21 Dec '16 22:44>3 edits
Originally posted by chaney3But, to attempt an answer, the text seems to say that if you are reborn in Jesus, that you cannot sin. Emphasis on cannot.
While I realize that I am the one who brought up 1 John, and then you pointed out that these are not the words of Jesus, what is the point of discussing the opinion of someone who is not Jesus?
But, to attempt an answer, the text seems to say that if you are reborn in Jesus, that you cannot sin. Emphasis on cannot.
Yet, it still doesn't seem possible ...[text shortened]... ve the scriptures where Jesus Himself taught that not sinning is possible, I would like to know.
Yes, CANNOT sin. But actually it literally says "born of God" - not "reborn in Jesus".
It also literally says "He that commits sin is of the devil".
Now, this is twice that I have attempted to answer your questions. If I am wrong, which is probable, then please reply with 'your answers and how you see it', and not more questions.
Are you seriously going to pretend that you answered either time in good faith? That you responded with your best understanding of the text?
While I realize that I am the one who brought up 1 John, and then you pointed out that these are not the words of Jesus, what is the point of discussing the opinion of someone who is not Jesus?
Firstly, the passages we've been discussing are pretty straight-forward. If you can't be bothered to give a good faith attempt to try to understand what they are saying, why should I believe that you'd do so with the words of Jesus?
Secondly, some of the concepts in these passages are basically echoing the same concepts taught by Jesus. If you can understand them here, you should be able to understand them in the words of Jesus.
Thirdly, this should drive home how easily taking text out of context can lead to erroneous conclusions.
Yet, it still doesn't seem possible to me.
"Saved by faith alone" Christians have a vested interest in believing that it isn't possible. You have a lot of company.