Sinless Perfection. Why do so many teach against what Jesus taught?

[1stCenturyLady]

1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Randy, which do you believe regarding this text.

1. That a Christian walking in the light could commit murder?
2. That a Christian walking in the light could accidentally hit his thumb with a hammer and shout out a swear word.
3. Both

 

[Judge Hardcastle]

Sin does NOT live in a born again Christian, that is why a born again Christian cannot commit lawless sin. The sin nature has been crucified and we are free from sin.

Then where does the sin you say you DO commit reside?

The cleansed nature. 1 John 1:7 shows a Christian walking in the light. Sins of eternal death have been cleansed from the sin nature you were born with. Unintentional sins not unto death is the only type of sin that the blood of Jesus continues to cleanse until, at last, we "never stumble."

How is what you've described 'sin not living in a born again Christian?'
What you're describing is hardly sinless perfection. Sin is sin. Either you're doing it, or you're not doing it, even if it isn't the sin for which there was no forgiveness under the old covenant. It's still sin.

 

[Judge Hardcastle]

Romans 7:14-25 is mans struggle to keep the Law while still having "the flesh."

Since we've established that 'the flesh' is your flesh body with it's various yearnings and appetites, aroused and corrupted by the evil one, the failure in Romans 7 is because of the absence of the mind being set on the things of the Spirit, rather than the things of the flesh. That could be because you don't have the Spirit, obviously. But it could also mean you do have the Spirit but your mind is not educated in the things of the Lord, or you are not familiar with the Lord's help in the battle with sin.

The flesh/carnal nature was in opposition to the Law. This is why Jesus takes away the carnal flesh and writes His laws on our heart.

But you still sin. So how is that Jesus taking away the flesh/carnal nature? This only makes sense if you understand what the Bible says, that it is because you are still in unredeemed flesh that you still sin. And that you have to put your mind on heavenly things, the things of the Spirit, and rely on God to resist and not be defeated by the things of the flesh.

If anyone still relates to these verses, they haven't been born again of the Spirit.

Either that, or they are born again but have yet to learn what constitutes righteous behavior, and learn how to avail themselves of the Lord's help in overcoming temptation. Still being able to sin does not mean you are not born again. Living in sin and being characterized by it means you are not born again. Slavery to sin is the sign of unbelief, not still being able to sin.

 

[Lizbeth]

Randy, which do you believe regarding this text.

1. That a Christian walking in the light could commit murder?
2. That a Christian walking in the light could accidentally hit his thumb with a hammer and shout out a swear word.
3. Both

I would just like to interject to point out that walking in the light includes being transparent and honest with the Lord. It is in and by the light of the Lord that we truly learn and realize in an experiential way that "in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good thing". His light brings things to light that are hidden in darkness.....in order that they be brought to the cross to be confessed, forgiven, cleansed and healed. In the old testament we hear the Lord pleading, pleading brokenheartedly with His people, "only acknowledge your iniquity"(Jer 3).....in order that He not have to judge them. That was all He asked of them....just to acknowledge theirs sins, not hide them, or cover them up with fig leaves, not deny them, not make excuses for them, not justify them.....but realize, confront and confess them.........that is walking in the light. 1 Cor 11:31-32 "For if we would judge ourselves we should not be judged. But when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world"