Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[Robert]

The darker the darkness, the brighter Christ shines.

[ChristIsKing2008]

I believe that many will be raptured. Not guessing at how much, because I wouldnt have a clue! Hopefully there will be millions. :)

[Norrin Radd]

We are as slaves, set free from being a slave to sin to be slaves to righteousness......and we are sons, which is far better than a slave. :thumb


Thanks for the verses. If we are set free from being slaves to sin, then why do Christians battle with sin till death. I know that we should be sinning less as we mature, but sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Paul talks about the constant tug of sin and his longing to be completely free from it.

[antitox]

Thanks for the verses. If we are set free from being slaves to sin, then why do Christians battle with sin till death. I know that we should be sinning less as we mature, but sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Paul talks about the constant tug of sin and his longing to be completely free from it.

Because you are still in a body of corrupted flesh. There is always a pull on your soul as a result, and to boot, your soul still requires constant renewal - the renewing of the mind. As long as you're on this earth, the battle rages until death.

Being set free is having the light of life and being able to make decisions without being blind to the truth, and having the invaluable help of the Holy Spirit.

[Robert]

Because the old sin nature, or the flesh, is till with us.

Until we are translated in the Rapture, the "old man" needs to be put to "death" daily. It is the same for all of us; I myself have a sin nature that seems like it has a mind of it's own, and I'm sure there's a lot of folks that could tell like stories. But it's all part of our walk with Jesus. It doesn't matter how many times we fall flat on our faces; but how many times we get back up. It isn't falling that I think bothers God as much as wallowing in it once you've fallen.

[HeIsEnough]

Thanks for the verses. If we are set free from being slaves to sin, then why do Christians battle with sin till death. I know that we should be sinning less as we mature, but sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Paul talks about the constant tug of sin and his longing to be completely free from it.

When you say "If we are set free from being slaves to sin", it sounds like you're skeptical.

It is the difference in direction. One leads to holiness, the other leads to death, or basically no direction change.

I think the scriptures make it clear that through the power of God, we can demonstrate this to be true. So I think it means that often times we take our eyes off of the Lord, the one who sanctifies us. The problem isn't God or His word, it is us.

[Stratosfear]

I believe God understands how hard it is to remain "sin-free." He knows we are going to stumble every now and then. He knows we are going to have our times of doubt (especially in these ever-increasing anti-Christian times). As long as we understand that we have sinned, ask forgiveness and repent, He will welcome us back into His arms -- just like the father of the Prodigal Son.

I cannot quote the Bible -- chapter and verse -- as easily as most people, but there is a passage somewhere that reads, "When we are faithless, He remains faithful." That, to me, says He is always ready to forgive, no matter how often we may mess up in our daily lives. And believe me, I do a lot of messing up myself, so you're not alone in that respect.

[kgreen20]

Because we still have sin natures. We won't be free of those till we're free of our mortal bodies.

[Doublezero]

Whatever it is, I know that I'm +1

O, funny story about that............

My family and I went to a large park this past weekend. My grandparents decided to sit on a park bench in the front of the park. My parents went walking down a trail. The bench that my grandparents were sitting at was in the middle of an open field; no trails or trees for 75 yrds on either side of the bench.

My wife and I walked about 100 yrds from where my grandparents were sitting and were admiring a statue. When my wife turned around, she noticed that there was a pile of clothes where my Grandmother was sitting. My wife tugged my shirt and asked where my grandmother was. It was kinda freeky considering my grandmother isnt very mobile and couldnt have gotten far. My wife then said, "O no, we were left behind." She was semi-not really-quasi-serious. The thought passed through my head for a second and we started scanning the horizon for my grandmother. Couldn't find her. For a good 10 seconds, we were pretty shocked. Then, I spotted her in the shade by a tree. She had gotten hot and removed several layers of clothes that she was wearing and decided to walk.

My wife and I laughed about it afterward, but it made me think of how quick everything could change.

[waiting1]

Norrin Radd you forgot Enoch!