God can do anything, right?

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by Aquila

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.

I agree. They are justified so that they can be saved.

[MarieA27]

Originally Posted by LifeUncommon

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.

See, this is what I think gets most people; they're almost always focusing on the sins that they don't know, and then say that we can't live without sin, because we sin by thought, or say we sin unknowingly. When I say that we can live a life without sin, I'm talking about you living and doing right according to what you know.The bible says that if you know to do good, and do evil, it is a sin.

This is what the bible is talking about when it tells you to live a live without sin, to be perfect and holy. When the bible teaches against a thing, you refrain from it. If you let the spirit lead and guide you, you will be able to judge honestly.

It's not something that is done in a month, a year, etc., it's something that you overcome, and die to daily.

[LifeUncommon]

Originally Posted by MarieA27

See, this is what I think gets most people; they're almost always focusing on the sins that they don't know, and then say that we can't live without sin, because we sin by thought, or say we sin unknowingly. When I say that we can live a life without sin, I'm talking about you living and doing right according to what you know.The bible says that if you know to do good, and do evil, it is a sin.

This is what the bible is talking about when it tells you to live a live without sin, to be perfect and holy. When the bible teaches against a thing, you refrain from it. If you let the spirit lead and guide you, you will be able to judge honestly.

It's not something that is done in a month, a year, etc., it's something that you overcome, and die to daily.

Interesting.

Can you give me scripture that supports your stance that the bible is only talking about blatant sin? What comes immediately to mind for me is when Jesus said that whether you do a thing or think it on your heart, it is the same: sin. And sin separates is from God, making salvation needed. So, I've never really ranked sin or noticed in the scripture where it is ranked.

[Bro. Robbins]

Originally Posted by Aquila

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.

I almost never agree with items you post... and many times just don't read them because of how lengthy they are.... but this one was right on target... Just preached on this Sunday night....

[trialedbyfire]

I believe one can overcome the lusts and desires of the flesh. However I do not believe our sin nature changes. I believe we will always have lusts and desires that are contrary to God's word. However we have power over them through the Holy Ghost.

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by trialedbyfire

I believe one can overcome the lusts and desires of the flesh. However I do not believe our sin nature changes. I believe we will always have lusts and desires that are contrary to God's word. However we have power over them through the Holy Ghost.

I am not the same man I was nor am I the same man I am gonna be. I am a finished work in progress.

[Cindy]

Romans 8:38-39

King James Version (KJV)

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.