I am convinced of the reality of sactification. For some, it may take what seems to be a long time, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ does a work that is too radical to be defined by the word abstinent. The Bible does use the word, "transformed" and the phrase, "born again."
I am reminded of the scripture, "... such WERE some of you."
There aren't any gay Christians, but a Christian can be tempted and even fall to this temptation.
There aren't any murderer Christians, but a Christian can be tempted and even fall to this temptation.
There aren't any sinner Christians, but a Christian can be tempted and even fall into sin.
Should a Christian struggle, even fall, even more than once, Philippians 1:6 reflects God's commitment to our sanctification.
It's not the will, plan, or promise of God, neither does it bring Him any praise, for Christians to remain connected to or be known by their sin.
Christians are not DEFINED by their past! I'll go even further, with the Bible as support that Christians are not DEFINED by their CURRENT temptation, struggles, and even failures.
Is there a Christian here who has never failed? If you have failed, in whatever capacity, do you define yourself by that failure? Does yesterday's lie make you a liar today? Does last year's infidelity render you unfaithful today?
The Word of God declares in 1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
There is no such thing as a sinner Christian.
There is no such thing as a holy heathen.
Either we are a Christian or we are not.
Amen bro!!!
Eph 5
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
I believe in GRACE, but a Christian IS NOT defined by sinful tendencies. Let not SIN reign in our mortal bodies that we should obey it in its lusts thereof.
Yes, Jesus came to SAVE sinners (of which I am), but Jesus ALSO came to SET SINNERS FREE from the power of SIN.
If the Son sets you free, you are FREE INDEED.
Gal 5:24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Salvation from the CONDEMNATION of Sin (Rom 8:1)
Salvation from the POWER of Sin (Rom 8:2)
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...Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ...(Acts 20:21)
"Christians are not DEFINED by their past! I'll go even further, with the Bible as support that Christians are not DEFINED by their CURRENT temptation, struggles, and even failures."
Amen, we can identify with these in a way that is not healthy, instead of patiently targeting them for eradication, sans the guilt. Jews are great at this. They enjoy life in a way that we do not, yet have a well developed sense of right and wrong--better than ours.
Oh snap. I don't think this thread is going anywhere productive. The same arguments keep cycling over and over.
...which is exactly why I've been MIA around here the last few months...
No, I haven't contributed to this particular thread. But, after reading some of the responses, I'd say there are some pretty "conditional Christians" among us...
I just don't get the whole same sex lust thing. There isn't anything natural about it. *****shrugs*****
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
It's not natural.
And I just don't get the whole alcohol/drinking, smoking/getting high thing myself. There isn't anything natural about that as well. But, guess what. It happens...
However, please tell me: for the one who claims the Christian label, how on earth is someone else who lives with any indication of homosexual tendencies (celebate or otherwise), or any other sins, supposed to be reached when thoughts like yours are at the forefront of your mind?
Do you talk to a stranger with those thoughts in your head? "Maybe they're drunkards, smokers, homosexual...*gasp*...sinners!!!" before you even get to know them.
All the behaviors mentioned above have been around long before you or I came into the picture with our self-righteous, I'm better than them, attitude...
And I just don't get the whole alcohol/drinking, smoking/getting high thing myself. There isn't anything natural about that as well. But, guess what. It happens...
However, please tell me: for the one who claims the Christian label, how on earth is someone else who lives with any indication of homosexual tendencies (celebate or otherwise), or any other sins, supposed to be reached when thoughts like yours are at the forefront of your mind?
Do you talk to a stranger with those thoughts in your head? "Maybe they're drunkards, smokers, homosexual...*gasp*...sinners!!!" before you even get to know them.
All the behaviors mentioned above have been around long before you or I came into the picture with our self-righteous, I'm better than them, attitude...
Conditional Christianity at its best...
How did you get all that from his one little post? One can believe its unnatural but still be kind to them. Its a digusting filthy lifestyle, but married couples do some vile things too. They all need to be shown the gospel in a godly way.
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Today pull up the little weeds,
The sinful thoughts subdue,
Or they will take the reins themselves
And someday master you. --Anon.
The most deadly sins do not leap upon us, they creep up on us.
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