Is It Possible to be Free of Sin?

[tdidymas]

Part 2:

TD: Since you don't believe the doctrine of total depravity, this begs the question:

Do you believe that the sinful nature just makes you a little bit sinful? But before you heard of Christ you were basically a good person?

W: The sin nature divides us from God. It does not make us so depraved that we cannot reach out to God.

Again...Romans 1:19-20 We are without excuse if lost since God reveals Himself to all mankind.

Yes, unbelievers are without excuse, because the law of God has been communicated to all mankind. But Paul says the law is powerless to make a person righteous (no matter how much that person tries to obey it) - Rom. 8:3.

We must also understand the difference between what people observe and define as righteous choices and deeds, and what is righteous in the sight of God. What seems to be righteous in the sight of men might be evil or sinful in the sight of God. Sin is falling short of God's glory, so obeying God's law with any motive other than love for God would be falling short.

And since the Bible says "love comes from God," then how can we possibly love God, unless His Spirit is already within us to express that love motive?

But people not born of God are dead in sin, therefore, spiritually speaking, yes, they are so depraved that they cannot reach out to God, because they don't want to reach out to God, because that would require them to be changed into something the world hates. Because it would require them to surrender their autonomy to God's Spirit and leading.

Paul describes natural man's inability to obey God in Rom. 8:6-8 "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

"Not able" means they can't believe. Paul is talking about the faith that results in righteousness in God's sight. That faith is what pleases God. This is the subject matter of his statement. He says they are not able. This tells me that when someone believes in Christ and obeys the gospel, it was an act of God's supernatural intervention.

And in 2 Tim. 2:25-26 "with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."

"Held captive" means they can't get free. And the way they are held captive is that they think their assessment of things is right, and therefore they don't want to get free. People who are perishing are perfectly satisfied with their lives and where they think they are going. This is why and how they are held captive to do Satan's will.

Why are we given the moral law as if we had a choice to keep it or not?

In order to prove to mankind the sinfulness of sin, and the hopelessness of living autonomous lives. The law is given as a tutor to show us our need for Christ and the Holy Spirit.

How would you explain Romans 10:9-10 ?

Not much different than you did, except that I would leave out the man-centered "free will choice" idea that isn't in there. I would rather explain it in terms of what God graciously does for us. I would boast that God does that work of salvation, and this is the faith that Paul is talking about.
TD

 

[PeterJens]

Your last statement is a bit confusing, I'm not sure what your point is. What I'm saying is that either we believe the way the Bible describes, or not. If we believe in Christ, then God has given us that faith as a free gift, which is part of the free-grace salvation He gives to us. That grace leads us to obedience to the gospel message, which is to exercise faith in Christ, repentance from our sinful behavior, and belief that God does the work of holiness in our hearts. What I'm objecting to is the focus on the man-centered "right to choose" idea, which I believe is the idolatry of the culture. I'm not sure how else to say it.
TD

Thank you. What is interesting is to realise we all hold these ideas in different ways, emphasis and depth.

And I see how you could say it is a man-centered idea that people can choose.
I suppose I would look at this right to choose is a child who runs to their father and one pace away throws themselves at their dad knowing they will be caught. Now of course the child could walk away, it is a free expression of their heart, but everything within them cries to run deep and just commit more to Him.

Believing Christ is also not so simple. As we grow in Him it becomes something more developed and mature. It is also much more developed. Just like when you begin to
ask what is sinful behaviour, what is our behaviour and what is us letting Christ work through us. Sometimes I just need to dwell and praise, and stop thinking too much.
God bless you

 

[netchaplain]

Hi and God bless! Being "free from sin" (Rom 6:18, 22; 8:2) involves freedom from its "damnation" (Rom 8:1) and "dominion" (Rom 6:14) but not from the "indwelling" (Rom 7:17, 20) of that which is the seat of sin--the flesh (flesh; old man; sin nature - Gal 5:17).

This is God's grace that separates believers from the sin nature's (Rom 8:9) effects on the soul, and thankfully we can be encouraged that this is "sufficient," until "the redemption of our body" (Rom 8:23).

 

[Walpole]

Hi and God bless! Being "free from sin" (Rom 6:18, 22; 8:2) involves freedom from its "damnation" (Rom 8:1) and "dominion" (Rom 6:14) but not from the "indwelling" (Rom 7:17, 20) of that which is the seat of sin--the flesh (flesh; old man; sin nature - Gal 5:17).

This is God's grace that separates believers from the sin nature's (Rom 8:9) effects on the soul, and thankfully we can be encouraged that this is "sufficient," until "the redemption of our body" (Rom 8:23).

I don't follow because sin is a positive act of the will which is contrary to the law of God.

---> "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4)

The Scriptures are full of admonitions to repent; that is, to turn away from sin and amend one's life by avoiding sin. In other words, stop transgressing the laws of God.

You can't turn away from damnation, for judgement is God's alone. Nor can you repent of your nature.

 

[netchaplain]

I don't follow because sin is a positive act of the will which is contrary to the law of God.

---> "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4)

The intention here concerning "committing sin" is in the sense of intentionally sinning (Num 15:30; Heb 10:26), which when we were unregenerate was in ignorance of the seriousness of being unconcerned about sinning (e.g.1Tim 1:13; Num 15:24-29).

 

[Walpole]

The intention here concerning "committing sin" is in the sense of intentionally sinning (Num 15:30; Heb 10:26), which when we were unregenerate was in ignorance of the seriousness of being unconcerned about sinning (e.g.1Tim 1:13; Num 15:24-29).

Now I'm even more confused. Are you saying only unregenerate people are ignorant about the seriousness of sin?

Much of the New Testament, written to what presumably you would call the "regenerate", is continual warnings against the dangers, consequences and seriousness of sin. Here is but one of many examples...

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (1 Cir 6:9-10)

In reference to your previous post, I am curious how you think one repents from damnation as well as one's own nature? How exactly do I express sorrow and amendment for a judgement that is yet to come (damnation)? Or, how do I express sorrow and amendment for being a human being (my nature)?

 

[netchaplain]

Now I'm even more confused. Are you saying only unregenerate people are ignorant about the seriousness of sin?

Hi and God bless! Just saying that to know and understand the seriousness of sin one must be reborn because it requires God to reveal it. I believe there are many things unbelievers will not know and understand concerning good and evil in the capacity they should be comprehending, which only comes by the Word and Spirit of God.

Much of the New Testament, written to what presumably you would call the "regenerate", is continual warnings against the dangers, consequences and seriousness of sin.

Those reborn do not need warned about living after (desiring) the sin nature (old man) because the will for it no longer dominates them (Rom 6:14) to live after it (Phl 2:13). Thus I see the declarations of Scripture admonishing against living in sin are to those dominated by it and serve as a warning and witness against the unbeliever, and as identification of being lost to the believer.

This is similar to the identifying declarations in Romans 8 that alternate between those after the sin nature and those after the Spirit. To me, it's no as though one reborn would desire to live after the sin nature, e.g. one living according to God's "good pleasure" would not desire to live in a lifestyle (ongoing pattern) of sin.

In reference to your previous post, I am curious how you think one repents from damnation as well as one's own nature? How exactly do I express sorrow and amendment for a judgement that is yet to come (damnation)? Or, how do I express sorrow and amendment for being a human being (my nature)?

I apologize, but I'm not sure of your meaning here.