In addition, Galatians 5:19-21 says that the works of flesh are certain kinds of sins.
In Galatians 5:21, we see that those who
practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In 1 John 3:9, we read -
No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Romans 8:1 teaches that walking after the Spirit and not after the flesh (sin) in Christ Jesus equates that we are not under the condemnation.
Walking according to the Spirit is descriptive of children of God. Those who are habitually dominated by the sinful nature (unbelievers) put their minds on the things of the sinful nature, but those who are habitually dominated by the Spirit (believers) put their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:13 teaches that if we live after the flesh (sin), we will die, and if we put to death the misdeeds of the body by the power of the Spirit (i.e. we put away sin by the Holy Spirit) we will live (live eternally).
How about a little context. Romans 8:8 - So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Galatians 6:8-9 says if we sow to the flesh (sin) we will reap corruption, but if we sow to the Spirit, we will reap everlasting life. Verse 9 says that we should not faint in “well doing” for in due season will shall reap. “Well doing” is good works. Well doing is equated with sowing to the Spirit whereby we will reap everlasting life. So if we are not on that course of sowing to the Spirit, there is no everlasting life.
The one who is continuously (Greek present tense) sowing to his own corrupt, sinful nature which is opposed to God and unrenewed by the Holy Spirit shall of the flesh reap corruption. Our life here is sowing of one kind or another. But he who sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap everlasting life. In opposition to corruption, eternal life is produced by the Holy Spirit in those who put their faith (belief, trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ for salvation.
“And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:29).
The good deeds of the redeemed (those who have done good) are not the basis or means by which they obtained salvation but the evidence of it. A person's conduct, whether good or evil, reveals the condition of his heart.
Doing good flows inescapably from a heart that is saved and doing evil flows equally inescapably from a heart that is unsaved. Notice that
ALL who come forth unto the resurrection of life (believers - vs. 24) are
described as those who have done good and
ALL that come forth unto the resurrection of damnation (unbelievers) are
described as those who have done evil.
What did Jesus say in John 3:18? - He who
believes in Him is not condemned; but he who
does not believe is condemned already.. Are believers described as "those who have done good" or those who have done evil?" Are unbelievers described as those "who have done evil" or "those who have done good?" *You must not confuse descriptive passages of scripture with prescriptive passages of scripture.
Belief Alone-ism teaches that one can do serious evil or sin on some level, and still be saved.
What is it with you and serious evil/sin? Those who are born of God/genuine believers practice righteousness and not sin. (1 John 3:10) But this does not mean that we never sin at all. (1 John 1:8-10)
Yet, Jesus says that those who have done evil will be unto the resurrection of damnation.
Take this to your implied conclusion and you had better be sinless 100% of the time or else be resurrected unto damnation.
Yes, we are saved by God's grace, but His grace is not a license for immorality or safety net to justify serious sin or evil on any level (See: Jude 1:4).
Who said it was and Jude is exhorting believers to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (vs. 3) because
certain ungodly men who have crept in unnoticed. Jude further describes these ungodly men as ones who
cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. (vs. 19)
In CONTRAST to those who are
called, sanctified by God the Father, and PRESERVED in Jesus Christ. (vs. 1) Psalm 37:28 - For the Lord loves justice, And
does not forsake His saints; They are
PRESERVED FOREVER, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
