Because breaking the sabbath unwittingly isn't a defective trait of character. In order to develop a sinful trait of character it is necessary to repeatedly do something you know is wrong, you must violate your convictions and conscience. That's why it's impossible for a born again believer to possess an unknown defective trait of character.

Why use the word "unknown"? It seems to me you are using a tautological definition of your phrase, so that your assertion says nothing.

That is, you say something which you do unknowingly is not a defect of character, since it's unknown. So it's not only impossible for a Christian to have an unknown defect of character, it's impossible for a non-Christian, or a Martian, or anyone or anything else, to have an unknown defect of character, because such a thing is equivalent to a square circle.

Mike

Are you aware of all your sins and shortcommings?

/Thomas

Tom, my point precisely. The difference before and after rebirth is that born again believers have been shown their defects in light of the cross.

Thomas, since you have specified "sins and shortcomings" I can honestly answer, Yes and No. Yes, the Holy Spirit has revealed to me my shortcomings, and by the grace of God I have victory (i.e., when I'm connected to Jesus). No, I cannot say for certain that God has revealed all my sins of ignorance.

Again, a sin of ignorance is not a defective trait of character. What is the difference?

Hi! Though I’m a rare contributor here I often follow through my husband. I felt I just had to say something here. We are saved by faith not by character. It is faith at the beginning, faith all the way through and faith which is the cord that grows larger and carries us over the chasm to the promised land. Faith focuses on the Lord not on ourselves. Faith knows that we can do nothing of ourselves. Faith is the walk of childlike trust that grows and learns. Faith is dynamic which means that in our walk with God we learn and grow and change (thank God) and it is as we maintain that humility and teachableness, the Lord counts us His children and guides and disciplines us. In the walk by faith there is joy and peace and victory. Faith is the victory!

Deborah Boskovic

Deborah, thank you for sharing. And, I think I speak for everyone here when I say, Amen! We are saved based on faith in the shed blood of Jesus. Saving faith is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, unto the honor and glory of God.

But, would you agree there is a kind of "faith" that does not result in salvation? that does not yield the peaceable fruits of godliness? If so, then how might we identify it and avoid it? How can we tell if our faith is the genuine article? What is character? and what part does it play in judgment?

Yes, there is a belief which is not unto salvation, but it is not faith, it is belief. People often use the words interchangeably but they are very different. We can believe many ‘things’ or ‘truths’ about God and we may call that “faith”, including a belief in the shed blood of Jesus. Others may look at us and think we are “good Christians” but in our inmost heart we know if we walk by faith or belief. True faith is a relationship in which we have been saved from the power of sin and know it. We have been made a child of God and know it. We have God as our Father, Jesus as our indwelling helper and know it.

Character is only significant as it is revealed in this walk of faith. Only you and God and the people who live with you will know the victories you gain by faith. They cannot be hidden under a bushel. You and they will know whether you are humble and growing. Character is revealed through faith. We will only be judged by our lack of faith not by the degree of fruit. Remember the parable of the talents; whether we have 1 or 5 or 10 it is faithfulness that the Lord seeks.

Deborah Boskovic

Again, amen! Does genuine faith enable us to live without committing known sins? If so, how does it work? If not, why not? Will an unconquered, uncrucified defective trait of character keep us out of heaven?

And suddenly this isnt about us anymore but the focal point has moved where it should have been all the time, on God and all He has done for our salvation.

/Thomas

It's nice to think that God is the focus, but in reality, mankind has been the focus from the beginning. Jesus is the means of our salvation, but our salvation is the means to an end - that is, the end of the great controversy. We cannot ignore ourselves and focus only on God. We must work out our own "salvation with fear and trembling." Phil 2:12. Of course, the only way we can do this is by staying connected to Jesus. But we cannot overlook our works and behaviour. Getting it right is everything.