Tuesday, May 15, 2012

LLM Question for 5-15-2012, and, Can a Christian Become Sinless

First the Question: Is it possible for the living to communicate with the dead? Yes or No?

Take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 5-13-2012

Question: Can a Christian, while in the flesh, finally, become sinless? Yes or No?

Answer: NO! The Bible nowhere teaches that a Christian can become sinlessly perfect. The Christian has two natures which are constantly warring against each other (Galatians 5:17). The old nature is enmity against God and can do nothing but sin (Romans 8:7-8; Romans 7:18), and the new cannot commit sin (1 John 3:9). It is only as our wills yield to the new nature that our lives can be pleasing to God. But the old man is ever present and is ever a menace! Out of the 728 responses we received to this question, 88.2% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

Can a Christian Become Sinlessly Perfect?

Sin in the life of a Christian is a more hideous thing than in an unbeliever, because it dishonors Christ and causes others to stumble. Our question, however, is, “Is it possible for a true Christian to sin?” and “Can a Christian finally become sinlessly perfect?”

The first question is sufficiently answered by 1 John 1:8-10, “If we (believers) say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Also 1 John 2:1, “These things write I unto you that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” The Christian may and does sin, and God has made provision for this.

The Bible nowhere teaches that a Christian can become sinlessly perfect.

The Christian has two natures which are constantly warring against each other (Galatians 5:17). The old nature is enmity against God and can do nothing but sin (Romans 8:7-8; Romans 7:18), and the new cannot commit sin (1 John 3:9). It is only as our wills yield to the new nature that our lives can be pleasing to God. But the old man is ever present and is ever a menace. Many a useful servant of the LORD, who has lived a godly, Spirit controlled life, has in his later years fallen a prey to the old nature, the flesh, and has been degraded in sin. Such a one has not lost salvation. He needs not to be re-saved, but to be restored to the power and joy of salvation. Galatians 6:1.

God could have made us automatons, or have removed every possibility of temptation and sin, but that would have been of no glory to Him. He has done something infinitely more glorious. He has manifested His power by making it possible for us to live in the midst of temptation and possibility of sinning, and yet be victoriously delivered from sin.

Romans 6 gives the secret. Read also 1 Corinthians 10:4-15. God reckoned us to have died unto sin with Christ, and, as we walk by faith, reckoning ourselves to have died with Christ, we find ourselves delivered from the power of sin, “for he that is dead is freed from sin.” “How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

Those whom the devil has fooled into believing they can no longer commit sin, are in just the place he wants them. They are destined to fall prey to their deceitful hearts and to the devices of Satan. God has provided a salvation which makes it possible for us to live without sinning, but He has not made it impossible for us to sin.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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