Below is a chart that will show two things. First, it contains verses that clearly show that Christians are free not to sin. So, we are without excuse, and we can discard the old worn out notion that Christians sin in word, thought, and deed, every moment and every day. Secondly, you will find verses that show that sanctification, perfection, and holiness are not only possible in this life, but that they are a command of God! This is entirely the work of God through His Holy Spirit. Man's part in sanctification and purity is his obligation to believe the scriptures concerning God's willingness and desire to cleanse and purify, and to consecrate himself entirely to God's control.
KEY TO THE CHART
All references with an asterisk (*) are in the Greek present tense. The present tense shows a continuous action that is taking place at this very moment. When it concerns belief, the present tense is always used whenever the conditions of final salvation are stated. Since willful sin is unbelief, one cannot be believing and sinning at the same time. The benefits and security of salvation only stay ours as we continually put our full trust and lives into the hands of a Holy God.
The double asterisks (**) show an aorist tense. An aorist tense indicates a momentary occurrence and not a drawn out process. For example, if I "wash" my hands, this may take a process, but it is to be completed quickly. I do not wash forever. Sanctification may take a process to complete, but scripture makes it clear that its completion is to be in our physical lifetime. There is no example within the New Testament where sanctification or purity is in the future tense. There is no hope of sanctification after death.
AMEN.
ReplyDeleteSriptures indicate that even genuine believers who "were running so well" can be "severed from Christ". (Galatians 5:2 onwards)
Believers can develop hearts of unbelief that causes them to "depart from the living God." (Hebrews 3:12)
There are those believers who fall away too far to repent.(Hebrews 6:4-6).
There are those believers who fall away but can still repent.(Revelation 2:4-5)
Faith is dead without works, and good works without faith is vanity. If we are allowed to sin as long as we have faith, then would it not be logical to kill ourselves now while we still believe, so we can surely go to heaven? God cannot be fooled or mocked.
The truth is that we fall whenever we sin intentionally, and we will be judged with the fury of a fire that destroys the adversaries IF we do not repent (Hebrews 10:26). This is why the Bible exhorts us so much to stop sinning and to repent. We cannot even get away with lies, for even liars cannot enter the kingdom of God.
It is not supposed to be easy, unlike what OSAS teaches.