1 John 3:9 - Is it cannot "practice" sin, or cannot "commit" sin?

[stunnedbygrace]

Ananias and Sapphira are a great example of how sin can destroy our souls in the faith.
When they lied to the Spirit, they each died. When that happened a great fear came upon the whole church.
Why would the church be in fear If they were saved? Why would the church fear if they were fake believers?
The only reason fear makes sense is if they could fall into a similar condemnation by another related sin that could upset the LORD.
If you don’t believe me, check the story for yourself in the King James Bible.

Ananias and Sapphira tried to lie to Gods men who were walking in the Spirit. The men walked in Gods holiness. They were messing with holiness. It is like Uzzah, who God struck dead for improper behavior when dealing with and handling Gods holiness.

In righteousness, that doesn’t happen. A righteous man can fall many times and get back up.

The fear that came upon them was a dread of offending Gods holiness.

Im using what the man I mentioned earlier taught me. The man who was told to go to a street called Strait, who then argued with God, why was he not struck dead as Ananias was? He was a follower. Surely arguing with God is bad.
He was a follower, he was led by the Spirit. The Spirit led, he followed. Being led by the Spirit is different than actually walking in the Spirit in Gods own holiness. I have His Spirit in me. If you lied to me you would not be struck dead.
There’s a big difference between righteousness and holiness. In righteousness, there are many mistakes and learning. In holiness, one wrong move and you get zapped.

 

[mailmandan]

Hebrews 12:14, those who teach salvation by works prefer the translations which read, "without holiness," no man shall see the Lord. The implication is if you are not sufficiently living a "holy enough" life (which implies works righteousness) then you won't be saved. The NASB reads - Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

To be "sanctified" is to be "set apart, made holy." Those who have been justified by faith are also sanctified/set apart/made holy before God positionally in Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:11 - Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Yet we also have progressive or ongoing sanctification in which the reality of that holiness becomes more and more evident in our actions, words, thoughts, attitudes, and motives. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain (present tense) from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.

So becoming washed, sanctified and justified in Christ is a one time event, yet abstaining from sexual immorality is not a one time event. This is how I see it. The believer possess a positional, judicial standing of righteousness in Christ and, second, practical, progressive holiness, in regards to our ongoing sanctification.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

It was the sanctification process that I was talking about, some people are more sanctified in this life than others. For being holy, yes either you are or you aren't.

Okay. Good. I guess I think most people think sanctified means holy. I don’t even like the word sanctified, it confuses me. Lol. The word faith used to give me a mind block too until I realized it meant trust. And most people today seem to think it means a set of doctrines or beliefs but it really doesn’t. It just means trusting God. When Jesus said, why is your faith so little, He was saying why do you have so little trust? You can see why satan would want to muddy that with creeds and obfuscations. He knows that trust and the growing of our trust is the way to one day closing the mouth of a lion Or bringing a dead man to life! He does NOT want our trust to grow to that kind of power being given us and on us!

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Ananias and Sapphira tried to lie to Gods men who were walking in the Spirit. The men walked in Gods holiness. They were messing with holiness. It is like Uzzah, who God struck dead for improper behavior when dealing with and handling Gods holiness.

In righteousness, that doesn’t happen. A righteous man can fall many times and get back up.

The fear that came upon them was a dread of offending Gods holiness.

Im using what the man I mentioned earlier taught me. The man who was told to go to a street called Strait, who then argued with God, why was he not struck dead as Ananias was? He was a follower. Surely arguing with God is bad.
He was a follower, he was led by the Spirit. The Spirit led, he followed. Being led by the Spirit is different than actually walking in the Spirit in Gods own holiness. I have His Spirit in me. If you lied to me you would not be struck dead.
There’s a big difference between righteousness and holiness. In righteousness, there are many mistakes and learning. In holiness, one wrong move and you get zapped.

It says they lied unto God. Also, you quote the Word that a righteous man falls several timed and gets back up. This is true but is this not talking about the saints who endured to the end? Surely it does not mean a Christian cannot at one point in time live righteously and then later fail due to disobedience or a lack of faith. There are tons of verses on falling away and admonishments about how we need to continue in the faith and or be faithful unto the Lord or we will not make it into the kingdom. Are you simply not aware of them?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Ananias and Sapphira tried to lie to Gods men who were walking in the Spirit. The men walked in Gods holiness. They were messing with holiness. It is like Uzzah, who God struck dead for improper behavior when dealing with and handling Gods holiness.

In righteousness, that doesn’t happen. A righteous man can fall many times and get back up.

The fear that came upon them was a dread of offending Gods holiness.

Im using what the man I mentioned earlier taught me. The man who was told to go to a street called Strait, who then argued with God, why was he not struck dead as Ananias was? He was a follower. Surely arguing with God is bad.
He was a follower, he was led by the Spirit. The Spirit led, he followed. Being led by the Spirit is different than actually walking in the Spirit in Gods own holiness. I have His Spirit in me. If you lied to me you would not be struck dead.
There’s a big difference between righteousness and holiness. In righteousness, there are many mistakes and learning. In holiness, one wrong move and you get zapped.

I. Fall Away List of Verses:

If we are never in jeopardy when we sin, then the Bible would not teach that we can fall away from the faith; But it does teach that we can fall away.

Here are several lists of verses that makes it absolutely clear that believers can fall away from the faith:

Here is a General List of Verses on How Believers Can Fall Away:

1 Samuel 16:14
1 Samuel 31:4
Ezekiel 18:24
Hebrews 3:12-14
Hebrews 4:11
Hebrews 6:4-9
Hebrews 10:26-30
Hebrews 12:15
1 Timothy 1:18-20
1 Timothy 4:1-7
Galatians 3:1-5
2 Peter 2:20-22
2 Peter 3:17
Matthew 13:18-23
1 Corinthians 10:12
2 Thessalonians 2:3

Now, do not misunderstand me, believers cannot lose their salvation (like they would a pair of car keys), but they can forfeit their salvation (i.e. they can willingly throw it away by rebelling against God). In fact,

Here is a list of believers who have forfeited their salvation:

Saul (1 Samuel 16:14) (1 Samuel 31:4)
Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
Judas Iscariot (Psalm 41:9) (Luke 6:16) (Acts 1:25)
Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17-18)
Unnamed Christians destroyed by false teaching (2 Timothy 2:17-18)
Many Unnamed Disciples (John 6:66)
Some Younger Christian Widows (1 Timothy 5:14-15)
Some Christians Eager For Money (1 Timothy 6:8-10)
Ananias and Sapphira (Acts of the Apostles 5:1-11)

And here is a list of potential fallen believers:

The Servant Who is Not Looking For Him (Luke 12:45-46)
Recent Convert Who is a Potential Spiritual Leader (1 Timothy 3:6)
The Unforgiving in Heart (Matthew 6:14-15)
Luke Warm Unrepentant Believer (Revelation 3:14-22)
Fruitless Christians (John 15:1-10) (Matthew 25:14-30)
Widows That Live in Pleasure (1 Timothy 5:5-6)
Believers Whose Seed Fell Upon the Rocks (Luke 8:13)
Believers Whose Seed Was Choked by Thorns (Matthew 13:22)
Gentile Believer Who Did Not Have on a Wedding Garment (Matthew 22:1-14) (Revelation 19:7-8)
The Potential Fellow Believer Who Erred From the Truth & Was Converted Back (James 5:19-20)

In fact, Paul is against Eternal Security or a sin and still be saved type belief. For Paul says,

1. We can fall from grace (Galatians 5:4).
   
   
2. We can be moved away from the hope (Colossians 1:23).
   
   
3. We can be a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27).
   
   
4. We can be cut off just like the Jews if we do not continue in God’s goodness (Romans 11:20-22).
   
   
5. We can sow to the flesh and reap corruption instead of sowing to the Spirit which reaps everlasting life. (Galatians 6:8).
   
   
6. We can deny God by a lack of good works (Titus 1:16).
   
   
7. We can shipwreck our faith (1 Timothy 1:19).
   
   
8. We can deny the faith and be worse than an infidel if we do not provide for our own household (1 Timothy 5:8).
   
   
9. We can err from the faith and pierce ourselves thru with many sorrows if we love and covet after money (1 Timothy 6:10).
   
   
10. Hymnenaeus and Philetus have overthrown the faith of some (2 Timothy 2:18).

These things would not exist in Scripture if things are as OSAS folk say.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Ananias and Sapphira tried to lie to Gods men who were walking in the Spirit. The men walked in Gods holiness. They were messing with holiness. It is like Uzzah, who God struck dead for improper behavior when dealing with and handling Gods holiness.

In righteousness, that doesn’t happen. A righteous man can fall many times and get back up.

The fear that came upon them was a dread of offending Gods holiness.

Im using what the man I mentioned earlier taught me. The man who was told to go to a street called Strait, who then argued with God, why was he not struck dead as Ananias was? He was a follower. Surely arguing with God is bad.
He was a follower, he was led by the Spirit. The Spirit led, he followed. Being led by the Spirit is different than actually walking in the Spirit in Gods own holiness. I have His Spirit in me. If you lied to me you would not be struck dead.
There’s a big difference between righteousness and holiness. In righteousness, there are many mistakes and learning. In holiness, one wrong move and you get zapped.

Romans 6:19 - I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh : for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness andto iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Righteousness is unto holiness.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

It says they lied unto God. Also, you quote the Word that a righteous man falls several timed and gets back up. This is true but is this not talking about the saints who endured to the end? Surely it does not mean a Christian cannot at one point in time live righteously and then later fail due to disobedience or a lack of faith. There are tons of verses on falling away and admonishments about how we need to continue in the faith and or be faithful unto the Lord or we will not make it into the kingdom. Are you simply not aware of them?

Yes, they lied to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit that was in those men who walked in the Spirit. Paul didn’t kill them, the Holy Spirit Paul was walking in did.

Mmm…yes, it’s talking about those who endured in their trust to the end.

Yes, righteous men can sometimes do what is right and sometimes they don’t because the flesh wars against the Spirit. So yes, sometimes they fail and get back up and begin running their race of trust again.

Yes I’m aware of those verses. Fall away from what? Fall away from trust. Anything else just obfuscates.
See that your hearts don’t become evil and unbelieving as with Israel in the desert. They began well and trusted God enough to step out under the towering wall of water, but when their test was trusted they fell away from that initial trust.

You need to make a distinction between the righteousness the scriptures train us in and holiness. Some verses variously are talking about one or the other. God makes a place for righteous men. He accepts them. They trust Jesus and they will never die. The saints will rule over the righteous in the nations.

It’s important to not begin to say the righteous are not accepted and that only the saints are accepted. If you do you wind up with a mess that helps no one. This is why it’s so important to distinguish between the righteousness men can do and the holiness of God and which is being talked about. Otherwise you end up making sad those God doesn’t want to be sad.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

I. Fall Away List of Verses:

If we are never in jeopardy when we sin, then the Bible would not teach that we can fall away from the faith; But it does teach that we can fall away.

Here are several lists of verses that makes it absolutely clear that believers can fall away from the faith:

Here is a General List of Verses on How Believers Can Fall Away:



Now, do not misunderstand me, believers cannot lose their salvation (like they would a pair of car keys), but they can forfeit their salvation (i.e. they can willingly throw it away by rebelling against God). In fact,

Here is a list of believers who have forfeited their salvation:



And here is a list of potential fallen believers:



In fact, Paul is against Eternal Security or a sin and still be saved type belief. For Paul says,

1. We can fall from grace (Galatians 5:4).
   
   
2. We can be moved away from the hope (Colossians 1:23).
   
   
3. We can be a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27).
   
   
4. We can be cut off just like the Jews if we do not continue in God’s goodness (Romans 11:20-22).
   
   
5. We can sow to the flesh and reap corruption instead of sowing to the Spirit which reaps everlasting life. (Galatians 6:8).
   
   
6. We can deny God by a lack of good works (Titus 1:16).
   
   
7. We can shipwreck our faith (1 Timothy 1:19).
   
   
8. We can deny the faith and be worse than an infidel if we do not provide for our own household (1 Timothy 5:8).
   
   
9. We can err from the faith and pierce ourselves thru with many sorrows if we love and covet after money (1 Timothy 6:10).
   
   
10. Hymnenaeus and Philetus have overthrown the faith of some (2 Timothy 2:18).

These things would not exist in Scripture if things are as OSAS folk say.

You make it all too confusing for me. And previously you gave two reasons - disobedience OR lack of trust. But the only way to obedience is through trust. It is only those who trust who do actually keep the law. We learn the obedience of trust rather than worry and fear. That’s our focus. That’s our race.
There is no disobedience that does not begin with a lack of trust In something God has said. Eve disobeyed and ate but it was because satan convinced her that what God said was not true. So she sinned inside before she did so outwardly.

Im not sure if you are looking for argument or looking to build up trust…

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Romans 6:19 - I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of yourflesh: for as ye have yielded yourmembers servants to uncleanness andto iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

Righteousness is unto holiness.

Yes, the righteousness that is through trust should lead to a hunger for true Righteousness in our inner man and should lead to being taken into Gods holiness and to walk there.
I truly believe this. I believe this is what God desires for us and it takes time. God revealed Jesus to me sixteen and a half years ago and it wasnt until a year and a half ago that I was weaned from my flesh.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Ananias and Sapphira tried to lie to Gods men who were walking in the Spirit. The men walked in Gods holiness. They were messing with holiness. It is like Uzzah, who God struck dead for improper behavior when dealing with and handling Gods holiness.

In righteousness, that doesn’t happen. A righteous man can fall many times and get back up.

The fear that came upon them was a dread of offending Gods holiness.

Im using what the man I mentioned earlier taught me. The man who was told to go to a street called Strait, who then argued with God, why was he not struck dead as Ananias was? He was a follower. Surely arguing with God is bad.
He was a follower, he was led by the Spirit. The Spirit led, he followed. Being led by the Spirit is different than actually walking in the Spirit in Gods own holiness. I have His Spirit in me. If you lied to me you would not be struck dead.
There’s a big difference between righteousness and holiness. In righteousness, there are many mistakes and learning. In holiness, one wrong move and you get zapped.

1 Peter 1:15 NKJV
“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”

 

[stunnedbygrace]

1 Peter 1:15 NKJV
“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”

Look, I don’t think the people you are speaking to in here go bar hopping and live in hedonism. So I don’t really know what you think you are preaching to them that will help them. It’s more inward sins they struggle with, like murder/anger and worry over temporal stuff that we were were told not to worry about they are struggling with. And most of us have struggled for some years to trust more radically and have struggled for years to try to fix our hearts. We eventually did this: cease striving and know that I am God.
So I’m not sure if you know your…audience. We can always use building up of our trust since it’s a race of trust we are running. But I don’t know what help you think you might be giving to us hollering about how one sin can send us to hellfire…

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Yes, they lied to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit that was in those men who walked in the Spirit. Paul didn’t kill them, the Holy Spirit Paul was walking in did.

Mmm…yes, it’s talking about those who endured in their trust to the end.

Yes, righteous men can sometimes do what is right and sometimes they don’t because the flesh wars against the Spirit. So yes, sometimes they fail and get back up and begin running their race of trust again.

Yes I’m aware of those verses. Fall away from what? Fall away from trust. Anything else just obfuscates.
See that your hearts don’t become evil and unbelieving as with Israel in the desert. They began well and trusted God enough to step out under the towering wall of water, but when their test was trusted they fell away from that initial trust.

You need to make a distinction between the righteousness the scriptures train us in and holiness. Some verses variously are talking about one or the other. God makes a place for righteous men. He accepts them. They trust Jesus and they will never die. The saints will rule over the righteous in the nations.

It’s important to not begin to say the righteous are not accepted and that only the saints are accepted. If you do you wind up with a mess that helps no one. This is why it’s so important to distinguish between the righteousness men can do and the holiness of God and which is being talked about. Otherwise you end up making sad those God doesn’t want to be sad.

1 Peter 1:15-16
15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

 

[Bible Highlighter]

1 Thessalonians 4:3-7
3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

 

[stunnedbygrace]

1 Peter 1:15-16
15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

So are we to surmise that you are walking in the Spirit in Gods own holiness? Is that what you’re trying to convey to us? I just really have no idea what you’re trying to convey, tell or preach to us. Are you saying it is possible because scripture says it is? You would find maybe a few who agree it is possible but probably more who have been taught that it isn’t. Are you saying you have actual experience of it?
All I’ve mainly gotten from you is don’t sin or God will or may remove His Spirit from you and reverse your eternal life. But I see nothing of trusting God and nothing of building up our trust, and trust is the only way to anything further from God. And now you’re preaching be holy but are not giving us any practical help. Do you think you are edifying/building us Up? Because I see none of therefore encourage one another and build up one another in trust. I just don’t understand what you are working to accomplish.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

As you know I am non-denominational, and my authority is the Bible Alone + the Anointing to Understand It.

I believe the Bible teaches two aspects of salvation.

We are saved by…

#1. God’s grace through faith (without works) in our Initial Salvation​

(Ephesians 2:8-9) (cf. Ephesians 2:1) (Romans 4:3-5) (Titus 3:5).​

​

#2. God having chosen us to salvation through the Sanctification of the Spirit and a belief of the truth (Please see: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and read it very slowly).​

(Also see: Galatians 6:8-9) (Romans 8:13).​

Note: The Sanctification of the Spirit is to enter a purification process in living a holy life and to overcome sin in this life (1 John 3:3) (2 Corinthians 7:1). This Sanctification includes works of faith, obeying the commands in the New Testament, and keeping oneself unspotted from the ways of this world (i.e. Being holy unto God). The Spirit makes this possible for us to live holy by His working in our lives. A true faithful believer will not set out to justify sin on any level. Believers will confess and forsake sin and treat sin as if it can destroy their soul in the afterlife (as the Bible teaches). If believers mess up on rare occasion, they repent. But they don’t think they will always be slaves to their sin this side of Heaven. Believers will have a mindset of desiring to overcome sin in this world.​

There are two groups in the Protestant Perpetual Belief Alone Salvationist Camp.

#1. Hyper Grace.​

#2. Partial Hyper Grace (A term I came up with).​

Hyper Grace folk are men like George Sodini who murdered a bunch of people, and took his own life thinking he was saved by a belief alone in Jesus as his Savior.

See here to learn more about George Sodini:
O.S.A.S. – THE WATCHMAN'S CRY

Even his church said he was saved (despite what he did).

Partial Hyper Grace is a belief held by most Christians who think that if a believer practices sin then they should question whether they were born again to begin with. Yet, occasional sin or individual sins done infrequently does not cause a loss of salvation. Meaning, a Christian can still justify sin but they can only do so infrequently and or on rare occasions. These types of Christians have stated that a backslidden believer is still saved (See here). Others have said that one can commit suicide and be saved. Others have said you can take the mark of the beast and be saved (See here).

So there are incredible strongholds that have been built up in their thinking here because sin is a powerful and enticing thing to not let go of. But with God all things are possible. So prayer, love, and using the Word should always be our weapons in this warfare here.

George Sodini must have seen the letter Martin Luther wrote to Philip Melanchthon

"If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, says Peter (2. Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that through God’s glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard, for you are quite a sinner."

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Me? You have, too. Turn on any evangelical broadcast and you'll here one brand or another of OSAS accompanied by various ideas of what constitutes "salvation" which include God voluntarily refusing to regard a saint's presumptuous sin as such, that He does regard it as such but forbears punishment while punishing the wicked for doing the exact same thing, or that He does punish us but with temporal punishment now and a few less jewels in our crowns then.

Very few differentiate between the Just Man and the Presumptuous Man, which is why I know I'm on the right track, seeing that we aren't called to make truth popular because it's NEVER going to be popular.

You must be aware of Mark 16:16-18
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Some do not know that verse 18 is a Hebrew idiom meaning divine protection. I've seen God in action supernaturally protecting me many times. But there are some who take it literally and PRESUMPTUOUSLY pick up rattle snakes and drink cyanide. When Jesus was in the wilderness with Satan, Satan told HIm to jump off a high pinnacle and God's angels would catch him. Jesus told him, Thou shalt not test the Lord your God. So those snake handlers are testing God, and that is a presumptuous sin.

So what examples of presumptuous sins are you thinking of, brother. In the Old Testament in Numbers 15:30-36 picking up sticks for a fire on the Sabbath was a presumptuous sin, and they stoned him to death.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

As you know I am non-denominational, and my authority is the Bible Alone + the Anointing to Understand It.

I believe the Bible teaches two aspects of salvation.

We are saved by…

#1. God’s grace through faith (without works) in our Initial Salvation​

(Ephesians 2:8-9) (cf. Ephesians 2:1) (Romans 4:3-5) (Titus 3:5).​

​

#2. God having chosen us to salvation through the Sanctification of the Spirit and a belief of the truth (Please see: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and read it very slowly).​

(Also see: Galatians 6:8-9) (Romans 8:13).​

Note: The Sanctification of the Spirit is to enter a purification process in living a holy life and to overcome sin in this life (1 John 3:3) (2 Corinthians 7:1). This Sanctification includes works of faith, obeying the commands in the New Testament, and keeping oneself unspotted from the ways of this world (i.e. Being holy unto God). The Spirit makes this possible for us to live holy by His working in our lives. A true faithful believer will not set out to justify sin on any level. Believers will confess and forsake sin and treat sin as if it can destroy their soul in the afterlife (as the Bible teaches). If believers mess up on rare occasion, they repent. But they don’t think they will always be slaves to their sin this side of Heaven. Believers will have a mindset of desiring to overcome sin in this world.​

There are two groups in the Protestant Perpetual Belief Alone Salvationist Camp.

#1. Hyper Grace.​

#2. Partial Hyper Grace (A term I came up with).​

Hyper Grace folk are men like George Sodini who murdered a bunch of people, and took his own life thinking he was saved by a belief alone in Jesus as his Savior.

See here to learn more about George Sodini:
O.S.A.S. – THE WATCHMAN'S CRY

Even his church said he was saved (despite what he did).

Partial Hyper Grace is a belief held by most Christians who think that if a believer practices sin then they should question whether they were born again to begin with. Yet, occasional sin or individual sins done infrequently does not cause a loss of salvation. Meaning, a Christian can still justify sin but they can only do so infrequently and or on rare occasions. These types of Christians have stated that a backslidden believer is still saved (See here). Others have said that one can commit suicide and be saved. Others have said you can take the mark of the beast and be saved (See here).

So there are incredible strongholds that have been built up in their thinking here because sin is a powerful and enticing thing to not let go of. But with God all things are possible. So prayer, love, and using the Word should always be our weapons in this warfare here.

I used to be Four Square and it was at Jack Hayford's church in Van Nuys, CA that I was filled with the Spirit all alone without hands laid on me. That was 45 years ago. But about 10 years ago I asked God to wipe my mind clean of all doctrines of man, and seeing as every verse only has one interpretation from one Author, I asked He start from scratch and reteach me His interpretation. Now after these past 10 years I know God's interpretation and how to study His word. I now see key words. and parallel phrases that the apostles used as Hebrews. So if you don't agree, ask God and believe Him when He tells you. He will not contradict what He's told me.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I used to be Four Square and it was at Jack Hayford's church in Van Nuys, CA that I was filled with the Spirit all alone without hands laid on me. That was 45 years ago. But about 10 years ago I asked God to wipe my mind clean of all doctrines of man, and seeing as every verse only has one interpretation from one Author, I asked He start from scratch and reteach me His interpretation. Now after these past 10 years I know God's interpretation and how to study His word. I now see key words. and parallel phrases that the apostles used as Hebrews. So if you don't agree, ask God and believe Him when He tells you. He will not contradict what He's told me.

While I attended different churches, I was never a part of any official church (or found a church home). Most of everything I learned was from my personal study and asking God for His Spirit to give me the understanding on His Word.

I don’t like to think I am infallible to learning God’s Word but there are things I know in His Word that I am very confident in.
Over the years, I have changed on 21 theological points.

What theological things were you mistaken about in your growing knowledge of God's Word?

What theological things were you mistaken about in your growing knowledge of God's Word? Here is my list. #1. I used to believe we had to follow the Old Testament laws in addition to the New Testament laws. Until one day I discovered verses that the New Covenant began with Christ's death and...

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George Sodini must have seen the letter Martin Luther wrote to Philip Melanchthon

"If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, says Peter (2. Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that through God’s glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard, for you are quite a sinner."

I find Luther’s quote I gave as being exceptionally wrong. Do you agree?

 

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So are we to surmise that you are walking in the Spirit in Gods own holiness? Is that what you’re trying to convey to us? I just really have no idea what you’re trying to convey, tell or preach to us. Are you saying it is possible because scripture says it is? You would find maybe a few who agree it is possible but probably more who have been taught that it isn’t. Are you saying you have actual experience of it?
All I’ve mainly gotten from you is don’t sin or God will or may remove His Spirit from you and reverse your eternal life. But I see nothing of trusting God and nothing of building up our trust, and trust is the only way to anything further from God. And now you’re preaching be holy but are not giving us any practical help. Do you think you are edifying/building us Up? Because I see none of therefore encourage one another and build up one another in trust. I just don’t understand what you are working to accomplish.

What is your view of 1 John 1:8?

As for trusting God:

To obey God is trusting Him. To believe His Word (like his many warnings to His people) is trusting what He says. Most are too overconfident at the expense of God’s Word. Look at the churches in Revelation. Most of them were not doing too well. Not all things in the Bible are comfort verses or things that you want to hear. Yes, there are comforting promises, but they come with conditions.

As for edification:

I believe edification is for believers who are truly seeking to do the right thing with the LORD (According to His Word).
Those who are seeking to justify sin by saying 1 John 1:8 is a banner flag to sin this side of Heaven are not seeking to do the right thing with God fully.
We must decide that we will not sin anymore instead of saying we must sin again (As many in Christianity teach today).