"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1).
The Bible calls followers of Christ to a life of holiness. But at the same time the Bible ups and says that every human being has sinned!![] In chapters 1, 2, and 3 of Romans, Paul shows that all men are guilty before God. Paul said , "We have.. proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understand, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:9-12, 23).
The Apostle John stated, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (I John 1:10).
Even the Old Testament agrees, "There is no man that sinneth not" (I Kings 8:46; II Chronicles 6:36).
Sinful acts arise from the nature of sin that we all inherit as a result of the sin of Adam, the first representative of the human race. This sinful nature is also known as the flesh or the carnal man. "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5). "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). The penalty for sin is death, but just as we were led into sin and death by one man, Adam, so we can receive forgiveness and life through one man, Christ. "For as by one man"s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous" (Romans 5:19). "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (I Corinthians 15:22).
Even after being born again, we still have the sin nature. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other" (Galatians 5:16-17). "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" (James 4:5). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (I John 1:8). The sinful nature has in it a compulsion to commit sinful acts. It is more than a capacity to sin, such as Adam had in his state of innocence, for if we let the sinful nature lead us it will always cause us to sin (Galatians 5:17). In Romans 7, Paul taught that neither the law of God nor the law of the mind brings power over the law of sin. That is, neither God"s moral law nor the good intentions of our minds gives us power to overcome the principle of sin that moves us to sin. "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do"this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God"s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God"through Jesus Christ our Lord! "So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God"s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin" (Romans 7:21-25,).
We could debate as to whether this chapter applies to the saved or to the unsaved. Possibly, it refers to Paul before his conversion. Alternatively, it is Paul"s description of his carnal nature only . . . .what his flesh is like if left to itself. In any case, the passage describes the failure of a good, sincere person who tries to live for God without relying on the power of the Spirit. So, it applies to anyone, either regenerate or unregenerate, who tries to live a holy life by his own human power and by mere obedience to law. Therefor, it describes a constant threat to the Christian: if he relies on the flesh, he will always fail and fall into sin.
Romans 7 does not represent the norm for Christian living; we find that in Romans 6 and 8. In 7:24 Paul asked who could deliver from the bondage of the sinful nature. In 7:25 he gives a thanksgiving to God as he reflected on the answer, then concluded the chapter by summarizing the power of the sinful nature. In Romans 8 he gave the answer to the dilemma posed in chapter 7: through the law of the Spirit we can overcome the law of sin.
F. F. Bruce explained it well in The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: "The inability persists only so longas "I myself""that is, I in my own strength"fight the battle,. . ."I myself" (autos ego) is emphatic: it is "I by myselfwho
experience this defeat and frustration, but "I" as a Christian, am not left to "myself": "the law of the Spirit oflife in Christ Jesus" has come to dwell within me, and Hispresence and power make an almighty difference."1
In a like way, when Paul said "ye cannot do the things thatye would" in Galatians 5:17, he meant this is true only aslong as we follow the flesh. According to verses 16, 18,and 22, if we follow the Spirit we can indeed override thelusts and works of the flesh:
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Great message. It is good to hear one declare that the church isn't a bunch of slaves to satan. That Calvary was a complete work. Through the new birth, we become more than conquerors through him!! Praise The Name of Jesus.
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
How are we led by the Spirit? What Law is this talking about?
Hey Turkey Fife, welcome to the forum. Glad your reading such a lengthy post. I believe this post will elaborate and answer your questions.
Just to clarify . . .I don"t call myself teaching, but only doing a study. My main resource is the Bible but I also like certain authors who believe as I do. . . .DK Bernard, Lee Stoneking, E Valverde. I ponder a subject for sometime, jotting down notes, then put them together into something that sorts it out for me. . . .may as well pass it on.
So we find that even tho the principle of sin still remains in the born again, we can overcome it thru the power of the Spirit. Romans 6 states in no uncertain terms that the Christian should not sin. We see Romans 7 warning that the Christian can"t obey this command by depending on the law, his mind, or his flesh. Chapter 8 explains that the Christian can fulfil this command only by walking after the Spirit instead of the flesh.
I found this thought interesting . . .The law of the Spirit does not destroy the law of sin, but overcomes it.
As long as a bird flaps it"s wings, the law of aerodynamics enables it to beat the law of gravity, and it stays aloft. Gravity has not been destroyed however. If the bird folds it"s wings, gravity reasserts itself and the bird falls to the ground. . . .Yeah, I know . .analogys aren"t my thing much either but in a like way, the born again can live above sin because the law of the Spirit in him supercedes the law of sin in him.
However, if he does not walk after the Spirit the law of sin which has not yet been destroyed, will reign and drag him back into sin.
Christians receive power over the sinful nature, because Jesus came to save from sin (Mathew 1:21). If we are not delivered from bondage to sin at conversion how are we saved in the past and present tenses as the Bible states?
As born again believers we now have freedom from sin . . .the power to choose not to sin. "Whosoever committeth sin is the servent of sin. And the servent abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:34-36). "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 . . . .Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God . . .For sin shall have no dominion over you . . . .but God be thanked, that ye were the servents of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the sevents of righteousness . . .But now being made free from sin, and become servents to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:6-7, 11-14, 17-18,22).
Romans 6 gives us 3 major things to keep in mind in our approach to overcoming sin :
1. Know who we are and what has happened to us. Know that when we were born again we died to sin. Know therefore that sin has no power over us.
2. Reckon this to be so. Act as if we died to sin and sin has no power over us.
3. Yield to God. Replace sinful habits with an active performance of God"s will as revealed by His Word and His Spirit. (That"s guaranteed good stuff right there that any longtime bonafied Christian will tell you is a powerful tool.)
The born again Christian will not continue to live in sin, and in fact when you think about it, his newly given nature cannot sin. "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" (1John 3:9). The Christian still has the capacity to sin, as John notes in Chapter 1 and 2 of his epistle, but the born again nature restrains him from habitually committing sin. As long as he lets the Spirit lead him he will not sin.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
AMEN-- Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Praise God We are not alone in our battle against our sinful flesh
__________________
"God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the ONE I can change, and the wisdmon to know that it's ME"
A man once stated that the believer should not sin. He was immediatly challanged and informed that none could live without sinning. The man asked his challanger if he thought that one could live one day without sin. He was told no, one couldn't live one day with out sinning. He then asked if one could live one hour without sinning, again the answer was no. Not one hour without sin. He then asked if he could live one minute without sinning. His challanger said, yes one could live one minute without sinning. The man then replied, I will just have to live my life one minute at a time.
1Cor 2:6 Paul spoke about speaking wisdom among them that ARE, (present tense) perfect.
II Cor 13:11 Paul says to "be perfect"
II Tim 3:11 that the man of God might be perfect.
Heb 13:21 make you perfect unto every good work
1 John 2:23 ye have overcome the wicked one.
How can these scriptures be fulfilled if we are still under sin?
It's not my intent to offend or to put down. I know that many here would not agree with a lot of this post. This is simply Scripture as I see it . . . .If I'm wrong I pray that I see it. . . .but what I see is an overwhelming amount of Scripture that would needs be clarified. A lot of what is put in this post has been debated several times . .at length and I've pretty much stayed out of it. I've read most every post and considered all that I've read. I don't intend to get into a ruckus now . . .if you disagree, I'll read your reply and carefully consider your words, but will continue on with what I have. I can't put all that I have accumulated into this one post due to a lack of time on my part . . .there is just too much too consider to leave it off tho, so I'll finish when I have time.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? . . .What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid" (Romans 6: 1-2, 15). "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not" (1John 2:1).
Who would disagree that the Spirit can give us the ability to live an obedient life? It is up to us however to make use of this power. Bridges " To confuse the potential for resisting (which God provided) with the responsibility for resisting (which is ours), is to court disaster in our pursuit of holiness."
It does seem that since a christian has power over sin that therefore he should not sin.
This has been debated to death, but it seems time to insert that according to my, and a great many others understanding, that in fact, if a christian continues to live in sin or allows unrepented sin to remain in his life, he will not inherit salvation in the life to come. I see the following points of Scripture as bearing this out:
* The true test of whether we know God, have the love of God, and abide in God is whether or not we keep God"s commandments and live a Christ-like life.
1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
* Those who are led by the Spirit are (remain) the sons of God. The child of God who rebels against God"s authority is not "unborn" but God will disown and disinherit him.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
* True religion means to keep oneself unspotted from the world,
Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
* And God will have a spotless church.
Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
* Bible says we must overcome temptation, sin, and the things of this world in order to receive our eternal reward.
Rev 2:1-29, 3:1-22(see for yourself), and Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
* We must clean ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
* We must follow holiness in order to see the Lord.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
* Jesus Christ lived an innocent, sinless life as an example for us to emulate.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
* We have Christ in us to reproduce His life in us.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
* We have confidence towards God only if our hearts do not condemn us.
1Jo 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
* We have confidence if we keep His commandments and do His will
1Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
On the flip side tho, if we have unrepented sin in our lives our hearts are full of condemnation and guilt.
* A Christian with specific unrepented sin in his life cannot inherit the kingdom of God and eternal life.
1Co 6:9 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,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
1Jo 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
The Christian And Sin
] In chapters 1, 2, and 3 of Romans, Paul shows that all men are guilty before God. Paul said , "We have.. proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understand, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. . . . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:9-12, 23).
