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NASB | Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 10:14 For by the one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified [bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity]. |
Subject: Do you accept defeat too? |
Bible Note: Greetings Tim! I believe that we continue to struggle with this body of sin right up until death, but I really do wish that you and Gal5:16 were correct in saying that we don't have to struggle any longer. I must say in all truth that I believe that what makes me sinful will not leave me until the point of my bodily death. I believe that we become new creations in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) when we accept Him, but at the same time, we are constantly admonished throughout the New Testament not to sin (Hebrews 6:4; Galatians 5:19-21; James 3). Therefore, why would James and Paul and the writer of Hebrews feel it so important to continue to admonish their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ not to sin, if we would be completely free of the sinful nature at the time of conversion? I agree with you that we are no longer slaves to sin, and I agree that can and should resist sin on all accounts. 1) Rom. 6:6 - "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." I believe that the 'key' to understanding this verse is in the phrase "that we should no longer be slaves to sin".. We are not slaves to sin once we become freed in Christ. But at the same time, is your "earthly tent" that you live in still alive? So is mine. :-) Therefore, Romans 12:1; 8:13 and 1 Corinthians 9:27 show even more applicability than before for me, since I must master sin in my life. 2) Rom. 6:12 - "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires." I believe that this is a verse that directly conveys that sin continues to be persistent, even after salvation, but we must bring it under subjection (1 Cor. 9:27). 3) Rom. 6:18 - "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." I believe that this verse has to do with our 'focus' moreso than anything else. We have changed the 'focus' from being slaves to our own pleasures and desires to becoming slaves to God's will and His holiness. 4) Rom. 6:22 - "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." This is such a beautiful verse! Since our focus has been changed from ourselves to God by becoming bondslaves in faith to Christ, then we will "benefit" in our sanctification, and ultimately, be rewarded with eternal life! 5) Rom. 8:4 - "in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit." The law continues to be a moral guide for the believer, so to speak, even though it is not a means of salvation. But those who have Christ have the law written on their hearts! (Jer. 31:33) We no longer let the sinful nature direct our lives, but we live according to the direction of the Holy Spirit. 6) Rom. 8:13 - "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live," One fascinating part of this verse says, "if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body.." By that phrase, I interpret the meaning that we are continuing to "put to death the deeds of the body", and through overcoming sin, we will gain righteousness in accordance with our sanctification. I do not see sin as 'dying' at one glorious point of conversion, but 'taking a backseat' to the new creation that is now in us. We must 'take up our cross daily' (Luke 9:23).. We do not take up our cross only once for all time. We must do this daily, so that we can be on guard and in prayer to keep from succumbing to sin. I seriously believe that I am in no way exempt completely from my body of sin, even though I do experience victory over it, and continue to grow. I believe that the only way that I could ever be completely free from this sinful nature that I have is to witness my body's own death, since the body is dead without the spirit (James 2:26), but the spirit goes to be with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). But as long as the spirit remains in the body, then the body is kept alive, and our capacity to sin will always be present as long as our bodies of sin remains alive. Blessings to you, dear Brother in Christ! Makarios |