Naming the Name of Christ

[tsth]

Jer. 9:5 Friend deceives friend, and no one speaks the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they weary themselves with sinning.

John 5:14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,

2Pe 2:14 With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed--an accursed brood!

1Jo 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

1Jo 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

1Jo 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

Galatians 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Scarletprayers]

So Scarlet,

Do you believe that a person naming the name of Christ must turn from iniquity? CAN a sexually active gay person be a Christian? How about a married person engaged in adultery? Or one who habitually lies? steals?

In His Love,

Suzanne

No, I do not believe that those who are engaging in sinful acts and are "unrepentant, can claim the name of Christ. That was never my question, with your post.

[tsth]

Then why the contention toward me? I have principally been posting the Word of God and encouraging to walk in the Spirit? So, why do people get so stirred when the posting of the Word with regard to "sin" comes up? I find this to be a consistent occurrence.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[st. Worm]

Do you have personal Christian Friends who are Gay?

The above thread, truly troubled me.

How can that be so? It is an abomination to God, right? So, can you be practicing homosexuality AND naming the name of Christ too?

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

In His Love,

Suzanne

I am going to try this again Suzanne to show why you are having problems and where you seem inconsistent. Your original post was confusing and you refused to clarify it. You asked about those with homosexual friends and were concerned about that but then in mid-post you changed it to "practicing homosexuals". When the second poster pointed out the difference between a homosexual that is a believer but who struggles with their sin and one that is defiantly practicing their sin, you refused to acknowledge that important difference. You then implied in your second post that if one was born again then they would lose their homosexual tendency. That may happen but in reality its more likely that a repentant homosexual will struggle with their special sin a long time and maybe their entire life.

I think most of your critics are viewing you as somewhat self righteous by not being able to acknowledge that you also are still a sinner. You continue to only use portions of God's word that support your position only to ignore or spin away the rest. The struggle with sin continues not only in homosexuals but in all of us. We are told that throughout scripture and we are told we must continually repent of and confess our sins. If we have to keep telling others how "spirit filled" we are rather than confess and acknowledge our sinfulness then we appear much like the Pharisee who thanked God that he was not like those terrible sinners that he named off. Because you downplay your sinfulness and keep repeating verses about the new creation you do come across much as that Pharisee must have. We do not stop sinning nor do we stop being sinners after our rebirth as believers. I would agree that someone who claims to be a believer but continues in unrestrained sin who does not repent or confess their sin is questionable. But I would also say someone who claims to be a Christian even if they live a good moral life is questionable if they cannot acknowledge their status as a sinner.

Do you seriously think the sin nature itself goes away following our gracious rebirth? The gospel is not about how we are now better people just because we are believers, its about being declared righteous only for the sake of Christ. Rebirth does change us but that change is more about self acknowledge of sin and wrestling with sin and not so much about perfection in this life. Being controlled by the spirit is just as much about realizing what a sinner we really are using God's standards as any behavioral changes. Its seems that is where your understanding seem at odds with many of us and with God's Word. Spirit filled or not when we measure ourselves with the impossible standards of the Law we all continue to fall woefully short and at the end of the day are still sinners.

sw

[Floatingaxe]

Then why the contention toward me? I have principally been posting the Word of God and encouraging to walk in the Spirit? So, why do people get so stirred when the posting of the Word with regard to "sin" comes up? I find this to be a consistent occurrence.

In His Love,

Suzanne

Me too. People just don't realize that when the Lord Jesus comes in, He frees us from the bondage of sin. Yes, we still sin, but we are free NOT to! That is the difference. Those without Christ can't help but sin, for they have no choice. When we are aptized with power, we can be totally free from the drive to commit these types of deep, soul-scarring sins, such as homosexuality. It's easy-peasy for God to free us.

[tsth]

Dear sw,

Do you know why the people hated Jesus and wanted to kill Him?

It's clarified in His Word.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Fiosh]

Do you have personal Christian Friends who are Gay?

The above thread, truly troubled me.

How can that be so? It is an abomination to God, right? So, can you be practicing homosexuality AND naming the name of Christ too?

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

In His Love,

Suzanne

I am going to try this again Suzanne to show why you are having problems and where you seem inconsistent. Your original post was confusing and you refused to clarify it. You asked about those with homosexual friends and were concerned about that but then in mid-post you changed it to "practicing homosexuals". When the second poster pointed out the difference between a homosexual that is a believer but who struggles with their sin and one that is defiantly practicing their sin, you refused to acknowledge that important difference. You then implied in your second post that if one was born again then they would lose their homosexual tendency. That may happen but in reality its more likely that a repentant homosexual will struggle with their special sin a long time and maybe their entire life.

I think most of your critics are viewing you as somewhat self righteous by not being able to acknowledge that you also are still a sinner. You continue to only use portions of God's word that support your position only to ignore or spin away the rest. The struggle with sin continues not only in homosexuals but in all of us. We are told that throughout scripture and we are told we must continually repent of and confess our sins. If we have to keep telling others how "spirit filled" we are rather than confess and acknowledge our sinfulness then we appear much like the Pharisee who thanked God that he was not like those terrible sinners that he named off. Because you downplay your sinfulness and keep repeating verses about the new creation you do come across much as that Pharisee must have. We do not stop sinning nor do we stop being sinners after our rebirth as believers. I would agree that someone who claims to be a believer but continues in unrestrained sin who does not repent or confess their sin is questionable. But I would also say someone who claims to be a Christian even if they live a good moral life is questionable if they cannot acknowledge their status as a sinner.

Do you seriously think the sin nature itself goes away following our gracious rebirth? The gospel is not about how we are now better people just because we are believers, its about being declared righteous only for the sake of Christ. Rebirth does change us but that change is more about self acknowledge of sin and wrestling with sin and not so much about perfection in this life. Being controlled by the spirit is just as much about realizing what a sinner we really are using God's standards as any behavioral changes. Its seems that is where your understanding seem at odds with many of us and with God's Word. Spirit filled or not when we measure ourselves with the impossible standards of the Law we all continue to fall woefully short and at the end of the day are still sinners.

sw

I couldn't have said it better, sw.

Consider I Timothy 1:12-16:

12 I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry.

13 I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and an arrogant man, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief.

14 Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost.

16 But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.

(Please forgive the bolding, it's only for the purpose of discussion.)

Point #1 - Paul uses the present tense in verse 15........"I am the foremost".

Point #2 - Paul states that he was treated mercifully because he "acted out of ignorance". (verse 13)

Point #3 - Jesus is amazingly patient with sinners (verse 16)

Yes, I do know several Christians who are practicing homosexuals. They love Jesus Christ and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. From what I know and observe, they are in denial of their sin--------not rebellion.

Let's face it, we ALL try to rationalize and justify our particular weaknesses.

Suppose your sin is pride. And that's a major sin! You might tell yourself, "I'm not proud, I really am better than everyone else".

Or let's say you are in an adulterous relationship. Anyone ever heard, "My husband is awful! We never communicate. In fact, we realy aren't even married any more. So it's ok".

If a homosexual admits that the homosexual lifestyle is sinful, and he/she engages in it willingly and with no desire to change. Then, yeah, I agree, they cannot also be Christian.

But, if a homosexual fails to see that their lifestyle is sinful, they are as Christian as any of us.

Will God eventually open their eyes and convict them of their sin? I believe so. He's done it to me several times about sin in my own life.

Every time I think I have conquered all my major weaknesses and am finally walking in His way...........He shows me another one, and says, "I want that, too"!

Peace,

Fiosh

[Fiosh]

Dear sw,

Do you know why the people hated Jesus and wanted to kill Him?

It's clarified in His Word.

In His Love,

Suzanne

Because He said He is God.

[Floatingaxe]

if a homosexual fails to see that their lifestyle is sinful, they are as Christian as any of us.

How can you say that? A homosexual who comes to salvation in Jesus Christ knows instantly that they have been sinning. They cannot fail to know. What do you think they asked Jesus to forgive them of?

[eric]

Then why the contention toward me? I have principally been posting the Word of God and encouraging to walk in the Spirit? So, why do people get so stirred when the posting of the Word with regard to "sin" comes up? I find this to be a consistent occurrence.

In His Love,

Suzanne

Me too. People just don't realize that when the Lord Jesus comes in, He frees us from the bondage of sin. Yes, we still sin, but we are free NOT to! That is the difference. Those without Christ can't help but sin, for they have no choice. When we are aptized with power, we can be totally free from the drive to commit these types of deep, soul-scarring sins, such as homosexuality. It's easy-peasy for God to free us.

Hey FA, I found myself agreeing with you. It is the bondage of sin we are freed from, but you still have the choice to accept Christ's offer of salvation on His terms, not your own. Suzanne, as far as I can see is talking of those who fragrantly flaunt their sin and claim that's it's okay, because they have been born again............not.