Are We Obligated to Sin?

[depthdeception]

So what you are telling me is that since you come to saving faith, you have lead a perfect, sinless life?

Yes, I can see the setup coming...they always try to sneak in the word "perfect." No, I am far from perfect. However, by the power of Christ, I am able to live above the power of sin.

 

[DeaconDean]

You didn't answer the question, have you lead a perfect, sinless life? You haven't sinned not even once since you were saved?

 

[5stringJeff]

Hello gopjeff.

Never met a Christian who didn't sin. Never will. We are "obligated" to live a sinful life because we are sinners. Being made Christians doesn't mean we no longer sin.

Pax

Hi Pax,

I also have never met a Christian who has never sinned. However, we are not under obligation to commit any sin, because we have been freed from the power of sin. Yes, we all live with the sinful nature, or flesh, inside us, but we are instructed that 1) we are not to give into the desires of the flesh, and 2) we no longer have to live in accordance with the flesh. All who have died are free from the bondage of sin, so all Christians can live their lives free from the power of sin that formerly reigned over them.

Jeff

 

[5stringJeff]

Coming to saving grace in Jesus Christ means that the power of sin over us has been broken. We received forgivness for our sins, but we are still sinful. How can I explain it? Sin is in-born in us. We inherited it from Adam. It will with us until the day we die. Humans have a sinful nature. Yes, while we as Christians are not supposed to sin, I don't know anyone (period) on the face of the earth who does not sin. I only know of one person who ever lived that did not sin and that was my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even Paul, the world's second best evangelist and missionary had trouble with this. And I don't know anyone who would doubt that Paul wasn't saved. Paul said:

"For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." Romans 7:15-25

Even Paul had trouble in this area.

Excellent post, DD. One question, though: you say that Paul was the second greatest missionary and evangelist. Who would you consider the first?

 

[DeaconDean]

Excellent post, DD. One question, though: you say that Paul was the second greatest missionary and evangelist. Who would you consider the first?

Jesus Christ, did He not journey through Samaria? Did He not evangelize to the Samaritian woman? Did not Jesus mission to His own people? Better put, was He not on mission to His own people?

 

[5stringJeff]

Jesus Christ, did He not journey through Samaria? Did He not evangelize to the Samaritian woman? Did not Jesus mission to His own people? Better put, was He not on mission to His own people?

Never really thought about that before, but I suppose you are right.

 

[depthdeception]

You didn't answer the question, have you lead a perfect, sinless life? You haven't sinned not even once since you were saved?

What do you mean by "sinned once since I was saved?" Sin is a relational matter between humanity and GOd. Sin is expressed in rebellion against God and a despising of God's will. Just because I am imperfect and make mistakes of judgement does not mean that I am sinful. To be sinful is to despise God and God's purposes for me.

Have I been sinful? Sure. Does that mean that I have to be? No. It simply means that there have been times when I have trusted my own abilities over the power of Christ within me.

 

[depthdeception]

Jesus Christ, did He not journey through Samaria? Did He not evangelize to the Samaritian woman? Did not Jesus mission to His own people? Better put, was He not on mission to His own people?

In terms of numbers and scope of outreach, I would have to say that Paul was a more successful evangelist. However, he did have quite a few more years to do it than Jesus did.

 

[DeaconDean]

deathdeception, you know, since you

"am able to live above the power of sin

and don't sin, you just

make mistakes of judgement

I personally think that God should himself make you a righteous person just like Abraham. I know that the Bible says: "There is none righteous, no, not one:...For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God:" (Romans 3:10,23). But you don't sin, just make mistakes in judgment, God bless you!

 

[depthdeception]

I know that the Bible says: "There is none righteous, no, not one:...For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God:" (Romans 3:10,23).

I completely agree--all have sinned. However, Christ is the Lamb that "takes away the sins of the world." Through him, we are enabled to live above the destructive and violent cycles of sinfulness that bind us in our fallen state. If this is not the message of salvation, I don't know what is!

 

[euphoria]

I never thought about it being as "obligated to sin" as though it were not our choice. Most sins are our choice. For instance, theft. A person purposes to obtain something that belongs to someone else. That is a decision. The fact he is even thinking about it shows the flesh is talking to him, that he desires what he cannot have and has to take it away from someone else. Other sins are not quite so noticeable, and for example swearing. Some people can swear and not even realize it! It is just so much easier, with no planning as in the theft mentioned above. I don't know about it being an obligation. I am having a hard time about that one. The only thing I can think of is if a person has a brain tumor and can't help himself from doing bad things.

 

[Your Neighbor]

Sinning is of the devil. Jesus wants us to receive His life and power so that we don't fall. See my signature below.

 

[march56]

Are Christians Obligated to Sin?

Are we obligated to sin? It is in our nature to sin. However we are obligated to not sin.

 

[GustheMule]

No. Read Romans 6. We are freed from the bondage of sin, meaning that we are not obligated to sin.

Ditto

 

[beloved57]

No, 1 Jn 2:1 say's John wrote his letter "so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin..." In other words, John's intent was to not have Christians commit sin. He then uses the uncertain conditional participle "if" not the definite "when" preceding "anybody does sin". In other words, John doesn't want Christians to sin and he does not expect them to.

you say

In other words, John doesn't want Christians to sin and he does not expect them to

Jesus must have expected them to, lets look at the lords prayer :After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Are Christians Obligated to Sin?

No more than any soldier is obligated to go through basic training.

 

[wtopneuma]

1st Corinthians 10:13; There hath no temptation taken you such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation, provide a way of escape. {WAY} RomaNS 7:24-25; What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus is the way of escape but Christians try their own resources instead of fully surrendering to Christ and allowing Him and His resources to gain the victory. The more intimate our relationship with Jesus the more victorious our Christian walk. Jesus desires our love and this cannot be forced. When we love Him enough, we will not want to do anything displeasing to God. Sanctification involves every choice we make after salvation for the rest of our lives. We either glorify God or sin by the choices we make.