Logical Problems with Calvinism

[nobdysfool]

Well, actually, I believe there are many variations and levels of Calvinism. I do not believe it is just one version. So no. I am merely quoting one version of what certain people have said about it (Whether you hold to that version or not).


...

But you don't make that caveat plain, you just paint them all with the same broad brush. That's dishonest. That betrays your underlying dislike for Calvinist theology, even though you clearly do not have a working understanding of it. That disqualifies you from speaking about it the way you have. You don't know what you're talking about.

I'm not saying that to put you down, or cast aspersions on you. You don't know what you don't know. There's no shame in that. Most people are at that level about many things. There are 4 levels of knowledge:

1. You don't know that you don't know,
2. you know that you don't know,
3. you know that you need to know and begin to learn, and finally
4. you know that you know.

There are no shortcuts to that. You progress through all 4 stages, in order, to arrive at knowledge that will benefit and serve you. Regarding Calvinism, you are at the first stage.

 

[Marvin Knox]

Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3).
So having the capacity to even see the Kingdom of God requires one to be born again. .....

Yes.

I remember reading that passage in John about half a century ago.

And your point?

This is a regeneration because Titus 3:5 says we are saved by the washing of regenertation and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).....

Is that verse really the one that explains that regeneration must come after believing?

I'm looking but I don't see it.

Doesn't birth usually come some time after generation. At least that's what they taught me in high school biology.

For this matches up with Jesus saying we are born of the Spirit.

If it matched up as well as you say, I would be able to see it.

But you are making huge leaps of assumption with this text, though. Nowhere does it specifically mention a regeneration here.

(FROM A POST ADDRESSED TO SOMEONE ELSE)

Actually we are all making assumptions when we use the word "regeneration" here and link it to the only place it is used as such - namely Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost"

It amazes me how many amateur theologians from both sides of the fence seem to believe that they possess insights into how things work in the spiritual world that they couldn't possibly possess.

Last time I looked the debate was still ongoing concerning the dichotomy and the trichotomy of man - or the relationship of the soul to the spirit in man.

No one here has likely seen a ministering spirit in the form of an angel. No one here has seen the Holy Spirit of God. No one here knows what a human spirit looks like or how the Holy Spirit unites with that spirit to bring it to life after it was apparently born dead.

The one thing that almost all theologians agree on though is that the function of the human spirit is to commune with and understand God's revelations.

If we choose to use the term "regeneration" for the reuniting of the Holy Spirit and the human spirit we seem to want to know when this happens.

Calvinists tent to point out the fact that the natural man by virtue of his dead spirit has limitations when it comes to understand God. They believe that the spirit must be united with the Holy Spirit again in order to overcome those limitations. That makes sense. But there are issues that arise.

The Bible says that no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit. Jesus told Peter that it was the Father who had revealed the truth about the Lord to Peter (presumably through the spiritual connection).

The Bible shows us that Lydia had her heart opened by God in order that she could believe the gospel when it was preached to her.

Also it is obvious that generation comes before birth in the illustration used by the Lord. Therefore regeneration should come logically before being born-again.

The problem for non-Calvinist types is that it doesn't seem that the scriptures teach that everyone in the world gets to have this spiritual awakening.

As William Shakespeare would say, "Therein lies the rub."

Non-Reformed types must and will go through a number of gyrations to get around the doctrine of election that results from combining these scriptural ideas with all of the times believers are called "elect" and "called" in the scriptures.

They have to believe that spiritually dead men come to the Lord and understand who He is and accept the provisions of the gospel before spiritual rebirth. Then God rewards the dead man for his unique abilities by giving him the spiritual life that he (apparently) doesn't really need to have.

I don't know how these things work in a spirit world that I can hardly understand even a little. I don't know exactly how the process works related to the salvation process. It may be a gradual enlightenment by the Holy Spirit or it may be an instantaneous thing. I simply don't know.

All I know is that the Father is the one who enlightens some by using in some way His Holy Spirit. I know that no one can come to the Son unless drawn by the Father. I know that no one can even believe on Christ except by the work of the Spirit of God.

You can do anything you want to do to these facts from scripture in order to stay away from a doctrine about how these things work that you deem to be unfair.

I have no such hangups about the fairness of God. I trust Him. I'm OK with just believing what the scriptures seem to obviously teach.

If you would simply agree to certain facts concerning election and predestination we might well just forget the term "regeneration" all together. But you will not believe God because you think that it would make Him unfair.

But then - to top it all off - you also believe that this regeneration can happen again and again in light of the idea that men can die spiritually again and again in life depending on their obedience.

I find your particular gyrations and those of some others here to be amazing.

No one has to adopt every doctrine that comes out of the mouth of full blown Calvinists. Heck - I certainly don't.

But it would really be nice if you could get just the basics down first before you presumed to teach other believers here on the net.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Oh really now?
Jason, the first 4 verses establish the truth that christians do not walk after the flesh but the Spirit, they are not flesh walkers and Spirit walkers both as your teaching. THEY ARE EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER.

Romans 1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

When I say 'christians', I refer to those who are born again of God, who as Jesus said are of the Spirit and not of the flesh.

But your teaching says they are both of the flesh and spirit at the same time, contrary to what Christ has stated as truth, Romans 8 is in agreement with Christ's doctrine.
Jesus said this
John 3
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Look, I am not denying the new birth or that a person is changed spiritually by God or that they are in Christ Jesus. It would be silly to suggest otherwise. The regeneration is a result of believing in Jesus or by partaking in the Sinner's Prayer (Which is whereby you would receive Him). What I am saying is that in Romans 8, there are two different kinds of mind sets for believers. There are believers today who have been tricked into thinking they can sin and still be saved. Then there are those who believe in obeying Jesus and His Word. The mind set of the believer is the topic of discusssion for Romans 8. So while the regeneration or new birth is essential to one's initial faith and salvation, this is not what it is talking about in Romans 8.

For the bulk of Romans 8: Just take a sheet of paper and create two columns. One side would be walking after the Spirit in Christ Jesus. The other is walking after the flesh. Please take note that no mention of the timing of regeneration is spoken about here.


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[sdowney717]

Look, I am not denying the new birth or that a person is changed spiritually by God or that they are in Christ Jesus. It would be silly to suggest otherwise. The regeneration is a result of believing in Jesus or by partaking in the Sinner's Prayer (Which is whereby you would receive Him). What I am saying is that in Romans 8, there are two different kinds of mind sets for believers. There are believers today who have been tricked into thinking they can sin and still be saved. Then there are those who believe in obeying Jesus and His Word. The mind set of the believer is the topic of discusssion for Romans 8. So while the regeneration or new birth is essential to one's initial faith and salvation, this is not what it is talking about in Romans 8.

For the bulk of Romans 8: Just take a sheet of paper and create two columns. One side would be walking after the Spirit in Christ Jesus. The other is walking after the flesh. Please take note that no mention of the timing of regeneration is spoken about here.


....

Just one basic problem is the rotten foundation of your understanding in that you teach saved persons can go to hell fire, people lose their salvation depending upon their works. And if you never can believe Christ's words that those who He saves will never lose eternal life as in John 10, then you are not understanding the scriptures or the power of God. Your foundational understanding being built on another doctrine, you never will comprehend that or let yourself believe something different.

 

[nobdysfool]

Just one basic problem is the rotten foundation of your understanding in that you teach saved persons can go to hell fire, people lose their salvation depending upon their works. And if you never can believe Christ's words that those who He saves will never lose eternal life as in John 10, then you are not understanding the scriptures or the power of God. Your foundational understanding being built on another doctrine, you never will comprehend that or let yourself believe something different.

What is at the heart of this "losing your salvation" doctrine is this huge straw man, that of people being taught or believing that they can sin with impunity once they're saved. I am not aware of any church that teaches such a thing. Any so-called church that would teach such a thing is apostate. They are not a true church. And people who believe such a thing are self-deceived.

Usually this straw man is trotted out to try and cast Calvinists in a bad light, with the false accusation of antinomianism. Calvinism teaches no such thing. There is a lot of false information being promoted by the opponents of Calvinist Doctrine, and they usually run to the other extreme of teaching that one's works are the glue that holds their salvation in place, and if they fall short in works (which are always conveniently visible works that can be judged by other Christians), they will lose their salvation. What they will lose is rewards, and that is clearly taught in the NT.

Works are the result and outworking of true faith, and they are not for any man to judge. That is the mistake made very often by those teaching loss of salvation, because no matter how many works one does, they will always demand more. They teach a situation where one is constantly unsure of their relationship with God How can one develop a close, loving relationship with God, if they are constantly afraid He will cut them down at any moment?? God is a God of Love, not of Terror.

Heb 7:25 Wherefore He (Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

That one verse, alone, destroys the loss of salvation doctrine. Jesus, being the final High Priest, intercedes for them that come to Him in faith. What do you suppose that intercession consists of? Jason, please tell us. Let's see if you understand the full import of this verse, and passage.

 

[EmSw]

First of all, if regeneration precedes faith, then it means that the moment after you become a completely regenerated new creature in Christ, you still haven’t yet come to the place where you have put your faith in Christ. In effect, you have salvation, not through faith, but solely by God’s election. You are, moments after God regenerates you, a SAVED UNBELIEVER.

However, one cannot have salvation without faith, though. For without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). And whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). For by grace are ye saved through FAITH (Ephesians 2:8).

Source Used:
http://www.goodnewsarticles.com/May04-1.htm

What the Calvinists won't mention is 1 Peter 1:22. No one can be born again without the incorruptible word. These people who say that one day they just had this love, joy, and peace from God, that they were changed into a new person isn't taught in the Bible. Without the word implanted into a person's heart, there is no regeneration or new birth.

22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

We also see that purifying our soul, or sanctification, comes from obeying the truth. This comes after being born again of the word.

This is explained further by Jesus.

Matthew 13
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:
19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;
21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

In these verses, we have four different situations concerning those who are unsaved. It is the implanted word through which a person is saved or born again.

The first person does not UNDERSTAND the word and it is snatched from his heart. No salvation nor new birth from above.
The second person hears the word and receives it with joy. However, he has no root and only endures a while (he who endures to the end will be saved). No salvation nor new birth.
The third person hears the word, but the cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and produces no fruit. No salvation nor new birth.
The fourth person receives the seed on good ground, that is, he hears and understands it, and bears fruit. It is this person which is born again by the incorruptible word. We see from this parable, that without faith, that is, hearing and understanding the word, there is no regeneration, no new birth.

 

[EmSw]

What is at the heart of this "losing your salvation" doctrine is this huge straw man, that of people being taught or believing that they can sin with impunity once they're saved. I am not aware of any church that teaches such a thing. Any so-called church that would teach such a thing is apostate. They are not a true church. And people who believe such a thing are self-deceived.

I will ask, can a saved person sin with impunity and stay saved?

I would like to see what you teach.

 

[GillDouglas]

You are speaking of physical death with Lazarus. Are you speaking of physical death with everyone?

When God told Adam he would surely die if he ate the forbidden fruit, did he immediately physically die or did he spiritually die? The story of Lazarus has many meanings, one being that a dead mean can do nothing and another being no man can resist the will of God. What God ordains, it comes to pass. When He said 'let there be light', it happened. When He said 'Lazarus come forth', he did. He didn't get a chance to think about it and decide to stay dead. The same applies to the spiritually dead.

 

[Marvin Knox]

The fourth person receives the seed on good ground, that is, he hears and understands it, and bears fruit. It is this person which is born again by the incorruptible word. We see from this parable, that without faith, that is, hearing and understanding the word, there is no regeneration, no new birth.

I see you are still making the same silly mistake.

People are born again through exposure to the Word of God. Everyone who can read knows that.

But generation and birth are not the same thing and regeneration and the new birth are not the same thing.

Generation comes before birth and regeneration comes before the new birth.

This isn't rocket science. It's basic biology and it's basic Word of God.

Jesus gave us an example that even a child with a basic understanding of the birds and the bees could understand.

Just in case a few of you are a little slow on the uptake, He gave us a backup picture that anyone with a brain should be able to understand.

The effects we see of the presence of the wind are not themselves the wind which is invisibly active behind the scenes.

The effects we see when a person is born again through reception of the Word of God are not themselves the Holy Spirit who is active behind the scenes.

Just in case someone is really dense - Jesus told us that Peter's statement about who the Lord was was actually revealed to him by the Holy Spirit within him.

Just in case someone is really, really dense - Paul told us that no one can even say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit within him.

Just in case someone is really, really, really dense - Luke tells us that Lydia's reception of the gospel message was only made possible by the Lord opening her heart by the activity of the Holy Spirit within her.

These concepts are so simple for anyone wanting to understand truth no matter where it leads.

Yet they are so difficult for those with an agenda of wanting to keep away from the truths concerning the sovereignty of God in salvation that the Word of God clearly teaches.

The Word of God warns us that many people should not teach because there will be a more strict judgment if they do.

I wouldn't want to be one of you folks who teach this nonsense on the internet for all the gold in the world.

You don't judge before hand whether God would be wrong for doing a certain thing and then build your doctrine in a way that will make sure that He isn't seen that way.

You teach what God teaches and let the chips fall where they may.

Anything else is not just a silly thing to do. It's down right dangerous.

 

[GillDouglas]

I will ask, can a saved person sin with impunity and stay saved?

I would like to see what you teach.

Wait, don't you believe that ALL will be saved? So, if all are sinners how will anyone be saved? Anyway, no where in the Bible does it say we are free to sin. It says we are free from the power of sin, but we are still under the influence of this flesh in a sinful world. The saved will continue to sin because no man is sanctified, but the power of Christ is greater and those whom He chose will remain His.

 

[FreeGrace2]

This was asked of nbf:

I will ask, can a saved person sin with impunity and stay saved?

I would like to see what you teach.

This definition from the internet:
"exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action".

So, NO, a saved person cannot "sin with impunity". There are consequences for sin. God warns of being "scourged with a whip" in Heb 12. And there are many other warnings, none of which are pleasant. But loss of salvation isn't one of them.

So, to the second question, "and stay saved", the answer is a resounding YES. Why? Because God is grace, and we are saved by His grace and we are kept by His grace.

It's never about us. It's always about Him who died in our place and removed the barrier of sin that separates mankind from God.

Receiving the free gift of eternal life doesn't "help" God in saving us. Any more than receiving a handout makes the recipient a helper to the giver of the handout.

 

[FreeGrace2]

People are born again through exposure to the Word of God. Everyone who can read knows that.

Many people have been exposed to the Word of God and rejected it. So both statements are in error.

But generation and birth are not the same thing and regeneration and the new birth are not the same thing.

Except there are no passages of Scripture that equate the 2. That spiritual regeneration is a process like physical generation. That is an assumption.

Generation comes before birth and regeneration comes before the new birth.

This isn't rocket science. It's basic biology and it's basic Word of God.

If it were basic Word of God, there would be clear passages about it and no need for discussion.

Just in case someone is really, really dense - Paul told us that no one can even say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit within him.

However, the one who says that Jesus is Lord has already believed. So this doesn't determine order of believing and regeneration.

Just in case someone is really, really, really dense - Luke tells us that Lydia's reception of the gospel message was only made possible by the Lord opening her heart by the activity of the Holy Spirit within her.

Uh, "within her"? Really? Which verse gave you that insight? Here is Acts 16:14 - A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.

I'm not seeing anything about the Holy Spirit "within her".

These concepts are so simple for anyone wanting to understand truth no matter where it leads.

What it shouldn't lead to is making stuff up or inserting what isn't there in the text. Like "within her".

The Word of God warns us that many people should not teach because there will be a more strict judgment if they do.

John the Revelator was quite clear about not adding to the Word of God: "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book" Rev 22:18

I know this verse applies directly to the book of Revelation. But why wouldn't the principle be the same for all the other books of the Bible?

 

[nobdysfool]

I will ask, can a saved person sin with impunity and stay saved?

I would like to see what you teach.

No they cannot sin with impunity, they will receive discipline if they are a child of God, but they will still remain saved, because they have trusted in Christ as their substitute, dying in their place for the sins they commit. They do not lose their salvation, once they have been saved. They may lose rewards, and may undergo discipline while still here, but their salvation is intact, IF they have been saved.

You're trying to perpetuate the straw man that you rely on.

 

[EmSw]

I see you are still making the same silly mistake.

People are born again through exposure to the Word of God. Everyone who can read knows that.

But generation and birth are not the same thing and regeneration and the new birth are not the same thing.

Generation comes before birth and regeneration comes before the new birth.

Regeneration and new birth are absolutely the same thing. I don't have much time to spend on doubters, but Strong's says the following of regeneration:

new birth, reproduction, renewal, recreation, regeneration

If you want to define it as your heart desires, go right ahead, but please, don't mislead others.

This isn't rocket science. It's basic biology and it's basic Word of God.

Jesus gave us an example that even a child with a basic understanding of the birds and the bees could understand.

Just in case a few of you are a little slow on the uptake, He gave us a backup picture that anyone with a brain should be able to understand.

The effects we see of the presence of the wind are not themselves the wind which is invisibly active behind the scenes.

The effects we see when a person is born again through reception of the Word of God are not themselves the Holy Spirit who is active behind the scenes.

Just in case someone is really dense - Jesus told us that Peter's statement about who the Lord was was actually revealed to him by the Holy Spirit within him.

Just in case someone is really, really dense - Paul told us that no one can even say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit within him.

Just in case someone is really, really, really dense - Luke tells us that Lydia's reception of the gospel message was only made possible by the Lord opening her heart by the activity of the Holy Spirit within her.

Enough of the insults, okay? Your insults tell me a lot of your walk with God, and the lack of respect for the words of Jesus.

Mark 12:31
And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.

If you insult yourself the way you do others, I can understand why this is a habit of yours.

These concepts are so simple for anyone wanting to understand truth no matter where it leads.

Yet they are so difficult for those with an agenda of wanting to keep away from the truths concerning the sovereignty of God in salvation that the Word of God clearly teaches.

The Word of God warns us that many people should not teach because there will be a more strict judgment if they do.

I've shown you what the word of God clearly teaches, but your agenda keeps you fixated upon your heart's desires.

I wouldn't want to be one of you folks who teach this nonsense on the internet for all the gold in the world.

You don't judge before hand whether God would be wrong for doing a certain thing and then build your doctrine in a way that will make sure that He isn't seen that way.

You teach what God teaches and let the chips fall where they may.

Anything else is not just a silly thing to do. It's down right dangerous.

Gold wouldn't save your soul anyway.

Do you not think I know the consequences of teaching falsely? I'm very careful to study and walk along the path I'm shown from the word. I am very attentative to the voice of the Lord. I have changed my views many times as the Lord leads me. This is what walking in the light does; it shows you the truth if you choose to discard any of your heart's desires and teachings of men.

 

[EmSw]

Wait, don't you believe that ALL will be saved? So, if all are sinners how will anyone be saved? Anyway, no where in the Bible does it say we are free to sin. It says we are free from the power of sin, but we are still under the influence of this flesh in a sinful world. The saved will continue to sin because no man is sanctified, but the power of Christ is greater and those whom He chose will remain His.

No, I do not believe ALL will be saved! Sinners will be saved by the truths in the word of God. Do you agree?

If we are not free to sin, why keep sinning? Perhaps it because sin is some people's master, and they haven't overcome their evil master to serve the True Master. Casting away our iniquities, fleeing from sin, overcoming evil just isn't what some people want to do. They had rather make some excuse for it and continue in their delightful and sinful ways.

And don't think casting away our iniquities is an instant process; it takes time, commitment, and obedience on our part. Once we make that commitment, the Lord will definitely work His power to help us.

 

[EmSw]

This was asked of nbf:

This definition from the internet:
"exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action".

So, NO, a saved person cannot "sin with impunity". There are consequences for sin. God warns of being "scourged with a whip" in Heb 12. And there are many other warnings, none of which are pleasant. But loss of salvation isn't one of them.

So, to the second question, "and stay saved", the answer is a resounding YES. Why? Because God is grace, and we are saved by His grace and we are kept by His grace.

It's never about us. It's always about Him who died in our place and removed the barrier of sin that separates mankind from God.

Receiving the free gift of eternal life doesn't "help" God in saving us. Any more than receiving a handout makes the recipient a helper to the giver of the handout.

I have dealt with you before. However, you keep believing sinners who continue in their sin will somehow be saved. You even believe continual liars who believe are not cast into the lake of fire.

 

[GillDouglas]

No, I do not believe ALL will be saved! Sinners will be saved by the truths in the word of God. Do you agree?

If we are not free to sin, why keep sinning? Perhaps it because sin is some people's master, and they haven't overcome their evil master to serve the True Master. Casting away our iniquities, fleeing from sin, overcoming evil just isn't what some people want to do. They had rather make some excuse for it and continue in their delightful and sinful ways.

And don't think casting away our iniquities is an instant process; it takes time, commitment, and obedience on our part. Once we make that commitment, the Lord will definitely work His power to help us.

"But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses." (Exodus 9:12) "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14)

 

[EmSw]

No they cannot sin with impunity, they will receive discipline if they are a child of God, but they will still remain saved, because they have trusted in Christ as their substitute, dying in their place for the sins they commit. They do not lose their salvation, once they have been saved. They may lose rewards, and may undergo discipline while still here, but their salvation is intact, IF they have been saved.

You're trying to perpetuate the straw man that you rely on.

Let's see, you are next. If you keep perpetuating the straw man argument, you will get nowhere with me.

Do you think heaven will allow a perpetual sinner who continually lusts after the pleasures of forbidden sex? Is heaven for perpetual and lustful sinners? Does your heaven accept perpetual murderers, liars, thieves, idolaters, haters, lustful perverts, and wicked men if they saved? I don't want to enter that heaven, if that's true. The heaven I enter, will be filled with holiness, righteousness, love, truthfulness, beauty, and obedient children, who have surrendered themselves to the truths of the Lord. But, you will get what you desire, and this heaven will be waiting for you with open arms. You will still have wonder if the person next to you is a thief or sexual pervert in your heaven.

 

[EmSw]

"But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had spoken to Moses." (Exodus 9:12) "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14)

Do you still sin? If so, then sin has dominion over you. If you have dominion over sin, then you would not obey sinful lusts.

 

[GillDouglas]

Do you still sin? If so, then sin has dominion over you. If you have dominion over sin, then you would obey sinful lusts.

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10) "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) "All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death." (1 John 5:17)