A "life of sin" vs "stumbling in transgression", whats the difference???

[Christopher Chapman]

1 john 2:1-2 "...i am writing this to u so u wont sin, but if u do, u hav jesus as an advocate wth the father. He is the propitiation for our sins..." (paraphrase)

- one who sins is not cut off from god immediately. In james 1:12 we learn that evil desire leads to sin, and if we let sin become "fullgrown", it will kill us. But one transgression doesnt cut us off from christ.

1 john 2:4,6 "whoever says he knows god, but doesnt obey him, is a liar...whoever says he knows him must live a holy life like he lived" (paraphrase)

- jesus said that to know god is eternal life (john 17:3) and we are told that those who dont obey god, dont know him. So those that dont obey god are not saved.

###So what is the difference between "living a life of disobedience" vs "disobeying at certain points"?

My reason for posting this topic is twofold, to avoid rationalizing a life of sin on the one hand or condemning a struggling brother or sister on the other. Since it is pretty universally accepted on this group that christians dont always live flawless lives, and on the other hand christians dont wallow in the mire of sin, i think we need a clear definition of "living in sin" vs "falling in sin". If we arent clear on these definitions we will either rationalize a life of sin since everyone knows that christians "arent perfect", or we will condemn those that struggle or fall in certain areas of their life.

Thoughts?

[CC]

Thank you, Pastor!!
I really need a discussion like this cuz, I really struggle with condemnation... I try so hard to live blamelessly but I do find myself saying/doing things that are, such as: lying (white lies, exaggerations, half-truths, etc.), unforgiveness, religiousness, sins of omissions, etc. I mean, on the surface I seem okay, but the truth is that I really suck! And then it starts to make me feel bad about myself and then I start to doubt if I am really saved, which doubting in itself is a sin- AHHHHHH! You see!
Edification would be most welcomed!!

[Christopher Chapman]

Cc,

Check out my blog on myhome page. When u hav time read the series of blogs tagged "a disciples theology. I go thru many practical concepts related to assuance of eternal life and forgiveness.

I wont hav time comment onthis topic for a few days, so i hope others can jump in.

Gbu

[Christopher Chapman]

Cc,

It wud also be good for u to check out the "what is sin" discussion. Breaking down the difference between fleshly desire and temptation which doesnt make us guilty before god, and acts of transgression where we make provision for the flesh by giving it what it wants, which does make us guilty and puts in need of confession and forgiveness, is important. Also the discussion a few weeks ago about if christians shud repent or confess. All these topics are important for dealing with the issue if condemnation. Most of these issues are touched on in the blogs i mentioned in a more systematic way.

Just some thoughts about how you can jump into these issues!

Gbu

[Christopher Chapman]

someone that has decided to stop sinning today, and is implementing strategies to avoid sin today, is not living in sin, though they might fall at certain points.

someone that has decided to stop sinning tomorrow (or even later today!), and planss to put strategies for avoiding sin into practice tomorrow (or even later today!), is living in sin!!! all their "decisions" and "plans" are mere fantasies meant to decieive themselves into feeling better about themselves! it is worth noting that "tomorrow" doesnt usually come, it is always today!!!


2 Cor 6:1-2
1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.(NKJ)

Heb 3:12-19
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
15 while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?
17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
(NKJ)


anyways, just recent thoughts on the subject of l"iving in sin" vs. "falling in transgression"

gbu
chris

[J.J.]

simple answer is that a life of sin is exactly that; a life lived in sin; sin that is chosen lifestyle.

stumbling transgressions are things that trip us up every now and then. like hiking in a forest on a trail. sometimes after a storm there is a tree down that blocks the path and we have to either navigate around it, or stumble over it. often times we think we can navigate over it and we end up falling. so it trips us up from time to time. it has been my experience, both in my own life and in those i see around me, that the thing that trips us up tends to be the same "tree" over and over again until we learn to deal with this stumbling issue. the thing is, when we learn one lesson, there are always more to come. god is always changing us, challenging us, to new levels of faithfulness, of holiness and in the quest, we will stumble sometimes. but we keep on going down that path with our eye on the prize, on eternity.