What distinguishes a "Protestant?"

[CoreIssue]

Jesus says whoever sins is the slave of sin.

And the apostles taught even the born again soon.

Our spirits are born again, not our flesh. Our flesh is where sin resides.

 

[BreadOfLife]

Free will is what makes Pelagius' claims possible. How could it be if he didn't think the will was free to do so?

But that DOESN'T mean that ALL free will is "Pelagianism."
Pelagianism simply takes advantage of free will.

 

[Dave L]

The Good Samaritan is a perfect example of a good work done by a person who was NOT considered acceptable by Jewish standards.

I'll send you an address for the $100 check . . .

Even the boy-scout helping the old lady across the street is sinning if not motivated by faith. Paul says whatever is not of faith is sin. We do not know the Samaritan's motive. I'll hang on to the $100 for now.

 

[Dave L]

But that DOESN'T mean that ALL free will is "Pelagianism."
Pelagianism simply takes advantage of free will.

People cannot choose above the limits of the flesh. = the will is not free to choose spiritual things for the right reasons.

 

[Dave L]

Your assumption.

Jesus stood in front of the Pharisees as YAHWEH and they killed him.

 

[Dave L]

And the apostles taught even the born again soon.

Our spirits are born again, not our flesh. Our flesh is where sin resides.

Our born again spirit rules over the flesh.

 

[BreadOfLife]

Even the boy-scout helping the old lady across the street is sinning if not motivated by faith. Paul says whatever is not of faith is sin. We do not know the Samaritan's motive. I'll hang on to the $100 for now.

WRONG.

There you go cherry-picking again. That’s NOT what Paul said – in CONTEXT.
He prefaced it by talking about DOUBT.

Rom 14:23
But whoever has DOUBTS is condemned if he eats, because this is not from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Jesus specifically used the example of a >in His parable to show that even a person who is NOT considered a person of God can show mercy on a complete stranger – and so should THEY (the crowd).

 

[BreadOfLife]

People cannot choose above the limits of the flesh. = the will is not free to choose spiritual things for the right reasons.

That STILL doesn't cancel out free will.

 

[CoreIssue]

Our born again spirit rules over the flesh.

Where does the Bible say that? It says our spirits are at war with flesh.

 

[Dave L]

Where does the Bible say that? It says our spirits are at war with flesh.

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:9–10) (KJV 1900)

 

[Dave L]

That STILL doesn't cancel out free will.

Free to sin only is not freedom not to sin.

 

[Dave L]

WRONG.

There you go cherry-picking again. That’s NOT what Paul said – in CONTEXT.
He prefaced it by talking about DOUBT.

Rom 14:23
But whoever has DOUBTS is condemned if he eats, because this is not from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Jesus specifically used the example of a >in His parable to show that even a person who is NOT considered a person of God can show mercy on a complete stranger – and so should THEY (the crowd).

Bad motives make good works bad.

 

[BreadOfLife]

Bad motives make good works bad.

Absolutely - but that was NOT the case for the Good Samaritan.
His heart was in the RIGHT place.

An atheist mother can still love her children and it is NOT evil.

 

[BreadOfLife]

Free to sin only is not freedom not to sin.

It's NOT freedom to sin "only".
Free will is freedom to sin or NOT to sin.

YOU are very confused . . .

 

[CoreIssue]

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” (1 John 3:9–10) (KJV 1900)

Born again being spirit, not flesh.

Glorification cleanses the flesh at the rapture.

Romans 7:21-23 New International Version (NIV)
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

 

[Dave L]

Born again being spirit, not flesh.

Glorification cleanses the flesh at the rapture.

Romans 7:21-23 New International Version (NIV)
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

Paul is describing what it was like being a sinner under the law. If you keep reading he describes what it is like being born again in the New Covenant.

 

[Dave L]

It's NOT freedom to sin "only".
Free will is freedom to sin or NOT to sin.

YOU are very confused . . .

But unless first born again, the motive behind good works produces only sinful good works.

 

[BreadOfLife]

But unless first born again, the motive behind good works produces only sinful good works.

No - they're not "sinful" good works.
Sin requires intent, full knowledge and full consent.

They're simply works that are not done to glorify God - like breathing . . .

 

[Dave L]

No - they're not "sinful" good works.
Sin requires intent, full knowledge and full consent.

They're simply works that are not done to glorify God - like breathing . . .

Paul says whatever is not of faith is sin.

 

[Willie T]

Paul says whatever is not of faith is sin.

Seriously? When you reach for a glass of water, is there REALLY any consideration given to whether or not your fingers will grip the glass, or if you will know how to direct it to your lips? I think we have to take care that we do not try to get so "spiritual" and "Holy" about our everyday lives that we make a circus out of it. LOL