A Sinless Christian?

jimmyjimmy

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Can we think of anyone other than Christ himself who lived a completely sinless life?

Have you been on CF for more than a day??? ;)

Keep posted. They'll be here soon.
 
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Albion

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Have you been on CF for more than a day??? ;)

Keep posted. They'll be here soon.
Good one! But but seriously.... :scratch:

There's no reason to think that even the greatest saints of Christian history were sinless throughout their lives. No Mother Teresas, no Francis of Assisis, no MLKings, no one, when you get right down to it. And yet, there are people who will insist that ANY real Christian will live sinlessly beginning as soon as he has a conversion experience.
 
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SnowyMacie

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Can we think of anyone other than Christ himself who lived a completely sinless life?

"If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us"
 
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jimmyjimmy

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Good one! But but seriously.... :scratch:

There's no reason to think that even the greatest saints of Christian history were sinless throughout their lives. No Mother Teresas, no Francis of Assisis, no MLKings, no one, when you get right down to it. And yet, there are people who will insist that ANY real Christian will live sinlessly beginning as soon as he has a conversion experience.

I'm in the theoretical realm here, as usual.

OP: Is it possible?
 
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A_Thinker

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I'm in the theoretical realm here, as usual.

OP: Is it possible?

The scriptures don't seem to affirm it as a real possibility ... while simultaneously advocating that Christians strive for it as much as possible ...
 
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Albion

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The distinction is that even impulsive acts can be sin. You can resolve to avoid sin and yet fall at any time. It's likely that the more serious sins will be avoided by a thoughtful and committed, mature Christian, but that's not to say it is impossible for them to ever sin.
 
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HereIStand

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I don't think it's possible. There are though Church of God and Nazarene Christians who would argue otherwise. Their argument only works though by removing subtle forms of sin, such as a less-than truthful statement spoken without realizing it, versus a knowing whopper of a lie.
 
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Albion

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I'm no expert on "entire sanctification" but I believe that John Wesley believed that a sincere Christian can grow and mature until he ceases consciously to commit a sin. However, sin has been defined as any falling short of perfection, so that is not ruled out even if we agree that a Christian might advance to the point that he does not deliberately commit a sin.
 
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LadyCrosstalk

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What's the distinction?

God deliberately made the distinction Himself. He issued proscriptions with the "Thou shalt nots" and made prescriptions with the "Thou shalls". It is much easier to avoid wrong-doing than to accomplish right-doing (and how does one ever know that one has done enough right things?). The answer is, of course, that you can't. That's why we need Jesus. God knows that we are weak.
 
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jimmyjimmy

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God deliberately made the distinction Himself. He issued proscriptions with the "Thou shalt nots" and made prescriptions with the "Thou shalls". It is much easier to avoid wrong-doing than to accomplish right-doing (and how does one ever know that one has done enough right things?). The answer is, of course, that you can't. That's why we need Jesus. God knows that we are weak.

Is not the law two equal halves? Omission and commission.
 
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jimmyjimmy

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It's likely that the more serious sins will be avoided by a thoughtful and committed

Like calling a brother an idiot, or being angry with a brother? How about a lustful look?
 
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JohnKing67

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We know that sinners sin, but what about Christians?

Is it possible for a Christian to live a sinless life?
I believe it's possible for a Christian to live a sinless life once they find God/salvation. The only man who lived an entire lifetime without sin was Jesus.
 
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Radrook

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Good one! But but seriously.... :scratch:

There's no reason to think that even the greatest saints of Christian history were sinless throughout their lives. No Mother Teresas, no Francis of Assisis, no MLKings, no one, when you get right down to it. And yet, there are people who will insist that ANY real Christian will live sinlessly beginning as soon as he has a conversion experience.
What makes you think he is joking?
 
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