Can you continue to knowingly sin and remain a Christian?

[justbyfaith]

J,
I really think you're misunderstanding what Jethro Bodine and Free believe.

This is a friendly reminder to be careful about the TOS rules. Do not misrepresent another member.

It's good if you think you don't sin. It means that you're not doing any of the biggies.

But we sin every day.
Pride is a sin.
Thinking we don't ever sin is prideful.
Even the Weslyan churches have given up on total sanctification in this life.
Even the priests I know go to confession.
This is because they're very Aware of what sin is.

If anyone walks not after the flesh but after the Spirit, the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in him (Romans 7:6, Romans 8:4).

While we cannot keep the letter of the law (Galatians 6:13).

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Both Free and Jethro Bodine appear to be contending for an idea that will excuse them for sinning on their day of judgment.

The forgiveness of sin is my 'excuse'. Because I believe in the gospel, as evidenced by the ever increasing traits of the Spirit in my life, I won't have any sin guilt to be discussed at the 2nd coming of Christ. Why do you think you will? Are your sins not forgiven and wiped away in Christ?

They appear to believe that, being born again does not mean that a man is made practically holy (or righteous) but that it only means that a man is forgiven.

What you 'appear to believe' is false. God is faithful as a Father to train his children in the ways of righteous living. But that has nothing to do with how I became a child of God who has the promise of deliverance through the coming judgment. You seem to think it does.

Therefore, your only statement that you can make to God on your day of judgment, when He asks you why you didn't become righteous like certain others standing before the judgment seat, will be to say, "I wasn't hungry or thirsty for what You had to offer. So, I rejected it."

Since I am a believer with the evidence of the ever increasing traits of the Spirit in my life Jesus will not be asking me why I don't have the righteous works of faith in life.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Instead of doubling down on the concept that you are born again, you ought to be seeking after the Lord in order that He might save you "to the uttermost" (Hebrews 7:25).

That happened the moment I believed 36 years ago.

You're the one that seems to be serving a works justification gospel in which you have not become a saved person yet.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

If anyone walks not after the flesh but after the Spirit, the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in him (Romans 7:6, Romans 8:4).

While we cannot keep the letter of the law (Galatians 6:13).

As long as you are a believing person all your failures at keeping what's left to keep of the law are forgiven, and so you remain blameless in the eyes of God and ready to meet him in judgement at the resurrection.

 

[justbyfaith]

That happened the moment I believed 36 years ago.

You're the one that seems to be serving a works justification gospel in which you have not become a saved person yet.

I am definitely born again.

As will be shown to be the case when I stand before the Lord at His bema seat of judgment.

 

[justbyfaith]

As long as you are a believing person all your failures at keeping what's left to keep of the law are forgiven, and so you remain blameless in the eyes of God and ready to meet him in judgement at the resurrection.

It is a blessing to my conscience that I have been sanctified wholly; and I would most certainly lie for others to receive that same blessing. That is all that I am saying to you.

And also, it is written,

Phm 1:6, That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

So, the more you live a holy life, and the more good you bear as the fruit of the Spirit in Christ, the greater your effectiveness will be.

When we get to the bema seat, many of us will regret it that we did many things that were only building wood, hay, and stubble on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I am definitely born again.

As will be shown to be the case when I stand before the Lord at His bema seat of judgment.

You seem so hung up on being 100% sinless in order to be saved at the resurrection. If so, why?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

and I would most certainly lie for others to receive that same blessing.

But that would tarnish the sinless perfection that you have achieved.

 

[GodsGrace]

If anyone walks not after the flesh but after the Spirit, the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in him (Romans 7:6, Romans 8:4).

While we cannot keep the letter of the law (Galatians 6:13).

J
You're wisely using a negative to proclaim a positive that might get you into some trouble.

The other two members are walking by the spirit as I believe you also are doing this.

As brothers in Christ, let's edify each other and not tear each other down.

 

[GodsGrace]

That happened the moment I believed 36 years ago.

You're the one that seems to be serving a works justification gospel in which you have not become a saved person yet.

Please do not make comments regarding a member's relationship with God.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

It is a blessing to my conscience that I have been sanctified wholly;

All believers have been wholly set apart for service to God. That happened the instant we believed and became a saved person. God spends the rest of our lives making us in word and deed what he has cleansed and set us apart to be. And all the while through the process you remain in the justification you received the moment you believed, as long as you keep believing.

 

[justbyfaith]

and I would most certainly lie

That was a typo. Meant to say "like".

 

[justbyfaith]

You seem so hung up on being 100% sinless in order to be saved at the resurrection. If so, why?

I do believe that to be sanctified wholly is promised in holy scripture.

Even if it is only so that I can have a conscience that is both clear and good when I stand before Jesus.

I think that that is better than feeling guilty as I stand before Him.

Because if I feel guilty, God is greater than my heart (He condemns me even more).

But if I keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight, then I have confidence before God.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Please do not make comments regarding a member's relationship with God.

I was careful to use the word 'seems' so as to not be making an emphatic statemant about his relationship with God that I am not allowed to make. It was an exploratory observation for the purpose of discussion.

 

[justbyfaith]

But that would tarnish the sinless perfection that you have achieved.

It was a typo.

 

[justbyfaith]

J
You're wisely using a negative to proclaim a positive that might get you into some trouble.

The other two members are walking by the spirit as I believe you also are doing this.

As brothers in Christ, let's edify each other and not tear each other down.

I wasn't tearing anybody down in that post.

 

[GodsGrace]

I do believe that to be sanctified wholly is promised in holy scripture.

Even if it is only so that I can have a conscience that is both clear and good when I stand before Jesus.

I think that that is better than feeling guilty as I stand before Him.

Because if I feel guilty, God is greater than my heart (He condemns me even more).

But if I keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight, then I have confidence before God.

If a person can be sanctified wholly why did Jesus authorize the Apostles to forgive sin?
John 20

 

[justbyfaith]

All believers have been wholly set apart for service to God. That happened the instant we believed and became a saved person. God spends the rest of our lives making us in word and deed what he has cleansed and set us apart to be. And all the while through the process you remain in the justification you received the moment you believed, as long as you keep believing.

Sanctification, as it is related in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, is not only positional. It is practical (1 John 3:7, Romans 5:19, Matthew 5:6).

 

[GodsGrace]

Sanctification, as it is related in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, is not only positional. It is practical (1 John 3:7, Romans 5:19, Matthew 5:6).

True.
But does it state we can be perfect?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I wasn't tearing anybody down in that post.

Are you okay with our less than 100% sinless perfection records?