I will just say this.
1. What is the true defenition of sin. what makes sin a sin.
2. Can you or anyone else honestly say you are able to accomplish this 24/7?
I believe, like paul, the more mature you get, the more sinfull you realise you are.
Remember, paul, a pharisee of all pharisee who would not be charged as a sinner, and probably did obey the law better than most people have, Considered himself in his later years, the chief of all sinners.. A wretched man. etc etc.. If we think we have arrived.. we are in danger.. because we excuse our own sin..
Did Paul consider himself as the "chief of sinners" within the context of that he was still "inwardly filthy"?
Remember Paul's statement of, "that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" is within the context of...
1Ti 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1Ti 1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1Ti 1:13
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Paul was not writing in the context that he still did those things. Rather Paul clearly taught about walking blameless...
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
One does not shine as a light, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, walking as the chief of sinners. Rather, the sons of God shine as lights in the world by being led of the Spirit of God where the deeds of the body are mortified (ie. no longer ruled by the lusts of the flesh).
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Immediately after Paul spoke of being the chief of sinners he wrote...
1Ti 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
1Ti 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
It is through Paul that Jesus Christ demonstrated the longsuffering of God that we may all believe on Him unto life everlasting. Sentiment Paul echoed when he wrote...
Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
A pattern to be made manifest where we are indeed redeemed from all iniquity and made pure.
Tit 2:7
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Tit 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Tit 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
Tit 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that
he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Paul taught heart purity as opposed to perpetual wretchedness.
If God could transform Paul from being a persecutor of Christian's, a man who sought his righteousness in the letter of the law, a man who did not love his neighbour, a man who blasphemed God, into a man pure before God walking blameless by a faith that worked by love fighting the good fight of faith unto the end then God can most certainly transform all of us in like manner.
So while Paul claimed to be the chief of sinners he was not implying perpetual inward wickedness whilst in the flesh, rather he contrasting the transformation from darkness to light in those who believe.
Jesus taught heart purity and He meant it.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
The purpose of the commandment is to manifest heart purity in those who might believe.
1Ti 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
. Their religion teaches that you have to lead a sinless life. They are taught that all are born sin free and at their judgement there have weighing scales weighing up the good and bad. It must be so scary for them to live their life in fear!