Can a Christian be sinless, perfect?

[Laodicea]

​Really! Is it possible that we can survive one day without sin?
Why did Jesus command such an impossible thing when He said, "Be perfect even as your Father which is heaven is perfect", and then contradicting, "No one is good accept God"

Yes it is possible as long as we have on the robe of Christ's righteousness. When we are tempted our job is to surrender to Christ. By doing this He will work in us.

Romans 6:16 KJV
(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?

Philippians 1:6 KJV
(6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

[newbirth]

In Ro 1-3 Paul is establishing the unrighteousness of all mankind, Jew and Gentile alike.

In Ro 1:18 Paul is speaking of the unrighteousness of the Gentiles, not of believers.

you are using scripture to suit your own doctrine....Rom 1:8 is not a stand alone verse in this context...how do unbelievers hold the truth....they don't....believers hold the truth and we are commanded to hold the truth in righteousness....those who hold the truth in unrighteousness will receive the wrath of God...I don't see Paul addressing his epistles to unbelieving gentiles....and it is clear the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men....it could not be more general than that...


[SUP]15 [/SUP]So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

[SUP]19 [/SUP]Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

 

[newbirth]

=Elin;1898122]I will be without habitual sin, a sinful lifestyle, but I will not be sinless until I die.

then you do not believe that you were purged from your old sins......

Are you saying your behavior has been perfect since you were saved?

you are assuming someone said that...God cleaned you of your past sins..made you a new creature...and told you to abide in him and sin not...if you walk in the light the blood of Jesus cleanses you of all sins ....if you sin you confess your sin and he is faithful and just to forgive you of all unrighteousness....with an assurance like that why do you carry around sins????

Why is the NT filled with so many exhortations to believers against sinning, if we are perfectly sinless at salvation?

in a multitude of water the fool is thirsty

But this is not making sense.

So I'm saved, but I am still sinning until I admit that I have sinned, and then Christ empowers me to no longer sin?
So I can be saved and still be a sinner.

the HS in you is the power to say no to sin...if you follow the Spirit you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh.....you sin because you were drawn away from Christ....and followed your flesh....

I think psychomom says it best:

"i am a sinner saved by grace; not a 'sinless perfectionist'.
and i never really thought i'd have to make that clarification. "

And all God's people said, "Amen!"

and what were you saved from???Christ came to save us from sin and death...by confessing you are still a sinner you are saying Christ did not save you from sin

Christ/God has the power to do whatever he wills.
That is not the issue.

it becomes an issue depending on your answer....

The issue is what he wills, which is revealed in his word, and where our disagreement lies.

and it is clear you are disagreeing with His word

 

[psychomom]

aren't Christians between the 'now' and the 'not yet' ?

we have been given the perfect righteousness of Christ, and God sees us as He sees Jesus.

yet we still live in these mortal bodies and are (can't say it better)
'prone to wander, Lord i feel it, prone to leave the God i love' ?

i don't want to...i try not to (by staying close to Christ)...yet there are times i still sin,
confess it, receive forgiveness and keep moving forward.
is this not everyone? no? only me?

Ps 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

 

[Elin]

aren't Christians between the 'now' and the 'not yet' ?

we have been given the perfect righteousness of Christ, and God sees us as He sees Jesus.

yet we still live in these mortal bodies and are (can't say it better)
'prone to wander, Lord i feel it, prone to leave the God i love' ?

My absolutely favorite line in all the hymns!

i don't want to...i try not to (by staying close to Christ)...yet there are times i still sin,
confess it, receive forgiveness and keep moving forward.
is this not everyone? no? only me?

Ps 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

 

[psychomom]

My absolutely favorite line in all the hymns!

i love it, too, but perhaps it's because i relate to it so well.

even more do i love the words before it...
'let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee'.

amen!

 

[DiscipleDave]

​Really! Is it possible that we can survive one day without sin?
Why did Jesus command such an impossible thing when He said, "Be perfect even as your Father which is heaven is perfect", and then contradicting, "No one is good accept God"

With man it is impossible, but If Jesus is your Strength and Power, it is very possible. i am proof of it. i do not knowingly and willingly commit any sin against my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With every temptation that comes upon me, Jesus allows a path out for me, He also makes sure i can handle it. This is the narrow and difficult path that only a very few will take.
A good tree does not produce any bad fruits, Many claim to be a good tree, yet they produce one or two bad fruits, Any tree that produces any bad fruits is a bad tree.
Again, with man it is impossible, but with God it is very possible, i know, i live it.

Read all my articles by clicking the website below. It is possible, the question is, what are you willing to give up for Jesus?
Many say they are willing to give up their lives for Him, yet they do not give up the sin that so easily besets them.
Jesus gave His life for me, i in a like manner have given my life to Him, i do all things to please Him, i am His slave and servant, i do not knowingly and willingly commit any sin. What does the Bible call those who can't cease from sin? Cursed Children. Do you know why they are cursed? Because if a person believes it is not possible, they will never try will they? It is only when you believe (faith) that it is possible, and try, that is when Jesus will give you His Strength, His Power, to overcome all temptations that may come upon you. But as long as you think it is not possible, its not for you.

^i^ responding to OP

 

[ChristInUs]

Was Paul sinless and perfect? Was Peter sinless and perfect? Min you that Paul had to get in Peter's face about dining with Gentiles.

 

[Sirk]

Of course they can:

http://christianchat.com/miscellaneous/108030-its-not-easy.html

 

[Jeff_56]

Was Paul sinless and perfect? Was Peter sinless and perfect? Min you that Paul had to get in Peter's face about dining with Gentiles.

well, paul and peter are sinless and perfect now.

 

[ChristInUs]

well, paul and peter are sinless and perfect now.

yeah know but not while in the flesh.

 

[Jeff_56]

yahweh decides and accomplishes all that yahweh says (yahweh guards his word - it's always true, no matter what men say).

yahweh made everything simple, his word is pure and true. man corrupted everything and complicated it all.

 

[gotime]

Can a Christian stop sinning altogether?

Depends on your view of Jesus.

Is He the creator?
Did He destroy the works of the Devil?

There is your answer.

The problem here is people are letting the fact that we grow make sin ok. Yes we grow but growing indicates a change.

For what plant grows yet remains the same, Or what child grows and remains a child?

So it with those who are born of the Spirit, the grow from faith to faith till all sin is banished by the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can't get closer to Jesus without getting further from sin.

 

[gotime]

Is Paul and Peter our example?

I thought Jesus was, and He did no sin.

1Co_15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.


1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.


1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

again if we suffer in the flesh as He did we cease from sin.

 

[michael56]

If a Christian could reach the point of ceasing from all sin they would no longer need a saviour, I still do

 

[tribesman]

Is Paul and Peter our example?

I thought Jesus was, and He did no sin.

1Co_15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.


1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.


1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

again if we suffer in the flesh as He did we cease from sin.

Are you saying that you think it is possible for any man to be exactly literally as Jesus (given man once have repented and willing it hard enough) or are you saying that by having Jesus as our prime example we are to strive to be like Jesus? Do you understand the difference?

Do you think that the law of God implies literal sinless perfection (exactly like God is) or does it imply that even the Saints of the Most High cannot be literally sinless (exactly like God is) and therefore are alluded to the atonement, reconciliation and cleansing that the law points to?

This is the really crucial question. Even for the Saints of the Most High "at their best" confession and absolution is a reality.

 

[clittle]

With man it is impossible, but If Jesus is your Strength and Power, it is very possible. i am proof of it. i do not knowingly and willingly commit any sin against my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With every temptation that comes upon me, Jesus allows a path out for me, He also makes sure i can handle it. This is the narrow and difficult path that only a very few will take.
A good tree does not produce any bad fruits, Many claim to be a good tree, yet they produce one or two bad fruits, Any tree that produces any bad fruits is a bad tree.
Again, with man it is impossible, but with God it is very possible, i know, i live it.

Read all my articles by clicking the website below. It is possible, the question is, what are you willing to give up for Jesus?
Many say they are willing to give up their lives for Him, yet they do not give up the sin that so easily besets them.
Jesus gave His life for me, i in a like manner have given my life to Him, i do all things to please Him, i am His slave and servant, i do not knowingly and willingly commit any sin. What does the Bible call those who can't cease from sin? Cursed Children. Do you know why they are cursed? Because if a person believes it is not possible, they will never try will they? It is only when you believe (faith) that it is possible, and try, that is when Jesus will give you His Strength, His Power, to overcome all temptations that may come upon you. But as long as you think it is not possible, its not for you.

^i^ responding to OP

who do you say the Apostle John is addressing when he makes the plain statement that if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us?

 

[gotime]

If a Christian could reach the point of ceasing from all sin they would no longer need a saviour, I still do

How can that be so?

If you had only sinned one time in your whole life then you would still need a savior.

and the only possible way to cease is to have a relationship with Jesus and to trust in His power. no power from Jesus then you will sin,

So I beg to differ, because the only way a Christian could cease from all sin would be because they have a saviour.

So I put it forth that your statement is false and that a Christian who ceases from sin is not one who needs not a Saviour but rather is one who has realized their total dependence every moment on their Saviour.

 

[michael56]

How can that be so?

If you had only sinned one time in your whole life then you would still need a savior.

and the only possible way to cease is to have a relationship with Jesus and to trust in His power. no power from Jesus then you will sin,

So I beg to differ, because the only way a Christian could cease from all sin would be because they have a saviour.

So I put it forth that your statement is false and that a Christian who ceases from sin is not one who needs not a Saviour but rather is one who has realized their total dependence every moment on their Saviour.

ANY PERSON WHO BELIEVES THEY HAVE CEASED FROM ALL SIN DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LAW OF GOD TRULY DEMANDS.

 

[gotime]

Are you saying that you think it is possible for any man to be exactly literally as Jesus (given man once have repented and willing it hard enough) or are you saying that by having Jesus as our prime example we are to strive to be like Jesus? Do you understand the difference?

Do you think that the law of God implies literal sinless perfection (exactly like God is) or does it imply that even the Saints of the Most High cannot be literally sinless (exactly like God is) and therefore are alluded to the atonement, reconciliation and cleansing that the law points to?

This is the really crucial question. Even for the Saints of the Most High "at their best" confession and absolution is a reality.

I go with what peter said as quoted.

I believe that Jesus is stronger than our sinful nature and in Christ it is put to death.

This is not a question about what you and I can or can't do, Jesus answered that one:

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

This is a question of what Can God do now that we have been reconciled to Him by the blood of Jesus.

I believe that He who created the heavens and the Earth, who made man from the dust of the earth and his own breath and made man in his image. I believe He can re-create me back into His image by His word spoken through the Law and the Prophets and the Apostles and His Son Jesus.

I believe that the voice who said let there be light and there was, who said peace be still and the wind and waves obeyed, who said come forth and the dead raised to life.

I believe that God can heal me of my sin fully. I believe that He who called sickness and spirits to depart from those who had no strength to help themselves Has the same power to call me from a life of sin to a life of holiness.

I believe that when God speaks then power is supplied through His words accessed by Faith/Trust in Him.

I believe that sin originated from the Devil and Jesus destroyed the works of the Devil.

I believe that God can take out my heart of stone from whence evil comes and give me a heart of flesh as promised.

I believe that God can make me a new creature and that my evil nature is put to death through the blood and life of Christ.

I believe anything is possible with God.

And I don't let experience dictate what is or is not possible but rather I trust In Jesus and His word.