The Two Natures That Co-Exist In A Spirit-Filled Christian

[NewLifeInChrist]

You said.........
"This sentence assumes that most people reading this are not familiar with Scripture and/or do not have the necessary experience to sort out false doctrine as they are guided by the Holy Spirit. My experience on this and other forums is that most people on these sites have well-developed points of view and are not easily convinced to change their minds."

My experience is that a great number of people on Christian forums do not actually understand the Scriptures. Many, ,many people are taught something un-biblical, and they want to try and influence others on forums.

I agree with that. I just said it in a less accusatory manner.

If that is not true, then why in the world are you and I discussing such an elementary topic as the "sinlessness" of men which is impossible.
Then there are man, many who bring their "denominational dogma" to a forum for some kind of vindication.
I am absolutely positive that you are a well meaning Christian but you have been wrongly taught something that is not possible!
“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
“…and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

I didn't think we are discussing the sinlessness of man. In fact, I think this is the first time it has come up. You may be confusing me with Hopeful 2 who believes in and preaches sinless perfection.

Of course, sinlessness is supposed to be our goal. In Matthew 5:48 which you have used, Jesus says.... “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

It has been a while since I quoted Matthew 5:48 and I have not quoted it on this thread. When I have quoted it, my focus has always been on the imposibility of that command to be obeyed and its purpose to drive us to Christ for forgiveness.

Sinless perfection is the goal we should all be striving towards. Until we are glorified in God’s presence in heaven, though, we will still inhabit a sin-infected body. The struggle against our flesh is constant, even for the most mature Christian (Romans 7:15–24). In the Christian life, we should progressively achieve greater and greater victory over sin, but our battle against sin will not end this side of eternity.

I have found great encouragement in Galatians 5:16 -- "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh". Our struggle against sin is won only if we walk in lock step with the Spirit of God as He leads, guides, directs, corrects, and comforts us from the depths of our own hearts. It is a mistake to take our eyes off the Lord and strive towards sinless perfection.

Even when shown the Scriptures of how impossible that is, some on forums dig in deeper.
My advice is that when you are in a hole, stop digging.

Oh boy.

 

[Hopeful 2]

You said.........
"I'm sorry to see you be so dismissive of the Lord Jesus Christ's command in Matt 5:48."
I am sorry to see that you refuse to accept the actually meaning of that Scripture but use it to try and validate an opinion.

The day of judgement will separate the obedient from the disobedient.

You said...........
"Weren't you crucified with Christ ?
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.” (Rom. 6:6-7)".

In the nicest way I can possible say this, I am saddened that you have been so wrongly taught the Word of God in that you would use Scriptures to make them say what YOU want them to say.
So that I may speak to those in the internet world reading our discussion, may I say 1st that CONTEXT is always the way to understand a Scripture, Having said that....In Romans 6:1, the apostle Paul asks believers a rhetorical question, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?” That verse sets the CONTEXT for verses 6-7 that you posted.
This does not mean that believers are sinless. Quite frankly, the idea that any man can live sinless is silly and childness to me. The Scripture you posted rather means that sin is no longer our master which is confirmed in verses 17-18........
“Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness”.

You could have just said..."NO, I have not been crucified with Christ" instead of printing all that.
That crucifixion awaits you.

You said............
"Do you really feel that salvation will be offered to those that hate God ?
It is written..."No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other."
And..."Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
Servants of sin hate God."
My friend.........your question shows the depth of your ignorance to the Word of God.
The answer is YES! How did YOU get saved? You at one time was last and loved your sin more than God but God loved you so much that even in your condition He died to save you!

I haven't been shown to have remained faithfully obedient yet, but the day of judgement will declare it.
If my judgement shows that I never actually left the darkness-sin, I will end up in the lake of fire.

"For God so loved the world"...the what, THE WORLD! That He grace His only begotten Son!
I can not keep responding to these long posts. If (3rd) you would like to continue the discussion, please ask one topic, one question at a time (3 rd time).
If you can notdo that or refuse to do that, then this will end my conversation with you.

My posts to you are equally as long as the ones I am responding to.

If you want one topic, let's return to the OP.
If the old man has been destroyed, as Romans 6:6 states, then we cannot have any of the old man/nature still controlling us.