Can the believer live without sin?
Or maybe a better question would be “Why can’t the believer live without sin?”
Scripture makes it clear that we are EXPECTED to live in obedience but do we always live up to that expectation? I think Scripture also makes it clear that we have been equipped to live up to that expectation.
If God does not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist – what does that mean to the believer? Does it mean what it clearly says? That we CAN resist ALL temptation we face? I can’t see that it means anything less than that.
If that is the case, how can we say that we always inevitably sin? That outlook is denying the clear promise God has given in His word.
When we DO sin – is it because we had no control, that we are totally incapable of doing anything else? Not if God is true to His word. He has made it clear that He has provided the way for us to avoid sin. If we give into temptation it is because we have chosen to do so, because we have not recognised and applied the resources God has provided – it is not because the temptation was beyond our ability to resist.
God has provided what is necessary for the believer to be free of sin. But He has also provided a means of being cleansed again IF we sin. Through confession of sin we can receive forgiveness and cleansing.
In His promise regarding confession, God has provided a “safety net”. It’s not something we should take for granted – it is not to be treated like a trampoline. It is there to give us protection as a last resort.
Then why do believers continue to sin?
There are probably many reasons but I suggest a MAJOR reason is that we expect to sin. We fail to recognise and rely upon the provision God has given. If we expect to continue in sin – then we are likely to meet that expectation. I see part of the answer to this tendency is the renewing of our minds - learning to think according to God's word and not according to our own traditions.
Many also expect to sin because they believe it is in their nature, but his view of the believer denies the reality of the new birth. We are a new creation in Christ the old has passed away. There needs to be a distinction made between the unregenerate man bound over to disobedience and the new man who is in Christ. There is a need to recognise that the new birth results in actual changes in the believer’s life, that the believer is equipped and motivated in ways not possible for the unbeliever.
When God requires obedience and freedom from sin – He also EQUIPS those who trust in Him to make those things attainable.
Yes we WERE all sinners but God does not leave His children AS sinners. By His grace He forgives and cleanses ALL who would come to Him in faith to receive His mercy.
---------
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you WILL NOT sin. But IF anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but ALSO FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD.
We know that we have come to know him IF WE OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS. The man who says, "I know him," BUT DOES NOT DO WHAT HE COMMANDS IS A LIAR, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: WHOEVER CLAIMS TO LIVE IN HIM MUST WALK AS JESUS DID.
(1 John 1:8 onwards)
6 comments:
Resigning ourselves to the "fact" that we can not avoid sin will lower our expectations regarding the standard of our “moral behaviour”. Live in expectation of sin and we are less likely to resist the temptation to sin (“after all, we can’t help sinning”).
Now the opposite extreme of insistence on "sinless perfection" has its own problems that can lead to feelings of condemnation and discouragement or even worse – pride in one’s own perceived goodness or the denial of sin when it DOES occur. But that’s another topic that may be addressed later.
the opposite extreme of insistence on "sinless perfection" has its own problems -- in that it is absolute heresy
Anonymous darren said...
the opposite extreme of insistence on "sinless perfection" has its own problems -- in that it is absolute heresy
-------
So despite the clear differences it has that in common with Calvinism - another type of "absolute heresy".
Tim,
Grace to you in Christ.
"Now the opposite extreme of insistence on "sinless perfection" has its own problems that can lead to feelings of condemnation and discouragement or even worse – pride in one’s own perceived goodness or the denial of sin when it DOES occur. But that’s another topic that may be addressed later."
It is not Calvinist doctrine which teaches that sinless perfection of the believer now through new birth is heresy--Scripture does. The beloved apostle John does so in 1 John 1 and 2--and does so implicitly so that believers won't be "lead to feelings of condemnation and discouragement or even worse – pride in one’s own perceived goodness or the denial of sin when it DOES occur."
Scripture, Tim. Not Calvin.
Search your heart, Tim. You continue to hate me for what you perceive as theological differences. Yet all I have done is point to Scripture in hope that you will turn there away from the teachers you follow, and away from your own perceived wisdom, that you may find assurance as the Holy Spirit gives light on the Word, the light of the glory of the face of Christ Jesus in the gospel.
Yet you spit at me like an asp, and accuse me of "indoctrination
into Calvinism". Elsewhere, I informed you that I do not attend a Reformed church--that there aren't any in my area even. My reading of church history--her stumblings and her glories--as well as the various streams of teachings that have flowed through her over the previous centuries has been widely varied. And contrary to your accusations, I DO mark all by the standard of Scripture--which in the course of two and a half years I have read in 11 translations (I prefer the NASB, ESV, and HCSB, but also use the NLT), and the Lord has blessed me with His guidance and kept my feet from many of the snares that aflict so many who profess to seek Him. I do not boast in my wisdom, but in Christ who saved me and has promised to keep me in His Way.
Yes, Tim, I am young in Christ.
And I will point you to His words.
In Luke 17, our Lord speaks to His disciples of "temptations to sin".
The Greek word is skandalon: snare, bait, trap, stumbling block,
anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or causes them to fall by the way.
How deep is our "hidden faults"!
The Lord pronounced woe on the one through whom these come to cause His "little ones" to sin. And He said, "Pay attention to yourselves!
If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him..."
Have I set a stumbling block before you? Then I sincerely repent of it and I ask for forgiveness as a brother in Christ.
In places I have spoken harshly as should not be done.
I have also at length expounded upon Scriptures which the blessed Holy Spirit has opened up to me--not that I am anything more than another clay jar--but that I might have peace in Christ, and that by discussing them others may also come to that peace, which is not the lies of men, but the Truth of God in His Word. He has provided all we need, praise be to His Holy Name.
And now I ask you, Tim, you who said you do not live in any sin--why do you continue to spit at a young brother in Christ? I plead with you--examine your heart. Can you humble yourself and set aside any "skandalon"--any prejudice or hindrance to a young brother? Will you choose the patient way of Christ or continue in sin?
I am no stranger to the wicked assaults of anger, pride, and accusation. And I know Christ teaches us that a true understanding and humble estimation of ourselves is the highest and most valuable of all lessons. We are all frail, and none more so than me. So daily I confess my weakness and my need, and stive to lean not upon my understanding but upon Him who called me from darkness to His light and to immerse myself in His Word through which, by the empowering of the Holy Spirit, he transforms and renews my mind--and not for myself only, that I might covet rewards here through the praise and glory of men--but that I live as a new creation for the sake of others by the glory of His great grace through which He redeems the hearts of fallen men so that they delight in the Giver above all His gifts, glorifying Him in all areas of life as they wait with patient endurance for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ through whom all things will be made new.
Praise the Lord our God! Our God is the God of salvation, and with Him is plentiful redemption for all that is in Christ Jesus His Son!
Grace be with you, Tim. And peace in Christ.
Darren,
I never said that it was Calvinism that deemed “sinless perfection” to be heresy. I also agree that the doctrine of sinless perfection is false.
This is part of a post I recently submitted to another forum:
Adam sinned even though he was created in perfection and lived in a perfect creation and was not surrounded on all sides by sin.
We have never known that state and have always been part of a fallen sinful environment. If Adam could sin despite all of the advantages he had - then how much more are we susceptible to sin considering our experience and our situation in a fallen world.
But that does not mean that we(as believers) are destined to sin or compelled to sin. As believers we sin through our own choice, when we allow the flesh to overrule the spirit. As we mature in Christ we will walk more according to the Spirit and less according to the flesh. But our development in that area will not be complete until the resurrection.
I have come across two extreme views regarding the issue of the believer and sin.
One is resigned to the believer always sinning, the other says that the true believer will not sin.
I see the truth being more along the lines that the believer *need not* sin, but if we do sin we have an advocate with the Father.
Darren said:
“Search your heart, Tim. You continue to hate me for what you perceive as theological differences”
No Darren as I said elsewhere, I do not hate you. I hate the false teaching that colours your understanding of the gospel.
You said: “Yet all I have done is point to Scripture in hope that you will turn there away from the teachers you follow, and away from your own perceived wisdom, that you may find assurance as the Holy Spirit gives light on the Word, the light of the glory of the face of Christ Jesus in the gospel.”
Again I disagree Darren. You may have quoted many isolated verses from scripture, but your presentation and interpretation of those out of context verses is decidedly driven by Calvinist doctrine and not according to the Holy Spirit.
I have reached my current position though 15 years of being stripped of the man made teachings that marked my early Christian life. I can only hope you have an easier journey than I had in recognising the crippling effects of relying on man’s false teachings.
The last 7 years have been a time of building upon the SOUND foundation of scripture as opened up by the Holy Spirit. Those years have not been easy and I haven’t always got things right, but there are many things in which I have been firmly established. Through part of my recent journey the Lord has brought me into personal contact with people and churches that have promoted 1) extreme charismania – they have associations with TACF and have great respect for the likes of Todd Bentley; and 2) A Presbyterian fellowship led by a devoted Calvinist. Through these experiences I have seen the worst of two extremes of human “theological” tradition, both of which present a false view of God and His ways.
You said:
“Yet you spit at me like an asp, and accuse me of ‘indoctrination into Calvinism’.”
Enough of the melodramatic asp-spitting.
It is only too clear that you HAVE submitted yourself to Calvinist indoctrination, whether you attend a “reformed church” or not. You reveal the source of the problem when you tell of you reading of church history and teachings. GO TO THE SCRIPTURES and REMAIN IN THE SCRIPTURES. If only you had done this instead of devoting so much time to church history and teaching! Trust the HOLY SPIRIT to be your teacher. You may have read the scriptures in 11 translations but by reading through the eyes of human teaching you have polluted your understanding
You say: “And now I ask you, Tim, you who said you do not live in any sin--why do you continue to spit at a young brother in Christ? I plead with you--examine your heart. Can you humble yourself and set aside any "skandalon"--any prejudice or hindrance to a young brother? Will you choose the patient way of Christ or continue in sin?”
Firstly do YOU consciously and willingly live in any sin? When you do sin do you remain in that sin or do you confess it and seek the Lords forgiveness and cleansing? After you’ve been forgiven and cleaned do you still consider yourself a sinner?
I do not consider that I am never sinful – but I recognise the work that the Lord has done and is doing in my life. I am not constantly sinning and living in sin – but when I do sin I have an advocate with the Father. I can confess my sin and have it forgiven and I will be cleansed from all unrighteousness and the Lord blots my sin from His memory. Should I then continue to wallow in my past sin or should I accept God’s view of who and what I am? I am not a sinner saved by grace – I WAS a sinner, but I have been saved from sin by grace and have been given the righteousness that is by faith. If I continue to consider myself a sinner (even after being forgiven and cleansed) then I am not living in the faith by which His righteousness is received, I am still judging myself according to my own works and not by His provision.
As for me spitting at a young brother in Christ – I have on most occasions treated you with patience despite all of the accusations you have levelled against me. But I recognise that those accusations in themselves are merely a result of the Calvinist conditioning you have subjected yourself to. This is made CLEAR by the way you throw around terms such as “Arminian” and “Pelagian” as intended insults.
After doing some research on Arminianism I have found it abundantly clear that you are merely parroting a Calvinist prejudice and not an informed opinion about that particular stream of teaching. While I have several areas of disagreement with Arminian teaching, I can at least recognise the God they are worshipping. Unfortunately I can’t say the same about the god being presented in Calvinist doctrine. I have seen that most of what Calvinists say about Arminian doctrine are outright lies.
Post a Comment