False Doctrine Part 1 - How To Stop Sinning

[DAII]

Yo T1, going to join y'all in Global. You need holiness preachers.

[triumphant1]

Originally Posted by DAII

Yo T1, going to join y'all in Global. You need holiness preachers.

Bring it my brother...

[Justin]

I notice that there are no comments on his blog...?

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Well.... I guess we will talk about....

1. The first thing is that Jesus is calling us to Himself. First thing to do is to hear the Message, the Story, know that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We can't get ourselves perfect. We can't say "I'm sorry" enough, make enough resolutions, we are completely dependent on the justice of God evidenced in the suffering on the cross.

Repentance is turning to God. And He didn't come to make us good people, he came to make us who were dead... live!

His entire emphasis of the blog is on the person to "just quit" - sort of reminiscent of this old SNL video: [url]
If he calls this trying to quit on your own (because it's just a "choice"!!!!) repentance, then he's not accurately presenting what repentance is all about.

Most assuredly, If someone truly repents they are responding to the message of Christ. Repentance comes because the message was heard, received and believed.

Originally Posted by Socialite

2. He actually explicitly said in pretty clear terms that since it's a choice, you can just quit. "Do I need the Holy Ghost? NO!" Familiar with his theology, I'm not sure there is any other way to have the Spirit working in and through you.

Sure you can choose not to do sins xyz... I am not so sure he is saying that makes one righteous though. FWIW, I think it's honorable for humans to stop lying, murdering, and fornicating, whether Christian or not.

Originally Posted by Socialite

3. No one never said he says we will NEVER sin. He simply articulates sin in a way that it's a condition we can simply overcome by "not doing it." It ignores the entire reason for the Gospel (not just a step called "repentance" that we believe is where we pledge to be good little boys all the days of our life).

I've tried this cycle of saying "I'm sorry" and leaning on my own efforts for years. I'll just ask you... "How's that working out for you?"

Even, after being Born Again some do need to hear they have been empowered to stop sinful lifestyle and habits. If conversion doesn't take away all desire to indulge in sin it's important to know the Christian can simply say no! Sometimes we need to be reminded who we are in Christ.

About "leaning on my own efforts" I don't know that I am plagued by that, though I have my share of faults. I rest and trust wholly in Jesus Name.

I don't know Martyn Ballestero (is he ex UPC?) but I would like to give him the benefit of doubt.

If in fact, he is saying we can become righteous and be our own Saviour it's utter nonsense.

For me the most questionable part of the blog would be saying one can "stop" sinning without the Holy Spirit... Certainly the sin problem cannot be so delt with. Yet, if someone wants to set aside a specific sin I think they may stop lying or killing... it won't, of course, make them righteous in God's eyes. I think he simply meant one does not need Holy Spirit baptism to resist sinful lifestyles.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by DAII

Yo T1, going to join y'all in Global. You need holiness preachers.

Is this in the works for you? There are several in my wife's family in Global.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Most assuredly, If someone truly repents they are responding to the message of Christ. Repentance comes because the message was heard, received and believed.



Sure you can choose not to do sins xyz... I am not so sure he is saying that makes one righteous though. FWIW, I think it's honorable for humans to stop lying, murdering, and fornicating, whether Christian or not.


Even, after being Born Again some do need to hear they have been empowered to stop sinful lifestyle and habits. If conversion doesn't take away all desire to indulge in sin it's important to know the Christian can simply say no! Sometimes we need to be reminded who we are in Christ.

About "leaning on my own efforts" I don't know that I am plagued by that, though I have my share of faults. I rest and trust wholly in Jesus Name.

I don't know Martyn Ballestero (is he ex UPC?) but I would like to give him the benefit of doubt.

If in fact, he is saying we can become righteous and be our own Saviour it's utter nonsense.

For me the most questionable part of the blog would be saying one can "stop" sinning without the Holy Spirit... Certainly the sin problem cannot be so delt with. Yet, if someone wants to set aside a specific sin I think they may stop lying or killing... it won't, of course, make them righteous in God's eyes. I think he simply meant one does not need Holy Spirit baptism to resist sinful lifestyles.

That's a HUGE benefit of the doubt.

You are either the...

1) eternal optimist

2) one who likes to play for what you see as an underdog

3) defender of all op's

You've rationalized every position of his with "benefit of the doubt" speculation when he's said otherwise so plainly.

If not doing sins doesn't make us righteous, why would the preacher of the Gospel waste his time talking about sin-avoiding apart from the Gospel?

I'm definitely plagued, as a son of Adam, on the whole "leaning on my own efforts." We just don't recognize it because it has different looks.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Socialite

That's a HUGE benefit of the doubt.

You are either the...

1) eternal optimist

2) one who likes to play for what you see as an underdog

3) defender of all op's

You've rationalized every position of his with "benefit of the doubt" speculation when he's said otherwise so plainly.

If not doing sins doesn't make us righteous, why would the preacher of the Gospel waste his time talking about sin-avoiding apart from the Gospel?

I'm definitely plagued, as a son of Adam, on the whole "leaning on my own efforts." We just don't recognize it because it has different looks.

Good question. I would speculate that a How To Quit Sinning For Dummies blog is eye catching and very well relates to people where they are... all have sinned. In my opinion he redeems the foolish jostling when he says the first thing one must do is appeal to the Lord Jesus.

And yes, I tend towards #2.

Thanks for helping me recognize that I don't recognize... my point was I openly confess even my better works are rags... I trust in Christ alone, as I am sure you do too.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Good question. I would speculate that a How To Quit Sinning For Dummies blog is eye catching and very well relates to people where they are... all have sinned. In my opinion he redeems the foolish jostling when he says the first thing one must do is appeal to the Lord Jesus.

And yes, I tend towards #2.

Thanks for helping me recognize that I don't recognize... my point was I openly confess even my better works are rags... I trust in Christ alone, as I am sure you do too.

If all your speculation is true, his blog post remains a dismal failure and a "missing the mark" (pun intended) explanation. We are reaching to say he believes "appealing to Jesus" is the central part of anything in that post. Jesus is an after-thought at best.

Either way, the focus on "sin" (which is a theological word) apart from the Gospel is just ludicrous.

[Hoovie]

Is Ballestero AMF?

[aegsm76]

I haven't gone back and read responses to my post.
Frankly, I'm not interested.
I may have overreacted and if anyone is offended, I do apologize.
I know MB.
I would not say, however, that I am close or even a close friend.
But I have had chances to interact with him over the years.
He is a true gentlemen and a gentle man.
If you have a problem with his blog postings, why not contact him, instead of starting off in attack and poke-fun-at mode.
Strictly my opinion, of course.
Carry on.