Bible Highlighter
Well-Known Member
No. Your taking 1 John 1:8 out of context (of which I will explain in my next post to you). Those who preach against being perfect are making God a liar because they speak against scores of Scripture verses that talk about how we can be perfect (By His Word).When we say that we have no sin we make God a liar.
1 John is a chapter written clearly for believers. When we read 1 John in context, we see that one of the aspects of walking in the light is confessing our sin. When I hear people say that they don’t remember the last time that they sinned and that they are currently living perfectly, that is a lie. We deceive ourselves when we make such claims. Confessing your sins is one of the evidences that you are saved. You can never hide sin in His light.
1 John 1:7-10 “but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”
Jesus says, “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” (Luke 6:40).
Paul says, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12).
Paul says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
James says, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4). James also says, ““Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:22).
Jesus says, ““Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” (Revelation 3:2).
Paul says, “This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith [or all reach unity in the faith] and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person [or the perfect Man; Christ], growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection [ to the measure of the stature of Christ’s fullness ].” (Ephesians 4:13 EXB).
Paul says, “It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Colossians 1:28 NABRE).
Real world example:
An alcoholic can condone his alcohol by him saying he can drink occasionally on his way to being sober free. But he will never be sober free because he has no intention of stopping. He is hoping one day somebody else will stop him.
If GOD is perfect in all He does, then why cannot GOD perfect a believer while they still live?
Are they saying they are more powerful than GOD?
For why would a person want to continue in sin on any level?
For if a person knew of a way to stop sinning so as to please God, why would they not want to take that chance?
For would not the opposite of Sinless Perfectionism be Sinful Imperfectionism? Is there such a thing as a “sinning saint”? What about a righteous sinner?
But some will object and say they believe that they are for living righteously. But how much should one live righteously? Are we to live righteously at about 90%? How about 80%? 75%? 20%? Is there a percentage that we do not cross the line at?
Your OP said, I quote:
"Godly Christians know their sinfulness."
This implies that their undealt sin in their life that they are not putting away.
2 Peter 2:9 says:
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:"
Notice that God knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations.
This does not sound like your version of a godly person.
I mean, stop and think about 2 Peter 2:9 for a second.
If God delivers you out of temptations to sin, then how are you going to sin?
The whole point of God delivering out of temptations is for the purpose of not sinning.
Peter mentions how there are false teachers (2 Peter 2:1).
Then he says this about these false teachers (Which should make you tremble at the fear of the LORD).
2 Peter 2:14
"Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"
Notice. What's one of the problems with these false teachers?
They cannot cease from sin (Which you believe is impossible).
You can play Greek word games if you like and think that those many Christians who believed the King James Bible were deceived for hundreds of years before Textual Criticism came about, but that just does not sound realistic.
Again, to say that the godly knows their sinfulness is to call that which evil as good.
The OP is saying they must be in some kind of sin to know they are godly.
Isaiah 5:20 says:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
For your position is a defense of sin (Which is of the devil).