Do Christians Still Have A Sinful Nature?

[Trust & Obey]

For years I struggled and struggled with the sinful nature. And the more I fought it, the more it fought back. It was a continual battle that always left me with a sense of condemnation that God was disappointed with my efforts. But later on, when I finally decided to just simply look at what God

[yomotalking]

This is an article that is soon to be released on our website. I wanted to know if there is anything in it that is unbiblical . . .

Most Christians believe they still posses a fallen nature that is constantly warring against the nature of God in them. I am continually amazed at how adamant and forceful the Church is when it comes to this subject. I can hardly tune into the Christian radio station where I live without hearing this doctrine constantly being pounded over and over and over again. Christians say things like, “We still have this old sinful nature. Even though we’re saved, we have a struggle with this old flesh.” Or you’ll hear something like, “We’ve got to crucify the flesh daily.”  But what scriptures have we been leaning on when we say things like this? To be honest, I have not found one single verse in all the New Testament that says the believer has to crucify his flesh. Nor have I found one single verse in all the New Testament that says the believer still has a sinful nature. Now there may be a few scriptures that come to mind when you think about it, and I will talk about those in a minute. First, let me tell you what the Bible clearly states concerning this subject, and I’ll let you be the judge.

17: Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(2Cor 5:17)

Think about that for a moment. The Bible says that once you were put into Christ, everything you used to be passed away. It says all things became new. How much is all? Does all exclude anything? No. All is everything there is, right? So then everything, including your sinful, fleshly nature, has passed away, and become new. I was talking to a Christian once about this passage and she insisted that she still had the sinful nature. So I asked her, “So, if it wasn’t your sinful nature that passed away when you became a New Creation, what did? That verse says old things passed away, so what old things is that verse talking about?”  She wasn’t able to answer. I asked someone else who believed they had a sinful nature this same question and you know what they said? “Well, we will just have to seek the Lord to reveal that to us . . .” But think about that for a moment. God has already revealed to you what passed away and what became new. What was it? All things. That’s what it says in 2Corinthians 5:17. So to ignore that and say, “Well, let’s wait for the Lord to reveal it to us,” doesn’t make sense. That’s the same as if I read 1Timothy 2:4 and then said, “Well, let’s wait on the Lord to show us who He wants to save.”  I believe the Bible is God talking to me. So God already told me what part of the old man is gone . . . All of it. And I’m not going to spend one minute in prayer trying to figure out  whether or not 2Corinthians 5:17 is really telling me the truth. Either it’s true or it’s not. And I believe it’s true.

So, if you still have a sinful nature, as a New Creation, where did you get it from?  The old is passed away.  And all things are new.  Did God give it to you?  You were born again and God says, “Here ya’ go, a brand new sinful nature to deal with.”  That couldn’t be because the very next verse tells us . . .

18: And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

(2Cor 5:17)

So it couldn’t have been a sinful nature that God gave you because this verse shows us that all things are of God. And a sinful nature couldn’t be of God, could it? No, in fact, 1John 2:16 says that these things are not of God, but that they are of the world. The New Creation is made up completely of God.  That’s what it says right there in the beginning of verse 18.  All things have become new, and all things are of God.  Praise the Lord for that!  All things are new, and all things are now of God.  You’re 100% of God.  Hallelujah!

Galatians 5 says . . .

16: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17: For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you want to.

18: But if your are led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Notice it doesn’t say the flesh is fighting against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh.  Some modern translations say that. But it simply states that the lust of your flesh is against the lust of the Spirit.  But they’re not fighting. It points out that you have one desire that comes from your Spirit, and one that comes from your flesh (and I’ll show you in a second that the desire of your flesh has been taken care of). It doesn’t say that your flesh and Spirit are constantly warring against each other. How could they be?  Think about it . . . God’s Spirit verses your tiny body.  Would that really be a match? Friends, the mighty power of the Spirit rose Jesus’ physical body from the dead (Rom 8:11)!  Your body is hardly a match for Spirit of God.

Besides, the Spirit would be fighting with a corpse . . .

24: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Thank God, the flesh was crucified. But not just the flesh, so were the lusts and affections of it. So if all you read is the first part of Galatians 5 you might stop and say, “Ah, see, my Spirit wants to do one thing, but my body wants to do something else.” But you know what the Bible says has happened? That flesh, along with what it wanted to do was put to death. So you’re wasting your time fighting with it. Because according to the Word of God, it’s been taken care of. The only thing you’d be wrestling with is an idea, and not God’s Reality of what He has said about your situation. God’s people need to stop spending their time putting their faith in ideas, and then fighting against those ideas they created (but that’s another subject for another time).

Now, when did our flesh get crucified?  Paul tells us earlier in Galatians 2:20.

I was crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

You see, your body was taken care of in the Work of Christ also!  You were crucified with Christ. So again, if you’re struggling with your flesh, you’re struggling with something that, according to God, has been dealt with for over 2000 years. Talk about beating a dead horse!

Romans 6 gives us more insight into this . . .

6: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from this point foreword we should not serve sin.

7: For he that is dead is freed from sin.

See, it wasn’t just sin, but the body of sin that was taken care of.  Remember how Paul had asked the question . . .

24: O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

(Rom 7)

Now we know the answer, thank God! The Lord took care of the body also, Hallelujah! Glory to God!

Romans 8 further expounds on this subject . . .

8: So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9: But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is not his

10: And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11: But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.

You see, the body is now dead because of sin. So how are we able to live, move and breathe if our bodies are dead? Verse 10, the Spirit is life.  Paul said that the same resurrection power that rose Jesus’ body from the dead is now giving your mortal body life! What a statement! You now live by the Spirit (Gal 5:25). If it wasn’t for the Spirit, your body truly would be dead (Jms 2:26). You have the highest type of life dwelling in you! The God-Kind of Life! The life that was breathing in the physical body of Jesus on that Resurrection Morning.

Here’s another verse that shows the flesh has been taken care of . . .

In whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

(Col 2:11)

See that? It was something that was done by Christ. It was done without your hands. God didn’t need your help. The body of the sins of the flesh were put off. How? By trying, praying and crying? No. But by the circumcision of Christ.

Now let’s look at a commonly known verse, but this time read it without any preconceived ideas . . .

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

(Eph 6:12)

Interesting isn’t it? Here Paul plainly says that the Christian’s struggle and fight isn’t with flesh and blood. So why are we spending so much time wrestling with flesh and blood? We’re engaged in the wrong battle!

So if it’s true, the body, the sinful nature, and the old man has been taken care of, why do most Christians still struggle? Well, this is a question that is best answered by referring you to our tract, “Legal and Vital Sides of Redemption.” However, I do want to partly answer that question right now.

22: That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

(Eph 4)

There are two things I want you to notice about this verse. The first one is that it says your old man is corrupt. In Greek, that means it was brought to ruin, or destroyed. Your old self has been taken care of. So this again affirms that the old man was crucified. The second thing to notice is that God wants you to put that old man off. That’s it. Simply put the old man off. You don’t have to make it a long drawn out process. It doesn’t say, “Fight with that old man and beat him down!” No, God doesn’t make it complicated. He simply says do it. So instead of owning up to the old man and standing up in church, testifying to how powerful he is, put him off. What else? Look at the next verses from Ephesians 4.

23: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24: And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

(Eph 4)

The believer needs to be renewed in the spirit of his mind. And it’s through knowledge that we can be renewed (Col 3:10). 2Corinthians 5:17 tells us that we are the New Creation.  We are truly holy and righteous. But we’re told here that it’s up to us to put that new man on. So you’re putting off one, and putting on another.

So now, in summation of what I just presented, I want you to notice how extremely clear these verses are about how the flesh and lusts were dealt with. Not by you, but by Christ. So then if the New Testament is so clear on this subject, where did we get these ideas about life long struggles with our old nature? Let’s look.

One passage, is of course, Romans 7. However, we talk extensively on this chapter in our IIOpinions, “Go and Sin Some More.” And also in our book, “The End of the Sin Problem.” So rather than be repetitious we will recommend that you read these.

Another scripture people fall back on is in 1Timothy 1 regarding a statement Paul made about being chief of sinners. And we have another IIOpinions article that deals specifically with this verse also, so we recommend you read it. “I Paul, Came to you in Much Iniquity.”

Another objection people bring up is, “Well, Jesus said we had to crucify the flesh daily and follow Him.” But Jesus never said that. I offer to give anyone a hundred dollars that finds a place where Jesus says that we must crucify the flesh daily. If you find it, contact me and I’ll gladly send you the money. I’m not being arrogant, I’m just confident that the Bible does not say this. This is a result of hearing something someone else says about the Bible, then assuming the Bible says it. Or, it could also be the result of someone reading one thing, and assuming it’s talking about something else. Like when Jesus said you have to take up your cross daily and follow Him (Lk 9:23). When you hear something like that, you may be tempted to think, “Oh, He’s talking about crucifying myself everyday . . .” But that isn’t what it says. If you want to assume that that’s what it’s talking about, that’s between you and the Lord.

Then people say things like, “Well, Paul said he died daily.” And the Bible does say this (1Cor 15:31). But then people take that and say, “See, Paul is showing us that we ought to wrestle with the flesh and try to crucify it.” But this verse says nothing of the sort. Besides, God has already given us clear instruction on how the flesh was dealt with (see above verses). So what was Paul talking about if he wasn’t talking about struggling with the flesh? Well, I know one way in which he died daily, because he describes it in Romans 8 . . .

35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36: As it is written, For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37: But, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

See, here Paul likens the tribulations and persecutions to being killed all day long for Christ’s sake. He also mentions carrying the dying of Jesus in His body, in relation to persecution in another place . . .

8: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9: Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10: Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11: For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

12: So then death works in us, but life in you.

(2Cor 4)

So from these verses, we can conclude a few things. First, they don’t mention “crucifying the flesh,” or “dying to self.” To assume that they are talking about that would be just that, an assumption. Plus, there would be no need to take scriptures like these and try to make them say that, when you already have scripture that specifically addresses this subject. The second thing we can conclude is that the apostle Paul considered the persecution he was enduring, a form of being killed, or being delivered to death. A lot of times we say things like, “Oh, I’m going through the same thing Paul went through.” When in reality, that’s not at all what is going on. Paul suffered from persecutions that most Christians, (especially Americans) have never gone through and never will go through.. And while it may comfort us to think we are experiencing the same sort of problems as the apostles did, usually, it just isn’t true. We talk more about this in our IIOpinions, “Paul’s Eyes Runneth Over.”

Now I want to deal with one more scripture Christians try to use concerning this subject. I might add that this is actually the only scripture I know of that even comes close to supporting the “fight the flesh” or, “die to self” doctrine . . .

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

(1Cor 9:27)

I have found this verse to be a bit of a mystery. I wonder sometimes why Paul would ever say a thing like this when God clearly gave him a revelation that the flesh had been dealt with (see scriptures above). Nevertheless, I have found a few things that should be noted about this statement Paul makes.

One is that I’ve never actually met a Christian that really practices this verse. The literal Greek word that is translated “I keep under my body . . .” is Strong’s #5299 and it means, “to beat black and blue and cause livid spots.” So Paul evidently was saying that he beats his body black and blue and smites it until it causes sores. I know it sounds bizarre. That’s why I said this verse is a bit of a mystery to me. It just doesn’t really seem to make sense.  But in any case, no Christian I know has ever actually practiced this verse. Have you ever met someone that beats his or her body black and blue? Nowadays we call that “self mutilation.” So if no one seems to actually be practicing what this verse says, why do we try to use it as support for our “fight the flesh” doctrine? If we’re going to reference a verse to support something we believe, we should at least be acting on it also, after all, faith without works is dead (Jms 2).

Another thing to point out is that this is a statement Paul made about himself. We assume that because Paul and the apostles received the revelation on the New Covenant, that they were walking and enjoying all it had to offer. But we know this isn’t true. Let me show you an example: In the second chapter of Galatians we find Peter being confronted by Paul for not walking according to the truth of the gospel (Gal 2:14). In another instance Paul wrote to Timothy and told him not to be fearful or ashamed of the afflictions that accompany the preaching of the gospel. He went on to say that God has not given to us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (1Tim 1). Yet in relation to persecution, Paul himself said in another place that he and the others had fears within them (2Cor 7:5). Those are only a few instances where you don’t see the apostles living up to what is offered in the New Covenant. Now, it’s important that you don’t get discouraged by what I’m saying. That’s not why I want to bring these instances up. Really, you should be encouraged. Why? Because you don’t have to limit yourself to Paul’s walk with God. As far as they got, doesn’t have to be as far as you can get. We need to simply realize that the apostles were the same as the rest of us. In other words, they had a choice to act on God’s Word and enjoy what God said about them, too. We speak more specifically on this subject of enjoying God’s Covenant, in our tract “Legal and Vital Sides of Redemption.”

So really, as far as what Paul said about beating his body, well, he too had a choice to walk in the fullness of what God said about him. I can only speak for myself. And I’m going to side with what God has said about me. What did God say? He said the flesh has been crucified. He said the body is dead and so are the lusts. I’m not going to hold onto one seemingly ambiguous statement Paul made about himself, and ignore all the ones God made about me. Let’s be fair about it. Say I was to ignore all the verses in the New Testament regarding the subject of speaking in tongues. Instead, I simply hold onto the one verse where Paul said he was glad that he spoke in more tongues than the Corinthians (1Cor 14:18). What if from this one verse I built a doctrine that all Christians ought to speak with tongues? Would you accept it as a sufficient basis for such a doctrine? I hope not. I hope you would want more specific scriptures that contain more than just a statement the apostle made about himself. If you’re going to build a doctrine on scripture, do it with multiple references that clearly say what you believe. In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established (2Cor 13:1). That way there really isn’t a way it can be disputed.

This is what we try to do at Upon the Word. We try to clear our minds of all the traditions we received from the Church and simply read through the Bible and then come to a conclusion based on what it says. And as you can see, the Bible simply does not support the idea that the Christian must struggle and wrestle with a sinful nature that was left over from their old life. All the scriptures that people use to justify this belief just don’t say what people claim.

We have got to approach these subjects, laying aside what we have been taught all our lives. Not only that, we also have to approach these subjects laying aside any sort of an experiences we have had in the past.

For years I struggled and struggled with the sinful nature. And the more I fought it, the more it fought back. It was a continual battle that always left me with a sense of condemnation that God was disappointed with my efforts. But later on, when I finally decided to just simply look at what God’s Word says about the situation, things changed. They changed drastically. The struggle ended. I realized God took care of the sinful nature, and gave to me His own. He took this flesh and made it His flesh (Eph 5:29-30). He said this body became holy and acceptable unto Him (Rom 12:1). And that was the end of the sinful nature.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You are graciously nominated for the "Longest Post Ever" award.

You deserve it.

[GentleGiant]

We are tri-fold beings... Spirit, Soul (mind,will,emotions) and Body. When we are born-again/saved/converted (i don't care what terminology you use), it is our spirit that becomes a New Creation. The old sin nature of the human spirit no longer exists and in place is our re-generated human spirit that is filled with the Nature of God. That is where the "Old has passed away, all things have become New" would fit into this.

The Soul has NOT been changed, and still has it's sinful 'programming'.

The Body has NOT been changed, and still has it's sinful, lustful desires.

We now as new-born babes in Christ, must begin the process of transforming our soul by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:1,2 -- 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God

[Guest JAR61]

The wisest counsel I was ever given about this issue... which is a painful, heart issue for all Christians is this:

The proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us is our STRUGGLE against sin.

Before we are born again we run to sin... after we run from it.

St. Augustine struggled with lust. He is quoted as having prayed....Lord deliver me from my sin.... but not today....

[Ovedya]

We are tri-fold beings... Spirit, Soul (mind,will,emotions) and Body.  When we are born-again/saved/converted (i don't care what terminology you use), it is our spirit that becomes a New Creation.  The old sin nature of the human spirit no longer exists and in place is our re-generated human spirit that is filled with the Nature of God.  That is where the "Old has passed away, all things have become New" would fit into this. 

The Soul has NOT been changed, and still has it's sinful 'programming'.

The Body has NOT been changed, and still has it's sinful, lustful desires. 

We now as new-born babes in Christ, must begin the process of transforming our soul by the renewing of our minds.  (Romans 12:1,2 -- 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God

[Rukkus]

Jar said

I started to read your post and I find it intriguing. I need to study it more, but I noticed you skipped something... Paul said that which I will not to do that I do and that which I not will I do... oh what a wretched man.....

Yeah, Paul did say that in Romans 7. But he also revealed in Romans 7 that it was the law the gave sin the avenue to produce in him all manner of evil desire (Rom 7:8) and without the law, sin becomes lifeless. Also, 1Cor 15:56, the power of sin is the law. So if sin loses it's power without the law, what influence could it have over you, other than if you yield to it (Rom 6:13)? And where would the desire to yield to sin be, if it was sin, through the law, that brought about those desires (Rom 7:8, Jms 1:1)? Yes, Paul described a present tense struggle, but ended on a good note in Romans 8:2. If you stop at the end of Romans 7 the situation is that you will always sin. But if you read through, you see Paul made the plain declaration that he had been set free from that law of sin.

So I think you posted that Sripture out of context.

What scripture? And people are already saying it was too long of an article. You can always read it in the Bible for the entire context.

I would summarily say that if this be the case, then why did Jesus sweat blood and desire not to go to the cross if lust, (desire to) did not exist in the Garden of Gesthemany?

Well, you're talking about Jesus, before His Redemptive Work. But the verses I speak of in the article are verses that speak about the result of that work ( see article above) In other words, we don't have a sinful nature because it was crucified with Christ. Yet Gethsemene was before that crucifixion.

The proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit is the struggle against sin. Those who do not have it run to sin.. those who do struggle in the power of the Spirit.

I would have to disagree. There is no scripture that says this (to my knowledge).

[Rukkus]

Ovedya said . . .

If we no longer have the sin nature, why do we still think about sin and commit acts of sin?

Well, this deals with the Legal and Vital Sides of Redemption. It's another subject that pertains to the fact that a Covenant involves two sides. I will say this much though, the Bible says we should awake to righteousness and stop sinning. Alot of Christians have yet to awaken to the fact that they're righteous, and so they continue to sin (1Cor 15:34)

And why did John write, "He who says that he has no sin is a liar, and the truth is not in him'? (rough paraphrase)?

Well John said this because it's true. But he wasn't done talking. He went on in the very next verse and says "But if we confess our sins, He's faithful and just to forgive us out sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." So God is faithful to cleanse us from those sins . . . At that point, after I have confessed my sins, I'd actually be decieving myself by still saying I had sin. I would be claiming that I didn't get cleansed. (1Jn 1:8-9) I would be making an open confession that God wasn't faithful and that I still had sin.

[Rukkus]

Shiloh said . . .

1John 3:6-10 is talking about living in habitual sin. The one who is born of God does not continue to live a lifestyle of sin.

Well, I've looked up this verse in Greek, let me quote it so we know what it says . . .

9: 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.

Two things . . . First, when it says "commit sin" it does indeed mean "practice". Which is a little different than a "lifestyle" the only thing with this is that just by going with the first part of the verse, Christians still don't keep it. Cause if you sin everyday, you wouldn't consider that practice? If I played the piano 3 times a week someone would say I practiced piano. If I played it everyday someone would say I'm really devoted to it. So what's it mean when we sin everyday?

Second, if you look at the latter part of that verse in Greek where it says "cannot sin" that word doesn't have the "practice" with it. It means sinning period. That you cannot sin. It's Strong's # 264 If you disagree, I'd like to see your references.

3:9 tells us that he who is born of God cannot keep on sinning.

At least that is how it reads from the Greek.

Really? What are your references on this?

It does not mean that we do not have a sin nature, nor the capacity for sin.

Actually, if you look up the word "cannot" in Greek, it means . . .

to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom

to be able to do something

to be capable, strong and powerful

(Strong's 1410)

So that sounds like it contradicts what you said about not having the capacity to do it.

In fact, to deny the capacity for sin, amounts to lying. according to 1John 1:8. We would not be admonished in v. 9 to confess our sin, if there were no way for us to sin.

Unless after confessing our sin, or acknowledging sin, we receive the truth, and the truth sets us free, so that we are in the position talked about in 1Jn 3.

John tells us that when we confess our sin, Jesus is faithful to forgive us.

Amen. Alot of Christians think they have to keep confessing all the time. But if after you have acknowledged your sin and get saved, then you get God's seed in you, and you sin not (of course, this is the Legal Side. And it's another subject altogether)

[Gerioke]

Shiloh said . . .

1John 3:6-10  is talking about living in habitual sin.  The one who is born of God does not continue to live a lifestyle of sin. 

Well, I've looked up this verse in Greek, let me quote it so we know what it says . . .

9: 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.

Two things . . . First, when it says "commit sin" it does indeed mean "practice". Which is a little different than a "lifestyle" the only thing with this is that just by going with the first part of the verse, Christians still don't keep it. Cause if you sin everyday, you wouldn't consider that practice? If I played the piano 3 times a week someone would say I practiced piano. If I played it everyday someone would say I'm really devoted to it. So what's it mean when we sin everyday?

Second, if you look at the latter part of that verse in Greek where it says "cannot sin" that word doesn't have the "practice" with it. It means sinning period. That you cannot sin. It's Strong's # 264 If you disagree, I'd like to see your references.

3:9 tells us that he who is born of God cannot keep on sinning. 

At least that is how it reads from the Greek. 

Really? What are your references on this?

It does not mean that we do not have a sin nature, nor the capacity for sin.

Actually, if you look up the word "cannot" in Greek, it means . . .

to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom

to be able to do something

to be capable, strong and powerful

(Strong's 1410)

So that sounds like it contradicts what you said about not having the capacity to do it.

In fact, to deny the capacity for sin,  amounts to lying. according to 1John 1:8.  We would not be admonished in v. 9 to confess our sin, if there were no way for us to sin. 

Unless after confessing our sin, or acknowledging sin, we receive the truth, and the truth sets us free, so that we are in the position talked about in 1Jn 3.

John tells us that when we confess our sin, Jesus is faithful to forgive us.

Amen. Alot of Christians think they have to keep confessing all the time. But if after you have acknowledged your sin and get saved, then you get God's seed in you, and you sin not (of course, this is the Legal Side. And it's another subject altogether)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So are you saying that if you commit a sin after you've confessed and repented of that same sin, you are no longer a christian?

[Rukkus]

Leo said

Rukkus: Thank you for your recent book! If someone can't keep it short, then it is obvious they do not have a clear idea of what they are talking about. Winston Churchill ran WWII on memos which would fit on 3X5 cards. Once you clarify your thought, you can do the same, and it will be much to your readers' relief.

Yes, I really don't like writing long things. But sometimes it's necessary in order to cover the whole subject.

I read the first few paragraphs and largely agree with you, although you seem--to me--to come across arrogant, and with an attitude of self-superiority, rather than pedagogic.

Well, that's why I say that I'm not being arrogant. Even if that's how it seems.

PS: Jesus did say to 'take up your cross daily;' the cross is clearly a 'crucifixion device.' So the idea of crucifying your flesh daily is certainly there. Can I have a $100?

Yeah, I'll send it to you in the mail. What's your addy? J/K

. . . no, the reason I won't send you any money is that although the cross is a device that brings death, we assume from that that it means we must crucify the flesh everyday. Whereas I could take the same verse and say "it symbolizes that we should be reminded that we died to self on that cross 2000 years ago . . ." Now, I'm not saying it really means that, but just making a point that there could be alot of assumptions drawn from that verse, but if you want to stay with just scripture . . . It doesn't say what people say it does.