. (neighbour being all you know and all you meet, friends and not friends) Keep asking and receiving, then thank God and share all Love and Joy with your neighbour. God will see your loving efforts, and God will bless you. The Holy Spirit will help and guide you, and Jesus our Saviour will lead you all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY.
The Bible tells us: " Repent and be Born Again," change from being selfish and unloving to be loving and caring.
Use our Free Will to do what God wants us to do, Love God and love our neighbour. We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and caring: DOING GOD`S WILL.
I say this with love, bia. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.
 
Upvote 0