Question Fedusenko. So that we might clear the air and just get down to brass tacks, are you of the understanding that we are capable of having, through prayer, practice, choice, decision, relationship with God...whatever means you want to instill, a perfect
sinless nature while here in our physical presence, by inviting Christ in our hearts? Is that your understanding of Christianity?
Is that a question you can answer a simple yes or no to?
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@ Danus
As simple yes or no is not available. I deeply question the 'sinless nature' as much as the 'sinful nature'. To say that we have a natural tilt to do wrong is the same as saying that we have a natural tilt to do right. To say that we sin because we are inclined to sin also says that God originally created us to sin. I don't believe that Yeshua, knowing this, would have told us to live up to an unreachable tasks, to do right.
But to answer your question as best I can, through Christ I am made perfect.
@ Jethro Bodine
Some people tend to divide sinners and saints in a very literal way. That's why I was asking. When I try to pin folks down on this I never get a straight answer, but that's OK. I understand and respect most of what I hear from folks with one exception, the (I am sinless by avoiding sin) response. I think that's seriously missing the point.
We are called to not sin, but sin is our nature in the sense that we are corrupted by sin; not just our own sin by action or thought, but by others and by the sin in the world.
Simply avoiding sin and claiming to be free and clean of sin, is to place emphasis on our own abilities to "be good". That leaves open a lot of questions; the first of which, "I'm I good enough?" and what is enough?
Good enough would be 100% and if we can be 100% good enough for God by our own ability (with the help of Christ of course) then that places an emphasis on us and not Christ.
"Go and sin no more" is a powerful thing to say, is it not? It seems to be a direct command, but also one that is not possible for man to do on his own. It clearly suggest that we are to from this point on NOT SIN.
However, there is a poetic quality to the statement "Go and sin no more." When did Jesus say these things? After he healed someone. Right? after he made contact.
I'm sure we can agree that we are nothing in our endeavor to be good without Christ. The people Christ healed could not heal themselves, they needed Christ. But when we face the final judgment we must be 100% to be accepted.
Jesus did not just heal people and tell them not to sin anymore. he did something more than that. He took on the sins of the world. He died on the cross in place of us. He paid the debt we owe in full. We need not forget that.
That does not mean we can just do what we want because we are covered. Why can't we? because we need Christ in our lives, to point the way, to be salt and light to the world. So in this there is clearly a relationship between us and Christ.
He's covered our sin, but we need the relationship with him to be of any use and although our sin nature makes us stumble and fall, and places enmity between us and God, it is Christ for the saved that connects the relationship, and often straight through our own sin. We are only counted worthy through Christ and not of us. We are like Luther said; "snow covered DUNG".
Those who reject Christ are just sinners. Those who accept Christ are saints, but only by the work of Christ and not of themselves. "Saint sinner." "Go and sin no more" means to be saved; to accept your salvation, because that's the only way anyone will ever go and sin no more.
Those who take it as a direct command for them to specifically accomplish this task of not sinning are missing the bigger picture, still holding on to themselves rather than letting go and letting Christ take over. They are in danger of the highest hypocrisy; "Religious Piety"
The pious Christian will always make a fool of himself. He will always fall and stumble and at his very best might reach 99% good on his own, but he can not save himself. Nor can he simply achieve 100% with the 'help" of Christ, no sir. He is there to serve Christ not the other way around.
The pious Christian will always look down on others. he will always measure himself against others. he is of little use to the kingdom of God, because he does not reflect the light of God to the world, but just the world itself. What value is that?
God did not call us to call out the world, but to love the world and show the world the love of Christ. Yet, there are far too many people calling themselves christian, and good, and pointing at the world laughing in anger at them rather than loving them. Is that Christian?
We are sinners, and no better than the lowest sinner. We've no more right to live than the worst of the worst. The only difference is that the Christian is a saved sinner who serves God and to do this he must put himself last and allow God to take over. That is how we are able to go and sin no more. Ever wonder where God wanted us to go in that statement? To the world!
He was saying; "By your acceptance of me you are saved by me. Now go into the world and be counted sinless by what I've done on to you. Go, and sin no more.
We can not over come our sins, but God can, and he has. do we improve? sure we do. Our Christian life is one of being molded to the image of Christ, and in that process we do not mold ourselves. the clay pot does not shape itself' the potter does that. But the clay must be willing to be shaped.
