Is It Possible to be Free of Sin?

[GodsGrace]

In another thread Not_Now.Soon asked:

Can anyone really be free of sin? And if so how?

It seems to me that Jesus raised the bar on sinning...
He didn't make it easier, He made it more difficult.
He said that not only our actions could be sin...but our very desire to sin, was sinful.
Mathew 5:21 and on....

Is it possible to keep from sinning?
If so, how.
If not, why not.

What if we have difficulty with a particular sin?
Are we lost forever?

 

[Knotical]

As long as we live on this earth, which is cursed by the actions of our father Adam, we will always be prone to sin. However, once we are saved we no longer live under the power of sin, as we will always be forgiven of any sin but the unpardonable one.

 

[Senior]

There are plenty of NT verses which promise ...
the BAC has been set free from the bondage of sin,
or some such words.

BACs no longer HAVE to sin is what the NT teaches!
New creations (born of the Spirit) do not have to sin!

It is one's heart attitude that counts with the Lord.

Sincere repentance of known sins ...
results in them being covered with Jesus' precious blood.
This should be a part of the faith equation,
i.e. part of what saving faith entails.

God came to set His elect free from sin ...
IMO, this is the main reason that the Word came to earth.
so those who do manage to overcome sin, etc.
would be welcome to spend eternity with God in heaven.

How to be an overcomer is the subject of another day.

 

[JLB]

In another thread Not_Now.Soon asked:

Can anyone really be free of sin? And if so how?

It seems to me that Jesus raised the bar on sinning...
He didn't make it easier, He made it more difficult.
He said that not only our actions could be sin...but our very desire to sin, was sinful.
Mathew 5:21 and on....

Is it possible to keep from sinning?
If so, how.
If not, why not.

What if we have difficulty with a particular sin?
Are we lost forever?

Can anyone really be free of sin? And if so how?

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9


Cleansed of all unrighteousness.


However, our physical body still has sin, and will die, but be resurrected with a glorified body.

Thank God!!!


Let’s look at the purpose of the cross from His perspective.


IOW, what He wants, for the price He paid by giving Himself for us.


Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27

• gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

JLB

 

[Senior]

There are plenty of NT verses which promise ...
the BAC has been set free from the bondage of sin.

Does anyone need to see them?

What kind of a thread is this, anyway?

 

[JohnDB]

In another thread Not_Now.Soon asked:

Can anyone really be free of sin? And if so how?

It seems to me that Jesus raised the bar on sinning...
He didn't make it easier, He made it more difficult.
He said that not only our actions could be sin...but our very desire to sin, was sinful.
Mathew 5:21 and on....

Is it possible to keep from sinning?
If so, how.
If not, why not.

What if we have difficulty with a particular sin?
Are we lost forever?

One step away from sinless perfection?

If you ever get to that point you really aren't living.

I have many friends and acquaintances...
Currently one is losing his job, another is trying to deal with stress causing physical problems, another has recently been diagnosed with melanoma that has spread to his lymph nodes (his son and wife is in my Sunday School class), and the list goes on.

All of these things have been lifted up in prayer. But I work around schmucks at work. Drug fiends, drunks, thieves, and self-important schmucks who just don't do their jobs.

Both of these groups (and let's not forget family) causes us to be in situations where we simply don't know what to do...how to react... either not enough or too much actions. Whether we wish to or not we end up sinning because of these things trying to appease and just get along with these people to simply get away with breathing.

All these people (because of my heart of flesh instead of stone) cause strong emotions within. And there's where the sin happens. From the guy who steals your tools or the guy who tries to blame you for something going wrong...or the guy who smokes a joint during lunch. It all drives you nuts.

How can you go through all this and not have unholy thoughts?

You can't. Thank God for Jesus.

 

[JLB]

One step away from sinless perfection?

If you ever get to that point you really aren't living.

I have many friends and acquaintances...
Currently one is losing his job, another is trying to deal with stress causing physical problems, another has recently been diagnosed with melanoma that has spread to his lymph nodes (his son and wife is in my Sunday School class), and the list goes on.

All of these things have been lifted up in prayer. But I work around schmucks at work. Drug fiends, drunks, thieves, and self-important schmucks who just don't do their jobs.

Both of these groups (and let's not forget family) causes us to be in situations where we simply don't know what to do...how to react... either not enough or too much actions. Whether we wish to or not we end up sinning because of these things trying to appease and just get along with these people to simply get away with breathing.

All these people (because of my heart of flesh instead of stone) cause strong emotions within. And there's where the sin happens. From the guy who steals your tools or the guy who tries to blame you for something going wrong...or the guy who smokes a joint during lunch. It all drives you nuts.

How can you go through all this and not have unholy thoughts?

You can't. Thank God for Jesus.

Sounds like construction.


I’m sorry bro.



JLB

 

[JohnDB]

Sounds like construction.


I’m sorry bro.



JLB

It is construction...

But...

I'm alive...and having a fuller life than most because of Jesus.

Yes, of course I sin. But every day is a new day. Yesterday is forgotten. Tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. All I got is today.
And today I'm working with Jesus.

 

[Edward]

In another thread Not_Now.Soon asked:

Can anyone really be free of sin? And if so how?

It seems to me that Jesus raised the bar on sinning...
He didn't make it easier, He made it more difficult.
He said that not only our actions could be sin...but our very desire to sin, was sinful.
Mathew 5:21 and on....

Is it possible to keep from sinning?
If so, how.
If not, why not.

What if we have difficulty with a particular sin?
Are we lost forever?

You ask good questions. The flesh is steeped in sin and it is the flesh nature to sin. Brother JLB made a good point though and posted the scripture for it. We are instructed to be ye holy even as I am holy...

but that she should be holy and without blemish.

So how are we supposed to be holy and without blemish? That, to me, means sin free. I think it is possible but I have not attained this myself. But the way to do it I think is to die to ones self and defer to the Lord in every instance, every moment of every day. What do I do now Lord? What is your will in this?...about every little thing every moment of every day.

It is not I who live today, but Christ within me. I am not of this world but I am in it. Walking in the Spirit and being led by the Spirit means...I make no decisions of my own. This is a hard thing to do! I have not made it one complete day in this manner yet. And I am trying, I invite the Lord to accompany me when I must go out into the world to work or whatever. Yet I continue to sin.

In Romans 7 Paul explains it like this:

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.../

So apparently as long as we are in the flesh body, the flesh will continue to sin. But it is not I but sin in my flesh. I am spirit and in spirit serve God. When I see my flesh sin, I will ask forgiveness of the Lord and continue to serve the Lord in Spirit...and one day I will be free of this flesh body...Praise the Lord.

So the answer to your question is both yes and no...Yes we can be free from it if we do not identify with the flesh, and no, if we do identify with the flesh...I think. That's pretty much what I got out of Romans 7.

 

[JLB]

But the way to do it I think is to die to ones self

Yes.


We are all in different places of growth, however, here are some things to consider, that we can do by the power of His grace;
The Spirit who works in us.



But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 2 Timothy 2:20-25


Key Passage:

• if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work

again



Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 2 Peter 1:2-9


Key Passage:

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.



These verses challenge me, to continue to repent and be cleansed of things that hinder the process of transformation in my life.


Cutting out things of this world and giving myself over more and more to the Holy Spirit, is the way the Lord has taught me to die to self and the things self desires.


The more I am delivered, the clearer I see, and the better I am able to embrace truth.





JLB

 

[GodsGrace]

As long as we live on this earth, which is cursed by the actions of our father Adam, we will always be prone to sin. However, once we are saved we no longer live under the power of sin, as we will always be forgiven of any sin but the unpardonable one.

What does it mean to not live under the "power of sin"?
Does this have anything to do with why Jesus died for us?

 

[GodsGrace]

There are plenty of NT verses which promise ...
the BAC has been set free from the bondage of sin,
or some such words.

BACs no longer HAVE to sin is what the NT teaches!
New creations (born of the Spirit) do not have to sin!

It is one's heart attitude that counts with the Lord.

Sincere repentance of known sins ...
results in them being covered with Jesus' precious blood.
This should be a part of the faith equation,
i.e. part of what saving faith entails.

God came to set His elect free from sin ...
IMO, this is the main reason that the Word came to earth.
so those who do manage to overcome sin, etc.
would be welcome to spend eternity with God in heaven.

How to be an overcomer is the subject of another day.

Actually, the O.P. has the overcoming of sin as a theme.
If you'd rather not reply to it,,,it's your right not to do so.

So about the heart attitude:
Does it result in deeds?

Is it possible for me to NOT want to steal with my heart....
but my brain is telling me to steal, and I do.

??

 

[GodsGrace]

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9


Cleansed of all unrighteousness.


However, our physical body still has sin, and will die, but be resurrected with a glorified body.

Thank God!!!


Let’s look at the purpose of the cross from His perspective.


IOW, what He wants, for the price He paid by giving Himself for us.


Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-27

• gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

JLB

Very good post JLB.
So, as we are being sanctified....
Do we sin less and less?
Do we ever get to NOT SIN?
Or is this impossible?

 

[GodsGrace]

Does anyone need to see them?

What kind of a thread is this, anyway?

The same kind of thread like any other.
We're talking about God and His ways and how we respond to them.

It might even be helpful to some folk.

 

[GodsGrace]

One step away from sinless perfection?

If you ever get to that point you really aren't living.

I have many friends and acquaintances...
Currently one is losing his job, another is trying to deal with stress causing physical problems, another has recently been diagnosed with melanoma that has spread to his lymph nodes (his son and wife is in my Sunday School class), and the list goes on.

All of these things have been lifted up in prayer. But I work around schmucks at work. Drug fiends, drunks, thieves, and self-important schmucks who just don't do their jobs.

Both of these groups (and let's not forget family) causes us to be in situations where we simply don't know what to do...how to react... either not enough or too much actions. Whether we wish to or not we end up sinning because of these things trying to appease and just get along with these people to simply get away with breathing.

All these people (because of my heart of flesh instead of stone) cause strong emotions within. And there's where the sin happens. From the guy who steals your tools or the guy who tries to blame you for something going wrong...or the guy who smokes a joint during lunch. It all drives you nuts.

How can you go through all this and not have unholy thoughts?

You can't. Thank God for Jesus.

Great post John.
We're all human is what you're saying and we could only do so much --- OR, we could only do our best.

If what Jesus had in mind (the Kingdom of God on earth) could happen, we would all be better off - all of humanity; but it looks like it's not going to happen and it might be getting worse again. Seems to go in waves....

But as to the "not living"...what do you mean?

I know some monks that feel they're sinners.

 

[JohnDB]

Great post John.
We're all human is what you're saying and we could only do so much --- OR, we could only do our best.

If what Jesus had in mind (the Kingdom of God on earth) could happen, we would all be better off - all of humanity; but it looks like it's not going to happen and it might be getting worse again. Seems to go in waves....

But as to the "not living"...what do you mean?

I know some monks that feel they're sinners.

As far as not living goes...

We Christians aren't supposed to live isolated from the world...on a literal desert island or a virtual one either.

We are supposed to interact with the communities we live in... whether urban or rural.
We can't work in isolation, not talking to anyone other than for strictly business purposes, go home to eat dinner and not even know much about our neighbors, maybe go to a church and not even know the people sharing our pew in the back. (Nothing wrong with being a "back pew Baptist")

So...
If we inter- mingle with those around us...we are living. Share our lives and be available to share in other's lives. Hard to know about a light hidden inside of a basket without so much as a peephole.

People don't care what you know if they don't know that you care about them. Be personable with others...be gracious and known as a "giver". Living in isolation is death...and not what we were granted salvation for.

That's what I'm talking about.
That's why I make hundreds of dozens of cookies and candies at Christmas. It's automatic license to be myself moreso than any other time of year. No one questions it...but guess who has better Christmases than most ?
Guess who people come to when they don't know how to live life any longer?
I get to witness freely every time I am asked. Haven't been shut down once. And I really don't preach. Don't need to. I tell them the what and why. And it's amazing how many people come and ask how to do life.

 

[GodsGrace]

As far as not living goes...

We Christians aren't supposed to live isolated from the world...on a literal desert island or a virtual one either.

We are supposed to interact with the communities we live in... whether urban or rural.
We can't work in isolation, not talking to anyone other than for strictly business purposes, go home to eat dinner and not even know much about our neighbors, maybe go to a church and not even know the people sharing our pew in the back. (Nothing wrong with being a "back pew Baptist")

So...
If we inter- mingle with those around us...we are living. Share our lives and be available to share in other's lives. Hard to know about a light hidden inside of a basket without so much as a peephole.

People don't care what you know if they don't know that you care about them. Be personable with others...be gracious and known as a "giver". Living in isolation is death...and not what we were granted salvation for.

That's what I'm talking about.
That's why I make hundreds of dozens of cookies and candies at Christmas. It's automatic license to be myself moreso than any other time of year. No one questions it...but guess who has better Christmases than most ?
Guess who people come to when they don't know how to live life any longer?
I get to witness freely every time I am asked. Haven't been shut down once. And I really don't preach. Don't need to. I tell them the what and why. And it's amazing how many people come and ask how to do life.

Agreed...for sure.
Jesus said not to hide our lamp but to put it on a stand and let it shine for all in the house to receive light. He said we are to be the light of the world -- the light in a dark place.

This is how I understand it: Let your faith be known...so that when you do good, glory will be given to God. People will say that you're different because you're Christian.

If we're just like everybody else, what sets us apart?
We should be different.

It's wonderful to know that some come to you for advice..because they like what they see.

You are the salt of the earth.
You are the light of the world.

 

[Knotical]

What does it mean to not live under the "power of sin"?
Does this have anything to do with why Jesus died for us?

It means we no longer have to fear the consequences of sin, as Jesus has already paid that price. Sure, we are going to continue to sin, since we are human and that is our nature, but we need only repent and ask forgiveness and it will be granted.

 

[WIP]

It means we no longer have to fear the consequences of sin, as Jesus has already paid that price. Sure, we are going to continue to sin, since we are human and that is our nature, but we need only repent and ask forgiveness and it will be granted.

So we do have to do something then?

 

[ezra]

Can anyone really be free of sin? And if so how?

loaded question but lets examine a scripture
Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
paul says walk and we what? what would be the desire/lust of the flesh? ==sin
so can we be be free of sin ? possible yes very strict discipline the walk my version is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit . we talk about Holiness .
Hebrews 12:14

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

is it possible to never sin possible --probable---------> NO due to the fact we simply are not disciplined enough . this is not a self effort of anything we do of our own this would have to be done staying in the scripture lots praying . this is why i say probable-no
.i really think peter had that desire but HE got in the way.. peter meant well when he tried to defend Christ by cutting the guards ear off with his sword .. peter did not cut that ear off by accident . he sent a message get back Jack your head is next. we have passions our flesh in reality Loves sin... paul said he was crucified with Christ ..
so should we.. paul also said be not conformed {molded } to this world . but transformed (changed ) by the renewing of our minds.. everyday not just a one time event the Good news is even though we will sin have failures .. our key is 1 john 1:9 which has unlimited limits amen some may agree some may not i will sleep just fine either way