The question is not "Can a Christian cease from sin". The questions that needs to be asked are:
Can God actually keep us from falling?
Is our shield of faith actually promised to quench all the arrows of the enemy?
Have we only been forgiven but delivered from the power of darkness itself?
Is there a way for God to actually cause us to obey Him?
We have some explaining to do. God has promised to not allow us to be tempted above our ability to resist. As a matter of fact, He also assured us that in every single temptation. (note: temptation is not sin), He would make a way of escape so that we would not give in to it.
In answer to your question posed, of course we can sin. But have we availed ourselves to the promises of our God? Has He not assured us that if we abide in Him, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh? Does this mean that abiding in Him is really a carrot on a stick, where we never actually can enjoy it because we are 'only human'? If it is possible, why are the vast multitudes of born again believers walking with yet not abiding IN Christ?
Yes, we still have fleshly bodies and will until we are clothed with new ones at His return. BUT, and this is huge, we do not have fleshly natures any more. As a matter of fact, Paul tells us in Romans 8 that we are no longer in the flesh and owe it..... nothing. Whoa.
So, it is clear there is an obstacle of some sort, an unidentified hindrance to our actually being able to avail ourselves to these amazing promises of God. Such a hindrance is forgivable but only IF we are seeking out where the problem lies. To remain in sin and be content there, forgiven but with no desire for His very nature is a sin whose magnitude cannot be overstated.
There is no denying that God's will for us is our sanctification, that every saint knows how to possess their vessel in sanctification and honor. He wants us to abide in Him, and walk in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. And it is revealed in scriptures that although with us it is impossible, it is also revealed that He will do the keeping as we trust Him to.
In these last days, each one of us will have to decide.....do we just want forgiveness and eternal life, or do we truly long to please our Lord by bringing not only our actions but every thought into subjection to the obedience of Christ? Sadly, far too many currently are not real bullish on ceasing from sin.Part of it may be hopelessness that it is possible, and I certainly get that, but our hearts.... should they not be crying out like Paul's did when he found himself imprisoned and chained to sin that he longed to be freed from?
We love to quote Romans 7 as our "excuse" for sin in our lives. We fail, however, to realize that because of the depth of his hunger for victory, God led him out of Romans 7 and into Romans 8. He discovered the secret that can only be found by a broken, contrite, hungry heart and we are about to discover that secret just as Paul did..... and it will blow our minds.
The next move of God will be for the saints to awake to righteousness by being taight the HOW of holiness. God is not returning for a lukewarm church. When He returns, His children will be prepared for His arrival. We are about to witness, and praise God, be a part of, that awakening.
We have it down pat that we cannot cease from sin. Yes, grace forgives. However, grace is also supposed to teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Amen? We are about to get the second half of that equation, that God can and will keep us from falling, and transform us into overcomers, victorious over the world, the flesh and the devil..... when we finally believe it is our birthright and our God will do exactly as He has promised. Our faith is about to be filled full.
blessings,
Gideon
Can God actually keep us from falling?
Is our shield of faith actually promised to quench all the arrows of the enemy?
Have we only been forgiven but delivered from the power of darkness itself?
Is there a way for God to actually cause us to obey Him?
We have some explaining to do. God has promised to not allow us to be tempted above our ability to resist. As a matter of fact, He also assured us that in every single temptation. (note: temptation is not sin), He would make a way of escape so that we would not give in to it.
In answer to your question posed, of course we can sin. But have we availed ourselves to the promises of our God? Has He not assured us that if we abide in Him, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh? Does this mean that abiding in Him is really a carrot on a stick, where we never actually can enjoy it because we are 'only human'? If it is possible, why are the vast multitudes of born again believers walking with yet not abiding IN Christ?
Yes, we still have fleshly bodies and will until we are clothed with new ones at His return. BUT, and this is huge, we do not have fleshly natures any more. As a matter of fact, Paul tells us in Romans 8 that we are no longer in the flesh and owe it..... nothing. Whoa.
So, it is clear there is an obstacle of some sort, an unidentified hindrance to our actually being able to avail ourselves to these amazing promises of God. Such a hindrance is forgivable but only IF we are seeking out where the problem lies. To remain in sin and be content there, forgiven but with no desire for His very nature is a sin whose magnitude cannot be overstated.
There is no denying that God's will for us is our sanctification, that every saint knows how to possess their vessel in sanctification and honor. He wants us to abide in Him, and walk in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives. And it is revealed in scriptures that although with us it is impossible, it is also revealed that He will do the keeping as we trust Him to.
In these last days, each one of us will have to decide.....do we just want forgiveness and eternal life, or do we truly long to please our Lord by bringing not only our actions but every thought into subjection to the obedience of Christ? Sadly, far too many currently are not real bullish on ceasing from sin.Part of it may be hopelessness that it is possible, and I certainly get that, but our hearts.... should they not be crying out like Paul's did when he found himself imprisoned and chained to sin that he longed to be freed from?
We love to quote Romans 7 as our "excuse" for sin in our lives. We fail, however, to realize that because of the depth of his hunger for victory, God led him out of Romans 7 and into Romans 8. He discovered the secret that can only be found by a broken, contrite, hungry heart and we are about to discover that secret just as Paul did..... and it will blow our minds.
The next move of God will be for the saints to awake to righteousness by being taight the HOW of holiness. God is not returning for a lukewarm church. When He returns, His children will be prepared for His arrival. We are about to witness, and praise God, be a part of, that awakening.
We have it down pat that we cannot cease from sin. Yes, grace forgives. However, grace is also supposed to teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Amen? We are about to get the second half of that equation, that God can and will keep us from falling, and transform us into overcomers, victorious over the world, the flesh and the devil..... when we finally believe it is our birthright and our God will do exactly as He has promised. Our faith is about to be filled full.
blessings,
Gideon