Can you continue to knowingly sin and remain a Christian?

[justbyfaith]

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

That we can be sanctified wholly does not mean that everyone in the church is sanctified wholly. I believe it to be "a second benefit" (2 Corinthians 1:15)

 

[justbyfaith]

True.
But does it state we can be perfect?

The kjv utilizes the word "perfect" in quite a few verses. Do a search on that word in the kjv; and see what you come up with.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

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).

Everybody knows this.

What is being resisted is any assertion that you have to achieve 100% practical sanctification before you die...or else.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

That we can be sanctified wholly does not mean that everyone in the church is sanctified wholly. I believe it to be "a second benefit" (2 Corinthians 1:15)

That verse has nothing to do with your second blessing belief.

 

[justbyfaith]

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

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23-24).

 

[justbyfaith]

Everybody knows this.

What is being resisted is any assertion that you have to achieve 100% practical sanctification before you die...or else.

I am not purporting that idea.

 

[justbyfaith]

That verse has nothing to do with your second blessing belief.

As I have said, it is an evidentiary scripture rather than a proof text.

As such, it does have something to do with it.

 

[GodsGrace]

That we can be sanctified wholly does not mean that everyone in the church is sanctified wholly. I believe it to be "a second benefit" (2 Corinthians 1:15)

J,
What do you mean?
Salvation is a personal matter.

In John 20 Jesus breathed on the Apostles and told them that they could forgive sins.

Why did Jesus do this?
You're answering with a different verse instead of explaining the one I asked about.

It surely means we are still capable of son even after becoming disciples of Jesus.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

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

I'm not aware of any such scripture. The exception being one in Peter's letter which does not have to be understood as being perfectly sinless.

 

[GodsGrace]

I am not purporting that idea.

What are you purporting?

 

[justbyfaith]

J,
What do you mean?
Salvation is a personal matter.

In John 20 Jesus breathed on the Apostles and told them that they could forgive sins.

Why did Jesus do this?
You're answering with a different verse instead of explaining the one I asked about.

It surely means we are still capable of son even after becoming disciples of Jesus.

I am saying that the first benefit of being a Christian is that we are forgiven. Being sanctified wholly is a second benefit that may come some time afterward.

So, someone might be a believer and yet not be sanctified wholly.

It does not mean that the second benefit is not being offered;

Just that the benefit is offered as a blessing to your conscience rather than as actual salvation.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

As I have said, it is an evidentiary scripture rather than a proof text.

The second blessing he's talking about is the benefit to them of his return visit. Which did not occur, if I'm not mistaken. So much for them being wholly practically sanctified!

 

[GodsGrace]

The kjv utilizes the word "perfect" in quite a few verses. Do a search on that word in the kjv; and see what you come up with.

Do you think Jesus didn't know about our nature?

He's the only one that was perfect and thus able to satisfy God.

The KJ is a bible.
Jesus is our Savior.

Listen to Jesus.

 

[justbyfaith]

I'm not aware of any such scripture. The exception being one in Peter's letter which does not have to be understood as being perfectly sinless.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14, 1 John 3:9; 1 John 3:7, 1 John 3:3, 1 John 2:6; Jude 1:24, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:10; Romans 6:14, Romans 8:12 (kjv, nlt); 1 John 3:6, 1 John 2:17.

 

[GodsGrace]

I am saying that the first benefit of being a Christian is that we are forgiven. Being sanctified wholly is a second benefit that may come some time afterward.

So, someone might be a believer and yet not be sanctified wholly.

It does not mean that the second benefit is not being offered;

Just that the benefit is offered as a blessing to your conscience rather than as actual salvation.

Do you mean that we are positionally sanctified?

 

[justbyfaith]

What are you purporting?

That to be sanctified wholly is a blessing to the conscience.

 

[justbyfaith]

The second blessing he's talking about is the benefit to them of his return visit. Which did not occur, if I'm not mistaken. So much for them being wholly practically sanctified!

No; because we are preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:23 (kjv)).

 

[justbyfaith]

Do you think Jesus didn't know about our nature?

He's the only one that was perfect and thus able to satisfy God.

The KJ is a bible.
Jesus is our Savior.

Listen to Jesus.

Col 2:11, In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Col 2:11 (nlt), When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.

 

[justbyfaith]

Do you mean that we are positionally sanctified?

While I do believe that justification is positional sanctification, I think that when the Bible refers to "sanctification" it is referring to something that is practical.

 

[GodsGrace]

That to be sanctified wholly is a blessing to the conscience.

Wow.
Yes.
This is interesting.

I'm so aware of God's perfection and power that I don't know if I could have a flawlessly innocent conscience.

I pray for forgiveness and pray God is merciful.
My belief is that we could know we are born again only at the foot of the cross.

We are children of God but misbehave due to the fact that we cannot be perfect in behavior.
Only by holding tight to the garment of Jesus can we hope to spend eternity with Him.

Not by being perfect.