Post by ResLight on Feb 22, 2013 20:16:49 GMT -5
For the new creature to overcome sin does not mean that we make ourselves sin free. Of course, by means of Christ working in us, and as one brings the body of flesh more and more into subjection to Christ, the body does indeed become more and more free of committing various sins.
It is only through faith in Christ, however, that our present body is counted/imputed/reckoned as free of sin. It is only as one receives the resurrection body, whether that body be spiritual or physical, that one can have a body fully sin free.
To follow Christ, one has to be first regenerated, "born/begotten again", producing a new creation. Following Christ is done, not in the flesh, but rather in the new creature, by means of God's spirit dwelling in the believer. The new creature created by means of the new birth is sin-free, having been brought forth of an incorruptible seed. The new creature, although born without sin, being incorrupt, is not however, born without freedom to sin, anymore than was Adam so created.
In other words the new creature is born incorrupt, but still corruptible. Thus the corruptible must put on incorruption. The new creature does have free-will. The new creature still has to develop into a steadfast perfect faith toward God, perfect love toward God and neighbor. Until the new creature has perfected such a faith and love, there is the possibility of sin, that he could be still hurt by the second death. The way that the new creature could willfully sin is if he has "has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace." (Hebrews 10:29) Once the new creature has so sinned, there is no more sacrifice for sins left, so the one who has so sinned becomes reckoned as twice dead, plucked up by the roots. -- Jude 1:12.
Christian love,
Ronald
It is only through faith in Christ, however, that our present body is counted/imputed/reckoned as free of sin. It is only as one receives the resurrection body, whether that body be spiritual or physical, that one can have a body fully sin free.
To follow Christ, one has to be first regenerated, "born/begotten again", producing a new creation. Following Christ is done, not in the flesh, but rather in the new creature, by means of God's spirit dwelling in the believer. The new creature created by means of the new birth is sin-free, having been brought forth of an incorruptible seed. The new creature, although born without sin, being incorrupt, is not however, born without freedom to sin, anymore than was Adam so created.
In other words the new creature is born incorrupt, but still corruptible. Thus the corruptible must put on incorruption. The new creature does have free-will. The new creature still has to develop into a steadfast perfect faith toward God, perfect love toward God and neighbor. Until the new creature has perfected such a faith and love, there is the possibility of sin, that he could be still hurt by the second death. The way that the new creature could willfully sin is if he has "has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace." (Hebrews 10:29) Once the new creature has so sinned, there is no more sacrifice for sins left, so the one who has so sinned becomes reckoned as twice dead, plucked up by the roots. -- Jude 1:12.
Christian love,
Ronald
