This is an awesome post! The Scriptures that people use to show Paul was a man of sin are actually him identifying with all people so he might win more to Christ. I wrote extensively about Romans 7 in light of Romans 6-8 you might like it since it shows the heart behind what you say here...
C.
I just had to say:
I actually think that Paul was a man of great humility and he had the propensity to overstate his sin and who he was/used to be. Obviously,he was a man who sought to serve/please the Lord but he felt that he fell short . He simply voiced it quite often! Perhaps he had confidence issues ! After all,he was given quite a responsibility to carry out for the Most High! That statement was putting it lightly!! If you have ever had the opportunity to be a leader you will understand that leading in humility gains favor whereas leading in perceived self righteous pride has a tendency to turn people off. Paul had a history of killing christians before regeneration. Perhaps he never got over that and perhaps he over compensated because he never forgave himself as Christ had done!
Here are your verses requested:
How can our minds be continually renewed if we are not putting on a new nature? Its impossible to have a mind renewed and still think and do as we once did...
Ephesians 4:24
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--
1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Ephesians 3:16
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
John 3:6
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Ill add :Our flesh is constantly warring with the spirit. But I can see how fully surrendering to Christ has made me a different person. Of course,God is still molding me and cleaning up my mess. But, I can see what God has done with me. I dont even recognize the gal I used to be and for that I cannot even convey how grateful and thankful I am that he is continually changing me!! All to the honor,glory, and praise go to the Father! I am simply the lump of clay
C.
I just had to say:
I actually think that Paul was a man of great humility and he had the propensity to overstate his sin and who he was/used to be. Obviously,he was a man who sought to serve/please the Lord but he felt that he fell short . He simply voiced it quite often! Perhaps he had confidence issues ! After all,he was given quite a responsibility to carry out for the Most High! That statement was putting it lightly!! If you have ever had the opportunity to be a leader you will understand that leading in humility gains favor whereas leading in perceived self righteous pride has a tendency to turn people off. Paul had a history of killing christians before regeneration. Perhaps he never got over that and perhaps he over compensated because he never forgave himself as Christ had done!
Here are your verses requested:
How can our minds be continually renewed if we are not putting on a new nature? Its impossible to have a mind renewed and still think and do as we once did...
Ephesians 4:24
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him--
1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Ephesians 3:16
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
John 3:6
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Ill add :Our flesh is constantly warring with the spirit. But I can see how fully surrendering to Christ has made me a different person. Of course,God is still molding me and cleaning up my mess. But, I can see what God has done with me. I dont even recognize the gal I used to be and for that I cannot even convey how grateful and thankful I am that he is continually changing me!! All to the honor,glory, and praise go to the Father! I am simply the lump of clay