Sola Fide and Sin

[Archie the Preacher]

Having grown up and spending most of my life in the Southern Baptist camp, I'm a sola fide sort.

What do sola fide adherents believe about sin?

Sin is rebellion against God; usually in the form of disobeying His will.

If salvation is based on faith alone, does it matter whether one sins frequently, or whether one commits the most grave sins, or whether one is sinning at the time of death?

The short answer is "No". In terms of salvation, that relationship with God through Jesus Christ that makes us sons and heirs, and guarantees Eternity with God, all our sins are forgiven. All sins, past, pending and future. Sins I have not considered yet - from my perspective and limitation in time - are old news to God.

However, sin has a great effect on our fellowship with God. One who spurns God's intent and will (the essence of sinning) in an intentional manner is obviously not in fellowship with God. One loses the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. This breech of fellowship can only be remedied by our confession and repentance to God. Therefore, a Christian needs to constantly be in an attitude of prayer regarding one's actions and intents.

Your second question mentioned 'frequently' and 'grave sins'. The idea of a permanent salvation gives rise to the thought of 'license' - or rampant sin and rebellion with the thought of an eternal 'get out of jail' card. Not so. The Holy Spirit comes with the deal. One is always mindful of "God looking over my shoulder" in life. (I should say it comes with practice; 'practice' regardless of intent.) Not to mention God is not bashful about correcting Christians who sin. (I think the word used in the King James is 'chasten'. A modern English translation should read "... slap the stupid right out of your head...") (Don't ask me how I know this.)

Nor does God's grace and forgiveness remove consequences. God will forgive a Christian for a sin, but if that sin coincides with a breach of the penal code, God's forgiveness does not bar prosecution and confinement. God forgiving one for adultery does not mandate forgiveness by the spouse.

Another part of the discussion dealt with 'faith' and 'works'. Sola fide does not give credit to 'works' in terms of 'doing something to make God like me'. However, as outlined in the book of James, 'works' are done by believers as a result of the forgiveness - salvation - of God and the joy in the life of the believer. I should expect God to know my 'heart', my inner thoughts and intentions without 'seeing' my works.

Pardon me if this rambles a bit. One thing seems to lead to another.

 

[saintboniface]

You use an analogy to a human father taking his son to the ballgame as a reward, but if we are guided in our understanding of this matter by the Bible, we are faced with sin--which totally estranges us from God. Sin can only be overcome by God himself. In his mercy, he did for us what we could not do by trying to keep the Law.

If we could have saved ourselves--with God's permission of course--men would have done that and God would not have needed to send his only Son to die on the Cross for us. What's more, there is plenty in Scripture that attests to Salvation being by Faith and not Works.

Albion, please see my most recent thread in this same forum. I think it will be easier for me to get an understanding of 'faith-alone' by talking about good works rather than sin (good works in reverse is how I like to look at sin). Its called Passages showing works required for salvation or something like that.