Results 1 - 3 of 3
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Will sin enter heaven? | Rev 21:17 | Morant61 | 140832 | ||
Greetings BradK! I hope you don't mind if I jump in on the sanctification question! I don't accept the common view that Christians still have 'two' competing natures that we must struggle with the rest of our lives. I reject this view because of Rom. 6, which makes it very clear that the power of sin 'has' been broken in our lives if we are in Christ. Here is a previous post of mine on this question: ************************************* I agree with your point that it is POSSIBLE to live without sin, but I think the term "entire sanctification" brings up a lot of baggage when people read it. So, without appealing to the term, let's look at what Romans 6 actually says: In Romans 6, Paul makes the case that it is possible to be holy. He says there that: · We died to sin - Rom. 6:2. · Our old nature was crucified with Him - Rom. 6:6. · We are no longer slaves to sin - Rom. 6:6. · We are not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies - Rom. 6:12. · Sin shall not be our master - Rom. 6:14. · We have been set free from sin - Rom. 6:18. If Christians are incapable of holiness, then in what sense did we die to sin? In what sense, are we no longer it's slaves? If it is not possible to avoid sin, how can Paul command us not to yield to it? The point that Paul is making, and that most people seem to miss, is that we have changed in Christ. Apart from Him, we were slaves to sin. It's power over us was absolute. In Him, we are no longer sin's slaves. It's power is not irresistable. Thus, Paul is not saying that it is NEVER possible for a Chritian to sin! We all know that we do. There are times when we yield to sin and temptation and commit acts of sin. But, as Christians it is no longer impossible for us to resist sin. It's power has been broken in our lives. If we abide in Him, moment by moment, and refuse to yield to sin, we can live holy lives. Does this mean that we can be sinlessly perfect? No! We are still human. We will at times sin in ignorance. We will at times sin out of willfulness. But, sin's has been broken in Christ and we no longer HAVE to sin. We will sin when and only when we choose to sin! Thus, the problem is one of our will. Entire sanctification basically teaches that we can come to a moment in our Christian lives when we fully consecrate ourselves to God. As long as we remain fully consecrated, we won't will to sin. Therefore, we will not yield to it. But, we can still sin if we choose. Thus, it seems to me that there are two unBiblical extremes which must be avoided: 1) The belief that we cannot help but to sin. 2) The belief that it is impossible for us to sin. (Note: Even entire sanctification doesn't teach that it is impossible to sin!) ************************************* So, I would argue that it is POSSIBLE to not sin this side of Heaven, but that it is also possible for a Christian to sin this side of Heaven. The 'old man' has been crucified already, he is not simply hanging out on death row using up his appeals! ;-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
||||||
2 | Will sin enter heaven? | Rev 21:17 | BradK | 140838 | ||
Hi Tim, Greetings and wishes for a Blessed New Year. As always, I respect and appreciate the wisdom, maturity and insight you bring to the Forum. I don't say this lightly either! I agree with what you say and I do have a pretty good grasp on the Romans 6 argument. We are definitely given the power over sin and we are indeed new creatures in Christ. Gods' grace is marvelous! I think we're in agreement- my only caution would be the "sinless perfection" or "holiness" crowd- which I believe is unbiblical. Speaking the truth in Love, BradK |
||||||
3 | Will sin enter heaven? | Rev 21:17 | Morant61 | 140853 | ||
Greetings BradK! Well, as a Nazarene, I won't take offense! ;-) Of course, 'holiness' is certainly a Biblical term, but 'sinless perfection' is a very misunderstood phrase. Remember though, it was coined in a time when people were not as careful with their phraseology as we are today! :-) 'Sinless perfection' does not mean 'incapable of sinning'. Rather, it means something more like 'don't want to sin'. Wesley used the term 'perfect love' to describe a state of holiness where a believer has such love for the Father that a desire to sin is not a part of it's makeup. To me, that is the best way to understand Rom. 6. Clearly Scripture does not indicate that it is impossible for Christians to sin. Yet, Rom. 6 (and many other verses) do teach that there is a real change that takes place. We are not simply declared righteous (though this is certainly one aspect of salvation)! We are actually made righteous as well. So, my view of sanctification is multifacted. 1) We are judically sanctified as salvation, declared righteous even though we are probably not living righteously. 2) We are progressively sanctified as we mature in Christ throughout our lives. 3) We can reach a point (differing from person to person) of what the Nazarenes call 'entire sanctification', which is basically what Wesley called 'perfect love'. 4) Finally, we are glorified after death and made perfectly righteous in such a way that sin will no longer even be possible. p.s. - Thanks for the kind words my friend! I certainly appreciate your contribution to the forum as well! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
||||||