Do you know why a Christian cannot willfully sin

[SavedByGrace3]

I agree we should strive against sin. But to claim you are without sin and have not sinned since the day you were saved really hurts a lot of people who then begin to doubt their own salvation because of your testimony. Young believers may even give up thinking that there is no hope.
Please reconsider your statements, and think about those who are hurt by them.

 

[justbyfaith]

I agree we should strive against sin. But to claim you are without sin and have not sinned since the day you were saved really hurts a lot of people who then begin to doubt their own salvation because of your testimony. Young believers may even give up thinking that there is no hope.
Please reconsider your statements, and think about those who are hurt by them.

It doesn't do that for me. It gives me hope that I can walk in freedom from sin as a believer in Christ.

Maybe some believers should doubt their own salvation. Didn't Paul write that we ought to examine ourselves whether we be in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Didn't Peter tell us to give diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10)? And didn't Paul, again, tell us to work out (as a math problem) our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13)?

The doctrine of entire sanctification does not serve to make me (or anyone else, for that matter) hopeless. It drives me to seek the Lord for more of His holiness.

Now, all you need to do to understand that you are justified in Christ even if you blow it is to read Romans 4. That chapter tells me that my identity in Christ is that I am righteous in Him, even if I blow it and do something ungodly (Romans 4:5). However, because my identity is that I am righteous in Him, the more that I understand that this is my identity, the more I ought to live according to this new identity that I have in Christ. I am righteous in Him, so I am going to live like it (1 John 3:7).

 

[1stcenturylady]

Pertinent verses of "cover" vs. "taken away." Do your own study. This is how I do mine. I use the fewest number of letters: cover, not covers; take away, not taken away or takes away. That way all words containing cover or take are captured.

I had to edit out verses like Matthew 8:24 where the boat was covered with the waves. This site's small system wouldn't post - too many words.

COVER
(Pertinent verses highlighted, but they haven't got to do with what Christ does.
(Not one verse that describes Christ's blood merely covering our sin.


James 5:20

let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (Towards each other, we can't take away sin, but we can still show love).

1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (Towards each other, we can't take away sin, but we can still show love).


TAKE AWAY
(Pertinent verses highlighted in red. Interesting things that Christ also did in purple.


John 1:29
[ The Lamb of God ] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Romans 11:27
For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”

2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. (Christ even takes away our lack of understanding).

2 Corinthians 3:16
Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Hebrews 10:4
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. (They are merely covered).

Hebrews 10:9
then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. (No more sacrifice)

Hebrews 10:11
[ Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified ] And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.

1 John 3:5
And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

It doesn't do that for me. It gives me hope that I can walk in freedom from sin as a believer in Christ.

Maybe some believers should doubt their own salvation. Didn't Paul write that we ought to examine ourselves whether we be in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Didn't Peter tell us to give diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10)? And didn't Paul, again, tell us to work out (as a math problem) our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13)?

The doctrine of entire sanctification does not serve to make me (or anyone else, for that matter) hopeless. It drives me to seek the Lord for more of His holiness.

Now, all you need to do to understand that you are justified in Christ even if you blow it is to read Romans 4. That chapter tells me that my identity in Christ is that I am righteous in Him, even if I blow it and do something ungodly (Romans 4:5). However, because my identity is that I am righteous in Him, the more that I understand that this is my identity, the more I ought to live according to this new identity that I have in Christ. I am righteous in Him, so I am going to live like it (1 John 3:7).

So you too have not sinned a single sin since the moment you were saved?
That makes 2 of you.

 

[justbyfaith]

So you too have not sinned a single sin since the moment you were saved?
That makes 2 of you.

That's not really what I said, but if you want to insist that it is, know that on the testimony of two or three witnesses every word shall be established...

 

[SavedByGrace3]

more cryptic stuff...
nm

 

[justbyfaith]

Acts of the Apostles 28:26-27, 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Acts of the Apostles 28:26-27, 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

congratulations, you win!

 

[Alithis]

I willfully sin. Does this mean I'm not a Christian?

a loaded answer to play the CF rules game in your favor?
so i wont answer you.
i will just give you the Scriptures and let you make up your own .

"You know that Christ appeared in order to take away sins,and that there is no sin in him. So everyone who lives in union with Christ does not continue to sin; but whoever continues to sin has never seen him or known him.
Let no one deceive you, my children! Whoever does what is right is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. Whoever continues to sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the Devil had done.
Those who are children of God do not continue to sin, for God's very nature is in them; and because God is their Father, they cannot continue to sin. Here is the clear difference between God's children and the Devil's children: those who do not do what is right or do not love others are not God's children."// - from 1john 3 Good news version.
-------------------
Not a text that gets read out very often ,but there it is all the same.

 

[Alithis]

I agree we should strive against sin. But to claim you are without sin and have not sinned since the day you were saved really hurts a lot of people who then begin to doubt their own salvation because of your testimony. Young believers may even give up thinking that there is no hope.
Please reconsider your statements, and think about those who are hurt by them.

it doesnt do that for me either.
but the presentation(in(1 john is important.
he speaks of
children
young men
fathers
differing stages of faith.
BUT none of these stages are excused wilful sin After the lord has made them aware of the behaviour AS sin.they admit it,repent of it and Dont do it any more.

 

[1stcenturylady]

from 1john 3 Good news version.
-------------------
Not a text that gets read out very often ,but there it is all the same.

The first time I went to this little Methodist church that had the largest food bank in the area, the preacher read a verse from that passage, instead of the common false teaching of using 1 John 1:8 as if it is to a true Christian. That has become my test - when they teach the truth.

 

[justbyfaith]

congratulations, you win!

I don't win unless your soul is saved in the end. Praying for you.

Not saying that you aren't a Christian; just that not every Christian necessarily has salvation (Matthew 7:21-23). Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8.

****link****
A sure foundation.
****link****

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I don't win unless your soul is saved in the end. Praying for you.

Not saying that you aren't a Christian; just that not every Christian necessarily has salvation (Matthew 7:21-23). Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8.

You win again!

 

[justbyfaith]

edited #352.

Go to that thread and give a testimony; and I'll know that I won; and that you won too!

 

[sunlover1]

It doesn't do that for me. It gives me hope that I can walk in freedom from sin as a believer in Christ.

Nor me, but he/she said, "for some".
I can see how it could cause someone horrible condemnation.
God's not at all about condemnation.

Maybe some believers should doubt their own salvation. Didn't Paul write that we ought to examine ourselves whether we be in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Didn't Peter tell us to give diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10)? And didn't Paul, again, tell us to work out (as a math problem) our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13)?

Good points.
But being perfect isn't mandatory (or possible)
Being "holy" is mandatory.
We're saved by grace, free gift, through faith in Jesus.
*shrug.

IMO, a lot of people have misinterpreted the passage and are now trying to
work out how they can be "sin free" to accomodate that passage, when being
sin free isn't the goal.

I couldn't so Jesus did.
had I been able to, He'd never have had to die.
I thank God for all HE did for me.
I receive and embrace His free gifts and then, as I
grow in Him, I become more like Him.
A keyword in that verse is "continue"

 

[SavedByGrace3]

edited #352.

Go to that thread and give a testimony; and I'll know that I won; and that you won too!

If that is what you want and what you are after... again! You win!

 

[Alithis]

Nor me, but he/she said, "for some".
I can see how it could cause someone horrible condemnation.
God's not at all about condemnation.


Good points.
But being perfect isn't mandatory (or possible)
Being "holy" is mandatory.
We're saved by grace, free gift, through faith in Jesus.
*shrug.

IMO, a lot of people have misinterpreted the passage and are now trying to
work out how they can be "sin free" to accomodate that passage, when being
sin free isn't the goal.

I couldn't so Jesus did.
had I been able to, He'd never have had to die.
I thank God for all HE did for me.
I receive and embrace His free gifts and then, as I
grow in Him, I become more like Him.
A keyword in that verse is "continue"

free means free.
let not sin therefore have Dominion.
you are still slave then you cant stop your master having dominion.
but if we are in christ sin is no longer a master so we Can
choose to Not let it rule us.

i have never yet had an answer [from anyone who says (in contradiction of scripture) that you cant be free from sin.] to this question...

When you say you cant be free from Your sin,which Sin is it your speaking About?

death came and comes by sin.keep sinning sins you Know are sin and you absolutly will perish.

to say dont tell people your free from sin it might upset them is the same as saying "please only tickle my ears and tell e only what i want to hear,not all the truth.

 

[1stcenturylady]

Those who believe they are Christians, but have no power over sin, as yet, are still in the process of being drawn by the Holy Spirit, as in "no one comes to the Father, except the Spirit draw him." Unfortunately, close is not close enough.

 

[Alithis]

Those who believe they are Christians, but have no power over sin, as yet, are still in the process of being drawn by the Holy Spirit, as in "no one comes to the Father, except the Spirit draw him." Unfortunately, close is not close enough.

this is a very Good way to word it

 

[Meowzltov]

free means free.

Yes, free means free. Even after we choose Christ, our freedom doesn't vanish. We are still free to willfully sin.

And the Holy Spirit still reaches out to us. We can also freely choose to repent and return like the prodigal child to the Father's house.