A great proof-text, Dean. Maybe your salvation is based upon what you do, but mine is definitely not. There are those who will be judged by what they do -- that is for sure, BUT not all of us will be so judged.
I John 1:7 tells us this: If we walk in the Light two things happen - we have fellowship as brothers AND the blood of Christ "keeps on cleansing us" from our sins (which OF COURSE means that we keep on sinning !!). This is what I call "the continual flow of the blood of the Lamb." The verb in this passaage, "cleanses," is written in the present indicative active. In verse 7, "walking in the Light" can have nothing to do with "not sinning" because if it did, there would be no reason for the blood to flow in present time, only past time (which is what you believe.) If "walking in the Light" has nothing to do -- in this context - with the action of sin, nneither does walking in "darkness."
What is the primary concern in vv 6 - 7 , Dean? Is it not "our walk," whether in darkness or light? What is "fellowhsip" as used in this text?? I have always been taught that it is "joint participation." If I claim joint participation with God but have no a vital relationship with Him OF COURSE I am a liar. As a dedicated legalist, you see action as the definition for walking in the light and I see "relationship" and "relating" as the definition of "walking in the light"
Verse 7 is critical in this study to an understanding of verse 6 and 8.
Verse 6 essentially says - If I claim fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, I am a liar.
Verse 8 essentially says -- If I claim that I am at any time not in sin, I am a liar !!
Verse 7 solves the obvious problem.
jd
----- Original Message -----Sent: 2/5/2006 11:14:38 PMSubject: Re: [TruthTalk] Rightousness (jd 2 cd)fellowship, in Christ, is already eternal, a key doctrinal essentialcd: Yes- if one stays in fellowship John. No one can remove you from God's hand if that fellowship exists- but one can walk out by choosing not to continue the relationship. We retain our free will even after receiving Jesus Christ. Our truth is a simple truth as a child can understand.The below is speaking to Christians John. Walking in darkness is to sin and follow the devil who was a sinner from the beginning.1Jo 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
