As you might not remember I'll share this; verse 6 and 7 both refer specifically to "
fellowship" which
I believe is the context for verses 8 and 10. And "
fellowship" is the term which
I believe defines those talked about, as being
believers who have a born again
relationship with God. Or, as Shaheem keeps saying...a "
POSITIONAL" relationship which can't be lost.
I'm going to have to say that I don't believe I'm a
'name only Christian'. I believe I've been a born again, Spirit baptized, tongue talking, bible thumping, devil chasing Christian. But I also believe that I, like Paul said, "
am not perfect" yet either. And therefore I've sinned.
I believe we ALL still have the sin nature, which I believe is
FLESH. And in the same context where Paul said "
we are dead to sin" he also said "
reckon/consider yourselves dead to sin". Him saying that, puts a whole different spin on things for me contextually.
I agree, and if I'm 'walking right' I'm 'in that light'.
Or, falling/backsliding/sinning....just like John spoke of regarding the Christians who might still sin. But in 1 Joh 2:1 he assures us we're still under the propitiation for our sins, because of our advocate Jesus.
1JO 2:1 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.
I'm still going to say, you are not differentiating between the salvation received from first
coming TO the light. Subsequent to 'that salvation' I can 'walk in Christ/light' and I can walk out of
fellowship and into the darkness of sin. But my born again '
relationship' never changed.
Is this talking about an unbeliever? I don't think so, I think it would be talking about me...if I said I never sinned after getting born again. Or, if I said I never sinned after I got baptized with the Holy Spirit. I'm not throwing a spear here Sister, we just disagree.