Good News For Habitual Sinners!!!

[David1701]

That is not a yes or no answer for why clarification is needed.

A born again believer can be foolish enough to sow to the works of the flesh in reaping corruption; hence develop a habitual sin.

How else can you explain this warning from Peter?

2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Obviously a born again Christian can make the mistake of sowing to the works of the flesh in reaping corruption rather than look to Jesus Christ to help him lay aside every weight & sin daily in walking in the light in fellowship with the Father & the Son.

Also a born again believer can make the mistake of religiously trying to overcome sin by looking to themselves in trying to keep a commitment or a promise to do not sin and fail. That is why sin keeps reigning over them. This is why we are to trust Jesus Christ to deliver us from our sins & keep us from them as in lead us away from temptations and deliver us from the evil one for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.

Those false teachers, in 2 Pet. 2, were not saved! The dog (an unclean animal) returns to his vomit (i.e. the wicked man returns to the evil that comes out of him) and the sow (another unclean animal) that was washed (cleaned externally) returns to her wallowing in the mire (indulging in sinful activities). In neither case had the person had a change of nature (i.e. he was not born again).

The answer to the question: can a born again Christian live in habitual sin, is a resounding "No!".

Knowing about Jesus has never saved anyone (we are saved by grace through faith, not by mere knowledge); and returning to habitual sin is a certain sign that you were not born again in the first place.

 

[Deleted member 5]

Those false teachers, in 2 Pet. 2, were not saved! The dog (an unclean animal) returns to his vomit (i.e. the wicked man returns to the evil that comes out of him) and the sow (another unclean animal) that was washed (cleaned externally) returns to her wallowing in the mire (indulging in sinful activities). In neither case had the person had a change of nature (i.e. he was not born again).

The answer to the question: can a born again Christian live in habitual sin, is a resounding "No!".

Knowing about Jesus has never saved anyone (we are saved by grace through faith, not by mere knowledge); and returning to habitual sin is a certain sign that you were not born again in the first place.

Yes, 1 John contrasts true and false converts. Those who practice sin are not saved.

So, that said, what does it mean to practice sin? I have an answer, but was wondering what you have to say.

 

[David1701]

Yes, 1 John contrasts true and false converts. Those who practice sin are not saved.

So, that said, what does it mean to practice sin? I have an answer, but was wondering what you have to say.

It means to keep on doing sin again and again, not occasionally, but often and habitually.

 

[Alive]

It means to keep on doing sin again and again, not occasionally, but often and habitually.

Yup…we all have our seasons, but the Lord uses those times to discipline us as His children and thus break us down to where we know just how much we need Him and His Grace.
Glory to His Name!

 

[ChristB4us]

Those false teachers, in 2 Pet. 2, were not saved! The dog (an unclean animal) returns to his vomit (i.e. the wicked man returns to the evil that comes out of him) and the sow (another unclean animal) that was washed (cleaned externally) returns to her wallowing in the mire (indulging in sinful activities). In neither case had the person had a change of nature (i.e. he was not born again).

Please read it again as it deals with more than just false teachers. Look at what Peter acknowledged of what the Lord has done for them and yet they foolishly entangle themselves into those sins again for why Peter is warning saved believers not to follow after those erring believers.

2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

So what does verses 20-21 testify of but they were saved but they entangle themselves into those sins again and are worse than they were before they were saved.

 

[ChristB4us]

The answer to the question: can a born again Christian live in habitual sin, is a resounding "No!".

Knowing about Jesus has never saved anyone (we are saved by grace through faith, not by mere knowledge); and returning to habitual sin is a certain sign that you were not born again in the first place.

Then why did Paul warn believers about what they build on that foundation as it involves more than just habitual sin that can defile the temple of God but any unrepentant iniquity?

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Verse 13 is about that day the Jesus will judge His house first per 1 Peter 4:17

Verse 16-17 is the consequence for defiling the temple of God which is a physical death as in left behind to die. Revelation 2:18-25 confirms.

Verse 15 testifies that they are saved anyway, but they will wish they had looked to the author & finisher of our faith to help them lay aside every weight & sin daily in walking in the light in fellowship with the Father & the Son because a whipping will be coming on those left behind.

Hebrews 12:1-11 Note verse 6 about that scourging on those that do not resist sin thus not looking to Jesus for help daily; and then compare with the measures of stripes per the knowledge they had for not being ready & lesser stripes for the knowledge they did not have for not being ready in the next reference; note the stripes in verse 47 & 48 for when believers are "cut off" to be left behind with the unbelievers at the rapture event. Luke 12:40-49

So that is why Jesus is judging His House first because let's face it, the church hardly excommunicates any church member living in sin and when the Bridegroom comes, Jesus will be excommunicating them from the Marriage Supper for what the church failed to do in leading them to repentance before He had come.

 

[David1701]

Please read it again as it deals with more than just false teachers. Look at what Peter acknowledged of what the Lord has done for them and yet they foolishly entangle themselves into those sins again for why Peter is warning saved believers not to follow after those erring believers.

2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

So what does verses 20-21 testify of but they were saved but they entangle themselves into those sins again and are worse than they were before they were saved.

Never mind...

 

[Bigknucklesandhands]

You have to be willing to surrender whatever it is you’re battling with wherever you are, he didn’t promise life would be easy. But he will never leave you……..

 

[ChristB4us]

You have to be willing to surrender whatever it is you’re battling with wherever you are, he didn’t promise life would be easy. But he will never leave you……..

In the world we are living in, as the world rationalizes sin and say it is normal or okay and the churches following suit, a saved believer may not know they are living in sin to see how they are getting worse and worse as they are reaping corruption.

Discipleship in His words is needed to know what sin is for them to turn to Him for help to deliver them from its power. When they are already saved by believing in Him and with Jesus Christ in them, they have hope in Him to lead them away from temptation & delivering them from the evil one for the power in living the Christian life in following Him comes from God.

 

[Manfred]

FYI alter calls are not in the bible.

I know, yet...
I have seen changed lives and God glorified through people who have responded to an alter call.

God is not limited by our limitations. I have shared the gospel and witnessed the conviction first hand (as I am sure you all have), and have lead the repentant sinner in prayer.
They are still running the race.
Was it wrong of me?

I enjoy watching Ray Comfort on youtube. He does get a response on occasion when asking if he could pray. But he never leads the person he witnessed to in prayer. So perhaps that is a better way to go about it.

 

[Carbon]

I know, yet...
I have seen changed lives and God glorified through people who have responded to an alter call.

Yes, but I think they responded to the alter call because they were already saved.

God is not limited by our limitations. I have shared the gospel and witnessed the conviction first hand (as I am sure you all have), and have lead the repentant sinner in prayer.

They are still running the race.
Was it wrong of me?

If you’re sharing the gospel and praying, I highly doubt it’s wrong. If you teaching you can be saved by asking Jesus into your heart, then, yes I’d say you are wrong.

I enjoy watching Ray Comfort on youtube. He does get a response on occasion when asking if he could pray. But he never leads the person he witnessed to in prayer. So perhaps that is a better way to go about it.

 

[Deleted member 5]

I know, yet...
I have seen changed lives and God glorified through people who have responded to an altar call.

Truth be told, the big untold secret is many Calvinists did exactly that when saved before they became Calvinists. Shhhhhh! Don't let the secret out!

God is not limited by our limitations. I have shared the gospel and witnessed the conviction first hand (as I am sure you all have), and have lead the repentant sinner in prayer.
They are still running the race.
Was it wrong of me?

Same here.

I enjoy watching Ray Comfort on youtube. He does get a response on occasion when asking if he could pray. But he never leads the person he witnessed to in prayer. So perhaps that is a better way to go about it.

Yes, I like him as well.