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NASB | Romans 7:7 ¶ What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 7:7 ¶ What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, if it had not been for the Law, I would not have recognized sin. For I would not have known [for example] about coveting [what belongs to another, and would have had no sense of guilt] if the Law had not [repeatedly] said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." [Ex 20:17; Deut 5:21] |
Bible Question: This doesn't seem to make sence. If we were created "perfect", this would suggest the ability to reject sin altogether. Thus, how can a *perfect* creature then willfully sin? My question is bigger than this: IF God KNEW we were going to fail, why make it so? This is what confuses me. |
Bible Answer: I often wonder about those who mumble concerning how God can let us sin and relate that in evidence to negate being created perfect by God, if they would also be the first to complain if they had no freedom of choice and claimed that God created emotionless robots and we worship him because he gave us no other choice? As if that could be. God tells us we were “very good” or perfect creations, we're not perfect now, but once were. In that perfection however, man was also given perfect freedom of choice. You are free to choose as you please but are also warned that in all you choose to do it may neither be beneficial nor constructive and can in the same respect hurt you. You can choose to accept God and His Word or not. You can choose to continue a debate in which sufficient evidence from other forum users has been provided or you can choose to discard this evidence and pay it no mind. The answer to any “why” question concerning God is the same today as it was two thousand years ago and will be the same two thousand years from now should He decide to keep us here that long. Why, because God is sovereign. Because we cannot begin to understand a ceaselessly perfect God and how He can utilize His infinitely perfect mind and endless wisdom to relate to us. Man was created flawless and can and will be flawless again should we place our faith in Christ and live in His promise. 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. John Gill states in reference to 1 Peter 5:10: …”for God will make his people "perfect": and which respects not their justification; for in that sense they are perfect already in Christ, their head, who has perfectly fulfilled the law for them, and fully expiated their sins; has completely redeemed them, and procured for them the pardon of all their trespasses; and has justified them from all their iniquities: but their sanctification; for though all grace is implanted in them at once, yet it is gradually brought to perfection; there is a perfection of parts, of all the parts of the new man, or creature, but not of degrees; and there is a comparative perfection with respect to themselves, before conversion, or with respect to hypocrites; for perfection oftentimes means no other than integrity and sincerity; or with respect to other Christians, who are weaker in knowledge and experience: and there is a perfection of holiness in Christ, who is their sanctification, but not in themselves; for every part of the work of grace is imperfect, as faith, love, knowledge and sin dwells in them, and they stand in need of fresh supplies of grace; and even the best of them disclaim perfection, though they greatly desire it, as here the apostle prays for it; and which shows that, as yet, they had it not, though they will have it hereafter in heaven, where there will be perfect knowledge, and perfect holiness, and perfect happiness.” – John Gill Faith in Christ leads us into perfection. You are sanctified through your faith in Christ and He carries you to perfection as noted below: from Easton’s Bible Dictionary. Sanctification “Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom 6:13; 2Co 4:6; Col 3:10; 1Jo 4:7; 1Co 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1Co 6:11; 2Th 2:13).”… After all of this and that, I don’t really get the impression that you have received a satisfactory answer nor do foresee it, to be honest. God created us for His Glory. Whether we sin or not, God will still be glorified. But in the end it won’t be a question of sin, for God will discard sin and evil like yesterdays rubbish. Here and now, we have a choice; end up in the lake of fire with the rest of the rubbish, or be glorified and made perfect to spend eternity with God. That’s perfect freedom, remnant from a once perfect creation I suppose. WOS Proverbs 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. …”for even the destruction of the wicked, which is under a divine appointment, is for his glory. … God made man, neither to damn him, nor to save him, but for his own glory; and that is secured, whether in his salvation or damnation; nor did or does God make men wicked; he made man upright, and he has made himself wicked; and, being so, God may justly appoint him to damnation for his wickedness, in doing which he glorifies his justice.” – John Gill |