Heavenly Pilgrim
New Member
Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
What think ye?
What think ye?
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So You Claim to be a Sinner?
- Thread starter Heavenly Pilgrim
- Start date
Would a "sinner" here be defined as someone who commits a sin?
Heavenly Pilgrim
New Member
Steaver, now that is something for each one of us to do. That would be part and parcel to the debate. Define for us what a sinner is from your perspective and then apply it to the verse in question.
Good idea. Since this is your thread I will let you elaborate on this verse as to what is meant by a "sinner".
Heavenly Pilgrim
New Member
HP: Certainly, but remember, my definition is certainly not to be your definition. Maybe we should use one of those ‘proper dictionaries’ DHK alludes to.
I would say that a sinner is one that sins. Before you go asking me if I sin, ( as you seem always to try and avoid the real direction of such OP’s) let me reiterate that this discussion is NOT about myself, you, or the life of any individual whatsoever. It is about this verse of Scripture. It is foolishness to examine a passage of Scripture by whether or not any individual sins or not. If there was not a righteous person in the world that has not sinned, it would only prove that all have sinned not that all are necessitated to sin.
One thing that I would add concerning myself, is that if I harbor sin in my life, unconfessed and unrepented of, I have no hope of God hearing and answering my prayers.
Now back to the OP and your definition of a sinner, one that God says he does not hear.
My definition of a "sinner" is the same as yours, one who sins. So let's look at the verse from our pov of a sinner.
Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
1) God will hear a worshipper of God
2) God will hear one who does his will
3) God will not hear a sinner
Since I have no problem with anyone examining my life, in fact I welcome it, I will use myself as an example. If I cannot apply what I believe about a verse to my own life then the verse gives no real practical meaning to me.
So to apply this to my own life I conclude this;
1) I am a sinner (but as you said, not every moment of every day)
2) I do worship God
3) I do do His will (however not with perfection)
Therefore, to make application to my life in a purposeful way, this scripture tells me that I need to confess any known sin with repentence before I pray so God will hear or harken unto my prayers.
I think there are different definitions of sinner that give a deeper meaning to just "one who sins". There are those who sin because of who they are - their life is defined by their sin. Then there are those who have been washed by the blood of Jesus and are no longer "sinners" but still sin. They are new creations but are still in this body of sin and they WILL sin although hopefully as they mature in Christ, they will begin to understand what is sin more and more and they will clearly hear the Holy Spirit convict them and they will turn from that sin.
So basically one is a habitual sinner because of Christ not being in their lives.
The other is not a habitual sinner but they will continue to battle sin in their lives with the help, guidance and wisdom from the Holy Spirit. They will show evidence in their lives of overcoming sin as they mature in Christ.
So basically one is a habitual sinner because of Christ not being in their lives.
The other is not a habitual sinner but they will continue to battle sin in their lives with the help, guidance and wisdom from the Holy Spirit. They will show evidence in their lives of overcoming sin as they mature in Christ.
Heavenly Pilgrim
New Member
Some good responses. I like this one especially by Ann:
Oh Lord, help us to mature in Thee!:thumbs:
Oh Lord, help us to mature in Thee!:thumbs:
I would define a sinner as one who is unrepentant and unsaved. The Bible refers to the followers of Christ as saints, although I don't consider myself all that saintly.
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
I think context is everything. Not every statement in the Bible is a doctrinal truth. This guy was either just saved or on the verge if being saved. He was only repeating what he had heard.
I used to think that, but then who doesn't sin purposefully at times? I think anybody who claims never to anymore is overlooking it. All sin is trangression of the Law, and part of sinfulness is that we do things [on purpose] we know are wrong at times. (Unless that's not exactly what you mean by "purposefully").
Which would mean; the unrepentant are still charged with sin, and followers of Christ are no longer charged, (even though their behavior might not always be "saintly").
thegospelgeek
New Member
He said do do:laugh: