If agreeing with you is an insult, then you insult yourself.
None of the Bible supports sinning. 1 John 1 specifically rebukes justifying ourselves as unrepented sinners.
The unrepented sinners, that say they are not sinning: Hypocrites.
Not the 'you' believers that are sinning.
That's been established. Bragging about it doesn't help your sinfulness.
If you say so. Saying you are on the light while walking in darkness. is the lie rebuked by the John.
If you repent of your hardened sinning, then you also can be given help of grace to walk in the light and not in darkness at all.
Once again, we know you believe in sinning, and openly minister your sinning to others.
Then your shame knows no bounds, since you shamefully admit it every chance you get.
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility…Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility,
That's because the will of man doesn't work with God.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Repent of you sinning for Jesus' sake, and God will also give you His promised NT pure heart and blameless life in Christ Jesus.
Being honest about being an ongoing sinner, is not repentance and conversion to God.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
No. Nowhere does any apostle ever speak like you unrepented sinners, saying "I am sinning". "I can't stop sinning."
Much less boast about it.
John and all repented saints know we ought walk as Jesus walked. But if we do sin, then we certainly ought not say we have no sin, as though God does not judge and condemn us like other sinners.
True. Which you shamefully proclaim you still do, because you still repent not.
True. If any man anywhere repents by commandment of God from sinning, then Jesus is their Advocate for forgiveness and washing away from all sinning.
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
Yes, I know already. You are any man that continues sinning. Just like any man sinning on earth. Congratulations.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
If any man will repent of sinning to walk as Jesus walked, then we need His grace to be like Him and sin not in time of temptation.
And here is why you continue sinning, and never remain cleansed from all righteousness:
Because you believe in being in the light, covered by grace, and no more condemned, even while still sinning with the world.
This is the dishonesty that 1 John 1 rebukes. No man is walking in the light and the darkness at the same time.
You can keep saying you believe in sinning all you wish. But if you think I'm going to recieve your ministry of sin for myself, then you're barking up the wrong tree.
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
Everybody is walking on earth. Many in darkness, few in the light.
1 John 1 is special rebuke for those walking in darkness saying they are in the light.
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Hey All,
RBDERRICK, please consider this?
"If agreeing with you is an insult, then you insult yourself.
None of the Bible supports sinning. 1 John 1 specifically rebukes justifying ourselves as unrepentant sinners.
Not the 'you' believers that are sinning." Quote from RBDERRICK
You are correct. John does rebuke unrepentant sinners. We agree.
1 John can, and does, serve another purpose. It is written to believers who still sin from time to time. And that is all of us.
Whether you agree with 1 John or not, that is what it says.
This is correct as well.
John includes himself as a repentant sinner.
So did Paul in his letters.
These are correct statements as well.
That is what makes the Christian life possible for me. John and Paul showed me, with their own words, they were sinners saved by grace, through faith in Jesus.
Just like me.
Even so, sinners like John and Paul, saved by grace through faith in Jesus, are saved and still make mistakes. They still needed repentance.
I repent every day before I rest. I want to keep my relationship with God as pure as I can.
Please consider this:
Galatians 2:11-16 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Paul called out Peter, a believer, who made a mistake; and by mistake, I mean sin. Peter, an apostle was not walking uprightly before God according to the truth of the gospel. That's pretty clear.
Believers sin.
Please, consider this:
Every time we say the Lord's prayer, we ask for forgiveness.
Matthew 6:9-14 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
After Jesus finished the prayer, on what did He focus?
Believers need forgiveness beyond salvation. Why?
Believers make mistakes. Making mistakes does not make me unrepentant. Ignorance of my mistakes would.
Finally, consider this:
Was Peter a believer when he denied he knew Jesus? Three times! How many times does it take to become habitual sin? Obviously more than once. Does that not classify Peter as a habitual sinner?
That's a pretty big mistake. Left unrepentant, that is the unforgivable sin.
Peter was a believer who just denied his Savior. Peter, who earlier in his relationship with Jesus said this:
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Was Peter in need of forgiveness?
You betcha! (Anybody remember Emily Latilla?)
You know some people say that is why Peter ran to Christ's tomb. Obviously to see what the ladies told him. But also to ask forgiveness.
Did Jesus forgive Peter?
Oh yeah! (That was my Randy "Macho Man" Savage impression.)
Jesus makes it so easy.
John 21:15-19 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Is this not our example?
That said, I need to forgive you.
If you noticed, Jesus also placed a condition upon forgiveness as a believer. We have to forgive others to be forgiven ourselves.
I have to forgive you so that I am forgiven.
And so I do.
I forgive you.
I am not going to pick apart your words. You may pick mine apart all you like.
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
This is how much God forgives me. This is my example.
And It's Awesome!
Isn't it interesting that when we forgive others we forgive ourselves?
Keep walking everybody.
May God bless,
Taz