Will we continue to sin till we die.?

I was reading something that really surprised me, as I have always looked as sin as something that as we are transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit can be overcome, and we become dead to sin. Yet here was a brother Adventists saying that we all will sin until the day we die. Here is a the relevant part:

"We all will sin until the day we die. That is clear. We WILL continue to live a life of sin. We will also have victories. The power is there. There is NO excuse to sin as Ellen White puts it. But we are sinners. And Jesus died for sinners. He did not die for those who have achieved a life without sin. He died for those who 'believe' in Him."

So what about Enoch and Elijah, did they contine to sin until the day they were taken up.......

Lessons from John:
1) He who is born of God cannot sin.
2) If we say we have no sin, we lie.

No.

My brothers,

Are we a bit afraid to speak on this subject, I sense hesitation? A response I agree with was the following, "I think we can get to a point in life where we will hate sin so much that the likelihood we will continue in it is slim. But that's not to say that we will never sin again."

The Holy Spirit will transform us to the point that we will be dead to sin, and hate sin and no longer sit idle near sin as the tempter looks for a way to pull us into his domain. But some may ask, when will this happen.

Its kind of like my back spasms and excruciating pain from a pinched nerve, I asked my doctor when it would clear up and go away so I could lift more than a slice of toast. And he said it could take a long time but if I did the theraphy and special excercizes I would come to a point where I no longer noticed it, and he was right. I cant pinpoint when it finally stopped hurting but everyone noticed when I no longer was dragging one leg and grunting at each step...and let me tell you I truly was a different man being painfree from the one that was in terrible pain.

I think I have to agree with your statement. For sure ... I haven't noticed any saints free from sin before they die. I see saints freely forgiven. But not free from sin. From what I have studied ... that part comes at the second coming. Perhaps just before Jesus comes there will be some who will be the Enochs of their time. A special group who honor God. But I don't see that as a requirement for salvation.

Maybe it has to do with ones definition of what sin is. Is sin just an act like adultry or is it lust? I think this issue has been discussed a time or two. Im not sure we know enough of Enoch to say he stopped sinning do we? Maybe he was made perfect in his faith. Ill believe in perfectionism when I see the first perfect person. The point is none can be perfect thats why Jesus came down to do it for us as our substitute. I think Paul explains the internal struggle we will continue to go through the rest of our earthly lives in Romans 7:14-25.

Aaron

Thats the thing, I have seen saints who were dead to sin, having the Mind of Christ, and I cannot judge but I dare say having Christ in them and they in Christ. So it leaves me a bit confused when others say we cannot overcome sin, that is the whole point of accepting Christ and being transformed by the Holy Spirit, is it not?

Does one have to work at being free from sin or is it something that just happens?

Here's an EGW quote on the subject I like:



The context is a discussion of "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48. EGW defines perfection as being like Christ.

I think thinking of things as being like Christ as opposed to overcoming sin is a more positive, and more successful, approach. How do we become like Christ? By contemplating Christ we transformed into the same image.

This is the example that I use to explain it..

You fall in love with the love of your life, and all of a sudden those old flames and flings with lovers dont have the same look to it. The desire to call them for a hookup seems to fade, the little black book goes untouched, and when they come and try to entice you for a one night stand, you dont even bat a eyelash of interest.

So what has changed, the old lovers still look the same, their flirtations is the same as ever, their easy virtue flaunted for all to see....What is different that you no longer are tempted by the these old lovers. Figure that out and you have your answer...