The Error of "Sin is Sin"

[Angelo]

Sin is much more than wrong actions, unkind words, or even those evil thoughts we never express. Sin is a principle or moral force in our hearts, our inner being. Our sinful actions, words, and thoughts are simply expressions of the principle of sin residing within us, even in those of us whose hearts have been renewed. The apostle Paul calls this principle the flesh or sinful nature in some Bible translations.

8 But sin, finding opportunity in the commandment [to express itself], got a hold on me and aroused and stimulated all kinds of forbidden desires (lust, covetousness). For without the Law sin is dead [the sense of it is inactive and a lifeless thing].
9 Once I was alive, but quite apart from and unconscious of the Law. But when the commandment came, sin lived again and I died (was sentenced by the Law to death).
10 And the very legal ordinance which was designed and intended to bring life actually proved [to mean to me] death.
11 For sin, seizing the opportunity and getting a hold on me [by taking its incentive] from the commandment, beguiled and entrapped and cheated me, and using it [as a weapon], killed me.
Romans 7:8–11

17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
Galatians 5:17

 

[JLB]

Yes, all sin is missing the mark of perfection.

But we should not teach that "sin is sin." There are sins unto death, but also sins not unto death. 1 John 5:16-17. It is best to know how God (in judging) thinks.

After being born again of the Spirit we cannot commit a sin unto death, 1 John 3:9. We are clean, John 15:3.

But one who is born again and WALKS in the Spirit will commit sins not unto death (unintentional sins) from not being mature in all fruit of the Spirit that the blood of Jesus cleanses as we continue to grow in the Lord, 1 John 1:7. This verse is not including sins unto death that we already cannot commit. The church at large is ignorant of this distinction.

2 Peter 1:2-11 shows that once the fruit of the Spirit are mature, we will NEVER STUMBLE. That can be in this lifetime that many in the church do not believe because of our body that is aging and corrupting. Sin has nothing to do with our body. Our spirit and soul controls our bodies, not the other way around. That is why only our spirit and soul are what are born again now to be saved. They are what makes up our nature. Sin is "taken away," 1 John 3:4-5. It wouldn't be complete if Jesus left us with a sin nature. No, lawlessness is what is taken from our nature leaving us with one nature - one that partakes of the divine nature of God.

A born again Spirit-filled Christian who walks in the Spirit continuously is saved. But that is another belief the church doesn't understand as they prime the church for failure, as they teach a license to sin but do not admit it. Jude 1:4.

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
Hebrews 5:9

 

[charismaticlady]

The phrase "sin is sin" highlights that any violation of God's law, regardless of its perceived severity, separates individuals from God. While some interpretations suggest all sins have equal weight, others acknowledge that sins can have varying degrees of consequence and impact.

To understand this we first must understand sin. 1 John 3:4 defines sin as lawlessness: "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." In essence, any act, thought, or intention that contradicts God's holy standard can be considered a sin.
It is clear that any sin, regardless of the human-perceived magnitude, causes a separation between us and God. Despite the equality of sin in separating us from God, the Bible indicates that not all sins are the same in terms of their consequences and their level of offense to God.

But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Thanks for your response and I agree. I see you are quoting 1 john 3:9 and using the word "practice." Practice is not in the original, but in modern translations from the corrupted Alexandrian codices. NKJV says,"Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God." That does not mean that you might slip up and commit a lawless sin. It means that you will never commit these sins of lawlessness of the flesh because you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and Jesus has taken lawless sin out of your nature (Romans 6:5-7 the sin nature is our old man.) Born again of the Spirit Christians do not have a sin nature. We are new creature in Christ. But we still have fruit that needs to mature. There is a difference between lawless sin and immature fruit. Catholics call them mortal sins and venial sins. In the Old Testament Numbers 15 shows us God allowed a sacrifice to cover venial sins, but NO SACRIFICE could cover a lawless sin. They were stoned to death.

 

[charismaticlady]

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
Hebrews 5:9

Obeying Jesus in all things is how we abide in Him, and He in us. Abiding in Jesus is the #1 act all Christians need to continue to be saved.

 

[charismaticlady]

The two are not interchangeable terms….

Doug

That's another subject.

 

[Selah]

Obeying Jesus in all things is how we abide in Him, and He in us. Abiding in Jesus is the #1 act all Christians need to continue to be saved.

Well here’s the way I see it. A saved person cannot lose his salvation, not if he was sincere when he came to Christ. s e l a h

 

[Angelo]

Jesus saves us from condemnation.

How wonderful to read,

None of those who trust in Him shall be condemned Psalm 34:22

He who believes in Him is not condemned John 3:18

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1

 

[charismaticlady]

Well here’s the way I see it. A saved person cannot lose his salvation, not if he was sincere when he came to Christ. s e l a hView attachment 2125

And I see you still do. Good. So that means you do not commit any sins unto death/mortal sins such as lying, stealing, murder, adultery, fornication or sorcery. 1 John 3:9. Good, neither do I. But some Christians started out obeying, but found false teachers that pervert God's word.

2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

 

[charismaticlady]

Jesus saves us from condemnation.

How wonderful to read,

None of those who trust in Him shall be condemned Psalm 34:22

He who believes in Him is not condemned John 3:18

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Jesus came to take away our sin, 1 John 3:5. Not our condemnation as the Old Testament saints who only had the blood of bulls and coats. God overlooked their sins. Romans 3:25 "...because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed

Romans 6:15 "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Paul clearly tells us that still the wages of sin is death.

 

[JLB]

Obeying Jesus in all things is how we abide in Him, and He in us. Abiding in Jesus is the #1 act all Christians need to continue to be saved.

Learning to forgive is also extremely important.


“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15

If we are in our sins then the enemy has access to us.


We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18


We all must learn to walk according to the Spirit.


Until then we must confess our sins to be forgiven and cleansed.


If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 

[charismaticlady]

Learning to forgive is also extremely important.

Absolutely!

If we are in our sins then the enemy has access to us.


We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18

When I read your first line, I immediately thought of the same verse you did. LOL