You're my brother in Christ. And just wanted to put out there that even if we disagree on certain theological points and perspectives in my mind that doesn't change that fact. So I have nothing against you in any way. That being said here are some differences we have.
OK my Christian belief system tells me that Christ Saves on the Cross & that certain selected people are provided with saving grace. Once you are elected, it becomes difficult to sin any longer & now try as I might to be a scoundrel, I'm having a hard time doing it......heck Im poorer but strangely happier because of this grace! Let the song Amazing Grace run through your mind for a moment....and if your going to argue that you were never dead.....well how about being blind....were you ever blind to doing the right thing, ever NOT have a conscience.
I don't believe it becomes any more difficult to sin. But certainly were sin is involved your new nature certainly lets you know about it in your conscience. Sin may not be as appitizing as it once was. However, I know from experience before I converted I had a conscience about certain things and avoided them like drugs for instance.
Now I think if I understand Westminster Man correct, he is saying you can still sin......well yes unintentionally. Intentionally & I gotta question if your truly a saved & elect person.
That is often the fall back but life experience has taught me different and ultimately God decides. However, since my conversion at 15, I've sinned intentionally many times and repented many times. That's not to say that there wasn't a marked improvement from before. There was and I was less willful towards God than I once was. However, I never lost assurance that Jesus was leading me towards Glory even in my errors. Not that its right to sin but there is also forgiveness. What is your experience and how does it match up to what you are saying?
Here is my temptation of the week (personal): Im in the Walmart Supermarket on Tuesday & a really stunning woman is there also
Sweet!!!!
.....I mean really stunning
Woah Sweet dude!
Everything in my nature is going YES YES YES (ohhhh YES)!
Natural response. You fleshy man! :smilewinkgrin:
Then this Grace thing says ....ahhh your wife, ahhh your married, ahhhh your a Christian, bought & paid for by the Blood of Christ. IE NO NO NO!!!
Yes the new nature kicks in and your conscience tells you and the Holy Spirit leads you against further thoughts of the flesh.
That same NO NO NO comes each & every time I want to sin. 16 months ago Yes Yes Yes would have been acted out!
The New Nature Jesus Gives you definately fights against our flesh and like I've said Sin is not as alluring as it once was. But the question is you have victory in this thing but how about other areas in your life. Have you chosen to sin? Ie let your anger have its way, told a white lie, ect? Not all sin are in the "big" Catagory. However, smaller sins can be just as damning. Have you purposely ignored what God asked of you like Jonah? These things are more insiduous. But even if you do them have you lost your election ? or would you say you were never elect to begin with?
So you tell me....Im a living breathing man who now is in fact following Christ....and enjoying it. Soooo strange this transformation but soooo rewarding.
That is the evidence of the New Nature which comes from above and is from the Holy Spirit. Its evidence. If this never occured then your initial question would be right were you ever elected in the first place. However, I've seen from my experience people change their lives for Christ and have a similar testimony to yours. But then their spouces leave them. They come into hard times. They find that they're judged by other Church members. They become disillusioned and seperate themselves from their Church and begin to live secularily. Some would say they were never elect yet there is the evidence of a life change to which you 've spoken to. It that really an accurate thing to judge? With your perspective can the person be forgiven and still be elect? Or do they blow it all on their first willful sin never again to return to the faith?