Evangelical Arminianism

[Clare73]

I am not saying my view is perfect, but I have studied the Early Church Fathers (who believed in free will) and expounded scripture; have a read, it could help clarify some things The Way and Free Will

Jesus said otherwise, "He who sins is a slave to sin." (Jn 8:34, also Ro 7:25, 11:32, Gal 3:22).
Slaves are not free. We all sin.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Jesus said otherwise, "He who sins is a slave to sin." (Jn 8:34, also Ro 7:25, 11:32, Gal 3:22).
Slaves are not free. We all sin.

Hi Clare,

That is not what that scripture means. The fact is when we sin there is an enslavement that comes with it, a demonic one. As the following scripture states:

Rom 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

When we willfully sin it gives satan access to our lives. This enslavement is a kind of blindness. That leads us to progressive unbelief. That is why some depart from the faith, they give into sin and it blinds them.

Heb 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called "TODAY," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

A Christian should not have a life controlled by sin. They will not be perfect, but they will generally be free from sin.

1Jn 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus came to destroy sin, not just offer a sacrifice for it (but He did that too).

 

[Clare73]

Hi Clare,

That is not what that scripture means.

I understand Scripture to mean what it says.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I understand Scripture to mean what it says.

Do you see it is meaning:

Rom 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

When we, present ourselves, give ourselves, to sin, what happens? We become a slave to sinly obedience. We can no longer control our sinful habit. It has a slavish effect.

Jesus came to give us the Holy Spirit so we can have power over that binding power. So we are no longer slaves to sin.

So He stated:

Joh 8:33-36 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Note that Jesus said "a slave does not abide in the house forever", the one who gives themselves to sin (as a habit) is in danger of hell fire.

1Jn 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Jesus was not saying "we all sin", he was saying "I have come to free you from the slavery to sin".