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NASB | 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] |
Bible Question:
I light of 1 John 1:8 and Romans 7 and the fact that Jesus is our eternal high priest and intercessor should we consider living in sinless perfection a possibility or as goal at which to aim. Can we in fact live sinless lives? I realize we can be forgiven of our sins and when that occurs we are sinless. But can we go through life and never ever commit another sin? If not what verse other than Paul's decision in Roman 7 and this verse in 1 John 1:8 confirms that? Again I realize we should strive and make every effort to reach sinless perfection but my question is can we actually do it in this imperfect body in this imperfect world or will we only reach sinless perfection when were are given our perfect bodies? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Ed! As one of the forum's few, perhaps only, Wesleyan's, I would contribute a short response to your question. Entire Sanctification is often misunderstood. This doctrine does not teach that we have no sin, as prior to salvation, we all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). Nor, does this doctrine teach that it is impossible to sin. Any believer can give in to temptation, if they so choose. What the doctrine does teach is that it is possible for a Christian to live holy. Thus, it takes seriously the many statements that we are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17), and that we have new hearts that are able to follow His decrees (Ez. 36:26-27). Eph. 4:24 makes it clear that holiness ought to be the normal state for a believer. I won't deal in this post with Rom. 7 except to say that I have posted extensively on my understanding that Paul is describing his life apart from Christ, not with Christ. Rom. 5 and 8 describe what the Christian life ought to look like. So, to answer your question, "Can we go through life and never ever commit another sin?", I would say 'yes' if "...by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body..." (Rom. 8:13). But, we can also choose to live by the flesh, in which case the answer is 'no'. Keep up the great studies my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |