For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Psalms 51:3.

[justbyfaith]

Indeed @Miss Hepburn,

Once you realize that your sin is ever before you and make up your mind that this is a fact of scripture, you don't have to dwell on your sins very much anymore unless the Holy Spirit specifically pinpoints something...because all your sins are forgiven; they are under the blood (Romans 4:5-8) if you are born again of the Holy Spirit; having placed your trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross...to save you by executing the forgiveness of your sin(s).

 

[1stCenturyLady]

He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.

What I said was: "Sin is not forgiven if you don't really mean to turn from them and turn them over to Jesus Christ." But you quote only me saying, "Sin is not forgiven"

For you to take my words out of context of the whole is slander. Shame on you for your malicious misrepresentation of my words and meaning.

 

[justbyfaith]

Forgiveness comes through faith in His shed blood. Sanctification is the result, not the cause (Luke 7:36-50, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:5; 1 John 3:17-20, Romans 13:8-10, Romans 8:4).

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

There are so many scriptures that say that if we belong to Christ, our flesh (sin nature) has been crucified with Christ and is dead - and we rise in the Spirit, with a new nature. And yet you say this isn't true. What scriptures say we, as Christians, still have a sin nature? You said, "Everyone struggles with there sin, because one has to master ones self, that's self control." Willpower is not the same as "by the Spirit." There is no struggle in the Spirit - He did all the heavy lifting when he empowered us to not sin.

Romans 6:1-7
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

Romans 8:1-9 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

1 John 3:4-9 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

Yes we have a new nature so to speak in the Spirit but the flesh is still abound.
It's of the Holy Spirit that controls ones actions so as not to be a enslave to sin, but we all do sin, just that one who is Born Again is not a slave to sin. we have been saved from that sin.


Do you know of Christians you know who do not sin ?
I know that all do sin and they know it just as well as you do, just that one is not under enslavement of such.

An atheist a Jews etc or the politically correct, Socialist are all are under the power of enslavement of Sin because they know not God or Salvation in Christ Jesus.
When one knows Jesus is the Christ you are saved due to the Holy Spirit dwelling in you so you are not a lost sinner and you know the sin is wrong, we are talking about grave sins and temptations, not little sins.

Some claim all sins are the same value, not they are not, is a murderers sin as great as every other sin, no. did you miss going to Church once, well that's on par with a murderer is it, did you save some milk for yourself when someone asked for it.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Yes we have a new nature so to speak in the Spirit but the flesh is still abound.
It's of the Holy Spirit that controls ones actions so as not to be a enslave to sin, but we all do sin, just that one who is Born Again is not a slave to sin. we have been saved from that sin.


Do you know of Christians you know who do not sin ?
I know that all do sin and they know it just as well as you do, just that one is not under enslavement of such.

An atheist a Jews etc or the politically correct, Socialist are all are under the power of enslavement of Sin because they know not God or Salvation in Christ Jesus.
When one knows Jesus is the Christ you are saved due to the Holy Spirit dwelling in you so you are not a lost sinner and you know the sin is wrong, we are talking about grave sins and temptations, not little sins.

Some claim all sins are the same value, not they are not, is a murderers sin as great as every other sin, no. did you miss going to Church once, well that's on par with a murderer is it, did you save some milk for yourself when someone asked for it.

I asked for scripture to back up your claim, and you give me carnal human reasoning. By our words we either confirm or contradict written scripture.

 

[Nancy]

"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." -Paul in Romans 12

I must say ...I didn't renew my mind!!! It was renewed for me!!
All glory to God.

(I usually never say, " I can't believe it...or I don't believe" something....but....)
It is so amazing the transformation, the change in me...it is hard to believe.
(Because you didn't know me before!!!! Ha)

My friends of 40 years...have seen it....and lemme tell ya they are amazed...
consistently happy, lighthearted, mellow about huge, dramatic things in my life that
really just befall me....(a memory) a friend slapped a table at a birthday gathering
with 12 women when I arrived telling them all,
"You can't believe the faith Miss H has!!"----then, proceeded to
tell them all how she asked me to sit with her dying friend in the ICU, in a coma on a heart and lung pump cuz no one was going over that day till evening.
Next morning, she's sitting up smiling and talking,'' it was a miracle '', my friend said!
This is Him...all Him.
(Oh, I didn't just sit there obviously, as I left, after hours there, I talked to the Holy Spirit...
very strongly, I might add.)

I don't have the time to read about or care about sin, is my point...my sights are on other things...LOL!
Ya see what I mean?
I kinda like urging others to do the same...it's a whole different world when your focus in
on God's Presence, not on sin, is all.
No argument...it just is.

The "sin problem" left the building almost 2000 years ago

 

[Frank Lee]

We still stumble upon our corpses. Being saved, truly truly born again is not an immunization against sinning.

Otherwise there is no need for this ;

1 John 1:9 KJVS
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1 KJVS
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Nahum 3:3 KJVS
The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:

Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJVS
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.


Hebrews 12:1 KJVS
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

It's obvious here that the writer whom I think is the aged Paul, is self reflective here.

Getting saved I was afterwards surprised to find that I yet failed, sinned. I had hoped it was automatically all over!

 

[bbyrd009]

What I said was: "Sin is not forgiven if you don't really mean to turn from them and turn them over to Jesus Christ." But you quote only me saying, "Sin is not forgiven"

For you to take my words out of context of the whole is slander. Shame on you for your malicious misrepresentation of my words and meaning.

ah, my apologies, i'll fix that, was on the fly and just meant to point out that all sin is forgiven, really just meant to tag you there

 

[bbyrd009]

Sin is not forgiven if you don't really mean to turn from them and turn them over to Jesus Christ.

contemplate that all sin is forgiven, confessed or not, repented of or not, which i know seems impossible, huh?
But forgiveness will not save anyone, i guess bc if one is embarrassed or ashamed of something but does not confess others' forgiveness is like not accepted anyway, right? The first picture that comes to mind is, if you want someone to leave you alone, loan them $10 (and then silently "forgive" the loan iow)

The "sin problem" left the building almost 2000 years ago

^

i might have put it diff, but we both know what she means right

 

[Miss Hepburn]

Question: Does anyone here think the criminal to the right repented for all he had done?
or did he simply ask Jesus to...
Luke 23:42 "... remember me ..."

I'm sorry, but I do not limit God, our Heavenly Father's heart to forgive
even the most foolish of idiots that don't repent.
So sue me. There is no scripture that will change my personal knowledge of God.

As an example to help open your mind to what I am saying:
Say, you won a $10million Lottery, you, a simple human....do you think you would care
if your neighbor was still hurling garbage over your fence daily?
He would be like a fly you wave away.
God knows who we are ...and we are His...the good, the bad and the ugly.

This is never a popular subject, I find....LOL.

 

[amadeus]

I've found two. One meets at 9:00 am, and then I go to the other later in the morning. Both under 40 people. But, many are called, FEW are chosen.

Sorry I failed to see your response earlier. Hopefully one of those you located will meet your needs. I always hesitate to encourage a person to attend in a particular place, because I see clearly my own history.

When I was a Catholic I grew and I believe that I was where God wanted me. When I belonged to the UPC I know also that I grew and was where God wanted me at the time. Since leaving both of those behind I have also found myself in places where God has wanted me to be. Have I ever been in the wrong place? I certainly have, but when I am really in touch with God [in His name or in His Spirit] will He not lead me correctly and when necessary take me out of such places.

When we were children in the hopefully we had someone, such as mother or father or both leading us and caring for our needs so we would mature in a good way. Similarly in God we start on the "milk" of the Word and if we are being led properly we will also be maturing in a good way. I won't go into what proper maturity is in the flesh, but in God all we need to do really is to seek the right things sincerely and God will lead us to a closer relationship with Him. There are many verses that can and do apply here from the scriptures, but the one I most often fall back on is this:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33

The easiest place to focus on the end result that God expects in each of His children for me has been I Corinthians chapter 13 and Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7.

Of course as you know there are many more very helpful scriptures, but each of us needs to seek continuously. If we are sincere will He not provide the direction needed through the Holy Spirit?

Some people can walk with God without being directly connected to a regular group of people often called a church, but for some that may never work. It compares I believe with what Jesus says regarding eunuchs:

"For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." Matt 19:12

We need to go the way God calls us and He certainly does not call us all to be the same part of the Body of Christ.

 

[justbyfaith]

He does, however, tell us not to forsake the assembly (in Hebrews 10).

 

[amadeus]

Question: Does anyone here think the criminal to the right repented for all he had done?
or did he simply ask Jesus to...
Luke 23:42 "... remember me ..."

His heart changed from what it was when he did whatever it was that caused him to be on that cross. Remember what he said to other fellow was railing on Jesus:

"But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." Luke 23:40-41

Like King David of old he had done wrong but he recognized his error and did not try to say he should not be crucified. He knew that he was guilty and was receiving his punishment according to man's law. He admitted that and was asking for mercy from God. Because Jesus saw his heart, mercy was granted.

When his heart changed that was repentance.

I'm sorry, but I do not limit God, our Heavenly Father's heart to forgive
even the most foolish of idiots that don't repent.
So sue me. There is no scripture that will change my personal knowledge of God.

I certainly don't want to sue you sister. You have blessed me here many times with your words with regard to your walk with God. Real repentance is in a person's heart. If a person lives on in this veil of flesh for a while longer after repenting people would see a difference in the way he lives.

As an example to help open your mind to what I am saying:
Say, you won a $10million Lottery, you, a simple human....do you think you would care
if your neighbor was still hurling garbage over your fence daily?
He would be like a fly you wave away.
God knows who we are ...and we are His...the good, the bad and the ugly.

This is never a popular subject, I find....LOL.

When we have repented we may find ourselves in the position of wanting to repeat our past errors, but God in us will let us know we are not supposed to do that. If we yield ourselves to Him in such a situation He will provide the strength or incentive or whatever is needed for us to do it right.

 

[Frank Lee]

There are tens of thousands of shut ins, disabled and others that have not the ability to attend a church. Assuming they can find one. I'm not surprised at the large numbers of believers that sign-up as media church members of acceptable assemblies.

If it weren't for the small amount of Christian interaction on this site I'd never have another Christian to converse with, at least by means of text.

I never imagined that an acceptable church would become a rare thing.

In the late 1700's east coast pastors lamented at falling church attendance. The religious columnist for a large newspaper quipped "can the loss of a nap expose our souls to eternal perdition"?

The chief doctrine seems to be "prosperity", so called, at many pentecostal or so called full gospel churches.

Churches by the scores have left off talking of the cross, the blood, repentance and other basic Tennants of the faith. They say these are offensive. Joel Osteens church does not preach of talk of these.

Believers that are tired of dead churches should get together and form new assemblies based on the true foundations of Christianity. The sin sacrifice of Jesus the Christ. The atoning blood, the cross. Conviction, repentance, salvation, biblical water baptism and baptism in the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, growing in grace.

Leave the churches that are teaching contrary to the Bible and get together with others who are weary of lukewarm religion.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Not sure if you took those quotes from others out of context...about sins not being forgiven...but, holy moly...
I'm just a human and I forgive HUGE sins against me...Jesus forgave the criminal, (and lemme tell ya, you didn't get crucified for just stealing bread!), in 30 seconds and promoted him to Paradise!
All creation is based on love and forgiveness....that is the very essence of the Divine.

If anyone asks me to prove it...what you'll get is an eyeroll....and I don't do those often.

Yes, he took them, at least mine, totally out of context. He apologized, but it was deliberate.

Yes, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, BUT there are conditions. To leave it as Universalism, that the whole world is now saved, and no one going into the lake of fire, is unscriptural.

 

[justbyfaith]

There are tens of thousands of shut ins, disabled and others that have not the ability to attend a church.

And if they do have the ability, and yet forsake the assembly, they are not sinning?

 

[Frank Lee]

And if they do have the ability, and yet forsake the assembly, they are not sinning?

No. They have no power. Denominational condemnation will not displace gods mercy to the infirm. My father lay in a VA twenty years before his death.

My neighbor George 41, has stage IV lung cancer, I don't think God is waiting to get him.

Harry my other neighbor, a Vietnam vet is awaiting stem cell therapy and is on oxygen.

God will provide fellowship.

Where is outreach of the dead churches in this need? They have failed hands down.

 

[justbyfaith]

No. They have no power. Denominational condemnation will not displace gods mercy to the infirm. My father lay in a VA twenty years before his death.

My neighbor George 41, has stage IV lung cancer, I don't think God is waiting to get him.

Harry my other neighbor, a Vietnam vet is awaiting stem cell therapy and is on oxygen.

God will provide fellowship.

Where is outreach of the dead churches in this need? They have failed hands down.

So they are sinning when they have the power to not forsake the assembly but do so?

 

[Frank Lee]

It seems a spirit of contention is frequently at the forefront of denominational doctrine. Blame is always to be placed with sanhedrin flavored judgement following. Absence of mercy due to absence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit heaps condemnation on those powerless to alter the circumstances of their lives. God said mercy rejoices over sacrifice. Reciting church attendance records to God stones for no sins at all.

The condemnation of religion I experienced for years as the so called visitation night commandos wanted me to come to their churches. They never told of the love of Jesus, the mercy of God, the sacrifice of the savior for my deliverance. Just "come to church" .

We must tell those that don't know him of his love and grace so they have a reason to want to gather together after that they have been saved and brought into a right relationship with God.

Matthew 12:7-8 KJVS
But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
[8] For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

A star for church attendance is not proof of righteousness. There are those that attend church religiously but I wouldn't want to depend upon their prayers in a crisis.

 

[justbyfaith]

I never said that attending church is what makes anyone righteous. I was simply bringing to the forefront what it says in Hebrews 10:24-25.

Of course it is important that the church you attend be be a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing church (that will tell of the love of Jesus, the mercy of God, the sacrifice of the savior for deliverance).

And of course if it is impossible to attend because of disability, I believe that that is a valid excuse before the Lord if that is the absolute reality.

However, for those who have a way to get to church, but purposefully neglect to do so, they are violating a commandment of scripture in the NT (again, Hebrews 10:24-25).

They may indeed still be saved; for salvation is not based on church attendance; and we are all sinners before God. However God's call to His redeemed ones is holiness; and therefore if we are in right relationship of a sanctified relationship with Him, we will not forsake the assembly if there is any possible way to make it to fellowship.

I would also remind everyone of the anointed song that sings, "God will make a way, where there seems to be no way."

We make time for those things that we hold as a priority; and when we really want to do something, we generally do it even if there are obstacles in our way. But if there is an impenetrable wall in front of us keeping us from getting to fellowship, then God certainly understands that and will not condemn us for not making it; while if we really want to be in fellowship I would point out that prayer has the power to change things so that you might be able to make it; even if it only has to do with friends from the fellowship coming to visit you or getting on the computer and fellowshipping at a Christian message board.

Of course satan is a powerful enemy and so might try to keep certain people from being able to come to church; in which case the grace of the Lord is sufficient and the overcoming power of prayer is also available to overcome that obstacle in the power of God's Spirit.

Now I am not in any way saying that a person who does not go to church cannot be saved in their hearts for that they are forsaking the assembly: it was the habit of some genuine believers to do so in the verses mentioned. And salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

However the attitude in the heart of one who is truly born again of the Holy Spirit through faith, impaho, is that they would really really want to be in church; because that is where their family is located.

It's like saying, I don't want to go home because I don't like those people. They are your family; and when someone is your family, you do what it takes to reconcile.