On Being As Sinless As You Can Be

[Kokavkrystallos]

I would believe in sinless perfection if not for the memory of sin being sin. If I recall a memory of something that was a sin, whether it felt good or bad, it is a sin, and I must confess of my vileness. Perhaps that is what shall be rectified when the Word declares, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. (Isaiah 65:17-18)

Also, is it sin not to mention Christ or at least something of scripture to every single person I meet? I do some, but not others.

There is also the atonement for holy things. If even our holy things we offer are imperfect and not totally to God's standard of holiness, it is taught by some this should be confessed as sin.

As for deliberate willful sinning, I totally believe this can be overcome.

As for sin that crops up in us, such as anger at a situation that goes beyond righteous anger ("be ye angry and sin not - Ephesians 4:26), I believe we can exercise self control, and temperance, but these are the tougher ones to overcome, as they creep up out of our sin nature to defile us.

Here's where 2 Corinthians 10:5 must be employed: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" And there is also Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God"

AW Pink wrote,
"It is highly important that we should understand what sin is, in its vile nature and exceeding sinfulness. Yet sin as it really is can be seen only in the light of God’s Word and Spirit. None but the regenerate have a true concept of that “abominable thing” which God hates (Jer 44:4). Inherent sin is a self-acting principle and is always at work, whether we perceive it or not, defiling our whole being and all that we do. Some sin most in thought, others in words—the boiling over of a hot temper; others in deeds. Rightly did S.E. Pierce point out, “None of us are saved from sin so much as we conceive. We are saved from a state of sin and sinfulness; we are also saved from a gross way of sin and sinfulness; yet we are not always saved from cursed and carnal affections, nor from dispositions and expressions of our sinfulness;” and every regenerate person is taught of God honestly to acknowledge the same. I cannot say I have not sinned while reading the Scriptures, or when upon my knees, or in the pulpit. Atonement has to be made for our “holy things” (Lev 5:15)! The closer we walk with God, the more conscious are we of our sins.

Leviticus 5:15 is this,
"If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the Lord; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering."

Here we see a sin of ignorance. These are the ones I believe must be confessed daily, that is, when we aren't really sure we have sinned. Of course we do not bring a sacrifice today into the temple, for we are the temple of the Living God, and Jesus has made an atonement for all sin, so His blood covers this.

As for sin in the holy things: did I write anything of self in a message, or speak something during prayer that was not in line with the will of God. Did I desire something in the flesh? Did I neglect anything?

All that said, I believe wholeheartedly that the Bible teaches us, and commands us to be as sinless as we can be in this life. Statements like "Go and sin no more," "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee," "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not." "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." "If ye love me, keep my commandments." "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect"

Those are all new Testament verses. We cannot get around them, nor excuse them, and definitely we should not make excuses why we can't obey them, but rather strive to enter in the straight gate and narrow way that leadeth unto life, which involves walking in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Then we have many Old Testament passages,

Look at Psalm 15,
"Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."

Psalm 24:3-5,
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

Psalm 101:2-3,
"I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."

Psalm 119:11,
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."