Is God's Grace Sufficient to Keep Us from Sinning?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Aug 27, 2023
823
212
43
#41
In my view, yes. Why not? God made people for marriage.
I hopefully will never be married--always been single (intentionally).
God made people for marriage.
Indeed, but are there rules that must be followed?🤔
Deut 7:1-4
1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. (KJV)

Exod 34:11-16
11 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:
13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;
16 And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. (KJV)

Judg 14:2-4
2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.
4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. (KJV)

Gen 28:6-9
6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padan-aram;
8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife. (KJV)

Gen 24:1-8
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. (KJV)

Gen 27:46
46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me? (KJV)
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
1,674
113
#42
Can a Christian live the rest of his life without sinning? Can a Christian go a day without sinning?
Because all born again believers are saddled with the body of this death (Rom 7:24), there is always the possibility that we can be drawn away through the lust of the flesh. Sin results when we act on the lusts of our flesh.

And the adversary of our Father ... aka the god of this world ... will use any means at his disposal to entice us away from our hiding place where we are safe. God has given us everything we need to overcome sin.

I like Hebrews 11 were we read of those who have gone before us in faith. I love the verse about Moses ... Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb 11:25).

Can I choose to suffer the momentary affliction (temptation) ... rather than enjoy the temporary pleasure of sin ? ... that's where the rubber meets the road. And if I find myself struggling over this, I know I've left my hiding place ...

Thank God for His abounding grace, mercy, love ...
.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#43
I have encountered Christians who say that they sin every day. One preacher did not think it was possible to live without sin. Can a Christian live the rest of his life without sinning? Can a Christian go a day without sinning?
No. God's grace provides for salvation, not sinless perfection. God's grace also provides the opportunity for repentance, which we should practice daily.

Ephesians 4:26
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

We should not allow even righteous anger to result in wrath, but if it does, we can and should immediately repent.

Someday we shall live in a sinless state, but that is yet to come. Plead the blood of Jesus.
 

jb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
591
113
#44
Rom 5v20: "But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God's unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded." [AMP]

With 2Cor 12v9 and Rom 8v2...

God's Grace is MUCH MORE than sufficient to give us victory over sin!

This is how Paul did it...1Cor 9v24-27
 
Jun 20, 2022
6,460
1,330
113
#45
Is God's Grace Sufficient to Keep Us from Sinning?




If a person thinks, because God is doing a "work in me," and i know He is going to perfect me when He returns, so, my sinning must just be part of the process so let's enjoy life while we sin....

or, if a person thinks, because God is doing a "work in me," and i know He is to perfect me when He returns, so, my sinning should start to decrease and i am putting more effort in reflecting the WORK GOD is doing in me by not wanting to be "willing" to sin...

for me, the question : Is God's Grace Sufficient to Keep Us from Sinning?

fits the second example, of how people interpret, God Working, in "them" until "they are" perfected.
 

JohnB

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#46
I have encountered Christians who say that they sin every day. One preacher did not think it was possible to live without sin. Can a Christian live the rest of his life without sinning? Can a Christian go a day without sinning?

I Corinthians 10
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
(NKJV)

Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
(NKJV)
Have you watched any movies or tv shows lately? Have you watched the actions of our government and politicians and not gotten angry?
 
Mar 23, 2016
7,021
1,674
113
#47
In reality, the grace of God teaches us to not sin ...

Titus 2:

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

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.

15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,165
1,795
113
#48
Have you watched any movies or tv shows lately? Have you watched the actions of our government and politicians and not gotten angry?
Can you explain how your questions are relevant to the topic? Do you consider anger to be a sin in all cases?

Ephesians 4 says 'be angry and sin not' or some modern translations say in your anger do not sin.

Regarding prayer, we are told:
I Timothy 2;8
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

The passage goes on to give women instructions. Maybe men are a bit more prone to anger about some of these things.
 
B

beaglehound

Guest
#49
Great questions by the OP.

Can a believer live one's entire life without sinning. In my opinion no.
Can one live through a day without sinning. Certainly!
And I'm sure most of us accomplish the latter more often than not.
Believing we will be able to go through life without stumbling here and there is unrealistic and impossible as far as I'm concerned. We do our best to run the good race. That is what the Lord asks of us. To try out best.

I think of certain persons that I consider very godly persons. I would even make the assumption they no longer sin. Such an assumption would be a mistake for those individuals would be the first to admit that they are sinners, forgiven yes, but still with a propensity to sin.

Each of us is a work in progress. We are not a completed work. That comes later. We need to embrace the reality of our human frailty.
There is a lovely poem out there called Footprints. It pretty much answers the OP's questions.
 
B

beaglehound

Guest
#50
Great questions by the OP.

Can a believer live one's entire life without sinning. In my opinion no.
Can one live through a day without sinning. Certainly!
And I'm sure most of us accomplish the latter more often than not.
Believing we will be able to go through life without stumbling here and there is unrealistic and impossible as far as I'm concerned. We do our best to run the good race. That is what the Lord asks of us. To try out best.

I think of certain persons that I consider very godly persons. I would even make the assumption they no longer sin. Such an assumption would be a mistake for those individuals would be the first to admit that they are sinners, forgiven yes, but still with a propensity to sin.

Each of us is a work in progress. We are not a completed work. That comes later. We need to embrace the reality of our human frailty.
There is a lovely poem out there called Footprints. It pretty much answers the OP's questions.
No. God's grace provides for salvation, not sinless perfection. God's grace also provides the opportunity for repentance, which we should practice daily.

Ephesians 4:26
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

We should not allow even righteous anger to result in wrath, but if it does, we can and should immediately repent.

Someday we shall live in a sinless state, but that is yet to come. Plead the blood of Jesus.
Excellent answer👍
 

JohnB

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#51
Can you explain how your questions are relevant to the topic? Do you consider anger to be a sin in all cases?

Ephesians 4 says 'be angry and sin not' or some modern translations say in your anger do not sin.

Regarding prayer, we are told:
I Timothy 2;8
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

The passage goes on to give women instructions. Maybe men are a bit more prone to anger about some of these things.

Some people think to be sinless you can never have an evil thought. Try doing that in today's society.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,654
5,908
113
#52
I have encountered Christians who say that they sin every day. One preacher did not think it was possible to live without sin. Can a Christian live the rest of his life without sinning? Can a Christian go a day without sinning?

I Corinthians 10
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
(NKJV)

Philippians 2:12-13
Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
(NKJV)
Gods grace found in the everlasting gospel is always sufficient but we have to hear what he’s teaching

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. …..If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32, 34, 36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

and then hear what his apostles were actually saying in regards to what he said

“But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:20-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the word “ grace “ won’t help anyone it will become this

“For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭

some use grace as if it means “ now we don’t need to obey God anymore we’re already saved and perfect there’s nothing to change or hesr and believe now “ this becomes a liscense to freely live as you want and still claim your a child of God saved and redeemed ect it becomes a liscense to have no law or rule to act lasciviously without reprocussion this isn’t Gods grace gids grace is found when we begin to hear the truth and let it be true

Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As we begin to hear and acknolwedge the truth we find repentance

“in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We need set free from that snare where Satan actually has influence and dominion over our lives because he’s leading us to death like a snare or trap gods grace includes Jesus teachings that teach us to repent and obey him

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

awe have to be careful of how someone is explaining “ grace “ if they are insisting that grace means we don’t need to hear and believe what Jesus said and don’t need to obey god anymore now because of grace …..it’s obviously not from God god is never going to teach man “ forget what I said is good and evil and about all the consequences I’ve spent ll of time warning you about it no longer matters what you do ….that’s obvious who is behind teaching man obeying gos is not needed

But if grace is found in Christ and the gospel it’s gods grace and will lead us to repentance and obedience to jesus and his words not Moses and his but to Jesus the lords word he sent to all people for salvation

Grace will never remove Jesus words in tbe gospel that is where grace is truly found that changed us in our minds and hearts so we can start living free lives no longer servants of sin

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

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?

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:15-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

remember what Jesus had said

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. …..If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

grace teachings that remove and reinvent salvation arent of God it’s of this warning trying to turn our ears away from the truth that saves us

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬


a lot of folks have just rejected the gospel and so they have to create other ideas that part from what the lord said will save us ultimately the term “ grace “ can be defined by us as meaning “ unwarranted favor “ nd when we then put this lens on to view everything , everything we see becomes irrelevant because we don’t really need to change our thinking or actions according to this new “ don’t do anything Jesus said your already saved by grace “ doctrine created from out of context verses from Paul a

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:15-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Gods true grace is found when we hear the gospel and don’t reject it both the comfort and the teaching and warnkngs he gave us about repentance and living right
 

JohnB

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#53
"and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless " 2 Peter 2:7

If Lot can be called righteous, there is hope for us.
 

Karlon

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2023
2,700
1,234
113
#54
2nd Corinthians 12"9 "......MY GRACE is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness........"
 

JohnB

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#55
2nd Corinthians 12"9 "......MY GRACE is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness........"
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This was given to PAUL and ONLY PAUL. He never applied this to anyone else. It is so easy for Christians to apply this to anyone else in pain. It's true, the Christian army is the only army that shoots its wounded.
 

JohnB

Well-known member
Jul 31, 2022
2,078
456
83
Calif
#56
2nd Corinthians 12"9 "......MY GRACE is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness........"
Paul prayed 3 times, Jesus prayed 3 times. I've had Christians say you should only pray 3 times. That is never what Jesus said about praying.
 
Sep 28, 2023
948
177
43
#57
One preacher did not think it was possible to live without sin.
Anytime a "preacher" claims we're all sinners and he's a sinner.... don't walk away, instead RUN away cause they are going to strap some false calvinism on you!


That will depend on your definition of sin.
Here we go...
 
Oct 2, 2023
47
17
8
#58
I have heard people say, "I am a sinner saved by grace." but
(I John 3: 9) says,
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. and Jesus said to Nicodmus,
John 3:1-7
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The Apostle Paul was distraught and talked about the same conflict,
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The works of the flesh mentioned Galatians 5 are always present in the flesh, but these sins are not "imputed" them who follow Christ. (verse 19)
2 Cor. 5:
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, (not imputing their trespasses unto them); and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
But, many people, just as Nicodemus did, find it difficult to be spiritually instead of being carnally minded.
(Romans 8: 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.)
(Romans 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Through Christ Jesus trespasses of sin are no "imputed" to those who accept His atonement for sins. I John says that we can not sin because God's Spirit remains in us.

And, now in context Paul said, " in Romas 7:
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

As Christians, we must spiritually grow and be Christ like minded and accept that having the desire to please God, and do what is right in His eyes is evidence that we are pure and holy through Christ Jesus,

Phillipians 2:13 says, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. and Jesus said, " Matt, 7; 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,165
1,795
113
#59
If you read carefully you'll see even John the Apostle sinned. We will sin until we see Christ and are perfected by that grace--but the plan, it seems, is we will sin less and less as He increases and we decrease.
John wrote that he that is born of God does not sin. I have seen I John interpreted different ways.
 

2ndTimeIsTheCharm

Well-known member
Feb 17, 2023
1,936
1,133
113
#60
John wrote that he that is born of God does not sin. I have seen I John interpreted different ways.
More specifically:

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.


The key words are "cannot go on" meaning they can't continue living in sin. It implies that one sins less and less as they continue in Christ. Not that they just stop sinning cold turkey the moment they're saved.


🍉