Some people suggest that christians are safe and will not lose their souls as long as they don’t PRACTICE sin – as in “habitually”. They might also suggest that true born-again christians do not practice sin but they do sin occasionally and they can never stop sinning. This is just another attempt to excuse sinning.
How many sins must a person commit to be considered “practicing” sin? One single murder or bank robbery in a life time would not be considered to sin habitually, but we know that one single sin made a huge difference for Adam and Eve. Perhaps being unfaithful every other year wouldn’t be considered practicing sin either? Where do we draw the line? The Bible says that nothing impure shall enter the new Jerusalem:
Rev. 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
True repentance (along with our faith) is the only thing that can save us.
The Greek word used for “to commit” is in itself proof that “commit” does not mean “practice”. In the Greek NT there are two words that are commonly used to express the idea of doing something. The first is “poieo”, the second is “prasso”, according to Blueletter Bible.
4160 poieo, appear. to make or do (in a very wide application)
4238 prasso, to “practice”, i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from poieo which refers to a single act); to execute, accomplish, fare, commit, deeds, do, keep, require, use arts.
When the Apostle John wrote “Whosoever is born of God doth not COMMIT sin” he used the word “poieo” (to make or do sin with the idea of a single act), and if he wanted to communicate the concept of “practicing” sin he could have used “prasso”.
John Wesley says:
“But some men will say, ‘True: whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin habitually.’ Habitually! Whence is that? I read it not. It is not written in the Book. God plainly saith, ‘He doth not commit sin’; and thou addest, habitually! Who art thou that mendest the oracles of God?-that ‘addest to the words of this book’? Beware I beseech thee, lest God “add to thee all the plagues that are written therein’!” / John Wesley’s Fifty Three Sermons “The Marks of the New Birth” April 3, 1741
1 John 3:9 mostly applies to Jesus because he is certainly “born of God” and his seed remains in God (the Father), but in a way it also applies to us who are in the son. Jesus actually had the capacity to sin or else he would not be tempted in all things just like us, like the Bible says he was. He rather chose to live a sinless life for our sake. We too obviously have the capacity to sin, but if we are led by the holy Spirit, we do not sin. The term “seed” above is generally understood to mean “God’s word” and seed is often typical of the Word of God (for example, Luke 8:11; 1 Peter 1:23) but we know that believers are also referred to as “seed” (Rom 9:8; Gal 3:16, 19, 29)
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed (the believer) remaineth in him (Jesus): and he (the believer) cannot sin, because he is born of God (which is to abide in Jesus).” 1 John 3:9
This is confirmed in 1 John 3:6
“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:6
It is not impossible for a believer to sin but rather, it is impossible for a believer to sin as long as he abides in Jesus (which is a condition to remain a believer). The chapter does not teach that it is impossible for a christian to sin but that it is possible that he, through God’s grace, avoids it. No believer has to sin (Titus 2:11-12, 1 Cor 10:13) and the Bible does not say that we are off the hook if we only transgress the law just once in a while instead of several times. Repentance is the only cure. If we mix sin and “sorries” on a daily basis, we have not truly repented.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1 Joh. 3:8 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.—10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
We are told to not hate anyone because hating is like being a murderer. If we are to believe that our souls are not in danger as long as we do not habitually sin, does this mean we can perhaps get away with hating one single brother? Of course not, because no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
1 Joh. 3.15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
We can also see that the condition for having confidence toward God is that our heart does not condemn us. If the case is that our conscience tells us that we have acted wickedly (our heart condemns us) then God is merciful and will forgive us IF we confess our sins and truly repent. If we harden our hearts and pursue in the sin we know is wrong, then our souls are in danger. If you have a chance, do read the article about our faith as “filthy rags”.
1 Joh. 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
Other mentions of “committing” sin outside of 1 John 3
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Bjorkbloggen 
You are NOT preaching the Gospel and are not saved by your works! So we must earn said grace via obedience? Doesn’t sound much like grace to me. Christ + anything at all = Legalism and denies the finished work of Christ by requiring something more to be done, thus MAKING SALVATION A REWARD FOR THE RIGHTEOUS INSTEAD OF A GIFT OF GOD’s GRACE FOR THE GUILTY and also making a liar out of Jesus on the cross when He said, “It is finished!” We should absolutely do our best to abstain as much as possible from sin by yielding to the Spirit but Paul states his flesh does things that he hates and if he hates it, he loves God’s law so its not him sinning but the flesh. Remember, salvation is a free gift so that no man can boast. You can’t earn it therefore you can’t unearn it. You can certainly lose your rewards however.
There is NOT one Scripture in the entire Bible that tells us to “repent FROM sin” to be saved. You can’t find it. The word repent in the Greek simply means “to change one’s mind.” So a person need only repent OF their sins to be saved; and NOT FROM their sins. A lost sinner only needs to realize their GUILT of sin, and condemnation under the Law of God, and their justly deserved penalty of Hellfire to be saved. The change should come LATER, after a person is saved and the Holy Spirit convicts them (2nd Corinthians 5:17).
Justification: saves from PENALTY of sin one time payment by God on our behalf. (Past Tense)
Sanctification: saves from the POWER of sin and takes one’s entire life to work out as we are molded in the likeness of Jesus. (Present Tense)
Glorification: saves from the PRESENCE of sin which we will attain at death or the rapture / resurrection. (Future Tense)
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Hey Chris
Correct, we cannot earn our salvation, and neither is this claimed on the Blog. It is however true that we are justified by works and not by faith alone because this is what the Bible says (Jas 2:24). Who are saved?
Hebr 5:9 And being made perfect, he became
the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY HIM
Yes salvation is a free gift and nothing you can earn but this doesn’t mean that it’s unconditional. If I send you a present and you must first go to the post office to get it, it’s still free with no charge.
Paul was definitely no sinner after he was saved. He said that he has a perfect conscience (Acts 23:1), and he taught that sinning leads to death:
Rom. 6::16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto DEATH, or of obedience unto righteousness?
You said: “Justification: saves from PENALTY of sin one time payment by God on our behalf. (Past Tense)”
Where is this in the Bible? We are rather saved if we endure to the end.
You said: “There is NOT one Scripture in the entire Bible that tells us to “repent FROM sin” to be saved.”
First repentance, then the holy Ghost. Repenting means a change of mind and life. John the Baptist didn’t want to baptize Jews who didn’t change their life styles.
Acts 2:38 — Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I can detect a lot of “reformed” ideas in your text, but the truth is that we CAN successfully be faithful to Jesus. It’s only the devil who tries to tell us “Ye shalt not surely die” even if we sin.
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Right off the bat, sir. Right off the bat, you’re in total error. I’m calling you out, like Chris did before me.
How, exactly, do you rationalize the separation of justification and salvation? If somebody has salvation, they’ve already been justified, or they wouldn’t have salvation. If somebody has to justify themselves, then Christ’s blood has become worthless; a mere sentiment for man to look to in his own idolatrous quest to become his own savior. It’s a complete contradiction.
“Hey! Happy birthday, Bjork! I got you this priceless Fabergé egg. Don’t worry about it. It’s a gift! But… You can’t have it until you do some things for me…”
I can’t count the number of different gospels I’ve seen on this thing called the “internet.” Jesus said the way is narrow, and I understand why. It’s not because of what He demands. It’s because of what He doesn’t.
It’s not difficult to believe that a man–a sinful creature prone to idolatry of the self–has to work for something for it to be his. It is, on the other hand, very difficult to believe that he, literally, can’t work for it, at all.
I’m not going to comment on your quotations of scripture. Not because it can’t be done. It’s just that I’ve seen these verses taken out of context before, and I know better than to try and persuade you. I rather think it would be a waste of time. Bloggers, writers, teachers; all seem to have in common that they consider themselves above reproach. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing.
So, I don’t really know what else to say. You’re teaching a counterfeit gospel. You turn the simplicity that is in Christ into a convoluted mess; the grace of God into a human endeavor; and the LORD into a harsh task master, when He, Himself, said plainly that He reserves rest for those who come to Him.
(ROMANS 11:6): And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
(MATTHEW 11:28-30): [28] “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
(For the record, incidentally, I’m not “reformed,” or a Calvinist; so, don’t try and slap a label on me because I’ve contradicted you.)
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Hey Joe
I’m Mrs Björk.
Gifts can be thrown away even though they are free. Also, if I send you a gift and you’re required to go to the post office to get it, it’s still free of charge.
The Bible doesn’t say “once justified always justified”. If this is what you believe, why are you bothered by my articles that couldn’t possibly make anyone lose his/her salvation, including my own? Or can the teaching – that we can and should be faithful to Jesus – in fact risk someone’s salvation? The only “sin” that can cause a Christian to lose his/her salvation is the “sin” of having to be faithful to Jesus? That is what makes God angry?
No one is suggesting that we can justify ourselves, so please take the time to read some more articles. Moreover, the Bible doesn’t suggest that we’re free to sin just because we’re saved by grace and not for earning our salvation. We’re not living in lawlessness.
What does grace mean? Among other things the ability to live without sin here and now. Titus 2:11-12.
The Bible also tells us to not be fooled by those who teach that we’re not required to live righteous lives and that we’re saved anyway.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that DOETH righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
If the road is narrow, why do you make it broad and suggest that we’re off the hook because we’re once saved always saved?
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If we sin and lose our salvation, should we get baptized again?
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Hey Paul!
No, we get baptized after our decision to leave our old sinful life style behind us and start living with Jesus. If we sin after this point, we must REPENT in order to be cleansed from that sin.
God bless
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Repent, but a really Christian cannot sin at all so how can one who can not sin repent?
Also I’ve seen you support those like Jessie morellos who like to call their sins mistakes to get away from calling it sin, even though the Old Testament considered sins of ignorance sin. So are you claiming you don’t even sin ignorantly? How do you know you aren’t deceived?
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Hello there
Who claims that Christians cannot sin? Even Jesus could sin, but chose not to. Yes Jesse Morell is a nice fellow. It’s quite a severe judgement to say that he is sinning and tries to excuse his sins. I don’t believe anyone commits adultery, lies, cheats, hates, etc “ignorantly”. Where is the holy Ghost in the person’s life if he can sin without even realizing it?
Don’t be deceived.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that DOETH righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
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I’m sorry but that’s not a great answer saying where is the holy ghost if one can not sin if ignorantly? Are you say Peter lost his salvation when he separated himself from the gentiles and Paul rebuked him? Also under the old testament is speaks of sins of ignorance and a sacrifice being needed for them. We have clear examples of Christians sinning in Paul’s epistles and he never said they were unsaved. In fact he called them brothers. I feel like you are camping on 1 john while ignoring the present tense in the context. Also your understanding of 1 john 3:9 would refute your own view. It says they Can not sin. So how would a Christian ever be able to sin even once after salvation l? If they can not sin at all it makes 1 john 2:1 make no sense because a Christian can not sin at all. So the “if” we sin is a contradiction if what you sat is true because the way you use it one cannot sin at all. Also hebrew says only true sons are chastised or disciplined. How would one ever be chastised if they are sinless their entire walk?
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Hello there!
I respond as I read ….
<< Are you say Peter lost his salvation when he separated himself from the gentiles and Paul rebuked him?
Jesus explains something about sins. "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. — Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matt 19:17-19) It seems like all sins can be filed under these sins (for a believer). If you commit any of these sins and do not repent, you're separated from God (Isa. 59:2). It's not certain that you're going to hell due to having acted a bit selfishly, or for having chosen the lazy way out, or for not having offered more of your help in a certain situation, or for having misjudged someone despite doing some effort not to, or for having eaten more sweets than what is good for you, etc. It all depends on the circumstances and your heart. These things might be considered sins of ignorance if you will. Someone who is a baby in Christ might have to learn about the proper behavior and particularly if he/she comes from a troubled environment. However, even many atheists are aware of that the commandments that Jesus listed above are things that they should follow, and many will suffer from a severe bad conscience if they break any of these commandments. Btw, I've written about this Cephas elsewhere (it's far from certain that it's about Peter-Cephas), Someone who is pricked in his heart can choose to repent and get his life restored. We are to seek righteousness, but not all choose to do so.
<<Also under the old testament is speaks of sins of ignorance and a sacrifice being needed for them.
Yes, and it seems like these "sins of ignorance" are distinguished and known, why a sacrifice is needed.
<<We have clear examples of Christians sinning in Paul's epistles and he never said they were unsaved.
Did he say they are saved though? Paul often wrote letters to entire congregations (generally therefore brothers and sisters) and he could therefore not make judgments on each one individually. However, in one occasion in 1 Cor. 5 we can read about an individual who was a known fornicator and Paul told the leaders to eliminate him from the group. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, and it would simply be wrong to accept sins among them.
<< It says they Can not sin.
The Bible says so, yes. If you are lead by the holy Spirit you cannot sin. If you deviate from this path, you can of course sin. Even Jesus Christ had the ability to sin but chose not to.
<<So how would a Christian ever be able to sin even once after salvation l?
I hope you're not saying that the Bible is incorrect for teaching "cannot sin"?
<< Also hebrew says only true sons are chastised or disciplined. How would one ever be chastised if they are sinless their entire walk?
I have never said that Christians cannot sin. The Bible, however, says "cannot sin" in a certain context (explained above). They can and if they persist and do not turn around, their souls are in danger. Paul teaches "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:23). Also, some misunderstand the "chastening" spoken about and believe chastening always leads to repentance and salvation. This is not necessarily so, but there is at least a good chance.
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Also based on your understanding you sre saying God under the old testament is more merciful under the new. At least one could sin and still be forgiven under the old but not at all under the new it seems.
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No, all people can choose to repent and get their lives restored, both in the old and in the new testament. I have never said that you only get one single chance to do right.
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More merciful under the old testament*
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The problem is 1 john 3:9 says that a believer can not sin. As in can not sin at all. You seem to import the idea that they can not sin if lead by the spirit. But that’s not what the context is saying. It’s saying that those who are actual Christians can not sin because of the seed. So this isn’t the idea that Christians can sin but they don’t because they are lead by the holy spirit. This would be saying Christians can not sin at all because his seed prevents it.
You can not use “can not sin” as still the possibility of sinning. I’m sorry but that doesn’t work.
Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
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<<The problem is 1 john 3:9 says that a believer can not sin. As in can not sin at all.
You have to look at both the immediate context as well as the rest of the Bible. We can for interest read:
Matt 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret —
I take it as you are a Christian, so do you always obey this commandment? The context is not poetic but a straightforward teaching straight from Jesus Christ. The truth is of course that Jesus just offered a general example, or a hyperbole. Not even Jesus or the apostles always obeyed this commandment. We can also read the prison keepers asking what they must do to be saved (Acts 16:30) and Paul's and Silas reply was "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Imagine that! Since there are no conditions involved, I suppose they can afford to murder, steal and commit adultery and yet remain saved? As well as the rest of the people in their households who don't even have to believe? Clearly this is not what Paul and Silas meant. This would be contradictory to the rest of their teachings.
<<You seem to import the idea that they can not sin if lead by the spirit. But that's not what the context is saying.
In your previous posts you made the point that also Christian brothers can sin, but now you have turned 180 degrees and claim that Christians no longer possess the ability to sin once they are saved? So which one is it? You cannot hold two mutually exclusive views at the same time.
<<Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
So are you a Christian? Have you lost your ability to sin? Does this also mean that Jesus Christ lacked the ability to sin? Wouldn't this reduce the offer that he made for us? Why does Jesus constantly warn his saved disciples from sinning if they in reality lack the ability to sin? Same with warnings from Paul, John, James, etc?
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Here is an example of a similar usage.
The example below uses the same greek when speaking of can not. It’s saying can not at all, not can if…. fill in the blank.
The mind set on the flesh cannot at all please God.
Just as in 1 john 3:9 it would be cannot sin.
So your idea that cannot refers to only if lead by the holy spirit is you inserting your beliefs into the text.
Romans 8
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
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Yes, if your mind is set on the flesh, you simply cannot please God. It’s one or the other. The solution is to not set our mind on our flesh but on God, as in obeying the holy Spirit. If we do, we cannot sin because the holy Spirit would never lead us astray.
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I think we are at an point to agree to disagre. You are inserting into John what isn’t there. If you hold to 1 john 3:9 in the absolute sense and not the present tense meaning continuous sin than you cant get around that those born again can not sin. It isn’t they can not sin because they are lead by the spirit but can not sin at all because they are born of God. I’m sorry but you importing being lead by the spirit isn’t in the context text of 1 john 3. This is my last reply, take care.
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It seem as though you’re disagreeing with your previous posts and I provided some examples which seem to be straightforward but must be viewed in a broader context. I appreciate your input anyway. Thanks and many blessings!
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If you are going to hold to your view, you can’t also say a true can’t isnt able to sin. 1 John 3:9 says the believer cannot sin. So I’m not sure how you get around that. So that means you can’t sin even once after salvation for a true Christian doesn’t sin at all or as the verse says can’t sin. If one sins they aren’t saved from your view, there is no repentance or restoring salvation.
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<< 1 John 3:9 says the believer cannot sin. So I’m not sure how you get around that
How do YOU get around that? Do you believe the verse claims that born again Christians cannot sin? I've already explained my view on the chapter, and that we cannot sin if we make sure to be lead by the holy Spirit.
The Bible clearly speaks about a sinner's ability to be restored back to life, so of course I have no objection to that. Even Jesus Christ could sin, but he chose not to.
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This article contradicts itself. First you come out against those who interpret the present tense, basically saying even one sin is considered habitual and that you aren’t saved if you sin. Then you turn around and make an excuse and say you aren’t saying that Christians can’t sin. Only that they don’t while abiding or remaining in Jesus. Sorry either one is in Christ or they aren’t. No scripture shows Christians constantly saved them I saved them saved then unsaved every single time they sin. Corinthians clearly shows Paul constantly correcting their sin and yet goodness they were saved. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and don’t stop at verse 10 like many enjoy doing. I get the feeling you’d say you don’t sin anymore and if you claim you still do then you aren’t in him right?
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Hello there
Of course one single sin could not be labelled “habitual”. A habit is something that occurs more than once.
Correct, if you sin you’re not saved. Correct, Christians “can” sin. Even Jesus “could” sin but he chose not to. If Christians do choose to sin and do not repent, they are no longer saved. If you sin, repent, sin, repent, etc, then you have not truly repented. You can’t have your sins and your salvation too. The cross is not super light to carry. Paul addresses all sorts of things in Corinthians, like giving them advice how to handle the spiritual gifts (making mistakes and misunderstanding things are not necessarily sins). Paul is also saying that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, and emphasizes that sinning leads to death.
God bless
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Sorry but this article makes no sense. You start out saying that habitual sin isn’t in view of 1 John 3:6-9 and make it out that one sin would be considered habitual and make one not a Christian. Then you turn around and say Christians still sin, but they must confess that sin. Pretty much you are saying if one sins they lose salvation every time until they confess that sin. But one can’t keep sinning and confessing living in that pattern. You make it pretty much impossible to stay saved. Also you can’t use 1 John 1:9 confess as habitual or continuous if you refuse to do the same for 1 John 3:6-9. They are both in the present tense. Also repent doesn’t mean turn from sin. In the original Text in the Greek it means to change ones mind. Metanoia has to have an object.
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Hello
All people (including Jesus) have the ability to sin, but this does not mean that they have to. Merely confessing sins is not enough. Even atheists could do that. The requirement is repentance, which means changing one’s mind and turning away from sin. If you mix sin and righteousness on a daily basis, you’re not a Christian. Do read my post about repentance. Let no man deceive you about this:
1Jn 3:7 Little children, LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU: he that DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RIGHTEOUS, even as he is righteous. 8 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. 9 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. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: WHOSOEVER DOETH NOT RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT OF GOD, neither he that loveth not his brother.
God bless
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So you have no sin in your life? You are sinless eh? I highly doubt that, clearly it says if anyone sins they are not born of God. So if you’ve sinned after believing in Jesus you must not be saved. You are taking holiness works salvation to an impossible level. Yes we are not to live in sin, but John also said if we do sin we have an advocate with Jesus Christ the righteous.
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Yes, the blood of Jesus has cleansed me so that I have no sin in my life. 🙂 A person is not saved if there is sin involved. Think about the prodigal son. He was alive while living with his father but decided to live in sin. He was lost and dead while doing so. (You can’t have both life and sin.) Then he truly repented and left his sins behind him while returning to his Father. He came back to life. This option is available to all of us.
Yes, IF we sin we have an advocate, but that is only IF we do as the prodigal son and repent. If we mix sinning and repenting, we have not truly repented and we are lost. It’s not impossible to be faithful to our Lord, and it’s rather Satan who teaches “Surely you shall not die”.
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You are a liar and a heretic! You pervert the word of God to be beholden to the actions of YOU instead of what GOD DID for us. You just claimed to have no sin. 1 John 1:8
Repenting is a change of mind and NOT a stopping of sin. No human can stop commiting sins, until we receive our new bodies and put on the incorruptible.
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Hello there Reggie
So I’m a heretic for claiming that you must be faithful to Jesus? But you’re not for saying that it’s impossible to do so, and not even important because you’re saved anyway?
If we are saved anyway (if we only believe in Jesus) what does my “sin” matter anyway since you teach that it’s not possible to avoid sin?
Repenting is the change of mind about what? Sin?
You mention 1 John 1:8 but here is 1 John 1:6:
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth
Remember that a branch can be cut off the vine due to lack of fruit (John 15).
https://bjorkbloggen.com/2015/07/08/150-things-we-must-do-to-get-saved-and-the-myth-of-salvation-by-faith-alone/
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I’m saddened by the literalness of this interpretation. It makes a cursory mention of repentance but avoids what this really means. God who knows and searches the heart and has sealed the believer with the Spirit is not confounded by our sin nor condemning us of our sin but instead atones for our sins continually with the blood of Christ on the cross. Romans 7 makes a clear distinction between the flesh and the Spirit within us. So “practicing sin” is not an instance by instance test but a condition of the heart that reflects no repentance. We are not asked to repeatedly repent but to repeatedly confess 1 Jn 1:9. You present the idea (maybe not intentionally) that any sin is too much sin; that is a yoke unbearable but with Christ’s constant intercession, advocacy and atonement one need only have a heart that has repented and been sealed by God… once! Until the flesh is no more sin will occur in the believer. Christ is not sufficient if keeping our salvation (which we could not accomplish) is dependent on our subsequent actions. There is no peace; only trouble and fear if keeping our salvation is dependent on us being perfectly obedient; Jn 14:27. The only true test is to believe and only God Himself knows if the heart has truly changed.
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Hello Bruce
Thanks for your post.
<< It makes a cursory mention of repentance but avoids what this really means.
It means a change of heart. Leaving the old man behind.
Rom. 6:6 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.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
<<God who knows and searches the heart and has sealed the believer with the Spirit is not confounded by our sin nor condemning us of our sin but instead atones for our sins continually with the blood of Christ on the cross.
That is not what the Bible says. The cross that we must carry is not light as a feather. Do you rather agree with Satan who claims "Surely you shalt not die"?
<<Romans 7 makes a clear distinction between the flesh and the Spirit within us
Paul, who wrote Rom. 7 also wrote Rom. 6 and 8 and he said "”IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH YE SHALL DIE”. Paul himself called himself righteous, and unblameable and:.
" I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day" (Acts 23:1).
<<. So "practicing sin" is not an instance by instance test but a condition of the heart that reflects no repentance.
Right, if you have a clean heart, you will show this by your actions.
<< We are not asked to repeatedly repent but to repeatedly confess 1 Jn 1:9.
If we repeatedly repent, we have not truly repented. Repenting means to leave the old sinful life style and live a holy life. Read also 1 John 1:6:
"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth"
<<You present the idea (maybe not intentionally) that any sin is too much sin; that is a yoke unbearable but with Christ's constant intercession, advocacy and atonement one need only have a heart that has repented and been sealed by God… once!
I'm afraid you're teaching the idea that we cannot obey Jesus, and that we are in big trouble if we teach that we can. The Bible on the other hand say that sinning continues to separate us from God. We are told that we can be faithful to Jesus, but you say this is wrong?
Joh 14:If ye love me, keep my commandments.
<<Until the flesh is no more sin will occur in the believer.
OK, so sinning Christians is the normal? If Christians refrain from sins, that is abnormal?
<<Christ is not sufficient if keeping our salvation (which we could not accomplish) is dependent on our subsequent actions.
Christ did not die so that we could sin in peace. We are justified by works, and not faith alone (Ja. 2:24).
<<There is no peace; only trouble and fear if keeping our salvation is dependent on us being perfectly obedient; Jn 14:27. The only true test is to believe and only God Himself knows if the heart has truly changed.
"Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling", is a verse in the Bible. And:
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall EXCEED the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU: he that DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RIGHTEOUS, even as he is righteous.
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Your logic regarding repentance is actually refuted by Jesus himself.
Luke 17:3-4
3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
You would say “The brother isn’t true my repenting because he is still sinning!” Yet Jesus clearly shows repent in the context is a change of mind. You try to add and take away from scripture. You limit 1 John 1:9 to maybe once or twice for sin which isn’t in the context. You also limit 1 John 2:1 which doesn’t have a limit in terms of forgiveness.
You also misunderstand abiding as if one sins they no longer abide in Jesus. The Corinthians are clear examples of those who sinned and sinned grossly mind you and Paul still told them they were saved. He rebuked then for abusing grace m. People like you cry out “ that’s license to sin!!” My question to you is if Paul preached the same way as you do, then how could grace ever be abused? Seeing as if you sin once in your view you lose your salvation. In no way does grace abound.
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Hello Grace
Notice the “if” in the verse you bring up. IF he repents, he should be forgiven but it doesn’t say that he should be forgiven regardless of if he repents or not. If the person is still sinning, he has not repented. Neither would God forgive us if we had not repented. Notice that John the Baptiste refuses to baptize certain people even though they come to him for this purpose and the reason is again sin/lack of fruit:
Luke 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance—
Yes, repenting means changing one’s mind, and that means that we must change our mind about sin and leave it behind.
Read John 15 about abiding, and notice that a branch in the vine (in Jesus) is still risking to be cut off due to lack of fruit.
Paul never says to any sinning Corinthians that they were still saved despite their sin. And yes, if we can have our sins and our salvation too, it’s definitely a license to sin and the Bible would be wrong for suggesting that we can’t have two Masters. If someone abuses grace, as in sinning and thinking his sins are covered, he is not saved.
If you’re righteous, you don’t need any repentance, but if you’re a sinner you do:
Matt. 9:13 — for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Jesus taught repent or perish: “— but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”
God bless
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There is a difference in sinning and living in sin. Yes its true that we all sin. However one that lives in sin tries to justify the sin and amend Gods eternal law. For example a man of God may have lied. However he recognize his flaw, repents, and vows not to commit this sin again. Where as the liar (living in sin) the sin defines them as a person. They try to justify their sin with a comparison to a sin that
they consider worse than the lie. For example they may say everybody lies, but a murderer should go to hell. Instead of taking accountability for their own sins they make light of it as if God doesn’t frown on it. The LGBT community as a whole also tries to justify their sin as not being sin by comparing it to other sins of the world. If a man is lays with another mans wife does God accept accept that sin? Absolutely not. However he does accept your repentance and will forgive. But how can you be forgiven if you don’t even acknowledge what you are doing as sin? A person who has laid with a man can be forgiven how ever God expects you to sin no more and if you do you should at least have a feel of conviction in your heart as to I am betraying the father. The bible speaks of the world accepting sin and this has been the new normal for the world. God loves the sinner he hates the sin. He created you the world created the sin. You have to choose whom you will serve. Repent and do your best to sin no more otherwise you cannot worship the lord in truth. You worship the flesh and you love your own desires and a rebel against Gods law.
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Hey there and thanks for your input
<< Yes its true that we all sin.
Sinning is not the normal condition in a christian person's life. Sinning is abnormal for a christian.
<< However he recognize his flaw, repents, and vows not to commit this sin again.
Yes, and he is able to be successful.
<< For example they may say everybody lies, but a murderer should go to hell.
Could be, but there are also atheists/agnostics who avoid all sins because they feel it's morally wrong.
<< The LGBT community as a whole also tries to justify their sin as not being sin by comparing it to other sins of the world.
Right, they also try to reinterpret the Bible in order to condone their sins.
<< You have to choose whom you will serve.
Amen, sinning which leads to death, or righteousness which leads to life.
God bless you!
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Jätte fin blogg, dock lite jobbig att läsa för man måste bläddra ner så mycket.
Kram
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Tack Emmy, och det stämmer nog att det är jobbigt att bläddra så mycket. Har tyvärr inte hittat andra teman med skära bloggar som möjliggör bredare textmassa 🙂 GVD
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