This goes a long way in addressing my post, thank you! We're a lot on the same page here, I think.I do! Amen!
Yes, what you say there is responsibility as we are accountable of our actions. That is not quite the same with intentional or unintentional acts of sin, and not quite the same with sinful acts out of ignorance.
So are you saying you don’t believe there is such a thing as unintentional sin? But I think you believe there is. Now, is an unintentional sin a willful sin? How about sin done in ignorance do you believe there is such a thing? Are you in the belief that innocent children don’t commit sinful acts?
Among Christians, some are babes in the faith, some quite mature, some more mature, some have strong faith, some have weak faith, the point being is that Christians do not have the same situation, even while they have the same Holy Spirit that dwells in them. While they all have power to overcome sin, those differences affects their will in overcoming sin. That while they are not willing to do something sinful, they are easily forced to compromise and sin, especially when it’s a matter of life and death. Some find themselves forced to lie to save their innocent children from harm for example. Some babes in the faith commits sin out of ignorance or lack of knowledge. Such sins are either forced or unintentional or out of ignorance.
Are you not still in your sinful flesh, were sin dwells? Paul wrote something like this:
Romans 7:16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me......21...22....23....24....
Paul, the apostle that he is, admits being guilty of sin, sin that he says he does not will to do and he says is not him who does it, but sin that dwells in him is the one who does it.
Perhaps this somehow addressed your post.
@Nancy
Tong
R1449
One thing to make clear is that I'm trying to focus on what I see to be the theological truths, for instance, that all sin can be avoided, therefore, any sin committed shows a failure to avoid it, therefore, all sin is willful.
If I speak in terms of our experience with sin, and how life can look to me, well, take for instance, when I realize I've just yelled at my wife, the poor thing! One could say, those words, that tone, it just got away from me, I didn't mean to yell at her, but look, that's just what I did!
One could say, it was unintentional, I didn't mean it, I didn't choose to yell at her, it just happened.
But while the experience bespeaks of unintentional sin, the reality, as I understand it, is that had I walked into that encounter with my wife with the choice made to remain loving and gentle and kind, I may not have acted that way.
Had I gone into it with my mind set on Christ, with my heart centered on His love, I'd have found all the love I needed to share with her.
Had I been intentioned to watch my words, to control my tone, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I would have.
Maybe the flesh mind started screaming with impatience. Maybe the flesh mind started feeling angry. The the Mind of Christ has power of the mind of the flesh, if I only choose to use it.
Does this help explain my thinking better?
Much love!