Solid belief in sin.

[Pure760]

I may be wrong but I'm under the impression that Christianity believes all humans are sinners and there is no possible way to stop sinning. That no matter how hard you try it is impossible to become sinless. Would'nt this belief system detur people from even trying?

 

[zaksmummy]

The point is that we cant do anything about it, but Jesus did. Because he was sinless, he took on our sin, and has set us free from the result of sin ie death.

We therefore throw ourselves on Gods goodness, known as grace, and accept that he is the only one that can help us out of our mess.

 

[drich0150]

I may be wrong but I'm under the impression that Christianity believes all humans are sinners and there is no possible way to stop sinning. That no matter how hard you try it is impossible to become sinless. Would'nt this belief system detur people from even trying?

So that would mean if we stop trying to earn "righteousness" through our efforts or deeds, and still seek it, we must accept the attoneing sacerfice God made on our behalf.

Your question is addressed more completely in romans 7 (the whole chapter)

 

[CryptoLutheran]

I may be wrong but I'm under the impression that Christianity believes all humans are sinners and there is no possible way to stop sinning. That no matter how hard you try it is impossible to become sinless. Would'nt this belief system detur people from even trying?

It's not possible to stop being a sinner in this life, that's true, we're all--all of us--going to mess up at least now and then and some more than others. That in and of itself could lead to despair if it's not remedied by the good news that God loves us, that God loves sinners. As St. Paul says, "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost," and also, "God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."

Neither despair nor pride should get in the way, rather the preaching of Law and Gospel (and both in their proper place) ought to be on our left and our right; if we fall into despair the Gospel picks us and sets us on our feet, and if we become puffed up in ourselves, the Law drives us to our knees.

I believe that becoming more like Christ is the goal, and even though we will not make it there in this life this should not weaken our resolve, because if our eyes are firmly on Jesus then striving toward Christ ought to be our joy.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[GrayAngel]

We can never stop sinning, but the beauty of the gospel is that we don't have to. Jesus already paid our debt in full. And He will love us no matter what we do, like a father loves his son.

But that doesn't mean that we can stop trying and use our faith as a Get Out of Jail Free card. Paul addresses this too. Rather, because of the tremendous love of God, we should want to stop sinning, while being free of the guilt that comes with occasional failure.

 

[razeontherock]

I may be wrong but I'm under the impression that Christianity believes all humans are sinners and there is no possible way to stop sinning. That no matter how hard you try it is impossible to become sinless. Would'nt this belief system detur people from even trying?

It's not that black and white. There's a Christian poster here, (Giver, IIRC) that claims to have "not sinned" for something like over 30 years. People have tried to get him to define sin, but nothing doing there

What we are willing to do in our effort to stop sinning is, IMHO, huge, per G-d's POV towards us:

(Hebrews 12:4) "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin."


Unrelated question: why do you call yourself James the Just? I mean, do you really consider yourself to be the same entity and just reincarnated or something, or do you just relate to the Lord's half-brother?

 

[wpage]

We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God...

By His grace we are forgiven if we ask it.

Thank God for his eternal grace to us@!

 

[Pure760]

Unrelated question: why do you call yourself James the Just? I mean, do you really consider yourself to be the same entity and just reincarnated or something, or do you just relate to the Lord's half-brother?

There is no such thing as reincarnation, neither is there such a thing as time. When our spirits incarnate here they may come as many humans at many times. From a limited perspective I'm aware this is difficult to comprehend as with all teaching of the living word. The beliefs you create and hold on to are what limit your acceptence of the true reality of God. Jesus had no beliefs because he percieved only the truth. He attempted to guide others to do the same.

All belief is sin. When you know God there is no doubt. Jesus dieing for our sins is just a story. He was cruxified, yes, but the belief built around it is meaningless and to hold so tightly to somthing that doesnt exist keeps you in a delusional state where the true God is nowhere to be found.

It does'nt matter what you believe to be true or false because all beliefs are empty, held in your own private idea that you are separate from God. James the Just is among my earthly incarnations.

A closeness to God can be obtained by surrendering completely all beliefs and thought systems. Anything you choose to argue is another idol being placed before God which is why forgiveness is important. If somone is acting foul towards you and you forgive them immediatly, no idol is created.

 

[razeontherock]

Jesus dieing for our sins is just a story. He was cruxified, yes, but the belief built around it is meaningless

I urge you to reconsider! There are very real ramifications of this ...

 

[Emmy]

Dear Pure760. I believe you are right in thinking as you do, but the wonderful truth is: " God sees our hearts, and He knows our thoughts and efforts." God will know whether we try to overcome sinning, or whether we are just complacent enough to believe that it is impossible. Jesus gave us these two Commandments to always remember: " Love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds, AND: Love our neighbour as ourselves." God wants our Love freely given, and absolutely selfless. And Jesus states the fact: " On these two Commadments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Paul tells us in 1) Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4-8, what to love really is, not just a good feeling, but also a Verb, ( doing-word.) We have to change from being selfish to become loving and caring. God will see our sincere efforts to follow His Commandments to love our neighbour, ( all others, friends or not friends) and God will approve and bless us. God will also know that we love Him, because we are following His Commandments to love. Yes, Jesus died that we might live and we are truly grateful and love our Saviour, but to show it by loving selflessy and with all our beings, is to show our Love to our Heavenly Father and each other. I say this with love, Pure. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[berachah]

Under the old covenant the Jews would sin if they contravened the laws of the covenant. There were certain sacrifices that could be offered to cover these sins whereby the penalty of the sin was passed onto the animal but this was not a permanent solution. (the laws were a bunch of rules that were designed for healthy and succesful life and community life, but what they really did was give God authority in their lives - by being obedient to Him through the laws)

The new covenant was brought in because the Jews could not stick to the old law. By being baptised into Christ, we are buried with him (and become dead to the old law) and come under the new covenant. God said I will put the new law in your hearts and you will now receive inner conviction of how to live your life. Under the new covenant we are not bound by the old rules, but by the law of conviction of the Holy Spirit. If we do err we ask for forgiveness of sin in Jesus name. God remember his sacrifice for our sins and we considered blameless before God.

As Christians are judged in this world (as opposed to non believers who are judged in the world to come) God continually uses our mistakes to refine and purify our character making us more Christlike in the process - this is called sanctification.

Rather now, than standing before God in filthy rags on the day of judgement.

 

[Pure760]

I urge you to reconsider! There are very real ramifications of this ...

The only ramifications are the ones you set upon yourself. The less of God you choose to see by choosing sin and seeing that instead, the farther you separate yourself from him. There is no outside force that dictates what happens to you. These systems of belief so sturdy in your mind is what you are choosing to see instead of God. God rests only in the perfection absent of all imperfect ideas.