HP: I may not understand you completely. Once a person is born again, does he have a free will, and can that free will choose selfishness if in fact it fails to avail itself to the strength God promises? Can it fall away from it’s first estate to the point it needs to repent and do its first works over?
Because the soul is what is "born again" is why a Christian does sin in the flesh but that which is born of an incorruptle seed cannot sin and therefore is in answer to the scripture "that which is born of God cannot sin". The body must wait on its change which will be in the resurrection for as the scripture says, "the whole creation groaneth together until now waiting on the redemption of the body.
These are the words of God "that which is born again is of an incorruptle seed". If it were the body then the body would not have to die.
It has been my observation over the years that new believers often fall and must seek renewed repentance. I have seen some start out real good with good testimonies that have fallen away and now live as they did in their former life. I do not count them out for they are still alive and have an opportunity to once again get right with God if in fact the Spirit of God has not been withdrawn, and in speaking to them I cannot say I have seen such a case. I have seen backsliders get right with God and stay on the path as well.
I don't count them out either but believe they were mistaken in their status of being saved as I have heard so many on here testify to.
When the Scriptures speak in words such as ‘cannot sin,’ I find that NOT to depict an impossibility but rather that their will is fixed and will not. IF they do, it is simply proof that their will changed and the voluntarily chose to return to the life of living for the flesh. Just as I say I ‘cannot go back and do the things I did before, I am not saying that it is an ‘impossibility’ but rather that I am completely unwilling to do so with the help and strength of the Holy Spirit.
If you will look at it as Paul did about the inner man and the outward man (flesh), which dwelleth no good thing then you can understand why Jesus said that which is born of God, cannot sin. The flesh sins but does not go too far for we have a keeper and that which is within you is stronger than that which is in the world.
The Scripture plainly teaches that the flesh shall be delivered also. Also, means something has already been delivered from sin and we know of a surety it is not the body for the body has to die.
I didn't have time to get the scriptures for I am on my way to the gymn, but will do so when I get back.
I mean HP, we just can't cast aside as others seem to do the fact that Paul said there was a "inner man" and there is an "outward man". No one even attempts to answer that as if they are scared of it or something. One thing for sure, that which is born of an incorruptle seed cannot sin, cannot die. Thats why I can say, I am going to Heaven at my natural death.
That is why Paul sought to have the thorn removed from his side for he couldn't stop the flesh from sin, he wanted to be perfect as the inner man is after being born again. In other words, I believe my soul has already been cleansed up and ready for Heaven when I am set free from this corruptle body. Death is a gateway to Heaven for the children of God.
HP: I may not understand you completely. Once a person is born again, does he have a free will, and can that free will choose selfishness if in fact it fails to avail itself to the strength God promises? Can it fall away from it’s first estate to the point it needs to repent and do its first works over?
With the carnal mind (flesh), he can but not with what is born of God.
I ask you to think a minute about in Rev. where it says, "he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches". Is that the carnal or fleshly ear or is that the ear of the heart and I don't mean this heart pumping blood. If you have a natural heart and you have a spiritual heart don't that tell you about the inner man and the outer man?
It is not a man is a man is a man, as some have said. We can't just cast Pauls words and Jesus words aside, we have to try to understand them. To be with Christ, this day thou shalt be, inner man, outward man, he that hath an ear (which can't mean the fleshly ear for everyone who heard the word would be saved. If we understand there is a part of man that is born again and the flesh waiting on redemption also, then the scriptures all make sense.
2 Peter, chapter 1
5: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6: And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7: And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8: For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9: But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall:
