The Wet Paint Principle (Freedom from sin)
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Freedom from Sin: Overcoming the Wet Paint Principle
By Victor Jedidiah
A Blood of the Covenant Tract or Booklet
Preface
May the Lord the Holy Spirit impart to you what He wishes to impart to you as you read this; and also give you discernment that you may be a Berean (Acts 17:11) and sift it wisely in order that you may receive the truth alone. Receive it as on a par with the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13); and yet if anything be unworthy, I pray that He will show you by speaking to you, what you ought to receive and what you ought not to receive. Even though I am the one who wrote this, I read it again and again to remind myself of its truths.
Body
1
1 I am not under the law, am dead to the law, and am delivered from the law—I am not obligated to obey the law for my salvation. Romans 6:14, 7:4, 7:6.
2 But because I am saved, I desire to obey the word, including the law of the Old Testament—I desire to obey the law because I am saved.
3 If I fail to obey the law, I am not condemned—but because I am not condemned—because I am born of God—1 John 3:9—I will not fail to obey the law.
4 If I fail to obey the law, the Lord will not impute it to me as sin—Romans 4:8. Now I cannot sin because I am not under the law, am dead to the law, and am delivered from the law—and sin is the transgression of the law. Because where the law does not apply, there is no transgression. Romans 4:15, 5:13.
5 Therefore I am perfect in Christ no matter what I do—and yet this is predicated on a heart that desires to obey the Lord and all of His commandments—and He is the God of the Old and New Testaments.
6 Because I am born of God I don’t want to sin and I don’t have to sin. Therefore I cannot sin, not because I couldn’t go down that path if I wanted to, but because I don’t want to and don’t have to go down that path.
7 I am under the law to Christ in that I willingly subject myself to the law of God because I am spiritually-minded. Romans 8:7.
8 Now the wet paint principle of the law might take effect, if I begin to think that I am justified by the law. If I base my salvation on my performance rather than on the finished work of Christ on the Cross, then sin will take advantage of the law and I will sin in that thing wherein I base my salvation on my own obedience.
9 But when I begin to understand that nothing can ever separate me from the love of God—not even my violation of the principle of the law—
10 When I begin to understand that I am that blessed man to whom the Lord will not impute sin—the wet paint principle is then dealt with because its power lies in the condemnation that the law brings to the one who is not counted as forever perfect in Christ.
11 The wet paint principle has its effect because we begin to think that we are saved through our obedience and the Lord will not allow this to compete with the Cross as our means of salvation. So God will allow us to sin so that we will be driven to the Cross as the only remedy for sin.
12 When we stay on the Cross as the only remedy for sin, then it truly acts as the remedy for sin at every level, and obedience is produced within us because we are born of God and are abiding in Him.
13 As those who are abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are subject in our minds to the law of God for that we are not carnally-minded. Romans 8:7.
14 The wet paint principle might begin to take effect any time our focus is on the law—our key to victory being the understanding that I am not saved through law-keeping but through faith in what Christ has done for me.
15 Therefore I obey the law because I am in love with Jesus Christ—and I love Him because He first loved me.
16 I do not obey the law in order to be justified. If I did that, I would be obligated to obey the whole law and would be fallen from grace.
17 But grace has as its effect in my life deliverance from sin—and sin is the transgression of the law.
18 Therefore because I am delivered from sin by the grace of God, I obey the law because obedience to the law is the antonym of its transgression.
19 I obey the word of God because He has redeemed me and because I love Him, with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Because I love Him, I love my neighbor as myself—and on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. And these two are one, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
20 His commandments are not grievous or burdensome—1 John 5:3—and this means they are doable.
21 As one who is born of God, I cannot sin because love is the fulfilling of the law and is also shed abroad in my heart through the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
22 Sin is the transgression of the law, and as long as the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in me, I do not sin.
23 Wherefore if I walk in love I will fulfill the law: for walking in the flesh is the antithesis of love.
24 Therefore I do not sin as long as I am walking according to love.
25 Now I study the law in order that I might learn of the specifics of the love of God. As I read and study, I learn what it means to love the Lord my God with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength—and my neighbor as myself—in more specific ways. I learn the details of how to love God and neighbor by studying the law.
26 And by the law is the knowledge of sin. Therefore when I place my trust in Christ and allow Him to live His life in me and through me, I will walk according to the details of God’s love. But if my trust is not in Christ, the wet paint principle will come into effect, and I will sin against those details of obedience on which I begin to predicate my salvation. And the law will condemn me as a sinner.
27 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 1 John 3:9.
28 Therefore the one who is a saint cannot be a sinner.
29 I am therefore made perfect for ever through faith in Jesus Christ; and this righteousness is not based in the law.
30 I am counted as perfect in Christ because I am born of God; and this means I desire to obey the Lord perfectly.
31 Therefore I obey Jesus because I want to, not because I have to.
32 The law cannot condemn me as long as I place my faith and trust in Christ.
33 Because I am not under the law, am dead to the law, and am delivered from the law, the Father sees me as perfect and I am therefore set free to obey the law to the best of my ability apart from fear of condemnation.
34 The wet paint principle is also stripped of its power because I know that I am accepted in the Beloved.
our key to victory being the understanding that I am not saved through law-keeping but through faith in what Christ has done for me
I like this analogy. If I said to you if you think of a pink rabbit God will condemn you to hell, what is the first thought that would come into your head if you believed me? You'd be terrified wouldn't you of thinking of such a creature, and you would desperately try to avoid thinking about it. But all your efforts would come to nothing. It wouldn't be long, before morning, noon and night you would be thinking of such a creature, it would always be in your mind. The more in earnest you would be to avoid such a situation, the worse it would get. The only reason you would get in that state would be if you believed such a law existed that said you would be condemned if you broke it
Saul the pharisee would have made a commitment to God at the age of 13 I believe for a young Jewish lad. He was obviously raised strictly. Obedience to the law was everything. Before him stands the Ten Commandments, the pinnacle of the law, it must be obeyed if he wants to avoid hell. He knew what thou shalt not covet involved, so, if he wants to attain to Heaven and not be cast into hell he must not covet. And he would have been in earnest about it. His eternity as good as hinges on it. For you cannot pick and choose which laws you do and do not obey. What would be the result, he described it aptly:
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
I read what you wrote, but would just like to concentrate on the following which sums it up well:
our key to victory being the understanding that I am not saved through law-keeping but through faith in what Christ has done for me
I like this analogy. If I said to you if you think of a pink rabbit God will condemn you to hell, what is the first thought that would come into your head if you believed me? You'd be terrified wouldn't you of thinking of such a creature, and you would desperately try to avoid thinking about it. But all your efforts would come to nothing. It wouldn't be long, before morning, noon and night you would be thinking of such a creature, it would always be in your mind. The more in earnest you would be to avoid such a situation, the worse it would get. The only reason you would get in that state would be if you believed such a law existed that said you would be condemned if you broke it
Saul the pharisee would have made a commitment to God at the age of 13 I believe for a young Jewish lad. He was obviously raised strictly. Obedience to the law was everything. Before him stands the Ten Commandments, the pinnacle of the law, it must be obeyed if he wants to avoid hell. He knew what thou shalt not covet involved, so, if he wants to attain to Heaven and not be cast into hell he must not covet. And he would have been in earnest about it. His eternity as good as hinges on it. For you cannot pick and choose which laws you do and do not obey. What would be the result, he described it aptly:
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
our key to victory being the understanding that I am not saved through law-keeping but through faith in what Christ has done for me
I like this analogy. If I said to you if you think of a pink rabbit God will condemn you to hell, what is the first thought that would come into your head if you believed me? You'd be terrified wouldn't you of thinking of such a creature, and you would desperately try to avoid thinking about it. But all your efforts would come to nothing. It wouldn't be long, before morning, noon and night you would be thinking of such a creature, it would always be in your mind. The more in earnest you would be to avoid such a situation, the worse it would get. The only reason you would get in that state would be if you believed such a law existed that said you would be condemned if you broke it
Saul the pharisee would have made a commitment to God at the age of 13 I believe for a young Jewish lad. He was obviously raised strictly. Obedience to the law was everything. Before him stands the Ten Commandments, the pinnacle of the law, it must be obeyed if he wants to avoid hell. He knew what thou shalt not covet involved, so, if he wants to attain to Heaven and not be cast into hell he must not covet. And he would have been in earnest about it. His eternity as good as hinges on it. For you cannot pick and choose which laws you do and do not obey. What would be the result, he described it aptly:
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
I think that you will gain much more insight into the subject if you continue reading.
Yes; I finish out the document with those verses.
I think that you will gain much more insight into the subject if you continue reading.
I think that you will gain much more insight into the subject if you continue reading.
I did read it all, the only concern I would have is if(if) you are suggesting believers could reach sinless perfection. Forgive me if I have misunderstood, but I do not believe any believer will ever perfectly obey the letter of the law. They might want to, but would never achieve such a state. Who has ever perfectly obeyed Christ's commands in the Gospels?
We, as genuine believers, are not obligated to obey the flesh (Romans 8:12 (kjv, NLT)).
I would say that no one can keep the letter of the law (Galatians 6:13); but that the spirit of the law is a different story (Romans 7:6, 8:4).
We, as genuine believers, are not obligated to obey the flesh (Romans 8:12 (kjv, NLT)).
We, as genuine believers, are not obligated to obey the flesh (Romans 8:12 (kjv, NLT)).
I agree with you concerning the Spirit of the law as opposed to the letter of the law. For the Spirit of the law allows for the humanity of man. ''Thou shalt not'' does not, no wiggle room for any error at all
The spirit of the law does not allow for error either; it requires a man to walk consistently, not after the flesh but after the Spirit (Romans 8:4).
What are you saying here? If you consistently follow after the Spirit you will never deviate? And deviate from what? Could you honestly say you, perfectly obey all of Christ's teachings in the Gospels by consistently following after the Spirit? In all my decades as a christian, I have met no one who has even tried to
In light of such passages (in the kjv) as Philippians 3:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14, 1 John 3:9; 1 John 3:7, 1 john 3:3, 1 John 2:6; Jude 1:24, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:10; Romans 6:6, Colossians 2:11; Romans 8:12 (kjv, NLT); 1 John 1:5 and 3:5 in light of 1 John 5:20, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:30, and 1 Peter 5:14.
We are definitely intended by God to try to obtain the goal of entire sanctification.
In light of such passages (in the kjv) as Philippians 3:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14, 1 John 3:9; 1 John 3:7, 1 john 3:3, 1 John 2:6; Jude 1:24, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:10; Romans 6:6, Colossians 2:11; Romans 8:12 (kjv, NLT); 1 John 1:5 and 3:5 in light of 1 John 5:20, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:30, and 1 Peter 5:14.
In light of such passages (in the kjv) as Philippians 3:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Hebrews 10:14, 1 John 3:9; 1 John 3:7, 1 john 3:3, 1 John 2:6; Jude 1:24, 2 Peter 1:10, 1 John 2:10; Romans 6:6, Colossians 2:11; Romans 8:12 (kjv, NLT); 1 John 1:5 and 3:5 in light of 1 John 5:20, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:30, and 1 Peter 5:14.
Yet Job was "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1).
In 1 John 1:8, we find that the scripture does not say, "If we do no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."
The scripture in question speaks of indwelling sin.
Now indwelling sin can be rendered dead (Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:24, Romans 7:8) so that it no longer has any say over our behaviour (Romans 6:14).
We are not obligated to obey the flesh (Romans 8:12 (kjv,NLT).
Therefore we can walk consistently, not after the flesh but after the Spirit, for an extended period of time; even for the rest of our lives (Luke 1:74-75).
The doctrine of the inevitability of sin, for the believer, is therefore a false doctrine and a heresy.
The scripture in question speaks of indwelling sin.
Now indwelling sin can be rendered dead (Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:24, Romans 7:8) so that it no longer has any say over our behaviour (Romans 6:14).
We are not obligated to obey the flesh (Romans 8:12 (kjv,NLT).
Therefore we can walk consistently, not after the flesh but after the Spirit, for an extended period of time; even for the rest of our lives (Luke 1:74-75).
The doctrine of the inevitability of sin, for the believer, is therefore a false doctrine and a heresy.
If even one person never committed sin their whole life there would have been no need for Christ to die at Calvary would there. For man could have attained to his own righteousness under the law. You would be advised to consider verses, taking the whole of the bible into account. Job weas obviously not perfect in everything was he. God rebuked him!
In 1 John 1:8, we find that the scripture does not say, "If we do no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."
The scripture in question speaks of indwelling sin.
Now indwelling sin can be rendered dead (Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:24, Romans 7:8) so that it no longer has any say over our behaviour (Romans 6:14).
We are not obligated to obey the flesh (Romans 8:12 (kjv,NLT).
Therefore we can walk consistently, not after the flesh but after the Spirit, for an extended period of time; even for the rest of our lives (Luke 1:74-75).
The doctrine of the inevitability of sin is therefore a false doctrine and a heresy.
The scripture in question speaks of indwelling sin.
Now indwelling sin can be rendered dead (Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:24, Romans 7:8) so that it no longer has any say over our behaviour (Romans 6:14).
We are not obligated to obey the flesh (Romans 8:12 (kjv,NLT).
Therefore we can walk consistently, not after the flesh but after the Spirit, for an extended period of time; even for the rest of our lives (Luke 1:74-75).
The doctrine of the inevitability of sin is therefore a false doctrine and a heresy.
If someone stole something of yours would you gladly give them more than what they stole with nothing but love in your heart for them?
If you have ever fasted have you made sure you never even hinted to no one that you were fasting?
If someone asked to borrow from you would you gladly give to them without ever expecting anything back?
Do you truly in your heart love your enemies, those who may be unkind to you or persecute you?
Do you leap for joy if you are persecuted?
Do you make sure you have no impure thoughts?
I could go on and on, don't just get fixated by theology, consider the implications of it.
Hi @Faithiskey1,
As believers in Christ, we are not under the law, are dead to the law, and are delivered from the law.
So, the requirement of such specific things as you have spoken of do not apply in condemnation;
And therefore we are set free to obey those things when the opportunity arises;
Not as an obligation but as a privilege.
What matters most is that we are led of the Spirit (Romans 8:14).
If therefore I have never invited the poor, the lame, or the blind into my home so that I might have a reward in heaven; but if i do walk according to the Spirit so that I give money to the poor in order that they might have a meal;
It is not the letter of what is written that will condemn me but my obedience to the spirit of what is written will declare me as righteous in the practical sense.
As believers in Christ, we are not under the law, are dead to the law, and are delivered from the law.
So, the requirement of such specific things as you have spoken of do not apply in condemnation;
And therefore we are set free to obey those things when the opportunity arises;
Not as an obligation but as a privilege.
What matters most is that we are led of the Spirit (Romans 8:14).
If therefore I have never invited the poor, the lame, or the blind into my home so that I might have a reward in heaven; but if i do walk according to the Spirit so that I give money to the poor in order that they might have a meal;
It is not the letter of what is written that will condemn me but my obedience to the spirit of what is written will declare me as righteous in the practical sense.
Hi @Faithiskey1,
As believers in Christ, we are not under the law, are dead to the law, and are delivered from the law.
So, the requirement of such specific things as you have spoken of do not apply in condemnation;
And therefore we are set free to obey those things when the opportunity arises;
Not as an obligation but as a privilege.
What matters most is that we are led of the Spirit (Romans 8:14).
If therefore I have never invited the poor, the lame, or the blind into my home so that I might have a reward in heaven; but if i do walk according to the Spirit so that I give money to the poor in order that they might have a meal;
It is not the letter of what is written that will condemn me but my obedience to the spirit of what is written will declare me as righteous in the practical sense.
As believers in Christ, we are not under the law, are dead to the law, and are delivered from the law.
So, the requirement of such specific things as you have spoken of do not apply in condemnation;
And therefore we are set free to obey those things when the opportunity arises;
Not as an obligation but as a privilege.
What matters most is that we are led of the Spirit (Romans 8:14).
If therefore I have never invited the poor, the lame, or the blind into my home so that I might have a reward in heaven; but if i do walk according to the Spirit so that I give money to the poor in order that they might have a meal;
It is not the letter of what is written that will condemn me but my obedience to the spirit of what is written will declare me as righteous in the practical sense.
No one will be sinless in this life, and if they believe they are, Christ is irrelevant to them, for what need have they now for a saviour from sin. The only way you could claim sinlessness is to dumb down the law of God from the pristene level it is set at. And how can anyone do that, for the law is now in their most inward parts
1Jo 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1Jo 3:5, And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jo 3:6, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jo 3:7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jo 3:8, He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jo 3:9, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I don't know about you; but I do not judge these verses on the basis of my experience; rather I judge my experience on the basis of these verses.
1Jo 3:5, And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jo 3:6, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jo 3:7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jo 3:8, He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jo 3:9, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I don't know about you; but I do not judge these verses on the basis of my experience; rather I judge my experience on the basis of these verses.
1Jo 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1Jo 3:5, And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jo 3:6, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jo 3:7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jo 3:8, He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jo 3:9, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I don't know about you; but I do not judge these verses on the basis of my experience; rather I judge my experience on the basis of these verses.
1Jo 3:5, And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jo 3:6, Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jo 3:7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jo 3:8, He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jo 3:9, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
I don't know about you; but I do not judge these verses on the basis of my experience; rather I judge my experience on the basis of these verses.
The measure you use to judge others will be used to judge you Matt7:2