Quote:
Originally Posted by Costeon
Esaias, have you perfectly done the will of God? Of course not. Have I? Of course not.
Heb 4.15-16: 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The implication is we do at times sin and therefore need to come before the throne of grace that we may find mercy and grace.
1 John 1.8-9: 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
If someone says they never sin, they are mistaken--even deceived.
The goal, of course, is sinless perfection: "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin." 1 John 2.1
But when we are not in fact perfect, praise God for the Cross: "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 1 John 1.1-2 |
I asked if you could demonstrate from Scripture, but for some reason you lead off with a request for personal anecdotes?
Anyway,
Heb 4:15-16 does not say or imply that nobody does or can do the will of God perfectly. It does say that we can get grace from God to help us.
1 John 1:10 is a repetition of the idea of v 8, and simply affirms that only liars deny that all have sinned. Verse 9 contains a promise of not only forgiveness, but cleansing from "all unrighteousness". Which seems to be very plainly a solid declared refutation of the position you seem to be holding.
You say the goal is "sinless perfection". Yet you seem to believe the goal is unattainable. You did not explain why God has given us a goal we cannot attain to, which means He doesn't expect us to attain that goal. Which then means it is a contradiction, because a goal is an expectation. So it seems to me your position has God expecting us to do what He does not in fact expect us to do, because it is impossible and of course He knows all things, so He knows it is impossible.
You say that is the goal, and then say "but when we are not in fact perfect" as if one may in fact be perfect at some time(s). Yet your prior statements seem to indicate you did not believe anyone could be perfect.
I find your position rather...
imperfect.
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