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NASB | Romans 6:12 ¶ Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 6:12 ¶ Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts and passions. |
Subject: Can we live life without sinning? |
Bible Note: In the first place, I’m not advocating moral “perfection” but rather, being blameless before God. I do not think Zechariah’s lapse necessarily proves your point (although it does imply the idea that, at least, a moral standing is possible where can be found blameless before God). In any case, that still leaves Elizabeth untouched by such criticism. As such, my point remains valid. Regarding Zechariah: (a) Did such a lapse into as Zechariah’s render him in an unfavorable position before God or, to put it in another way, did it affect the divine assessment of his moral character (Luke 1:6) before God? (b) Even if indeed he lost his (as you – incorrectly – describe it) “moral perfection”, having regained a favorable standing before God (1:63-67), is it not be a possibility that he could regain and maintain his “moral perfection” (cf. 1:6) until his death? (c) Note his prayer in Luke 74b-75: “…we could serve him without fear, being holy and good before God as long as we live” (NCV). Evidently, he believed and prayed, under the inspiration of the Spirit, for a life lived in obedience to God until death. If it were not possible, how could he pray for it and how could it have been an inspiration of the Spirit? As Christ is fully divine, we cannot attain to such righteousness as is found in Christ. As Jesus is fully human, such righteousness is possible; more than that, it is commanded and expected (Rom 6:10-11; Cor 11:1; Eph 5:1-2; 1 Thes 1:6). Second, maybe it is a rare experience, but the point being made is that, contrary to your assertion, it is possible. To answer your third point, you are correct that our judgment may be skewered, yours as well as mine. Furthermore, personal judgment can be skewered because of an improper understanding of the Biblical concept of, as you phrased it, “moral perfection”. If the understanding is erred on this particular subject, of course, perception of personal observation and experience may likewise be skewered. However, I think (thus far) my assessment of those whom I have been personally involved with, especially of the person I’ve known for ten years, is correct; and, for that matter, I find no egregious fault in my general understanding of the Biblical concept of (to use your term) “moral perfection”. In any case, as I stated previously, “[E]ven if we did meet one who followed perfectly the "great commandment," we might end up finding something to accuse him/her of…because our hearts have low expectations, or we are jealous… or refuse to believe” that such a work of God is possible for us here and now. Fourth, “wonder[ing] why Wesley, Finney, and Parham never managed the feat” (although I am not asserting that they did or did not) of loving God with all the heart may be, not so much because they had not attained it, as your having a misunderstanding of what such a “feat” entails. With all the divine promises at our disposal and the life of the Spirit in us in all of His gifts, blessings, and power (Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:27; 2 Cor 5:17; 2 Pet 1:3-4), we should rather wonder why we have not “managed the feat”. Thanks for the encouragement. Even if not attained, hopefully in the eyes of Father, the proof may be in the pursuit itself as well as in the attainment of what is pursued. |