Shelley, are you suggesting that the part where John says "but if you do sin" means we will never really be completely free of unknown sins and imperfections, that we'll always be sinful and defective in one way or another? If so, then I must admit it sounds rather discouraging.

Cheri, is that how you see it?

Does anybody else see it that way?

Greetings Brother Mike,

quote:

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"Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ's victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ's second coming, and who will be "changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;" when "this mortal must put on immortality," and "this corruptible must put on incorruption." 1 Cor. 15:51-53. Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come "the second time without sin unto salvation." For He will come "in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Heb. 9:28; Mark 8:38. The Saviour's promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature,--Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones." {DA 421.4}

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Today we are to be learning like Elijah, to forsake the corruptible to put on the incorruptible.

I believe that those that will be translated with the last trump will have learned to forsake sin, and will be wonderful presentable and ready to meet Christ in the clouds of glory. So in answer to your question, I believe that we may be completely and utterly free of our sinful character, because Christ told us to be perfect...not to just try but literally stated Matthew 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

And we read that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.


Your Sister in Christ Jesus,
Cheri Fritz

I praise God for having an Advocate if I do stub my toe..
God Bless,
Will

Thank you, Cheri.

Will, at what point can we expect to praise God when we stub our toe, instead of ... I mean, one of these days Jesus is going to throw down the golden censer, and if we curse afterwards, because we stub our toe, well, there isn't anyone to intercede on our behalf before God.

Someone was explaining to me how God is too good to reveal our defects all at once because we wouldn't be able to handle it, that such knowledge would blow us away or crush out our life. But then I ran across this quote:

SC 29
One ray of the glory of God, one gleam of the purity of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the heart, the impurity of the lips. The sinner's acts of disloyalty in making void the law of God, are exposed to his sight, and his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God. He loathes himself as he views the pure, spotless character of Christ. {SC 29.1}

In light of this inspired insight - What is considered an unknown defect of character?

Hi Mike,
What is your interpretation of what John wrote in 1 John 2:1

quote:

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1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

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I am very familiar with all the points you have brought up, but you have not given your view and interpretation on this passage, or I may have not seen it.
God Bless,
Will

Will, this promise applies when we commit a known sin, and thank God for this promise, because most of us backslide pretty regularly. But I believe we need to study this text in its immediate context. John isn’t saying you will sin, but rather, if we sin. The word “if” implies a conditional aspect. Ascertaining the condition, therefore, is necessary in order to correctly understand the promise.

What is the promise? If we sin, Jesus acts as our advocate, because He is the propitiation for our sin. This promise assumes, of course, we have repented of our sin, because Jesus cannot apply the benefits of His blood to atone for our sin if we refuse to repent. And this promise only applies to someone who has committed a known sin, which means we have to sin in order to claim it. Sinning, therefore, is the conditional aspect of 1 John 2:1.

But salvation promises more than merely repentance and forgiveness, it promises born again believers freedom from sinning – now and forever. And, once again, these types of promises (i.e., freedom from sinning) imply a conditional aspect, namely, that we are dead to sin and awake to righteousness. To be free from sin we must be dead to sin, self and Satan.

But most importantly, we must be connected to Jesus, we must walk in the Spirit and mind of the new man, we must continually partake of the divine nature. John and Peter make it clear that it is impossible to commit a known sin if we are abiding in Christ, if we are connected to Him, if we are partaking of the divine nature. To commit a known sin, therefore, we must stop abiding in Jesus, and stop partaking of the divine nature.

But Shelley, at what point would you be willing to sweat blood, if need be, to resist sinning? Believing that you cannot completely crucify your imperfections has, I would think, the potential of weakening your resolve to resist giving in to temptation. "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Heb 12:4. I am asking these questions because I am interested in learning more about your view.

1. In light of the Steps to Christ paragraph quoted above, what do you consider an unknown character defect?

2. How do you explain, in light of what you believe about retaining imperfections, the following promises:

Romans
6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

1 Corinthians
10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

Galatians
5:16 [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

1 Peter
4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

2 Peter
1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

1 John
3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Wow! What a lot of homework. I will copy it and get back to you when I look at it more thoroughly.