Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are christians sinners or not? | Rom 3:23 | John Reformed | 69254 | ||
Hello Meridith, I do not disagree with the term sinner as defined in the Greek. Christians are not "hamartolos". However, because we still sin on a daily basis (either in thought word or deed), I believe it is incorrect to say we are not sinners. Remember we are dealing with the english understanding of the word when we tell others that "we are not sinners"! So, unless we are prepared to qualify the term, we run the risk of sounding pious or even hypocritical to the unbeliever and may cause the unlearned believer to stumble as well. Webster gives the following definition of "sinner": One who has sinned; especially, one who has sinned without repenting; hence, a persistent and incorrigible transgressor; one condemned by the law of God. "One who has sinned" leads the rest as the most common definition. This is what is likely to strain the credulity of our witness when speaking to others. And it is also true that in the common sense of the word ("one who has sinned"), we actually are sinners. How does a proclamation that serves only to confuse folks further the Kingdom of God? Would our witness not be more effective if we present ourselves as we are: Weak in ourselves but unconquerable in Christ and forgiven in everything. John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. My witness is not of John Adams (God forbid it!), it is of Jesus. I do not want to present myself as a saint with a capital S. But as a weak man who has found great strength in Christ. He is my strength and my strong fortress. HE IS MY RIGHTEOUSNESS! John |
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2 | Are christians sinners or not? | Rom 3:23 | mbooker | 69434 | ||
Hi Brother John! Long time no see (or in this case post :) )! I pray all is well with you... I understand where you are coming from. I would not go up to an unbeliever and say 'I am not a sinner' for the reasons you outlined. I would not even argue the point with some believers I know. I simply don't think of myself as a hamartolos. I think of myself as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (as a man thinks in his heart, so is he). Now, have I sinned after being born again? YES!! But since learning about 1 John 1:9, I quickly take advantage of His cleansing... :) May you continue to know that He has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Meredith |
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3 | Are christians sinners or not? | Rom 3:23 | John Reformed | 69438 | ||
Dear Meridith, Thank you for your kind reply. All is well with me and mine, and I hope for you and yours as well! 1 John 3 makes it absolutely clear that, in one sense of the word, "sinner" refers to the unregenerate. Even though (in the 1 John 1:8 sense) I consider myself to be a sinner, I do not mean it as "hamartolos", which would indicate that I was still under the dominion of sin and therefore, unsaved! My main concern is for those who may misunderstand the distinction, because they are unaware that there is a distinction in the first place. God Bless Meredith, John |
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