Sinful flesh waits indeed for translation/1st resurrection and not before, but Christlike character filled with righteousness is the perfection you refer to isn't it?

How do you define sinlessness?

What do you think 1 Jn 1:8 means?

Ellen White wrote:

Everyone who by faith obeys God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. {HP 146.5}

Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of God's commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. They testify to their love of Christ by obeying all His precepts (MS 122, 1901). {6BC 1118.10}

Yes. BTW, what do you think 1 Jn 1:8 means? Most people seem to think it means we will never cease sinning until after Jesus returns and we are changed in the "twinkling of an eye".

Ellen White wrote:

The characters formed in this life will determine the future destiny. When Christ shall come, He will not change the character of any individual. {4T 429.2}

The change from earth to heaven will not change men's character; the happiness of the redeemed in heaven results from the character formed in this life after the image of Christ. The saints in heaven will first have been saints on earth. {Mar 326.4}

You asked, "How do your questions fit in this ladys testimony?" Here's the questions and how I see them relating to the lady's testimony:

1. "Does your objection to what I posted indicate you disagree with it?" I believe her experience of gradually outgrowing the habit of smoking dope and cigarettes is unbiblical. Do you agree?

2. "If someone you know is doing something you know is unhealthful or unChristlike, would you ignore it and simply encourage them to read the DA hoping that eventually it will become as obvious to them as it is to you?" If you know someone going through what the lady above went through would you say nothing about it and simply encourage her to read the DA hoping she gets it right? Or, do you think the lady's method of gradually outgrowing her sins is biblical?

3. "In your opinion, does the following testimony reflect and reveal what the Bible and the SOP says about the path to victory and Christlikeness?" Do you think her method of gradually outgrowing her sins is biblical? Or, do you think the Bible describes it differently? If so, would you mind sharing the Bible and/or the SOP what you believe the truth is about it?


She described gradually outgrowing her sins over the course of several years. There is nothing to judge. Either her experience is what God describes in the Bible and the SOP or it is not. Do you think God promises to empower believers to gradually outgrow their sins over a period of several years? If so, where in the Bible or the SOP does it say so?


Amen!


Amen!

PS - In light of these things, what do you make of the following insight:

Those who profess godliness, yet are not sanctified by the truth which they profess, will not change materially their course of action, which they know is hateful before God, because they are not subjected to the trial of being reproved individually for their sins. They see, by the testimonies of others, their own case faithfully pointed out before them. They are cherishing the same evil. By continuing their course of sin, they are violating their consciences, hardening their hearts, and stiffening their necks, just the same as though the testimony had been borne directly to them. In passing on and refusing to put away their sins and correct their wrongs by humble confession, repentance, and humiliation, they choose their own way, and are given up to the same, and are finally led captive by Satan at his will. They may become quite bold because they are able to conceal their sins from others and because the judgments of God do not come in a visible manner upon them. {2T 447.2}

They may be apparently prosperous in this world. They may deceive poor, shortsighted mortals and be regarded as patterns of piety while in their sins. But God cannot be deceived. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before Him: but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God." Although the life of a sinner may be prolonged upon the earth, yet not in the earth made new. He shall be of that number whom David mentions in his psalm: "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth." {2T 447.2}

Yes, or in that general vicinity.

i find your questions beside the point.

i am not God and i cannot speak to whether that is how He led that lady or no and you cant force me to no matter how much manipulation is applied.

whether God worked that way in that ladys life is a matter of humble prayer, but im not sure how that is different than a person who struggles for years to go cold-turkey. either way it took years.....

Col 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

The title of this thread is: Walking in the Light — Turning Away From Sin. My questions are related to the topic.


Wow!

you were asking about that lady you heard and your questions were about whether that was possible. the real question is, does her experience match what you have decided it should be.

my response is basically saying its none of my business. i cant say if that is how God led her or not.

but the question i asked hasnt been answered: whats the difference between gradually quitting smoking

and taking years to get the victory?

Teresaq, it's not a matter of personal opinion. It's a matter of truth. Does God promise to empower us to gradually quit sinning? Or, does He promises us victory here and now? We must turn to the Bible for answers - not personal opinions. God is no "respecter of persons". He doesn't tailor victory and success based on whether or not people have enough will-power or whatever to quit sinning now or later. His promises are for now. Any idea that postpones freedom from sin, that places it in the future, is a man-made lie.

God's plan and strategy for victory is the same for everyone. It depends on Him and His power - not on our personal strengths or weaknesses. It has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him. The idea that God sometimes empowers certain people to experience victory gradually rather than immediately is unbiblical. Nowhere in the Bible or the SOP does it say God empowers some people to sin less and less until they eventually cease sinning. God is not an evolutionist. He's a creationist. Anybody can slowly quit sinning. But only God can empower people to stop sinning in His appointed way.

Zechariah
4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

I challenge you, or anybody else on this thread, to find a single inspired passage that says God empowers some people to gradually give up a certain sinful habit until they are finally free of it, until they finally learn how to rein it in, to keep it under the control of a sanctified will and mind.

PS - Please don't go all "postal" on me and accuse me of interrogating you or attempting to manipulate you. Man-up and address the topic. This is, after all, a discussion forum.

There is no difference. Both are based on the evolution model rather than the creation model.