Excuses
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S
What is sin?
Sin is separation from God.
The command to "stop sinning," then, means that we are to draw near to God and stay close to Him in all things. As Christians, the Law does not apply to us; we are under grace. This doesn't mean we are to do things that abuse that grace (Romans 6:15), nor does it mean that we are legalistic robots commanded to do specific things and those things only.
Paul said that all things are permitted, yet not all things are profitable; therefore, the question becomes "what is sin to us, as individuals?" I say it's anything that takes us away from God, no matter what it is - even if it's something like going to church, if going to church takes us away from the Presence of God.
I wrote more about this on my blog, and I go a little more into detail than I think would be appropriate here. If you're interested: Where should we be willing to go?
Sin is separation from God.
The command to "stop sinning," then, means that we are to draw near to God and stay close to Him in all things. As Christians, the Law does not apply to us; we are under grace. This doesn't mean we are to do things that abuse that grace (Romans 6:15), nor does it mean that we are legalistic robots commanded to do specific things and those things only.
Paul said that all things are permitted, yet not all things are profitable; therefore, the question becomes "what is sin to us, as individuals?" I say it's anything that takes us away from God, no matter what it is - even if it's something like going to church, if going to church takes us away from the Presence of God.
I wrote more about this on my blog, and I go a little more into detail than I think would be appropriate here. If you're interested: Where should we be willing to go?
Unless the nature in man is changed through Christ, it is impossible for any
of us to not sin, God does not judge according to the outward appearance
but according to the Heart.
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Blessings
of us to not sin, God does not judge according to the outward appearance
but according to the Heart.
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
Blessings
C
There is one way and that is is love the Lord more than any other desire that you might have (ie. to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength). It possible but it is much easier said than done.
Do you remember when you first met the love of your life, how you would do absolutely anything for them, go absolutely anywhere to be with them and stop doing anything that you felt might hurt them? If we then are willing to do anything and go anywhere for a person, don't you think it is possible to feel the same way about God? This is the kind of love that we must have for the Lord. It is this kind of love which will inspires us and strengthen us to live holy lives.
However, this love is not something we can just muster up for ourselves. It must come from intimacy with Christ, knowing Him for who is and what He has done on such an intimate level that it transforms us from the inside out. That is why intimacy with the Lord is so important, not prayer or fasting or worship can save us but because these things help us to draw closer to the One who does save.
Obedience without love is nothing but cold religious legalism...
C
While I agree that a healthy fear of the Lord is important in our Christian walk, fear will not keep you from sinning. I can't count the number of people that I have encountered over the years who live a lifestyle of sin knowing full well that if they died tonight they would go to hell.
The only thing that will motivate us to let go of those things which make us stumble is to love God more than we love the desires of this world. Would loving parent would not do anything, go anywhere, make any sacrifice anything, including their own lives, for their children? If we can have this kind of love for the Lord then we could lead a victorious life over the desires of this fallen world.
C
Scripture plainly teaches in Ephesians 4 that sin does grieve the Holy Spirit, who is by all means is the Spirit of the living God, His Divine nature residing within us and working through us. In fact, Peter writes in 1st Peter 3 that whatever it is you reap, you shall sow. Thus if you sow love, love will return to you. However if you sow iniquity then iniquity will return to you as well. Yes, God's grace does in deed abound however, grace is not nor has ever been a license to sin.
God bestows His grace upon us so that we might better understand and fall in love with who and what He is. And it is that love, inspired by grace, which inspires us to live holy lives. If the grace of God does not inspire you to want to change your lifestyle from that of sin and selfishness to a lifestyle of love, grace and righteousness then I seriously doubt that a person has ever encountered the the authentic grace of God at all.
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Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Intimacy with God, through His Spirit
Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Intimacy with God, through His Spirit
B
Well, it is a little late for this old man to get into this! In a nut shell, walk in the Spirit & you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. That old man is dead, crucified with Christ. Dead I tell you! Dead!!! It is finished!! Don't bother to know yourself after the flesh. Cleaned up flesh, is still flesh. Sinless flesh is religious, & self rightous. Walk in the Spirit!! God Bless Mark!
L
That is the only way to overcome to walk in the spirit. Also we become overcomers by surrender
Romans 6:16
(16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
If we surrender to God day by day, moment by moment then God can work in us
Philippians 2:13
(13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Romans 6:16
(16) Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
If we surrender to God day by day, moment by moment then God can work in us
Philippians 2:13
(13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
I like your thoughts here. I would however add one thing to it that is also true.
Love without obedience is nothing either.
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
See the point is this. if someone says they love Him yet do not obey Him then their love is shallow and false. but if someone says they obey him yet there is no love then their obedience is false and shallow.
both must be lifted up, not one higher than the other. Love and obedience are together. one does not supersede the other in true love. If you truly love then you will obey. IF you truly obey then you have to first love.
We can not love and not obey, just as we can not obey and not love.
Blessings.
Love without obedience is nothing either.
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
See the point is this. if someone says they love Him yet do not obey Him then their love is shallow and false. but if someone says they obey him yet there is no love then their obedience is false and shallow.
both must be lifted up, not one higher than the other. Love and obedience are together. one does not supersede the other in true love. If you truly love then you will obey. IF you truly obey then you have to first love.
We can not love and not obey, just as we can not obey and not love.
Blessings.