Jesus declared in Luke 6:32–34,
But if you love those who love you, what grace is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what grace is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what grace is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. (author’s translation)
One of the most misapplied concepts and abused term in the Bible is grace. Most people have their own definition of God’s grace. God defines His grace and He can communicate His grace so that even imperfect people can understand it. When people have their own definition of God’s grace, they have made a standard for excessive forgiveness without repentance and justice. Thereby, many reject God’s grace thinking that they already have it.
What is Biblical Grace?
Grace in its noun form is mentioned 156 times in the New Testament. God’s grace includes His forgiveness of sins. “In Him, we have the redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of trespasses, according to the wealth of His grace” (Eph 1:7; cf. Rom 3:22–24). However, God’s grace is not only forgiveness. God’s grace was on Christ (Luke 2:40, 52), so this is not just forgiveness, but God’s favor. God’s grace was for Paul to work in building the church (1 Cor 3:10; 15:10), so that grace is not just forgiveness, but all blessings. His favor is benevolent, thankful, and even joyous.
Can Christians Give Grace?
Paul expressed, “Grace be to God” or “Thanks be to God” (2 Cor 2:14). The word for “thanks” is the Greek word for “grace,” charis. How can this be? By thanksgiving, Christians give grace to God. Such thanksgiving is a part of Christian worship. Believers are to sing with grace in their hearts to God, which is done by singing with thanksgiving (Col 3:16). Are people then “saying grace” when they pray with thanks? Christians can “say grace” (2 Tim 1:3).
Believers are to give grace to other. Giving money to someone is giving “grace” (1 Cor 16:3; 2 Cor 8). When speaking, Christians are to speak grace, favor, goodwill as stated (Eph 4:29; Col 4:6). Christians are to give grace to God and to all men in all that they do. They are to be gracious in thanksgiving.
Where Do Believer’s Find God’s Forgiving Grace?
God’s grace is in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of Jesus Christ spoke,
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. […] And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14, 16–17)
Christ’s Spirit speaks to Christians, “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them” (Heb. 13:9). God’s favor, His grace of His forgiveness comes through the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. That is why God’s Word is “the grace of God” (2 Cor 1:12), “the word of His grace” (Acts 14:3), and “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Paul exhorted in Acts 20:32, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (cf. 1 Cor 1:4–8; 2 Cor 1:12; Eph 3:1–7).
God’s forgiving grace is through His Word of grace. Therefore, disciples of Christ must not alter His Word, because they receive forgiving grace through His Word. That is why the Holy Spirit reveals,
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, justly, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)
When Do Believers Receive God’s Forgiving Grace?
God’s grace of forgiveness is not from out of anyone’s works except for Christ. The apostle Paul reflected,
For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not out of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3–7)
By grace and mercy, God saves believers through the washing of regeneration, the rebirth. Jesus revealed, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). This washing of justification and sanctification is done in the name of Christ (1 Cor 6:11; cf. 1 Cor 1:11–13; 12:13). This is the baptism that Jesus commanded believers to be immersed in water in Jesus’ name (Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:47–48). Therefore, God saves believers through baptism, and baptism is not a work that a believer does. Believers do not immerse themselves in water. Jesus is the One who has, “sanctified and cleansed her by the washing of the water in word” (Eph 5:26).
However, many believers reject baptism because of a false idea of grace. The apostle Paul declared, “For by grace you have been saved through the faith, and that not out of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not out of works, in order that anyone may boast” (Eph 2:8–9). However, baptism is of the faith (Gal 3:26–27). Baptism is the immediate response of hearing preaching of Jesus, His kingdom, and His name (Acts 8:12, 35–38). Ephesians 2 presents God’s forgiving grace in the believer’s conforming to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Ephesians 2:4–6 expresses,
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
God’s grace is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ by which believers are saved (1 Cor 15:1–4). Believers conform to the grace of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ by dying to one’s sins, being buried in baptism, and being resurrected to newness of life in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:2–7; Col 2:12–13).
What is the Extent of God’s Forgiving Grace?
Though baptized believers are not perfect, Christians must walk in God and in His light then they are in fellowship with Him and “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). This is the extent of God’s grace for those believers who have been baptized in Jesus’s name. What if we sin? Christians can know “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1b). Furthermore, if “we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). However, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This is the grace that Christians have in Jesus Christ in which believers have hope. When anyone hears from someone that, “God’s grace is unconditional forgiveness” for those who do not follow God, Christians know that they are hearing a lie (cf. 1 John 2:4). Christ’s Spirit spoke through the prophet Jude that ungodly men will creep in unnoticed who “pervert the grace of our God” (Jude 4).
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet 1:13–16)
Is God’s Forgiving Grace for the Willful Sinner?
There is remains no more forgiveness of sins if one willfully continues to sin (Heb 10:26). Though one will be initially ignorant not knowing every command before being baptized, all believers baptized into discipleship are learning to observe all that Christ as commanded (Matt 28:20). From Jesus’s words in Matthew 28:19–20, the teachers of the disciples are responsible for teaching the observance of every command.
Does God forgive because of the imperfection of living in sin? No, God forgives us because Christ died for all who justly deserve death (Rom 5:6–11). “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Rom 5:9; cf. Eph 1:7–9). While Christians are imperfect, they can observe all of God’s commands and they can become perfect in not practicing sin since “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:19–21). “Therefore, what will we say? May we continue in sin in order that this grace may increase?” (Rom 6:1). Jesus expressed, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of My Father, who is in Heaven” (Matt 7:21).
The Breath of God 
(The last question was for Scott.)
Speaking of trolls…I was wondering if you might consider doing an article on Christians participating in morbid celebrations such as Halloween since that is coming up soon.
I will start thinking on that. I may preach on that this Lord’s Day. Thank you.
Great–thanks. :)
Dear Sir, you did not pray for me due the blessing is still awaited. My first comment refers please. Will you do the needful please now and respond accordingly.
scjoshi,
You have my prayer and if you requested before, then I prayed then. Remember 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
May God bless you as you follow Christ.
General confession works? Why not do it this way? Just confess everything under a general umbrella and everything is covered.
So your saying that willful sins require itemization and unwillful sins can be handled under general confession?
No.
Can you explain where I’m wrong in my assessment of your position?
No to:
“So your saying that willful sins require itemization and unwillful sins can be handled under general confession?”
Yes, in essence this is what you stated above. Can you clear this up? You appear to be contradicting yourself.
No.
Thanks for clearing this up. The answer “no” really sheds light on this.
Scott, please answer this question: How can we confess our sins that are not willful? The fact that the sin is unwillful means that we are not conscious to the sin as we commit it. If we’re not conscious of a sin how can we confess a sin to which we are not aware? Please give a direct answer to this without just quoting a verse. Thanks.
We can confess generally as 1 John 1 states. As for unintentionally sins, we have forgiveness in Christ according to Hebrews 9:6-14.
Scott, in essence you are stating that grace is extended only to those who unwillfully sin and are conscious enough of their unwillful sin to beg forgiveness. Is this true or not? If you are stating otherwise then please correct my error.
Willful sin or not, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
I find this to be true that, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all injustice.”
I’m sorry, but there is a lot of misunderstanding on your part. Everyone sins and most sins are willful. You said that your understanding is that we must confess sins in order to be granted forgiveness. Then you state that willful sinning is not covered by grace. How can we confess a sin that is not willful? If it’s not willful then how do we know we sinned? You’ve created a dilemma for yourself.
Also it is interesting that you omitted one of the most defining passages about grace.
Romans 5:20, Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Nowhere does it say that the more “willful” sinning abounds, that grace did much more abound. Sin is sin whether willful or un-willful. How many times do I sin that I am not aware. That jealous, envious, judgmental thought I had that did not occur to me that it was a sin because it was so subtle… is still a sin. You’re saying that I’m not covered for that sin and will lose my soul because I did not confess it? Is this the compassionate, loving, understanding God that you are promoting?
I think it is you who misunderstands and misapplies grace. Your system of grace require obedience. Don’t you think the bible would have made it clear and that these verses that talk about grace would have stated clearly that your theory is right?
The Bible says : Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
You theory would say: For by grace are ye saved through faith (and confession); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
The bible says: Romans 5:20, Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Your theory would say: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin (and confession) abounded, grace did much more abound.
Obedience to the command for “confession” sabotages the power of grace.
And finally the passage below (among others) does not support what you theorize.
Hebrews 8:10-13
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
3 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
BTW, give an example of an unwillful sin that we can ask forgiveness. Be specific. Thank you.
“We know that if “we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Yet, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).”
I take this to mean that we often delude ourselves or find excuses for bad behavior. An adulterer may delude themselves into believing that they are actually somehow justified in what they do because of the flaws of their spouse. A drug dealer may delude himself into believing that he has no other choice but to continue his criminal act in order to survive. If either come to the realization of their sins, change their ways, and seek God’s forgiveness for them–they will be forgiven.
The sociopath who kills or tortures others because he enjoys it and retires from such atrocities due to old age or lack of interest is probably an example of a life of “willfully sinning.” My guess is that if this person was on their death bed and asked God for forgiveness to be on the “safe side,” that their efforts would be futile.
God’s grace is beyond what we can measure. Everyone willfully sins. EVERYONE, without exception. Paul said in Romans 7 that he does that which he hates. This is willful sin, and based on the idea that those who sin willfully are excluded from grace would mean that Paul is excluded from grace. Who is willing to say that Paul was excluded from grace?
Paul was speaking in the historical present tense. Which means he was speaking of what he WAS–what he used to be.
He was speaking of the nature of the flesh. The flesh sins by nature but the spirit does not. When we sin it is because we are living in the flesh. As Christians we do stray from the Spirit. It is virtually impossible to live in the Spirit 24/7 while on earth. So God grants us grace when we stray. Paul was human even after conversion and he was describing what happens when we stray. It was not past tense that he was referring.
Yet, we are not to sin because our bodies are a part of the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).
If we are not living in the Spirit, then are not saved (Rom. 8:9-11).
No one lives continually in the Spirit. If we did we would never sin again. Sin does not happen while living in the Spirit. So to say that we are not saved unless we are living in the Spirit would condemn all of us to hell, without exception. So how much sin is allowed to still be considered living in the Spirit? This is the question. And it’s a legitimate question.
We don’t need grace while living in the Spirit because the Spirit doesn’t sin. And grace is for the purpose of forgiveness of sins when we stray from the Spirit, which we do, right? Romans 5:20, “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”
If we are not in the Spirit, then the Spirit and Christ do not dwell in us and we no longer of Christ (Rom. 8:9-11). For you to say that we cannot continually live in the Spirit is to say that fall from Christ and cease to be saved. Yet, 1 John says that we have sin and this we must not deny (1 John 1:7-9). How would the Apostle John tell us to confess our sins for forgiveness while yet walking in the light? If we are no longer of Christ, we are condemned. This occurs when we practice sin (Gal. 5:19-21). We do not fall from grace every time that we sin.
I don’t know what you are trying to say by Romans 5:20, but it isn’t what Romans 5:20 plainly says, because it has little to do with what you are speaking about.
I’m not trying to be difficult. Grace is the greatest gift that can be bestowed upon a Christian. If it comes with all of these conditions that you seem to be putting on it then the gift becomes diluted and meaningless.
We all sin, and everyone commits the same sin more than once, especially the sins of the mind; jealousy, envy, lust, etc. You have come up with the theory that committing the same sin more than once constitutes living in sin. The bible never claims such. That is your subjective conclusion.
No, I didn’t say that.
You said, “I don’t know what you are trying to say by Romans 5:20, but it isn’t what Romans 5:20 plainly says, because it has little to do with what you are speaking about.”
Why would you state this when all I’m saying is that the text basically states that the more sin increases the more grace increases, yes or no? How can you suggest that this conclusion has little to do with what I am speaking about?
Anyone can make any claim. I can tell you that your conclusions are wrong but does this make it wrong? No! Yet you tell me this same thing and apparently that make me wrong because I said what the bible said????
And God did not say “The Only Meaningful Praise to God in Music is by Singing.”
I disagree. Rather than sin being a “natural” state, it is clear that it is an unnatural state that enslaves us and keeps us in captivity if we allow ourselves to be influenced by others. Just as the drug addict is “enslaved” by his addiction, so are those who live lives of sin. Just as the drug addict can find freedom by overcoming his addiction, so too can sinners experience freedom when the Truth sets them free.
Romans 7:23
“But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
Romans 8:6-7
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
I think that one of the big lies that we are told is that inexcusable behavior is our “natural” state. That we are nothing more than animals so we should not set our standards so high–even though we were created for the highest standards. There is a danger in allowing these falsities influence how we interpret the Bible. We should be striving to improve ourselves and our lifestyles in accordance with the Bible, not using the Bible to justify our current lifestyles and conditions.
I think you misunderstood me. Sin is not our natural state and I never said such. Sin is the natural state of the flesh. Our natural state is not flesh and sin. Paul said in Romans 7 that sin is living in him and it is not he who sins but is sin living in him.. When we are living from the mind of flesh we are subject to sin because sin is a product of the flesh. Romans 7:25, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” You cannot win the battle against sin by using personal willpower. Personal willpower is a pro-active approach that empowers the flesh, not the Spirit. The Spirit is empowered through the passive aspects of surrender, not pro-action.
I’m not suggesting personal willpower. I’m suggesting simply following God’s word and asking him to give you that strength or willpower. You have to make an effort yourself and be proactive–not expect God to posses your body. I hear to many celebrities say that they let God use their bodies as empty vessels so that He can do his work through them. What??! Who are we really speaking of here?
You said you’re not suggesting personal willpower. Then you said, “You have to make an effort yourself and be proactive–not expect God to posses your body.” This requires personal willpower, does it not?
There are two sources of action in the Christian….flesh and Spirit/spirit. Do you agree? The one that you suggest must make the effort is the flesh. If it were the Spirit it would then be the Spirit working in you and not you working from the flesh. The NT clearly states that anything from the flesh is worthless. So does personal pro-action count as a means by which we can please God? I don’t think so. Yet, I’m not advocating sitting and doing nothing. There is a away to be spiritually productive without the use of human effort. The Christian should strive to understand that passive surrender is the key to spiritual strength. The NT strongly advocates this, yet so few are willing to experiment. 2 Corinthians 12:9,”And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Yet, there is a place for pro-action in those who have yet to be transformed of mind. Paul admonished the Galatians for such action. He brought them into the Spirit but they returned to law. And he stated that he was in pain for them until Christ was formed in them. So they were Christians but Christ had not been formed in them. Interesting!
Grace is that which gives us peace of mind when we stray. We cannot overcome sin from the same mind that created the sin. How can the cause of war be the cause of peace? We must be able to investigate the reason for our sin and grace allows us to do this. Without grace we would be trying to undo the sin and struggle with it instead of investigating the cause. Under grace sin is just a mistake to be corrected. Without grace sin is an action to be punished. Which do you think God prefers?
I’ve never heard a celebrity say that they allow God to use them as empty vessels, but lets not throw out the baby with the bathwater here. It is true that we are to allow God to use us as a means by which He carries out His will. This is the essence of NT Christianity whether you agree or not. What did Paul say regarding this? Ephesians 2:22, “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
(My last comment is replying to Phil.)
That’s true. Romans 8:13 was to be result of setting the mind on the Spirit and therefore not being held captive by sin as in Romans 7 and warned against in Romans 6.
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom. 8:13).
Yes, living according to the flesh causes spiritual death, but we all live according to the flesh in our lives. No one can live in the Spirit 24/7 while on earth. We have non-religious earthly duties to perform and we must do these from the flesh. You can’t do math from the spirit. However, the key is to not take this fleshly mindset into the Spiritual aspects of our lives. The flesh has a practical reason to exist, but again is not intended to be our master in our spiritual lives. Yet it’s so hard to change from flesh to Spirit. And we often mess up and God grants us grace knowing how difficult it is to stay away from flesh while were doing our Spirit/spirit work.
I find SynapticCohesion comments to be in agreement with scripture.
Phil,
1 John says that we can be forgiven of all sins including willful sins, but we must walk in the light. We cannot practice sin and be saved by God’s grace. Jesus is the author and source of salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9).
“Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
Where is the line between occasionally sinning and living in sin? The flesh lives in sin. As long as we are living in the flesh we are living in sin. Romans 8 describes this beautifully.
Where is the line of occasionally sinning and practicing sin? If you sin more than once without repentance, then you are practicing sin. Romans 8 addresses that state of mind.
We are without grace when we live in sin.
Romans 6:1-2, “Therefore, what will we say? May we continue in sin in order that this grace may increase? (2) It cannot be! We who died to sin, how can we yet live in it?”
“For these are according to the flesh, being they that are thinking about the things of the flesh, and those according to the Spirit are thinking the things of the Spirit. (6) For this thinking of the flesh is death, and the thinking of the Spirit is life and peace;” (Rom. 8:5-6).
Scott, you said: “If you sin more than once without repentance, then you are practicing sin.” How do you know this? The bible never state that two sins of the same nature constitutes living in sin. Lust is one of those things that happen before we are able to deal with it. Are we axcluded from grace when we lust more than once? Sins of consciousness cannot be controlled by applying law. Paul addresses this in Romans 7.
I think you are referring to word translated lust in Matthew 5 and also translated covet in Romans 7. First, Jesus taught against looking in not looking to lust (covet) another man’s wife (Matt. 5:27ff).
Practicing sin will condemned you (Gal. 5:19-21). Two or more acts of a sin bear witness that our hearts are not right when we have not repented. This is practicing sin. This person has not repented and thus they are practicing sin. It is quite simple to understand.
The answer to such sins in Romans 7 is Romans 8 for which we set our minds on Christ overcome such sins that we once were unable to resist.
“Where is the line between occasionally sinning and living in sin?”
I’m sure that deep down, Phil, you know the difference.
I do know the difference, but is what i think I know acceptable to God? I also know deep down that my sins are covered by grace, even if I commit the same sin more than once (as Scott suggested), but if I’m wrong does God take my conscience into consideration? There are a lot of subjective aspects to Scott’s theory.
“I also know deep down that my sins are covered by grace, even if I commit the same sin more than once (as Scott suggested), but if I’m wrong does God take my conscience into consideration?”
If you were truly repentant and acknowledging of your sins, why would you continue on with them? That goes against the very definition of being repentant. Feeling bad or having your actions weighing on your “conscience” is not good enough if you proceed with your ways. Making excuses that your actions are your “nature” is trying to justify your sins. That kind of mentality is what will keep you imprisoned.
The nature of the flesh is that of sin. It doesn’t matter that we don’t want to sin, we do anyway. To say that just because we are truly repentant and therefore will never commit that sin again is delusional. I have found myself lusting and was then truly repentant for that and yet found myself lusting again before I had a chance to become aware of it. Are you saying that I’m no longer covered by grace?
Sins of consciousness are not able to be controlled by applying a law. These things happen so instantly that they occur before we can become aware of them. Again, it’s nature of the fleshly mind. Everyone has personal weaknesses that are difficult to control, and to say that grace does not cover these weaknesses is wrong. The great thing about grace is that it allows us to put our attention on the problem instead of on the punishment. It’s like having insurance on your vehicle. When you mess up and have a accident you’re covered and it places your attention on driving without the fear that you will lose everything if you crash. Yet no one drives recklessly because they have insurance, do they? Another dynamic of law verses grace is that when under law it’s like having the Highway Patrol on your bumper everywhere you drive, which will make it more likely you will make a mistake. If you know anything about human psychology and behavior then you know that the more you resist something the more you empower it. The more you try not to make a mistake the more likely you are to make a mistake. It’s the nature of the flesh. However, grace allows us to take that Highway Patrolman (law) that is on our bumper and places him in front of us as an escort. Big difference in how we travel to our destination.
We are under grace and yes we will make mistakes, even the same one more than once. Can we really focus on the cause of the problem when our attention is on the punishment we experience because of the mistake? Under law sin is a mistake to which punishment is the effect. Under grace sin is a mistake to be corrected. Plain and simple. To say that two mistakes (or more) of the same nature disqualifies one from learning about the nature of that mistake would not be in the spirit of God and His grace.
Are you considering temptations to be lust? This would be at the core of your disagreement here.
No, not at all. Temptation is the lure. Lust is the sin, along with what happens if one acts upon lust. Temptation is not a sin.
I am not expert on the Bible, but this is how I understand it.
Many so-called experts on the bible miss the truth because they lack insight. Insight is more useful than knowledge.
I think you’re being too nit-picky, Phil. Contrary for the sake of being contrary.
Your entitled to your opinion, but I don’t play games. Where am I being contrary?
I don’t mind being called contrary as long as you can point out what’s contrary about what I posted. I will gladly enter into a dialogue about why I stated what I did.
Very true.
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pet. 1:13-16).
Still waiting for your reply on how you came up with this: “If you sin more than once without repentance, then you are practicing sin.” Where did this come from, Scott? All of us have committed the same sin more than once.
Without repentance, we are condemned. The scriptures teach us not to practice sin (Gal. 5:21, etc.). What is practicing sin? We repeatedly commit a sin without repentance.
There is no need for your to critically search me over for false teaching. Let us be united in Christ and pursued being one by His Word (John 17:20-21).
Rather if you think that I may have spoken error, then do what you did before simply state what the Scriptures say and let them speak for themselves?
The scriptures are subject to interpretation. You and I can read the same scriptures and come to different conclusions. Given this fact how can the Scriptures speak for themselves?
Not trying to be difficult here, just trying to ask a reasonable question.
Wow! I can’t understand why someone would judge God to not communicate perfectly that believers can understand Him. Why are human frailty and weaknesses considered when God is doing the work? Misinterpretation does not justify man, God does. The scriptures can be understood (Eph. 3:3-5) and even though, some are hard to understand, we can still understand (2 Pet. 3:15-16). If we do not understand, we will still be judged by the words of Christ (John 8:47-48). I do not believe that Christ messed up and cannot communicate for the understanding of honest disciples trying to follow Jesus no matter that deception tries to disregard His words. I am not ashamed of His words (Luke 9:26).
Neither am I. But you must realize that the words of Christ are spiritual in nature. When you apply your intellect mind to spiritual words the chance of miscommunication is high. Yes, His words are truth but unless your mind is willing to receive them spiritually then you will be mislead. This is why the NT cannot be read in the same manner that one reads a typical instruction manual. Christ often used the term, “those with ears, let them hear.” He was talking about a different way of communication that requires “insight” and not just “word analysis.” Not sure you get this. Scott.
You know that I understand this unless you are prejudice.
What does that mean??? What does prejudice have to do with this?