wait.
Scott.
okay....i have to sign off because this is so confusing.
you said all sin ceases.
now you said you do sin and confess.
i can't handle this.
i gotta go
Rebellion ceases.
This ceases...
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Lying, cheating, stealing, adultery, porn watching, getting drunk etc. are sins of the flesh. That stuff MUST cease. That stuff is rooted in iniquity, ie. selfishness.
It is very different to misjudging something or prioritising wrong. I have been late for a work appointment that was scheduled due to trying to finish an article and pushing time to the edge. This was wrong of me because I am responsible to be to my appointments on time for it reflects poorly on the company and my professionalism. Therefore I have had to realise it was wrong and confess that and change my conduct. Yet that kind of sin was not rooted in iniquity, I had my priorities wrong.
If I were to go and look at porn or get drunk that is a completely different matter because that is willful wrongdoing whereby I would be clearly violating what I knew to be right.
One can only rebel against God by suppressing the light God has given all men. Thus the actual sin in and of itself is not really the issue (hence sin is not imputed without law). The issue is the rebellion, the suppression of the light, the rejection of the Creator.
Jesus said this...
Joh 3:19 And
this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
The rejection of light is what condemns someone, not making a genuine mistake. This is why there must be a clear distinction between sins that lead to death and sins that do not lead to death.
God condemns this...
Rom 1:18 For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because
that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that,
when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
All human beings have been given a measure of light by God. When a child's reasoning capacity develops sufficiently there comes a time when they CHOOSE to suppress that light in order to yield to unrighteousness. It is that action which condemns someone. We are responsible for our own rebellion, not Adam and not Satan. Adam gave us a bad example and brought on the curse while Satan works in the spiritual realm and in the minds of men to deceive humanity.
When an individual sins they bring condemnation on their heads. I do not profess to know when this happens (ie. the age of accountability) I just know it happens. When a person sins once it is easier to sin the next time and over a period of time a natural disposition to sin is wrought in the body and mind (with the spirit being dead to God). Hence the adage of sin begets more sin (not sure if that is actually written in the Bible or not but it rings true to me).
The opposite of that is this...
Rom 1:17 For therein is
the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Righteousness begets more righteousness. Hence a Christian puts on the mind of Christ and yields to the Spirit and they...
GROW GROW GROW
Obedience unto righteousness unto holiness then end of which is everlasting life.
Rom 6:16 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?
Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to
righteousness unto holiness.
Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto
holiness, and the end everlasting life.
GROW GROW GROW
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these
ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2Pe 1:5 And beside this,
giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2Pe 1:6
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 And
to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2Pe 1:8 For
if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren,
give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2Pe 1:11
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Which is the opposite of sin in thought, word and deed everyday ala the twisting of 1Joh 1:8.
We don't sin less, we grow more. Those born of God do not sin (not the sins unto death).
Who does Jesus reject???
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them,
GROW GROW GROW I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not
[REBELLION], shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Hence...
Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Rom 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
Rom 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
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:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness
[One cannot yield to sin and expect to enter the kingdom], indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.