Well, I definitely was not referring to the devil and his minions. They even have souls because I believe the Bible teaches that a soul is having a mind, a will, and emotions. See this CF thread
here with Scripture to learn more about the soul.
If such were the case, then Jesus Christ (
the Living Word) did not need to take on flesh via by way of the virgin Mary. The Living Word would have just appeared in the flesh fully as an adult man and He would not have needed to be born as a child through the line of already existing human beings. Jesus could have simply duplicated the flesh of humankind even and appeared out of thin air with no birth. But that's not what happened. In other words, God is consistent in the way He operates. If God was manifested in the flesh (
and He was - 1 Timothy 3:16), and we see He had made appearances under the title of "
the Angel of the Lord," then logic dictates that He was using an angel shell or angel body (
with no mind, will, and emotions attached) as a covering to house His glory in not destroying other people (
In the fact that they could look at His face).
As for your statement that says, "
we are not unclean once we come to faith in Christ":
Well, in 2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul says to believers in Christ,
"...let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1).
In other words, Scripture has to be read as a whole.
Believers are forgiven of all past sins when they come to the Lord Jesus Christ and His grace (seeking forgiveness with Him). This is because 1 John 1:9 says,
"If we confess of our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins..."; So you have to confess in order to be forgiven (Well, that is if you believe 1 John 1:9 in what it plainly says). After being forgiven of sin by the Lord Jesus, and believing in the gospel (Gospel is defined in: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) (
Which is being saved by God's grace), believers need to then enter the Sanctification Process. How so?
Well, the Bible uses the word sanctification in reference to living holy.
"That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;" (1 Thessalonians 4:4).
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication" (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
So God's will for our life is Sanctification and as a part of it, we are told to abstain from fornication. We are told to possess our vessel (our body) in sanctification.
The Bible also uses the word "sanctify" in relation to using Scripture to clean or sanctify the church so that Christ might present to Himself a church that is holy, and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27 says,
25 "...even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
To summarize 2 Timothy 3:16-17, it says all Scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness so that the man of God may be perfect unto all good works.
The Bible also uses other words to refer to the Sanctification Process or in purifying oneself so as to Live Holy:
"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
(
Philippians 2:12).
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." (
Romans 8:13).
"Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (
1 Timothy 4:15-16).
"
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (
Galatians 5:16).
"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to
fulfil the lusts
thereof." (
Romans 13:14).
"Pursue peace with all
people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; " (
Hebrews 12:14-15).
"let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (
2 Corinthians 7:1).
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself
His own special people, zealous for good works. " (
Titus 2:11-14).
"And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. " (
1 John 3:3).
As for your statement that says, "
as I'm certain you well know...God credits us with righteousness per Romans":
It is true, God credits us with his righteousness, but this has to be done with a true faith. For example: While the blood of Jesus needs to be applied to our life by believing in Christ's blood for salvation (Romans 3:25), the blood of Christ also needs to be applied by our walking in the light according to 1 John 1:7, too.
"But 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." (1 John 1:7).
What is walking in the light mean? The next chapter gives us the clue or hint that "walking in the light" is loving our brother.
9 "He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes." (1 John 2:9-11).
So we have to love our brother as a part of the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse us. So salvation is not a one time event, but is ongoing and it is conditional upon us loving our brother.
More proof?
"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." (1 John 3:10).
So a person is not of God if they do not love their brother. That is what 1 John 3:10 says.
1 John 3:15 says that hating one's brother means they are like a murderer and no murderer has eternal life abiding in them.
So believing in Christ's blood by faith, and bringing forth works of faith (by loving one's brother) is what proves one faith is genuine. For faith without works is dead (James 2:17). What about Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:3-5, and Titus 3:5? These verses are referring to the first step or stage of the salvation process which is by God's grace when we are first initially saved. It is a process of salvation that is based upon God's mercy and grace, and not in anything that we did. But after we are saved by God's grace, we need to then enter the Sanctification Process (Which is the next stage or step in the salvation process).
I understand.
Blessings to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ;
And please be safe.
