Slade wrote: > I think if we continue to sin like that, we are not > born of God. If God put that kind of weight on unintentional > sin, Heaven would be empty because we're all ignorant of > wrongdoings that we cannot hope to repent of. > If that's Catholic... oops. Also, if I'm wrong, rebuke > me and teach me some more.
Yes, this is basically the Catholic concept concerning sin. They teach that everybody sins, but there are two basic classifications of sins: venial and mortal. If someone commits a mortal sin, it is a deadly sin and so they are condemned, but venial sins are covered by grace. The basis for the idea seems supported by 1 John 5:16. I would not say that it is completely without merit. However, what bothers me about the idea is that they teach everyone sins in this way... that it is unavoidable. Therefore, they have things like "the last rites" when someone is about to die. I have trouble understanding how this corresponds with the idea in Scripture that we can come boldly before the throne of God on judgment day. Furthermore, in my own personal life, I feel free of sin. Some people think I'm arrogant and self righteous, but I see that this is the work of Christ in me, taking sin out of my life. In my view, self righteousness is when you think you are able to keep the law perfectly without Christ. It might also include thinking yourself to be right when you are very wrong. But when a person experiences victory over the power of sin because of faith in Christ, this is not self righteousness but experiencing the righteousness of Christ. I readily acknowledge that we humans live in a deprived state, and that this hinders our ability to be holy. But that is why Jesus died, and has given us of his Holy Spirit. If we are truly led by the Spirit and we walk in the Spirit, why would we think that the Holy Spirit would lead us into some sin unknown to us? I do not believe Jesus ever sinned. If you have this concept about slipping over the speed limit by a few mph being a sin, would you consider Jesus a sinner then? I would have no trouble believing that if Jesus lived during a time when cars were driven that he might have done this at some time. We already know that he violated some of the laws of the land in which he lived, especially concerning Sabbath. Even when he was informed of violating these ordinances, he willfully violated them right in front of the authorities. I don't consider that to be sin on his part. Do you? Slade wrote: > When the Laws of the land contradict the Bible? > Acts 5:29 -- But Peter and the apostles answered, > "We must obey God rather than men. Ok, but keep in mind that this is not just about contradicting the Bible. The context of Acts 5:29 has nothing to do with the apostles obeying "Scripture" over what authorities were telling them to do. It had to do with their own personal revelation, not witnessed by the authorities or others, that directed them to do something contrary to what the authorities instructed them to do. 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.
