Im not aware of any sin in my life. Does that make me a super Christian? No just an average one. Scripture presents overcoming sin as the norm for Believers.
22: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23: Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal. 5:22-24
Note what Paul says here. They that belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its lusts.
If one has no sin in their life they are a normal Christian. They have nothing to fear from God.
Can you name any other men which you believe do not have any sin in their lives at least to your knowledge? (I mean you don't have to name them by name, but you know what I am asking...)
Can you name any other men which you believe do not have any sin in their lives at least to your knowledge? (I mean you don't have to name them by name, but you know what I am saying...)
I will do better than that. I will give you Bible examples of people who were walking without sin.
10: Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 1 Thess. 2:10
Paul speaking of himself Silas and Timothy.
12: Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2:12
The saints in Philippi always obeyed.
14: I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John 2:14
John said the young men had overcome the wicked one.
I would say thats more than 10 witnesses from scripture of people overcoming sin.
The Church and the world walked far apart
On the changing shores of time:
The world was singing a giddy song,
And the Church a hymn sublime.
“Come, give me your hand”, cried the merry world,
“And walk with me this way.”
But the good Church hid her snowy hand,
And solemnly answered “Nay!”
“Nay, walk with me but a little space”,
Said the world with a kindly air,
“The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there.
“My path, you see, is a broad, fair path,
And my gate is high and wide;
“There is room enough for you and for me
To travel side by side”,
Half-shyly the Church approached the world
And gave him her hand of snow;
The old world grasped it and walked along,
Saying in accents low:
“Your dress is too simple to suit my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear;
“Rich velvet and silk for your graceful form
And diamonds to deck your hair.”
The church looked down on her plain, white robes
And then at the dazzling world,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
“I will change my dress for a costlier one”,
Said the Church with a smile of grace;
Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the world gave her in place
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
And roses, and gems and pearls;
And over her forehead her bright hair fell,
Crisped in a thousand curls.
“Your house is too plain”, said the proud old world,
“I’ll build you one like mine;
Carpets of Brussels and curtains of lace,
And furniture ever so fine.
And he bought her a costly and beautiful home;
Splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there,
Gleaming in purple and gold.
And fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the world and his children were there;
And laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
The Angel of Mercy flew over the Church,
And whispered, “I know thy sin.”
The Church looked back with a sigh
And longed to gather her children in.
“Your preachers are all too old and plain”,
Said the gay old world with a sneer.
“They frighten my children with dreadful tales
Which I like not for them to hear.
“They talk of brimstone and fire and pain,
And the horrors of endless night;
“They talk of a place that should never at all
Be mentioned in ears polite.
“I shall send you some of the better stamp,
Brilliant and gay and fast,
“Who will tell them that people may live as they list,
And go to heaven at last.”
“The sons of the world and the sons of the church walked closely,
Hand and heart,
And only the Master Who knoweth all
Could tell the two apart.
Then the church sat down at her ease and said,
“I am rich and in goods increased;
“I have need of nothing, have nought to do
But to laugh and dance and feast.”
The sly world heard her and laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said aside,
“The church is fallen, the beautiful church,
And her shame is her boast and pride.”
The Church and the world walked far apart
On the changing shores of time:
The world was singing a giddy song,
And the Church a hymn sublime.
“Come, give me your hand”, cried the merry world,
“And walk with me this way.”
But the good Church hid her snowy hand,
And solemnly answered “Nay!”
“Nay, walk with me but a little space”,
Said the world with a kindly air,
“The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there.
“My path, you see, is a broad, fair path,
And my gate is high and wide;
“There is room enough for you and for me
To travel side by side”,
Half-shyly the Church approached the world
And gave him her hand of snow;
The old world grasped it and walked along,
Saying in accents low:
“Your dress is too simple to suit my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear;
“Rich velvet and silk for your graceful form
And diamonds to deck your hair.”
The church looked down on her plain, white robes
And then at the dazzling world,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
“I will change my dress for a costlier one”,
Said the Church with a smile of grace;
Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the world gave her in place
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
And roses, and gems and pearls;
And over her forehead her bright hair fell,
Crisped in a thousand curls.
“Your house is too plain”, said the proud old world,
“I’ll build you one like mine;
Carpets of Brussels and curtains of lace,
And furniture ever so fine.
And he bought her a costly and beautiful home;
Splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there,
Gleaming in purple and gold.
And fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the world and his children were there;
And laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
The Angel of Mercy flew over the Church,
And whispered, “I know thy sin.”
The Church looked back with a sigh
And longed to gather her children in.
“Your preachers are all too old and plain”,
Said the gay old world with a sneer.
“They frighten my children with dreadful tales
Which I like not for them to hear.
“They talk of brimstone and fire and pain,
And the horrors of endless night;
“They talk of a place that should never at all
Be mentioned in ears polite.
“I shall send you some of the better stamp,
Brilliant and gay and fast,
“Who will tell them that people may live as they list,
And go to heaven at last.”
“The sons of the world and the sons of the church walked closely,
Hand and heart,
And only the Master Who knoweth all
Could tell the two apart.
Then the church sat down at her ease and said,
“I am rich and in goods increased;
“I have need of nothing, have nought to do
But to laugh and dance and feast.”
The sly world heard her and laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said aside,
“The church is fallen, the beautiful church,
And her shame is her boast and pride.”
Very stirring.......sobering. Thank you for sharing.
Living without sin is possible. Please note, it has nothing to do with keeping man made "standards". But rather sin is defined by the Law of God:
The Ten Commandments
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make idols or bow down to them, nor serve them.
3. You shall not use the name of the Lord your God disrespectfully.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not lie about your neighbor.
10. You shall not lust for your neighbor's house, or his wife, or any
thing that is your neighbor's.
If you keep these you are living above sin.
Biblical standards (such as modesty) fall under the category of, Christian Disciplines.
Living without sin is possible. Please note, it has nothing to do with keeping man made "standards". But rather sin is defined by the Law of God:
The Ten Commandments
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make idols or bow down to them, nor serve them.
3. You shall not use the name of the Lord your God disrespectfully.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not lie about your neighbor.
10. You shall not lust for your neighbor's house, or his wife, or any
thing that is your neighbor's.
If you keep these you are living above sin.
Biblical standards (such as modesty) fall under the category of, Christian Disciplines.
Two ways to interpret the Sabbath Sam. Most believe that the Sabbath signified the age of Grace, resting from works of righteousness according to the Law of Moses. So, for those who accept Christ and obey the Gospel, they have kept the Sabbath.
Then there are strict literalists on this commandment that say that we should actually hallow the seventh day (Saturday).
Me, I believe that I keep the Sabbath in Christ. Also, I choose not to work on Saturdays.
Two ways to interpret the Sabbath Sam. Most believe that the Sabbath signified the age of Grace, resting from works of righteousness according to the Law of Moses. So, for those who accept Christ and obey the Gospel, they have kept the Sabbath.
Then there are strict literalists on this commandment that say that we should actually hallow the seventh day (Saturday).
Me, I believe that I keep the Sabbath in Christ. Also, I choose not to work on Saturdays.
Oh man, if I chose not to work on Saturdays.... Hmm. Wonder if anyone would notice?
Can any of the other nine commandments be obeyed in, er, creative ways?
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I'm puzzled by the "Fear" thing. We can openly see how Fear has evolved around God, and man's concept of Him, creating what many feel is an “Angry” God. I was vehemently taught as a young convert, "I must fear God and his leaders". Over 30 years have passed, and I've seen the defiant damage this has caused. Fear appears to be a good thing when God is a new and fresh concept, giving the zealous convert a "Fire". But after time, this energy kills its victim with the poison of spiritual pride and self righteousness.
Let's consider the Lake of Fire. Eternal Hell and damnation cannot be found in the Old Testament, and strangely appears in the New Age Church as a terrifying end (total fear) to all who don’t follow man’s idea of God and proper interpretation of the Bible. Jews never taught of such a place, and yet, we blare to the World they will wind up in this horrific pit if they are disobedient.
We criticize the Evolutionists’ as having “Missing Links”, but what about the missing links of Hell? If Hell is real, we should know “For Sure” if we will be sent to this place. No maybes. No what ifs. No guessing. Yet, it’s nothing but a guessing game for the entire World of Religion. Each Faith finds “Their” key or ticket to escape the talons of Hell Fire, but even then so many other complex issues (convictions, salvation, interpretation, ect) leave people in doubt how they hang in the balance of judgment.
Hell makes absolutely no sense. For God to allow humans to propagate for thousands of years so they can populate the belly of Hell, does not portray the God of Mercy and Love we lay claim on. It troubles me that we tell Humanity that God is going to cast over 90% of mankind into this hole where torture and grief are beyond anyone’s wildest dreams for eternity, all because we make mistakes or lack understanding.
It seems "Fear" tactics have grown out of the desire to control the ignorant and unlearned, breeding superstition, condemnation, and hate towards those who don’t believe like us.
Fear provokes a “Saved by Works” faith, and leads us to the lunacy of earning our way out of here. It (fear) also gives power to the manipulator, feeding the bowels of the Hypocrite. Think about it; if the Scribes and Pharisees believed in such a place, this would have been their ultimate theological tool for keeping common people under control and in check, while making themselves look better. Hell (Eternal fire, torture, no hope forever) is the “Nuclear Bomb” of modern Religion.
Fear elevates corrupted Holiness. Fear causes us to grope in the dark and reach for things we cannot attain. Fear kills, slaughters, and maims the innocent. (The Church) uses this fierce contrast (Hell, the unseen) to promote every facet of righteous indignation and reward. We will never reach the utopia of goodness no matter how hard we try. The minute we think we have, is the minute we have fallen.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
The World needs Love, not Fear. Love covers, heals, sustains, forgives, carries, and crosses all borders. Fear is a disease of the mind and is only another word for “Worry”. Fear has not held my 30 year marriage together. Trust, patience, and learning to love my wife with a full heart has. Fear breeds jealousy, suspicion, and rumors. I don’t want my wife and children to fear me, I want them to love me.
Man has become a pitiful mess with all of his Religious dogma and “What if’s” about God.
Love will give us True Revival, and I believe the Bible does mention that this is what God is.
Michael The Disciple 
Hybrid Mode
