Could Christ have sinned?

[Cygnus]

God made man and woman and set up the way for them to have offspring, so I think He knew how we are made. Jesus was fully human or He could not be our example, and we would not have a way to refute Satan's premise that Gods law was unjust and too harsh and man could not overcome sin.

Jesus' nature was also fully God. Jesus didn't sin but rather on the cross became sin. Our sin.

 

[OzSpen]

God made man and woman and set up the way for them to have offspring, so I think He knew how we are made. Jesus was fully human or He could not be our example, and we would not have a way to refute Satan's premise that Gods law was unjust and too harsh and man could not overcome sin.

reddogs,

Who impregnated the virgin Mary?

By the way, you did not address the issues I raised.

Oz

 

[reddogs]

Christ didn't inherit the fallen human nature of Adam. People forget the Holy Spirit was involved with the pregnancy of Mary.

Many incorrectly claim that it was not possible for Christ to sin, or refuse to believe that He really took upon Himself human nature. But its clear from the scripture that Christ was actually tempted, not only by Satan in the wilderness, but all through His life, from childhood to manhood. In all points He was tempted as we are, and because He successfully resisted temptation under every form, He gave man the perfect example, and through the provision Christ has made, we may become partakers of the divine nature. Otherwise, you cannot claim that Christ overcame if He never really faced temptation "in every respect", and even less to 'sympathize with our weaknesses."

 

[atpollard]

"To be tempted" does not equal "was actually tempted".

So short answer, no.

[Heb 2:18 NASB] 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Hebrews says ... yes.

 

[Cygnus]

Many incorrectly claim that it was not possible for Christ to sin, or refuse to believe that He really took upon Himself human nature. But its clear from the scripture that Christ was actually tempted, not only by Satan in the wilderness, but all through His life, from childhood to manhood. In all points He was tempted as we are, and because He successfully resisted temptation under every form, He gave man the perfect example, and through the provision Christ has made, we may become partakers of the divine nature. Otherwise, you cannot claim that Christ overcame if He never really faced temptation "in every respect", and even less to 'sympathize with our weaknesses."

Jesus is what is considered as impeccable...Jesus could not have sinned. If jesus could sin then, Jesus could sin now.
To believe Jesus could sin is to believe God could sin...and you know God can't sin. Especially when you understand the fullness of God was in Jesus.

Jesus was tempted by Satan and didn't sin because He couldn't sin.

Maybe your Jesus could have sinned, but my Jesus couldn't, because He is God.

Just for clarity, what do you mean by "partakers of the divine nature."

 

[Walpole]

Many incorrectly claim that it was not possible for Christ to sin, or refuse to believe that He really took upon Himself human nature. But its clear from the scripture that Christ was actually tempted, not only by Satan in the wilderness, but all through His life, from childhood to manhood. In all points He was tempted as we are, and because He successfully resisted temptation under every form, He gave man the perfect example, and through the provision Christ has made, we may become partakers of the divine nature. Otherwise, you cannot claim that Christ overcame if He never really faced temptation "in every respect", and even less to 'sympathize with our weaknesses."

Since Christ is the Logos, He can do all things and is free to do all things logically possible (i.e. those things which are not contradictory). To sin, by definition, is to fail to act perfectly. Hence, if Christ sinned, He would fail to act perfectly, as He cannot do that which doing seeks to avoid: failure. Sinning would therefore mean that God was limited in His power to do as He should. Thus, a God who sins is one who contradicts His own perfection and is therefore not God at all.

 

[WIP]

Since Christ is the Logos, He can do all things and is free to do all things logically possible (i.e. those things which are not contradictory). To sin, by definition, is to fail to act perfectly. Hence, if Christ sinned, He would fail to act perfectly, as He cannot do that which doing seeks to avoid: failure. Sinning would therefore mean that God was limited in His power to do as He should. Thus, a God who sins is one who contradicts His own perfection and is therefore not God at all.

I agree with you but somehow we need to reconcile what you say with Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15 (NKJV).

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. 2:18

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 4:15

How do we reconcile this?

 

[KevinK]

[Heb 2:18 NASB] 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Hebrews says ... yes.

I see what you're saying. It's a good point. I guess it depends on your exact definition of tempted, whether it was successful, or just means you felt the temptation. I think you could answer yes or no depending on which definition.

The thing is, the OP was equating temptation with actual sinning. Using that def, I'm sticking with my original answer, "no".

 

[OzSpen]

I agree with you but somehow we need to reconcile what you say with Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15 (NKJV).

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. 2:18

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 4:15

How do we reconcile this?

WIP,

Being tempted does not mean a person sins or the Son of God sins when he was tempted like us.

The fact is that he did not sin.

Oz

 

[Walpole]

I agree with you but somehow we need to reconcile what you say with Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15 (NKJV).

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. 2:18

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 4:15

How do we reconcile this?

There’s nothing to reconcile because...

Being tempted / temptation ≠ a sin / sinful

 

[WIP]

There’s nothing to reconcile because...

Being tempted / temptation ≠ a sin / sinful

Sorry, I forgot to post one scripture from James.

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:12-15 NKJV

This clearly says that God cannot be tempted and Jesus is God and yet Scripture (Hebrews) also says that Jesus was tempted in every way we were. I know temptation does not equal sin. I also know that Scripture does not contradict itself so how do we reconcile this seeming contradiction?

 

[KevinK]

Satan only at-tempted Jesus.

 

[Cygnus]

Sorry, I forgot to post one scripture from James.

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:12-15 NKJV

This clearly says that God cannot be tempted and Jesus is God and yet Scripture (Hebrews) also says that Jesus was tempted in every way we were. I know temptation does not equal sin. I also know that Scripture does not contradict itself so how do we reconcile this seeming contradiction?

If you don't like chocolate cake and I wave some chocolate cake in front of you, trying to tempt you then you don't take any cake because you don't like chocolate cake it shows you were tempted by me but you were not tempted because you didn't like the cake.

Satan and people could try to tempt Jesus with sin...but Jesus couldn't be tempted because He doesn't like the sin He was tempted with.

 

[reddogs]

Jesus is what is considered as impeccable...Jesus could not have sinned. If jesus could sin then, Jesus could sin now.
To believe Jesus could sin is to believe God could sin...and you know God can't sin. Especially when you understand the fullness of God was in Jesus.

Jesus was tempted by Satan and didn't sin because He couldn't sin.

Maybe your Jesus could have sinned, but my Jesus couldn't, because He is God.

Just for clarity, what do you mean by "partakers of the divine nature."

That is a deception from the deceiver as Satan primary contention is that man could not overcome sin.
You have to understand Christ came as we are, fully human, and if not. then it would be just a charade and Satan would have won.

 

[atpollard]

I agree with you but somehow we need to reconcile what you say with Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15 (NKJV).

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. 2:18

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 4:15

How do we reconcile this?

I think it comes down to the mystery of Christ being both FULLY GOD and FULLY MAN. Somewhere along the way, human understanding is going to fail to fully grasp that Jesus Christ reality.

 

[WIP]

If you don't like chocolate cake and I wave some chocolate cake in front of you, trying to tempt you then you don't take any cake because you don't like chocolate cake it shows you were tempted by me but you were not tempted because you didn't like the cake.

Satan and people could try to tempt Jesus with sin...but Jesus couldn't be tempted because He doesn't like the sin He was tempted with.

Pretty much what I posted earlier but I still struggle to see how that reconciles the Scritpures that seem to contradict. Scripture says Jesus was tempted in all ways that we are. In other words, He does like the chocolate cake. I think the difference is that He was able to say, "No!" when the cake was offered whereas we too easily give in to the desire to have the cake.

 

[WIP]

I think it comes down to the mystery of Christ being both FULLY GOD and FULLY MAN. Somewhere along the way, human understanding is going to fail to fully grasp that Jesus Christ reality.

I see your point.

 

[Cygnus]

That is a deception from the deceiver as Satan primary contention is that man could not overcome sin.
You have to understand Christ came as we are, fully human, and if not. then it would be just a charade and Satan would have won.

Oh wow....yet another who starts off with "That is a deception from the deceiver as Satan"
From your post it also sounds like you will claim Jesus isn't God.

 

[Cygnus]

Pretty much what I posted earlier but I still struggle to see how that reconciles the Scritpures that seem to contradict. Scripture says Jesus was tempted in all ways that we are. In other words, He does like the chocolate cake. I think the difference is that He was able to say, "No!" when the cake was offered whereas we too easily give in to the desire to have the cake.

I don't think Jesus liked any sin.

 

[WIP]

I don't think Jesus liked any sin.

I don't like sin either but that doesn't stop me from committing sin. In Hebrews 4:15 where it says He was tempted "was in all points tempted as we are" the implication is that He had to say no to things that He desired.

The difference between He and me is that He puts God first in all things where I fail to do that 100%.