It is certainly wrong to "turn God's grace into a license for immorality", but I think you are mistaken in your blanket characterizing of believers that way.
Well, I believe men today do not set the bar high enough when it comes to avoiding "
turning God's grace into a license for immorality." While I am not talking about "Sinless Perfection"
(i.e. the putting away of minor transgressions, or faults of character that do not lead to spiritual death), I am referring to putting away grievous sin
(like lying, lusting, hating, theft, adultery, etc.).
Hebrews 10:26 says if we willfully sin after we receive the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sin.
Hebrews 12:14 says follow after peace and holiness, of which no man shall see the Lord.
If a person struggles with sin all the time, they are not living holy. One has to overcome at least the bare minimum level requirement in living holy in order to follow after holiness. 1 Peter 1:16 says be ye holy, as I am holy.
1 Corinthians 2:16 says that "we have the mind of Christ."
How can one have the mind of Christ if they believe they will always struggle with sin with thinking they are saved
(even when they are in sin)? Did Jesus ever justify the idea that He could sin and still be saved on some level? Was that the mind of Christ? Surely not.
You said:
Even the Apostle Paul wrote about the constant struggle against sin.
I believe you are referring to Romans 7:14-24. If so, I believe the context of the beginning of that chapter is referring to the Old Law (or the Law of Moses).
"But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not
in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7:6).
This means Paul was talking from the perspective as a Pharisee before he came to Christ. This makes sense because he later thanks God now that he has been delivered by Christ. Is this deliverance by Christ mean he could sin and still be saved (as he struggled with sin)? No.
Paul says to believers in Romans 8:13,
"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."
In other words, Paul tells believers, if a person
(the believer) lives after the flesh
(sin), they will die spiritually, but if they mortify
(put to death) the deeds of the body (sin) via the Holy Spirit, they will live spiritually.
Paul says put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and ye will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Romans 13:14).
Paul tells us believers that we are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).
How is that possible with what you have told me?
You said:
Are you unaware of the sin in your life? It seems you are promoting self-righteousness. Is that a sin?
I believe that Belief Alone Proponents are under the impression that they cannot overcome grievous sin in their daily walk with God and that they are saved even when they struggle with sin. But are they overcoming sin? Is a man who keeps cheating on his wife truly sorry if just pays lip service in telling her that he is "sorry" and yet there is no change in his life ever? My point here is that we as believers need to overcome grievous sin and live holy lives. If not, our faith and love for God is not at the loyalty and devotion that God requires of us.
This is not our holiness or self righteousness but it is the power of God working in us to live holy. It is the Sanctification process by the Spirit.
Sanctify:
John 17:17
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
Ephesians 5:25-27
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."
"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3).
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit...". (1 Peter 1:22) (cf. Romans 8:13).
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."
(Psalms 119:9)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5).
John 17:19
"And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2).
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:6).
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (1 Peter 2:21).
Sanctification:
1 Thessalonians 4:3
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:"
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1).
"For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
"So all people who have this confidence in Christ keep themselves pure, as Christ is pure." (1 John 3:3 GW).
"Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." Matthew 23:26).
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6:45).
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8).
1 Thessalonians 4:4
"That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;"
7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).
16 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
Side Note:
Please keep in mind that the verses I quote about being blameless, cleansing ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh is not the sole focus of my post here because I am not allowed to talk about Sinless Perfection in this section of the forums at great length. I am using these verses as a means to promote holy living by the Spirit in overcoming grievous sin
(like lying, lusting, hating, adultery, theft, etc.).
