I do not claim "sinless perfection" nor do I teach it. However, I do teach
that the Lord always provides a way of victory over temptation for us, and
that we can walk in holiness and not continue to sin. The person who
continues to sin is following the Devil, because he is the father of sin,
and the person who walks in righteousness is following Christ.
"Nor do I teach it" ( ??? !!!!!!). Such teaching is included with the very same paragraph.
But, I think the issue continues to be a point of disagreement because we use the idea of "sin" very differently. I see lust, conceit, selfishness, pride, things I consider to be sin, as always with an individual making a statement like the one found in I Jo 1:8 a current and on going reality. But, of course, we do not need to act out such failings.
More than this, you believe that righteousness (acting out rightly the things of God) is caused by the Spirit of God rather than gifted by that same Spirit. The problem, again, may be in the words we use. I do believe that our successes as disciples are caused by the indwelling Spirit (however we define that Presense.) But I do not believe that such success is ever total, hence the need for a gifted righteousness by that same Spirit.
We have had this discussion before - some months ago. You wound up defending your point by asserting your own victorious and consistent practice of righteousness. When I asserted that even you have continuing sin -- well, you took it personal, when, in fact, such an observation on my part was a forced conclusion based upon the way I see biblical teaching. It is not personal.
You are no more righteous than I, David. You are in the same boat as I when it comes to sin and sinning -- one sin or one continuing sin will put us in the same boat. At no time in our lives will we ever not need God's forgiveness. I see sin, sinning, sins of the character (pride, bigotry etc), sins of omission (knowing to do good but not doing it), issues or problems that have already been solved as concerns "condemnation." Rebellion is a totally different matter. But we need to be careful here. Most sins, while in the process of being played out, look like rebellion. What proves one sin to be rebellious and another a part of our human nature is whether growth occurs or continues. The rebel is one who is actually working against God Himself.
Now, there is much in the above with which you disagree. I hope that you will see that honest and Spirit filled disciples can have this disagreement. But I don't know that.
John
