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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.] |
Subject: Is sinless perfection possible on earth? |
Bible Note: EdB, Rom 7:8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. Here it speaks of sin being dead apart from the law. And in Chapter seven the primary emphasis is that we died to the law. So now, without the law being the determing factor in our justification or condemnation, sin is powerless. For sin can only slay us when the commandment hangs over us which says, "the soul who sins shall die." (Ezek 18:4). So by dying, in Christ, to the law sin is now powerless to condem us through the law. However, we should not go on to say that sinfulness or holiness has nothing to do with our salvation or fate. Paul has affirmed in multiple places that it does. 1 Cor 6:9,10 Ephesians 5:5,6 Galatians 5:19,20. And again Hebrews warns us in Hebrews 12:14. But the key is to see in what way they have to do with our fate and salvation. And the answer to that is that they are NOT how we aquire salvation, but rather are part of that salvation which has been aquired for us by Christ. I say this from Ezekiel 36:25-27 and the new covenant in Hebrews 8. What Christ has purchased for us is forgiveness from sin immediately, ongoing and certain growth in Christ-likeness/holiness in this life, and ultimate perfection of the same in the life to come. So while turning from sin has nothing to do with how we RECEIVE the salvation, it does have a very great deal to do with our salvation. All, save easy believism advocates, will agree on this. At least I presume all in this discussion agree to the pattern of salvation by faith, then growing sanctification in this life, and finally glorification in the age to come. The only matter of debate on the table is how far we can actually come in our progress in sanctification in this life. All agree it will be progressive, non suggest it goes so far as glorification (I hope). Now in Christ, sin is dead to us in two senses. First, it has lost all power to condem because the law has utterly been satisfied on our account. Second, it is dead because it is fading and ready to pass. The Holy Spirit is continually working it out of our lives. And as Tim has pointed out it is no longer our slave master. (See Romans 6) Meaning that by the power of the spirit we can arm ourselves and defeat sin in our lives in a practical way. However, and this is the limit of sanctification in this life, that constant fight of battling and removing sin will never be finished in this life, as I showed from Philippians. Now why is Jesus still making intercession for us? We ought not understand this as if he is continually having to plead with the Father on our behalf as if the Father really wants to smite us but everytime he proceeds to the Son comes up with some good reason for him to not do so (Luke 12:32). Rather let us take our understanding from the priestly work in the old testament. First the sacrifice was made, but then the work was not done. Next, the priest had to make the actually intercession. But here we learn something, this intercession was merely an application of the blood to its intended recipient, and a display of the sacrifice by its blood. This is what we should understand of Christ's interceding work. He is continual in God's presence as a ongoing display to God of our clensing sacrifice. And He sends the Spirit to apply that sacrifice through clensing through the Spirit, His Word, and Faith. Now, this intercession matters with regards to our sanctification. First, because all of our sanctification depends upon the work of the Holy Spirit in us. (philipians 2:12,13). Second, because it is Christ who has ascended into the presence of the father, received the Holy Spirit, and sent it to us for our salvation, sanctification, and comfort. Act 2:33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. So Christ's intercession is his evidencing our justifying sacrifice in the presence of God, and then sending on the Holy Spirit which God has granted as a result of his work. And through this Spirit God accomplishes what the law couldn't, namely to cause us to repent and become conformed to godliness. Because the law was weak due to our own flesh, but the spirit is Christ in us unto righteousness and life. Rom 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. In Christ, Beja |