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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 | retxar | 69408 | ||
This is from your previous post: “1 Tim 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” “Notice he said this in the present tense.” Taken in context, we have to know that Paul is talking of his former self. He was speaking in humbleness and thankfulness that God had delivered him from the life he lived before and was now using him to minister the Gospel (1Ti 1:11-14). Otherwise, Paul would be saying that his current spiritual condition was even worse than the “sinners” he told us about in verse 9, because he said he was the chief. If he was the chief among those sinners he put himself in the same class with in verse 9, it had to before he meet Jesus, not after. In verse 16 it becomes apparent Paul is speaking of his former self when he says that God has already saved the chief of sinners, so there is absolutely no limit to Gods mercy. He also said it was God’s grace that had now made him a worthy example for others to follow. Paul was saying “Hey, if God can do this with the chief of sinners like me, you have to know that He has no limits!” Thanks for sharing your thoughts on 1John3! I like to use illustrations myself (notice my 1st post in this thread). One thing I would add would be that 1John3 also depicts the distinct difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. Please know, I have never took the position that Christians do not sin, only that the word “sinner”, in scripture, depicts someone in which sin describes their lifestyle, not someone who simple commits a sin. Do a word search on the words “sinner” and “sinners” and you will see what I mean! Gal 2:17, I admit, offers some argument against this. This is Paul’s amazing confrontation against Peter, Barnabas, and the other Jewish leaders who were trying to separate themselves from the Gentiles and trying to put some extra requirements of the Law on them. In Gal 2:17-18 Paul said, "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.” Paul spoke this in anticipation that the “certain men of James” (vs12) would present argument to try to say that the everyday sins committed by Christians needed to be justified before God by more than just faith in Jesus. He presented the response ahead of time (kind of like I’m doing now!) in the way he thought the attack would be coming at him, so this does not carry the same connotation scripture usually gives to the word “sinner”, and not really the connotation that we give it today. Good talking with ya! retxar |
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2 | Are christians sinners or not? | Rom 3:23 | One | 69416 | ||
Luke 18:13 "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' Luke 18:14 "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." To me it is a matter of humility. Paul says he is chief of all sinners because Paul considers his sin not as now and then but as a whole. I this would do all Christians well to see our sin as a whole and think of ourselves as chief of all sinners. When I was in ministry full time I saw to much of, "Well in not as bad as this person or that group." Notice Jesus say the man who beats his chest and says I am a sinner is forgiven. Peace, one. |
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3 | Are christians sinners or not? | Rom 3:23 | retxar | 69444 | ||
I understand what you are saying (that admitting one is a "sinner" is a matter of humility), and the example from scripture you gave is a good one. (One of the FEW other examples in scripture I knew would come up) However, more times than not the plea of "Christians are sinners" is just used as a smoke screen to justify a Christian who wants to live like the world. That old "Christians aren't perfect, only forgiven" excuse that does not bring glory to the grace that forgives, but only glorifies the weakness of the flesh. retxar |
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4 | Are christians sinners or not? | Rom 3:23 | One | 69446 | ||
I agree and I feel I john shows one can't live like the world and say, I am of God." | ||||||