Have you heard the Gospel?

[live2blieve]

When we believe the first time, God the Father as our just Judge declares us "not guilty" and considers us perfect, all through Jesus' death on the cross, but we still have sin left in our sinful natures that we need Jesus' resurrection power to overcome (a lifelong job).

We know that truth by comparing the first parts of the letters with the second ones (Colossians 1 and 2 versus chapters 3 and 4; Romans 1-11 and 12-16; Ephesians 1-3, 3-6; Galatians 1-4, 5-6; Hebrew 1-11, 12-16). The first parts state the truths already accomplished through Jesus; the second, the improvements God commands us to make, while empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:8,9).

Not everyone in Colossae, Rome etc. was born of God.

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:8,9).

Not everyone in Colossae, Rome etc. was born of God.

Well, I still sin at the age of 82; I'm frustrated and impatient sometimes, two sins that I'm asking God to replace with submission and patience. John was talking about the fact that sin and Satan no longer control a true believer. Otherwise, he would have been contradicting himself when he wrote:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
God never contradicts himself.
If you think that you no longer sin, read Paul's commands in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Jesus' death gives us the divine Judge's not guilty verdict, but Jesus' resurrection gives us his power to fight and overcome our sins our whole lives, primarily through our persistent prayers.

 

[live2blieve]

Well, I still sin at the age of 82; I'm frustrated and impatient sometimes, two sins that I'm asking God to replace with submission and patience. John was talking about the fact that sin and Satan no longer control a true believer. Otherwise, he would have been contradicting himself when he wrote:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
God never contradicts himself.
If you think that you no longer sin, read Paul's commands in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Jesus' death gives us the divine Judge's not guilty verdict, but Jesus' resurrection gives us his power to fight and overcome our sins our whole lives, primarily through our persistent prayers.

I hope you will find helpful this sermon on sin which includes a PowerPoint presentation (from 1hr23min until 2hr02min):

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

Well, I still sin at the age of 82; I'm frustrated and impatient sometimes, two sins that I'm asking God to replace with submission and patience. John was talking about the fact that sin and Satan no longer control a true believer. Otherwise, he would have been contradicting himself when he wrote:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
God never contradicts himself.
If you think that you no longer sin, read Paul's commands in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Jesus' death gives us the divine Judge's not guilty verdict, but Jesus' resurrection gives us his power to fight and overcome our sins our whole lives, primarily through our persistent prayers.

I hope you will find helpful this sermon on sin which includes a PowerPoint presentation (from 1hr23min until 2hr02min):

I think that using the Hebrew names for God and Jesus with people around us will not be effective for our witnessing or evangelism. That's the only objection I have to your approach to the Bible.

 

[Hopeful 2]

Well, I still sin at the age of 82; I'm frustrated and impatient sometimes, two sins that I'm asking God to replace with submission and patience. John was talking about the fact that sin and Satan no longer control a true believer. Otherwise, he would have been contradicting himself when he wrote:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
God never contradicts himself.

If all our sins can be washed away, cleansed, why can't we say we have no sin ?
Actually, verses 6, 8, and 10 apply to those still walking in darkness.
Sinners can't say they have no sin, but those who have confessed, repented of sin, been washed by the blood of Christ, can say they have no sin.
They have crucified the old man with the affections and lusts ! (Gal 5:24)
They have been reborn of God's seed !
We can now walk in the light, instead of in darkness.

If you think that you no longer sin, read Paul's commands in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I see no evidence of a failed repentance from sin in those verses.
Care to elaborate ?

Jesus' death gives us the divine Judge's not guilty verdict, but Jesus' resurrection gives us his power to fight and overcome our sins our whole lives, primarily through our persistent prayers.

I agree.
There is nothing forcing us to keep walking in the darkness/sin.

 

[Bruce.Leiter]

I am sincerely glad to hear that this is the only objection you have. If you found out that these names are true and personally use them, I believe our Creator will reward you. It is really between us and Him (John 4:23,24). When we witness to the Savior I don't think it is a sin or mistake to mention the true names of the Father and Son. In fact, it should be a part of evangelism, because the original names Yahweh and Yahshua show the unity between the Father and the Son and give a witness to the Gospel ("Yahweh is Salvation"). Believing on the name is an important part of the Gospel:

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13).

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13).

No, the Creator understands why I use the English words, to communicate clearly with unbelievers using words with which they are familiar because they are still in our culture (mostly as swear words) rather than Hebrew words. Of course, if I were to live in Israel....

John wrote in Greek and used Aramaic in his daily language. So, where do those facts leave the Hebrew language? I studied Hebrew in seminary and used it to prepare many sermons but never would speak it because it wouldn't mean anything to the people around me. I was also an English teacher before I became a pastor.

 

[WIP]

If all believers sin as you imply by this quote, do you think that the Savior made a mistake when he said, "“and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32)"?

I think you might be misinterpreting what Jesus was saying here. I think we need to look a little deeper here.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
John 8:31-36 NKJV

I submit that Jesus was talking about bondage to sin and not necessarily that we will stop sinning. Throughout Scripture there are multiple times when we are reminded that none of us is capable of not sinning, that all have sinned and fall short and none seek the Lord God. It is through belief and trust in Him that we can be saved from our bondage to sin (redeemed) and be made righteous (sanctified) before God despite ourselves. We cannot discount all the rest of Scripture for the sake of a single verse.