Gary wrote: > Rom 6:12 -- Therefore do not let sin reign in your > mortal body so that you obey its lusts, > > the Ap Paul knows that sin is present; sin > demands to 'reign' in him; therefore, the > command--think about it--'do not let sin reign' > is either a radical modification of JCs 'be ye > perfect' or it is exactly what JC (the King) meant > by it
I'm not sure what you have in mind about how it would ever be considered a radical modification of "be ye perfect." Clearly, we are in agreement that Paul's statement is right in line with what Jesus taught. To obey the teaching to be perfect as our heavenly father is to not let sin reign in our mortal bodies. Some think that because we have mortal bodies, that sin will reign in our life. It is the idea that we sin because we are human. At some point, they think we must succumb to sin's desire to rule us because we live in a mortal, fleshly body. Paul taught us that this was not so and that we should not let sin reign. Gary wrote: > so, if JC didn't countenance ALL of his people > learning to walk with Him in love, there would > be no sanctification of us--no salvific process > in which JCs people 'grow', a sound NT word/concept > throughout Sanctification (but not begin free of sin) is a process, I agree, but salvation? You are losing me on this one. Why do you see salvation as a process? We are freed of the power of sin when we believe upon Jesus Christ. It is immediate and instantaneous. This is what faith and grace is all about. Then we begin to grow and perfect holiness in the sight of God, without sinning along the way. Jesus grew and matured without sinning, and so should we when we are in him. His life showed us that this is the path of life for us. Gary wrote: > relative to NT 'growth', if the Ap Paul expected > absolute perfection of certain individuals as it > is employed/twisted here--i.e., twisted to mean > absolute obedient legal behavioral sinlessness > at all times and forever right now--there would > be no NT such as (e.g.) I,II Corinthians where > believers' sins are 'treated', not abolished-- > they are taught, encouraged to 'grow', not > to comply..indeed! there would be no bible outside > of an angel walkin' guard at the gates of Eden You aren't making much sense to me here. There is no doubt that some of the Christians were having a problem with sin. However, the question is whether that sin in their life was normal (expected), or whether it was evidence that they were failing to apprehend Christ through faith. I think the sin was evidence of their failing to apprehend Christ through faith. They were like Peter on the water beginning to sink, or the disciples when they could not cast devils out of someone. If the Christians were not expected to turn away from sin, then most of these letters would not make any sense at all. In these letters, the Christians are taught not to fellowship with anyone in their ranks that sin (1 Cor. 5:11), and sometimes sins are mentioned and Paul says, "let it not be once named among you" (Eph. 5:3). There is rebuke for not casting out those Christians who sinned among them (1 Cor. 5:2) and for allowing sin to continue. Paul says things like, "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame" (1 Cor. 15:34) and "sin shall not have dominion over you" (Romans 6:14). I can only imagine the kind of letters Paul would write to Christian churches today, but he would definitely clean house much like Jesus did in the Temple. It seems pretty clear to me that the message of the New Testament is that Christians are not expected to sin, and so if they do, they need to stop it immediately or face being cast out of fellowship. That is the message. I don't see the tolerance for sin that you seem to see. Maybe you can comment further and share the passages that you have in mind that summarize the full intent of the New Testament. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
