How much/often can a Christian sin?

[Alcott]

A recent thread inspires this poll. Perhaps, for some, it is a revisiting of certain basic doctrines we may have thought we had settled in our minds, and it's less changing any doctrine than about recharacterizing such.

After all, with an almighty God, who is not bound by time, is there (to Him) any difference between living a life of sin and A) losing one's salvation, and B) never having been saved in the first place? Or is it only to us humans that there is any difference at all? Christian groups differ in this, but it seems to end up the same-- a vile, sin-ridden nominal Christian has either lost his salvation, or he never really had it.

 

[Yeshua1]

A recent thread inspires this poll. Perhaps, for some, it is a revisiting of certain basic doctrines we may have thought we had settled in our minds, and it's less changing any doctrine than about recharacterizing such.

After all, with an almighty God, who is not bound by time, is there (to Him) any difference between living a life of sin and A) losing one's salvation, and B) never having been saved in the first place? Or is it only to us humans that there is any difference at all? Christian groups differ in this, but it seems to end up the same-- a vile, sin-ridden nominal Christian has either lost his salvation, or he never really had it.

Once we have been saved by the grace of God, ALL sins that we would ever commit are forgiven and washed by the blood of Christ, so from Gods point of view we are right with Him in relationship, but we can and will break fellowship when we sin and have not confessed when we do sin.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

A recent thread inspires this poll. Perhaps, for some, it is a revisiting of certain basic doctrines we may have thought we had settled in our minds, and it's less changing any doctrine than about recharacterizing such.

After all, with an almighty God, who is not bound by time, is there (to Him) any difference between living a life of sin and A) losing one's salvation, and B) never having been saved in the first place? Or is it only to us humans that there is any difference at all? Christian groups differ in this, but it seems to end up the same-- a vile, sin-ridden nominal Christian has either lost his salvation, or he never really had it.

I don't think the question should be, "How much can I sin", but, rather, "What is my attitude toward sin?"

Before I was saved, I didn't give any thought to my sin except to plot my next opportunity to sin.

But when I was saved and saw my sin for what it was, I was horrified by it. It was ugly and it was offensive to an Holy, Righteous, and Just God.

I'm not sinless by any stretch of the imagination. Some days, I seem to be giving Paul a run for his money for the "Chief of Sinners" title. But I am warring against my sin and, thirty years into my walk with Christ, the contrast between the ugliness and offense of my sin and the holiness and purity of Christ's righteousness is still revealed to me every day and that is what I'm striving for.

I think the question shouldn't be so much "Is our sin shrinking" as it should be, "Is our desire for Christ and His Holiness and Righteousness growing". I think if we work on the second one, we'll find that the first will care of itself as a result.

 

[HankD]

When I was saved My life was turned upside down.

But, I did have a colossal struggle with my sin nature.

When I thought I had been delivered from a certain temptation then some new thing was revealed.

We (well me) actually can't see the whole megilla. Its too much to handle all at once.

John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

So when I hear folks who believe they have arrived, I know they have not and it's difficult to sit with them and try to help them go forward.
Besides, I have baggage of my own.


HankD

 

[TCassidy]

So when I hear folks who believe they have arrived, I know they have not and it's difficult to sit with them and try to help them go forward.

It is impossible to help people who deny they need help.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

A recent thread inspires this poll. Perhaps, for some, it is a revisiting of certain basic doctrines we may have thought we had settled in our minds, and it's less changing any doctrine than about recharacterizing such.

After all, with an almighty God, who is not bound by time, is there (to Him) any difference between living a life of sin and A) losing one's salvation, and B) never having been saved in the first place? Or is it only to us humans that there is any difference at all? Christian groups differ in this, but it seems to end up the same-- a vile, sin-ridden nominal Christian has either lost his salvation, or he never really had it.

I again ask you to define sin

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Once we have been saved by the grace of God, ALL sins that we would ever commit are forgiven and washed by the blood of Christ, so from Gods point of view we are right with Him in relationship, but we can and will break fellowship when we sin and have not confessed when we do sin.

Have you ever examined David?

 

[Alcott]

I again ask you to define sin

Again? Anyway, it is to miss the mark.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

This seems to miss some key points the bible makes about sin:

1. Making every effort to do the right thing is a daily struggle like a marathon race. (2 Peter 1 and Paul's metaphor of the race of faith)
2. We will see victory over sin as we progress in our faith race, we are getting disciplined after all (1 John, James 2, and Hebrews 12). For those who think they have arrived, see point 1.

These seem like basic biblical truths to me gleaned from lots of bible study.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Again? Anyway, it is to miss the mark.

What mark?

 

[tyndale1946]

Again? Anyway, it is to miss the mark.

When ever I get puffed up I go to the Apostle Paul he seems to explain it like few others can... He explains my case anyway... Brother Glen

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

[Aaron]

How much/often can a Christian sin?

Seventy times seven. Then you've lost your salvation.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

How much/often can a Christian sin?

Seventy times seven. Then you've lost your salvation.

You're joking, right?

 

[Aaron]

You're joking, right?

Obviously.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Obviously.

Sadly, it's not obvious. I see so many stupid things here that I can't tell when somebody's joking anymore.

Figured you were, but I can never be sure anymore.

 

[kyredneck]

How much/often can a Christian sin?

I again ask you to define sin

Again? Anyway, it is to miss the mark.

Define "miss the mark".

 

[Alcott]

Define "miss the mark".

Fail to hit the target.

 

[tyndale1946]

Fail to hit the target.

We have all missed the target... Brother Glen

Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 

[kyredneck]

Fail to hit the target.

Wow, you're deep.

So if I'm a bad shot I'm hellbound?

 

[Aaron]

Define "miss the mark".

It means to fall short of the glory of God.

Who on earth has attained, and lived equal to God's glory? Only Christ, but by our union with Him, His glory is ours, and so Heaven is ours. We bring nothing to the equation.

So you see how foolish the question is, how much/often can one sin? It's not a question of the number of wrong and right actions. It is a question of life, and of existence. Are you joined to Christ or not?