Actually I wasn't referring to you. Surely you have noticed some here who think a sinful life is normal for 'Christians'?
I realize that a Christian can sin, but not live a sinful life. I guess we agree?
Well, yes, there is always a quota of oddballs on every forum. As a general rule I think it's just bad communication. I think you'd find that most Christians here believe that repentance is necessary for salvation. The confusion seems to come in things like "intentional sin" and "unintentional sin", what is or is not permitted etc etc. It's pretty darn easy for a Christian to say that they won't sin...as in murder or rape etc...those are huge things and easy for a Christian to avoid. And most Christians admit to the 'unintentional' thoughts that pop into their head and heart...they come from a sin nature, and while we work against them, we all have them. The muddy ground, I think, comes from the things that we perhaps know are sin, but still justify anyway....like knowing we should reach out to a neighbour, but not really wanting to, so we tell ourselves that the neighbour just wants to be left alone, or something. There are a million 'middle ground' issues like this....and I think that's where all the confusion on this board comes from. In a large part, it comes down to every individual, and what God is or is not calling them to do. So I may say the thing with the neighbour was indeed a sin for me, but for you, God may have been telling you that the neighbour would react negatively to your interaction, and to give it a while. You see? I don't think everything can apply to everyone. Does that make sense? If I had accused you of the same sin as me, I may have been completely wrong.
I don't recall what you are saying. A few quotes of what I said would be helpful. But you are wrong in saying I don't like you. Churches are filled with true Christians who are not aware of God's MANY promises to bless and protect. Satan has stolen God's blessings from them. That doesn't mean they aren't Christians. God's promises of forgiveness and salvation are no truer than God's promises of blessing and protection for those who believe them. God doesn't make false promises.
Look, I'm not going to go back and get quotes, that's just gonna put this into a 'he said, she said' squabble, and I really don't want that with you Ducky. If you are not 'gunning for me' that's great! I suppose what I would ask of you is that you maybe tone back on the 'doctrine of demons' and 'Judgement Day is gonna go bad for you' comments. As you say, just because we don't agree, doesn't mean I am not saved. I would sorta think that those ^^ comments would be better for the unsaved!
I know you are standing firm in what you know as truth, and to a certain point I respect you for that...it is, after all what we must all do. All I'm trying to say here is this: I am not going to turn from what I perceive as truth just because Ducky is saying so. I wouldn't expect you would change your thoughts just cause I say so...that would be following man, not God. All we can do is reason and persuade others, using common sense and above all, scripture. The problem we have, is that I do not see scripture supporting your ideas. I do not deny the scriptures you put forth, but my hermeneutics, and therefore exegesis are different. I see God's promises as true, of course I do, I know He loves us and wants the best for us. But I see it important to marry those scriptures with the ones that clearly tell us that we will have hardship in our lives. I mean, seriously, just do a google search for what is happening in Somalia at the moment...how many Christians do you think are in terrible pain there? God loves us, He wants what's best for us, but He doesn't always step in. That is perfectly clear in scripture...all we need do is look at the Prophets, the Disciples...Jesus Himself. So, yeah, very different views. But that doesn't mean I'm wrong...it doesn't mean you're wrong either. My hope is that from here on we can discuss our differences without any demonic references...always coming from the premise that we are both saved!
Guess you missed his comment:
"I do not believe salvation can be lost...that would imply a weakness on Christ's part...that He would let us fall away from Him."
If such is the case then we can do ANYTHING and not be lost. But such is not the case.
Ahem....the 'his' is actually a 'her'!!
So....you're an Armenian then??
And as Foreigner pointed out...I was not pointing out that once saved we may act as sinfully as we want. I was, of course, working from the idea that anyone truly saved now has the HS residing within them, changing them and making them new. I really doubt that anyone who has been born again is going to go out and rape or murder...it would be completely contrary to their new nature.
