Continuous Forgiveness Vs. The Sin-free Life
*
Deeper and wider, quicker, and more difficult, were the principles of forgiveness that Jesus brought to the table. Cleansed of our sins, and moving forward with a clear conscience, can a Christian continue to grow and grow until they finally outgrow their need for forgiveness?
1 John 3:4 – 9: Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins has not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his nature remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Is the message noted in these scriptures a requirement for a born-again follower of Christ? Shall we believe that it is actually possible to attain to such heights as the sin-free (or stain-free) life suggests?
Paul’s Letter To The Romans 7:17-19: Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
If we read and find Paul’s message more agreeable with our own convictions, we’ll understand why we need to go to the Lord in prayer, and ask Him to forgive us for everything we need be forgiven for. I don’t see the need for bringing in particulars. That kind of prayer could last all day. Jesus kept it short when asked how we should pray. Matthew 6:16 - And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Jesus didn’t tell them every day to get out their list of 100 sins and check off the one’s that applied. No, He did not. This is what I mean by the daily grace of continuous forgiveness. We only need to ask for it. I find it easy to sympathize with Paul, who clearly understood.
I confess, because of this disparity in perspectives, I do have a bone to pick with the author of 1 John 3:4-9. He appears to say otherwise in Chapter 1. So much so, that it sounds to me like a different author.
1 John 1:8-10: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
If the same author was responsible for this letter to ‘children and friends’ (meaning no one in particular), and he sees this as a paradox inherent in the theology of religious discourse, then I’ll agree with him.
*
Paul seems to understand salvation as being an act of grace. Paul realized his sinful nature, and knew he would continue to sin as long as his Spirit housed itself in a body of flesh, blood, and bones. John seems to believe that salvation can only be redeemed, or proven to one’s self, by living a life free from sin. The proof is in the pudding for him, so to speak. To me, that means a sinner who claims to have been saved, baptized, and forgiven for a lifetime of wrongs is actually fooling themselves if they continue to sin after having been saved. So, the way I read it, John proclaimed that ever since he was saved, he no longer sinned. Not once. Not the tiniest one off the list below did he commit. How Bold! Or, how seemingly impossible! Keeping that in mind, allow me to bring this closer to home with a plausible example.
Paul hangs out with Jesus, who is perfectly sinless, and John, who by now is perfectly good. What a humbling experience that must have been. Imagine a sinner meeting up with the disciples, including Paul and John, when the personage of Jesus was absent. This sinner, who doesn’t like his (or her) life, nor the thought of death, wants to know all about it. Who best to inform the sinner? Paul would have been sympathetic and loving as he told the sinner about his own new perspective in life, thanks to Jesus. I don’t think he would have made a life with Christ sound like an impossible task. He would not have pulled out a list of 100 sins to avoid for the rest of their lives, I don’t believe. If there is a time and place for everything under the sun, then why would anyone attempt to bring out the worst in human nature, unless the author wanted to rub somebody’s nose in it?
Before you read this list (which doesn’t seem to be in any particular order of importance), let us also remember what James had to say,
James 2:10 - For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
*
List: 100 Sins (author unknown)
15. Witchcraft 16. Jealousy 17. Selfish Ambition
25. Grieving for Spirit 26. Quenching the Spirit
27. Pride in what is seen 28. Grumbling
29. Fault-finding 30. False Flattery
31. Pride of Possessions 32. Despise authority
33. Lording it over others 34. Haughty eyes
35. Insult for insult 36. Scoffing 37. Immodesty
41. Disobeying Parents 42. Judgment of Others
43. Dishonor Parents 44. Evil suspicions 45. Impatience
49. Perverseness 50. Meanness 51. Factions
57. Deceit 58. Bitterness 59. Greed 60. Foolish Talk
61. Coarse Joking 62. Empty Words
63. Their God as their Stomach
64. Their Glory is their Shame
65. Hollow Philosophy 66. Tradition for Truth
67. False Humility 68. Worship of Angels
69. Carnality 70. Rudeness 71. Easily Angered
73. Lukewarmness 74. Stinginess
75. Loving to have Preeminence
77. Shepherds who feed themselves
81. Disbelief 82. Praying to be seen
83. Not praying 84. Keeping Jesus Outside
85. Fornication 86. Uncleanness
87. Forgetting our cleansing 88. Denying our Lord
89. Seeking Justification by the Law
93. Loss of first Love 94. Love of Money
January 20, 2012 at 5:47 pm
Well said in all, I especially like your prayer at the end
blessings, Terri
January 20, 2012 at 5:59 pm
January 21, 2012 at 12:25 am
I think we’re on the same page, Tree! (hugs)
God bless and thanks for the clarity
January 21, 2012 at 5:39 am
to my attention! Go in peace. It’s going to be okay. Hugz, UT
Rule 101: Thou shalt not exceed the speed of light.
Now, that’s the kind of rule I’d love to see broken.
January 21, 2012 at 9:48 am
John 10:29 tells us that anyone God the Father gives to Jesus will stay with Jesus because no one is able to snatch them from His hand. That being the case, wouldn’t that mean, once saved always saved? I can understand asking forgiveness after accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior, but isn’t that rather like saying He isn’t capable of keeping you until the end?
January 21, 2012 at 10:46 am
Coming from a small town Southern Baptist Church,
I have to say, “Yes. That’s what I was taught.”
If anyone changed my mind later on, it was me.
Starting about the age of 14 and running straight through
all those rebellious years of selfish freedom with
little time for self-reflection. God is long-suffering, no doubt.
Until the end, Mary, and then I’m sure we’ll go.
Peace, girl.
January 21, 2012 at 2:09 pm
‘Let that *mind* be in you that is in Christ Jesus’…..way to go!
Yet that *mind* is fore given. The ‘sin’ is just a hold up as we slither, hither and thither about a grail, trying to accustom our ‘eyes’ to Jesus’ perfect ascension. God has fore given us all our time and our space in the world to ‘get it.’ We cannot escape our loving leash but we can shake ourselves to death from the equivalent of ‘metal fatigue’! Sin as a concept only appears from our kindergarten view. Strong meat is yet to be experienced, as said St Paul…. the ex-murderer!!
Come in number one, your time is giving up
When the Bride is able to ‘see’ She seems to be ascending whilst the Christ seems to come back into view. But he only went away from kindergarten, I feel
“Foregiveness is when you realise there is nothing to forgive.”
~A Course in Miracles~
January 21, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I’ll have to grok that, Ed. But thank you fore being!
Yourself on a regular slithering basis of hithers and scissors
that cut through the rough and tough rind that covers
up me sprite, allowing him to frolic to and fro on z ladder that
escalates to yonder haven ye have so finely pierced.
Yo sap! UT
January 21, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Interesting points you take up here Keith, and well written. However, I would like to make an observation (or two) in the spirit of friendship.
Quote from 1 John 3:
”Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his nature remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God”.
Unquote:
Of all the disciples, it would appear that it was John who received a deeper insight into Christ’s teachings than all the others.
The above quoted verse is one that has been the cause of controversy for ages – what is that verse actually saying?
It is relaying the same information that Nicodemus found difficult to understand in John 3
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
v.6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
So verse 6 gives us the answer, as I interpret it.
We are all born of the flesh, and as such we sin – even though we may strive not to – we being human sin (some more than others of course). Baptism, and even the receipt of the Holy Spirit, does not miraculously put an end to our sinning. Although there are those who genuinely believe (falsely in my opinion) that once they have been baptized, that they are immediately under grace and that the law no longer applies to them – they have already been forgiven for their sins? Such is the deceptive influence of false religions.
To be brief – While in the flesh we are only BEGOTTEN sons and daughters – we are not pure spirit beings – although we do have a human spirit. To see the forthcoming Kingdom of God (which is not in heaven) one requires to be resurrected in spirit – BORN AGAIN
A lot can happen between conception and birth
Short answer that may not fall on fertile ground everywhere.
John
January 22, 2012 at 3:58 am
Thank you, Noel!
Glad am I to know that I’ve made my
thoughts understandable. We can only point to the way
for others. If they were to follow me, I might lead them astray.
Some folks don’t get into particulars. Some folks are better off
standing back, back, back so far they more easily ‘see’ the
big picture – not what Man is up to, but more like – what God
had intended, and put in plain sight, where it is easily missed,
passed over, or swept under the rug for safe-keeping. No need to
wonder then, how stories of the magic carpet began.
Hiding the truth provides but a temporary comfort for those
determined to keep the status quo. When The Truth takes on
airs, it’s up, up, and away we go! And then, “Look out below!”
The sins of the sky fall like rain – quite easy are they to absorb.
January 22, 2012 at 7:05 am
Hello there, John G! Let me see if I have this straight:
Those who are born of God cannot go wrong.
(I would say the author is referring to angels, but since that
would also include Lucifer – I would conclude
that the act of falling does not transgress the Law of Gravity).
*
If the unlearned sinner were to ask, “Who is God?” Or,
“Which God are you referring to? The One, or the Many?”
The God who is above The Law; The Creator; Father of All.
“Then I am born of this God. We are all born of God. Yes?”
In the beginning, yes. We were all Children Of God at first.
“Then all of His children, in the beginning, were above The Law?”
For as long as we remained in Him, yes. Above The Law.
“Then why were we expelled from His presence in the first place?
Why the separation? What did God need that He didn’t possess?”
The God of All has no needs. There was no thing He did not have.
“If nothing was left wanting, then every thing He had – He needed.
You say He needed nothing, because, all in all, He was everything.
Therefore every thing, if not needed, is most certainly necessary,
other-wise, for all His well-intended purposes, it would not exist.
I would not exist. But I am, I say, and I have a multitude of needs.
Too many. That’s why I’m here. You men seem content. Can you
feed me? I’m hungry. Man cannot live on words alone, you know.”
Yes, yes. Here, have some. Rest your tongue. Have a seat.
Our Lord should be returning soon. In Him, your answer lies…
January 22, 2012 at 11:23 am
Ain’t no ‘stronger meat’ than that which gets nailed to a cross just for the Hell of it! Imagine.
Greater Love has no man than he gives up his life for his enemies as well as his friends. Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven and even a close one, nailed for sharing its abundance, ie stealing from the kindergarten tuck-box, came to(o)
January 22, 2012 at 1:52 pm
You couldn’t have said it more literally, Ed.
The picture you conjured up in my head wasn’t pretty.
Only a teacher would think to make an example of themselves.
I’m not so sure he knew. But in that last second – he finished it.
Do you want to trade lunches?
January 23, 2012 at 4:02 pm
You wrote, Uncle Tree:-
***I’m not so sure he knew. But in that last second – he finished it.***
That would be my premise, too, Uncle…..and I don’t envy the task, even though He has let me off the hook….if I so choose!
So, what were you choosing on for lunch?
I have the fore given sorted fore meself. The tough bit now is the ‘forsaken’ status. What on Earth is Our Father trying to bring Home to us about our basic premise?? We have barely a second to find out. I am eternally grateful that Jesus, with just a little mud, took the scales from my fishy eyes. Dang, there goes the Age of Pisces!!
January 23, 2012 at 5:05 pm
WoW! Dear Ed, we found something we could agree on. WoW!
When we ponder – the greatest man – the historical Jesus –
Mother Nature’s finest, and best – we must know that it was
He who insured the Children Of God The Father – all of us.
Jesus insured us with a deed that we might know, at last –
Our Father knows what it’s like to be a mortal, a human.
Self realization is the process of turning your self inside out.
God bless your scale-less fish of justice, my friend. Eye2
January 23, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Wow, you two are simply amazing! What a journey this has been, and to watch this debate slowly unfold, wow. I have learned a lot just by your examples or ideas, no doubt. I am released. My head is spinning….dear Lord, I love these men!
January 24, 2012 at 4:56 am
I’m glad to see you’re following along. What a ride, yes!
You, yourself, are conversation worthy. Your quest, and
our request are hot topics. Are you ears burning? Luvz!
January 24, 2012 at 6:41 am
I wouldn’t want to to leave St Stephen’s stones unturned! Jesus scorched a pathway for him, no doubt. Poor old John the Baptist, being early for the truth party, lost his thinking apparatus! (Well, I would see meaning in that way, wouldna I
I trust the *Divine* feminine will now be more lenient, having witnessed the turning point. Which brings me to the Age of Aquarius, The Water of Life Dispenser ! (A sign for you, Uncle Tree?)
This old goat is off up the mountain, now, as a sign he’s gonna get turned on again
God bless us all.
January 24, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Yes, you know that, Ed.
My birthday is Monday – the 30th – my 54th
turn at dispensing hard water to the bloody stones at hand.
Is that old goat of yours a wave or a particle today?
God bless your chinny-chin-chin!
So, what is MOTHER up to now, ya think? Martyrdom?
(Marty’s birthday is two days after mine)
January 25, 2012 at 10:51 am
Happy belated birthday Ed!
Happy 54th UT!
*
Thank you, Bonnie!
January 25, 2012 at 11:25 am
Knowing our own and other peoples human “foibles” increases our capacity for forgiveness.
Forgiveness means we do not have to place ourselves in the position of having to judge others or ourselves. It lightens the
load by getting rid of the baggage of our experiences. We are
responsible for our own experiences after all.
Forgiveness is the springboard to true compassion where as Ed
says “Forgiveness is when you realize there is nothing to forgive”
January 25, 2012 at 12:27 pm
You wouldn’t be that Divine Female would you, Bonnie wee lassie?
No need to apologise 
January 25, 2012 at 2:50 pm
I like that view of yours, Bonnie. And I like Ed’s as well. But…but,
baggage? Who? Me? What baggage? Oh, that baggage.
The baggage on my back that’s weighing me down so much I
can’t stand for much more than a minute at a time.
Wish I didn’t take things so literally. Or, should I say,
I wish things wouldn’t take me so seriously. Dang back stabbers!
January 25, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Ed
Unapologetically female!
Divine? I wouldn’t go that far.
January 25, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Renewed prayers, Uncle Tree……gotta upwardly release this personal ‘coil’ that’s in pain from the compression of Life circumstance, but very gently does it, as you could imagine consequences. We don’t want you to lose that Crown! Yes, tis true for all of us in our inevitably different ways.
You might get trampled in the rush, Bonnie Anonnie, if you exposed yourself suchlike
Astrology has me year-marked for some nimble foot-work….unless I nod off and miss it….damn! No insurance for old Goats 
Seriously, I know there is great potential in this spiritual mesh that is to be humanly Divined
January 25, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Ouch UT. Remind yourself that you are supported in this
universe. In your prayers,allow yourself to ask for healing Light for your entire being. Give yourself and others permission to “lighten up.”
Love and Hugs
January 25, 2012 at 5:49 pm
I guess i really am Bonnie Anonnie(mous)
January 25, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Thank you truly, Bonnie!
You and Ed are great supporters,
Matter of factly (but unfortunately), Time is a slow healer.
and I dearly appreciate you both! There must be something I’m holding onto, and I have been attempting to write it out; stretch it out;
push on it; pull on it; twist it; turn it…uh, yes. I do mean my lumbar region.
Hope all is well for you and yours so far this year. Knock on wood,
but we’re still waiting for winter to arrive. Strangely warm, so far.
Peace, luvz, and hugz, girl! UT
January 25, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Yo Ed
From what I understand, you goats are in for a doozy of a ride
from now until 2015. Hang on.
I read somewhere that the learning and evolution of our species was designed to complement cycles. Astrologically, we are coming
to the end of a grand cycle. All the negativity of the past 2000 plus years is now being collected so that it can be discharged and the
next cycle can start fresh. We are being given another chance to choose how we will learn and evolve. This new cycle is about the birth of very different opportunities. Opportunities to release patterns that are no longer necessary in this spiritual mesh.
But I digress from the theme of UT’s post. Except to say that I would imagine from a Divine viewpoint, everything and everyone are as meant to be, so there really is nothing to forgive.
Be well
B
February 19, 2012 at 3:13 am
Emotional Healing…
[...]Continuous Forgiveness Vs. The Sin-free Life « Uncle Tree's House[...]…