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NASB | Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, |
Subject: Are christians sinners or not? |
Bible Note: Greetings sister Meredith: Thank you for your thoughtful response. I believe that as those redeemed by the precious blood of Christ that we are forgiven from all sin. I agree that the word sinner or sinners "hamartolos" refers to "those whom you have rightly pointed out who are devoted to sin, not free from sin..."-slaves to sin. In Romans 6: 17-18 we find what has happened when we were born again. "ye (we) were the servants (slaves) of sin,, but you have obedyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" Being (present/continuous) them made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness" In the above verses we are free from sin, we are no longer slaves to sin and we have a new master which is Christ. When Paul writes to the Romans he addresses them "beloved of God, called to be saints" (note small "s") Romans 1:7 If we followed the epistles we never find the christians addressed as "saved sinners etc." but rather beloved, saints, saints in Christ Jesus, faithful brethren, to the church, my own son in the faith, my dearley beloved son (Timothy) and my little children. We have a high calling in Christ. We have a new relationsip with God as sons or children of the King. However, the reality from a practical perspective, as you have mentioned in Romans 6 "We are to reckon ourselves dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" V.11 Nevertheless, in Romans 7 we find that our "old nature" although reckoned dead is in constant warefare with our new nature which is in Christ. Acccording to Romans 7:25 that we can be delivered on a daily basis "through Jesus Christ our Lord". Thus far there are three important trues: First, when we are saved, we are freed from the power of sin and through the Spirit of God we can have victory. Secondly, Romans 8:26 shows us the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit on behalf even when we don't know what to pray for. Thirdly, 1 John 2:1 "If any sin we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous. What about your original question 1 JOhn 1:8 I am going to make a statement which may get me into trouble. Sin is the accident in the life of the believer, we will not be perfect until Jesus takes us home. However, does accidental sin make me a sinner? if I have already been made a saint when I trusted Christ? I do not believe that if we are redeemed, beloved, called to be saints, servants of righteousness which is a result of the new birth, that we will ever be a slave to sin again. That is what redemption is all about. Jesus paid to price to buy us back from the slave market of sin and set us free. It is out of love and devotion that we are willingly servants of righteousness. I believe what John is teaching is that we still have to contend with the three fold enemy the world, the flesh and the devil and as such we will sin. To suggest that we are unable to sin is a claim which only Christ can own, However, when we sin, we are forgiven, he cannot deny himself. After much thought, I would suggest that those who know Christ are saints who can sin in contrast to sinners who are in salvery to sin. Your brother in Christ Robert Please forgive me for the length of this post. |