God can do anything, right?
 

We all here believe that God can do anything, right?

Then why do it seem that most people here, believe that God can't help us stop sinning?

While looking through the threads, and reading the posts, the prevalent theme seems to be all about how we can't stop sinning, we can't live holy, we can't be righteous, and whenever someone says that God commanded us to be holy, people end up berating that person, telling them that they're teaching false doctrine.

I know that we can't do it of our own selves or by our selves, out of our own power, but if God is here helping us, leading us and guiding us, lending us a helping hand, why can't we?

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Yes you have perceived perfectly. The great majority of posters on AFF teach Christians cannot consistently overcome sin. They have been taught this deadly doctrine from every direction nowadays. Its the easy way like Jesus warned about.

Instead of dealing with what Jesus and the Apostles actually taught many times people here will begin to mourn over some Church Pastor doing them wrong. Come on AFF lets move on!

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Amen. Occupied with playing the blame game. Refreshing to see someone on this forum not crying in their root beer.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Amen!

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

How long ago was your last sin, MtheD? EndTimer?

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

As soon as I logged into the AFF this morning:tease

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

:lol

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

God isn't "helping us" to stop sinning. "Us" is the problem. God DOESN'T want to make YOU a better you. YOU must be CRUCIFIED. Your identity eradicated through faith, reckoning your new identity as being "IN CHRIST". Any improvement to "self" is "self-righteousness".

The questions you present are answered on the basis of soteriological understanding. It all depends on how one views justification, regeneration, and sanctification.

And here's another issue... people are so behavior oriented (works mentality) that they fail to grasp "nature". You see... even IF we disciplined ourselves to "behave" rightly and didn't "commit sin"... our very nature (with regards to our flesh) is still "sinful" and repugnant to God.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Michael, you believe in soul-sleep and Annhilationism. That's false doctrine... sin. It amazes me that you think one can overcome sin... and yet embrace it so readily in your own theological world view. ;)

Just last night I read of a Seventh Day Adventist (advocate of soul-sleep and Annhilationism) who had a beautiful near death experience on his death bed. It transformed the lives of his family as he peered into the spirit and saw angelic beings, loved ones... and a vision of Jesus Himself. Within minutes... he expired.

You will also pass through the valley of the shadow of death. And in that hour... you'll encounter a reality that you've denied all these years. Do you really want to wait until that hour to align yourself with Scripture??? Sadly... too many continue to embrace a mis-interpretation of Scripture that denies the spiritual realities of life after death.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

I believe in the ability and calling to overcome sin on a daily continual basis.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Still spewing reformed doctrine I see. smh

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Biblical doctrine.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Heresy and a absolute corruption of scripture.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

It's the only systematic approach to Scripture that properly defines the entire process of salvation in a way that can be readily experienced by the believer:

1. Election (God's choice of people to be saved)

2. Atonement (Christ's work of satisfying the law for the Elect)

3. Propitiation (Christ's satisfying God's wrath against the sins of the Elect - past, present, future)

4. The Gospel call (drawing through the message of the gospel... inner/outer calling)

5. Conversion (faith, repentance, water baptism)

6. Justification (right legal standing)

7. Regeneration (being born again)

8. Adoption (membership in God's family)

9. Sanctification (being conformed into the image and likeness of Jesus)

10. Perseverance (remaining a Christian)

11. Death (going to be with the Lord)

12. Glorification (receiving a resurrection body in sinless perfection)

Let's face it... most can't biblically exegete these spiritual realities for the believer. That's why we have rampant CONFUSION about salvation in the Apostolic movement.

Pleases note:

Nothing in this list is advocating Calvinist Election. Nor is anything advocating Eternal Security.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Really? ONLY systematic? That is such a idiotic statement. For all the study you allegedly do you say that? Defining possible Christian theology into categories is only done in Reformed doctrine and able to be understood by the believer? hahahahaha



Because you appeal to ignorant people doesn't support your point at all. Confusion is relative to who is calling it confusion. I can say confusion very easily of horrible reformed doctrine.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Yup, you got it Pontiac! The Apostle Paul stated he was the chiefest of sinners & he was one together dude.
God does not like our flesh & that is the reason our flesh ain't going to heaven!:thumbsup

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Drop the rancor. Present your definition of the terms, how they inter-relate, and support one another towards the ultimate glorification of the believer.

And Luke... if you review my ordo closely... you'll notice that it isn't Calvinistic... it's decidedly Armenian. Why? The order of points 4 through 7. A Reformed Calvinist would place point 7 before point 4, or at the ver least, point 6 (which they'd also put before point 5! lol).

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

The propensity to sin will reside in us until we are "changed", in the "twinkling of an eye", when this mortality puts on immortality. It's part of this body's nature. It's hormones, etc. crave sin. The carnal mind has been shaped by the body's (the flesh's) desire for comfort, ease, and pleasure... thus it thinks in patterns that cater to the flesh. It must be renewed through the Word of God.

Can one live above sin? Yes. However, it isn't about living a life that fulfills the law. It's about living a life that exemplifies the very image and likeness of Jesus. And IF any man sins... he has an advocate with the Father... the man Christ Jesus.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Paul was not talking about his life as a christian. sheesh If he doesn't like our free will... well he made it and gave it to us. I guess he creates junk and we are not created right as the scripture says.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

categories in of themseleves don't prove a systematic theology. You bringing of topical points does nothing. Justification is a classic example of failure in Reformed doctrine.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

That is being pretty general in your statement, don't you think?
Aquila is presenting it quite well.
We have a sin nature & yes we can live above it with the help of God.
We are going onto perfection--not there yet.
My role is to continually be renewed by prayer, by God's word, by his spirit.
When I have done all I can & know to do--I reside in Christ & am only perfect
because of his perfection.:happydance

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

So... you don't believe that one must be JUSTIFIED through faith prior to receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost?

If one isn't "JUSTIFIED" (declared sinless before a HOLY God on account of Christ's imputed righteousness)... HOW CAN THEY RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST???

He cleanses the temple through His blood drenched grace... and then comes to reside in it.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

:thumbsup

There is joy in the journey. :)

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

God did not impute us with a sin nature.

Depends on what you mean. If you are talking about a forensic imputation of righteousness to be delcared perfect.... no. Also no you are cleansed by the blood of Christ because you are walking in the light as he is in the light. Unless you are walking and doing as he did the Father per John 15 you are not his friend and lacking faith to be a doer and not just a hearer.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Must one be "sinless" prior to receiving the Holy Ghost??? Yes or no?

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

your dilemma is the basis of your own system which is flawed and improperly attributing certain aspects to words as "justification" "faith" "imputed righteousness." It is not my fault your construct cannot relate properly to relative happenings in which scripture relates to us.

What does "justify" mean? Not just a REFORMED lensed view which is a certain structure or paradigm which they only see things. Because your SYSTEM has a failure to understand something doesn't mean it is wrong.

1) Justification has a broad application of context and many levels of relationship to a person to Gods Word. It is simply God doing justice toward someones actions withing the proper context of what is going on or toward a related event. In general scripture mainly talks about right standing per whatever the issue. It can of course have deliverance/salvation aspects. It also can have covenantal aspects as well. It is mainly a view of God's judgment or consideration of a matter.
2) because a person is considered "just" toward God in one thing does not mean they are justified in all things according to God's consideration.
3) having faith toward something a person hears from a speaking is a "right, just" thing to the author of what is said. It however does not mean a transaction has taken place or status overall has changed.
4) a persons heart is not a enmity with God if they are " believing on" in a continous sense. Thus God can use them. That does not mean they are cleansed by the blood of Christ. It simply means their heart has had a change. God does not need to "cleanse" a house as you put it to move upon someone due to "past enmity or sins." A unwilling vessel is what God cannot move or use. Past sins have no bearing on the moving of the Spirit of God it is the present faith of the heart that God considers a "righteous" thing. Are they "just" or having done "right" by believing? Yes! It however does not mean they are in covenant or past sins washed away. To turn to God is to complete the CONTEXT of the whole message. "Repent(turn because of choice to follow) and be baptized (united with Christ) everyone of you...."

They do not have a "imputed" righteousness by simply believing the news. They have a "consideration from God of having responded rightly" to come into covenant. God simply considers their current response right or just TO THEN come into covenant. It is the faith in the working of GOD IN baptism that we are "clothed" with Christ and we are united with his blood/death.

God considered Abraham's response of "faith" or "trust" to be a righteous thing or deed to his Word. Scripture is VERY clear. Gen 15:6 has nothing to do with salvation toward Abraham or a single moment life justifying event. It is God considering his response a "right" response according to the narrator of Genesis which is within view of his life not a single moment in time. Abraham had already been "just" toward God in his actions.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

"sinless"? they must be right of heart which is a current state of sinless. Yes. Not having past sins? no! Who ever said that?

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

I'll take that answer...

How does one attain that "current state of sinlessness"?

Is it a sinlessness that originates from self... or Christ's own sinlessness?

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Faith is the only way to please God which is trust. It is either a right response within context to the Word delivered or not. If you are at enmity you lack faith and in sin. Faith is very contextual. The knowledge of the Gospel is a "faith" delivered and the response from the noncovenant member rightly is also faith in response to a message. Christ righteousness is the faith delivered or message of a provision available. The trust of the individual is based on hearing and responding which is his free will by a compelling act and provision made known unto them by the reality of what happened by the D,B,R of Christ. So it is synergistic. Salvation is synergistic in becoming a reality but monergistic in source.

One is either in sin or not. He is either at enmity of heart or strong in faith and hot toward God. A person comes into covenant at baptism in which we are now identified with Christ. A person is considered sinless and cleansed from sin when doing what Jesus did and 1 John 1:7 and John 15


Added Note: God considering your heart right before him and the state of being considered "sinsless" concerning past sins are two different realities depending on whether in covenant or not. You can't be at enmity and in faith at the same time. You can be in faith and would be a sinless state of heart and not saved and not in covenant. That would be short lived though as to hear the word would be to turn and be baptized and follow the knowledge given you. You are only considered sinless conerning "past sins" having come into covenant and having been clothed with Christ in baptism.

Also Reformed Theology demands a forensic imputation of righteousness. That is complete heresy.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

As far as the east is from the west.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

I'm assuming that this is the crux of our disagreement. Interestingly, what I posted isn't "Reformed". It's distinctly Armenian. Yes, I walked with some Reformed friends for a while and studied the Ordo Salutis. I took the time to study it out and rewrite it... that's what I posted. So, I'm not sure where your caught up on this opposition to Reformed religion. No reformed believer would accept the order I presented.

Could you define "forensic imputation of righteousness"???

Because if this is the crux of our disagreement, it might be a very interesting aspect to this conversation.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

I used to believe in immortal soul doctrine. All the books taught it. When I studied it myself I saw the abundant weight of the scripture was teaching the foundation doctrine called THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

Same with eternal judgment. Everyone says the lost never get out of Gehenna. That is except Jesus and the Apostles. They taught the wicked are DESTROYED there.

I cant see accepting distorted false doctrine when I can rightly divide the word and accept the truth.

Walking in consistent victory over sin is the easiest of all Bible doctrine to prove. Jesus taught to overcome sin at all costs.

There will always be decivers who will accuse us of saying we think we do it on our own.

Yet in 38 years of Christian walk I personally have never heard even one Teacher.......Even among Protestants teach one can live a Christian life on their own strength.

The biggest straw man that has ever been built.

We believe what scripture teaches. Gods mighty power working in us frees us from the dominion of sin. It is no match for the majestic Holy Ghost fire and power and love dwelling in a new creation man or woman.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

:highfive

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Aside from the posts by Deacon singing the Blues, I do not see it like that. I think most of the majority believe in relying on the Holy Sp..Ghost to empower us to overcome sin, whereas many if not most read into your statements that YOU overcome sin through your own self will.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

I doubt they honestly think that. I have literally dozens if not hundreds of posts proclaiming we overcome by Holy Ghost power. Maybe if they dont read my posts and just springboard off what some other person said.

Like I said I have yet in 38 years heard ANYONE who was supposed to be a Preacher teach one can overcome sin and self in his own strength. This includes Church Of Christ, Baptist, Charismatic, Pentecostal, ect.

The original poster just came on board and is not blinded by the good words and fair speeches here. They see it as it is!

No one teaches that. A mere strawman excuse.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

I have been around people that actually try to be good to get God's approval. So glad to be out of that mess...

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Your sense of humor .... I love it...

.... even though I was composing a serious answer in my mind as I was scrolling down this post... when I read yours... I couldn't stop laughing!

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Just my thoughts... we can do nothing through our own works of the flesh, but we must allow the Spirit of Christ to transform us on a daily basis, and that transforming power is able to help us overcome our flesh on a daily basis.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

Well, that got intense awfully fast! Here is my layman's terms understanding: We can and should try not to sin in an effort to please God. However the Bible makes it clear that we do not see ourselves clearly and sin without even knowing it. In fact, believing you can live a sin-free line is in itself self-righteous and sinful. Our very best efforts are less than nothing.

We throw around words like righteous, holy, etc. very lightly and I think that in doing so, we sometimes lose the gravity and intensity of their meaning. Righteousness or "right living" doesn't mean doing your best to follow a set of rules or to appear to others to have it all together. It means to do right, body mind, soul and strength, without error. Holiness isn't a way to dress or a set of rules to follow, it is the perfection of God, which we most certainly do not yet possess.

If a sinless life were prescribed or attainable, we wouldn't need forgiveness or even Jesus.

Re: God can do anything, right?
 

THANK YOU!!

I really do wonder how people come up with the conclusion that we do it all of our selves, when we say that we can live a life without sin. Paul said that he can do all things through Christ, who strengthens him.

We can't do it on our own, that's why we, who are Holy Ghost filled, have God's spirit, helping us to overcome, if we will let Him help us. It's not easy, mind you, since the flesh is earthly, and is always crying out and desiring to do those things that are against the spirit, but we are to continually resist our desires, lusts, temptations etc, praying and asking God for the strength to fight it.