Are you saying every sinful habit, or representative sinful habits?



I think "trait" is a vaguer term than the way I expressed it. Webster's defines "trait" as a distinguishing quality. That could easily be taken to mean something having to do with our character, and, indeed, "trait" can have that meaning. However, no matter what phrase or terms one uses, fault can be found by one wishing to do so.



This is rather an unfortunate choice of words. Of course, no matter how one acts, it can cause some people to conclude that Christianity is a joke.

Here's an example. Let's say a person says "Gee!" not realizing this is short for "Jesus!" or "Darn!" no realizing this means "Damn!" This is a sinful habit, isn't it? But should we conclude that one is not born again because one says, "Gee!"

A construction worker, for example, who is born again would not necessarily be instantly cured of course language instantaneously. However, in time, one's speech will become like Jesus'.

A good friend of mine, a former sailor, tells a story of getting his hand caught in some machinery and having it ground. When he got his hand out, he said, to the amazement of those who witnessed it, "My that hurt!" This is a great testament to the power of God to heal, but this healing need not be instantaneous. One can be born again, and learn things in relation to their speech and acts, which is to say their behavior. However, there will be a Christ-like bearing about anyone who is Christ's. It will be evident that there is "something different."

Regarding your statement, "sins that if they die before they are discovered and crucified will not prevent them from entering the Pearly Gates?" I think this is another FOTAP thing. If a person is born again, he is ready to go to heaven, by definition. So there are no sins that need to be discovered that would prevent them from going to heaven.

This isn't even looking at things the right way. We don't get to heaven by discovering sins but by faith in Christ.

Sin estranges us from God. When we respond to God's love, especially as revealed at the cross, our hearts are melted by the Holy Spirit. We experience the miracle of being born again. The law is written in our heart. It becomes our will to do God's will. We desire to be like God, and live according to the principles of His kingdom.

Having views of God's character which would make Him Satan-like rather than Christ-like is as likely to make others conclude that "Christianity is a joke" as much some given sinful habit or behavior.

Things that make people conclude that Christianity is a joke;

The idea that dying on a cross would have anything to do with forgiveness,
The idea that God as Father would sacrafice His Son to provide forgiveness,
The fact that the church has split into umpteen different groups who all claim to have the truth and love one another but not those of that other group of christians,
The thought that Christians acctually would believe in a god at all...

Thomas, do you have a list that includes sinful behaviors the Holy Spirit waits to reveal until born again believers are ready to confess and crucify them?

Thank you for providing an example of a sinful habit the Holy Spirit can wait to reveal to the born again believers described above until the time is right without jeopardizing their salvation.

TE: If a person is born again, he is ready to go to heaven, by definition. So there are no sins that need to be discovered that would prevent them from going to heaven. This isn't even looking at things the right way. We don't get to heaven by discovering sins but by faith in Christ.

MM: I agree. There are no unconfessed, uncrucified sins that will prevent born again believers from going to heaven. Why? Because they were revealed, confessed, and crucified in light of the cross during the process that led to rebirth.

The path to heaven includes confessing and crucifying sinful behaviors that will prevent people from entering the gates of heaven. Indeed, no one experiences genuine rebirth until these types of sins are confessed and crucified. Paul names some of them in the following passage:

Galatians
5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

John has this to say about sin:

1 John
5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

There are certain sins that prevent people from entering heaven, and there are certain sins that do not lead to death. How do we determine which is which?

You're assuming that unconfessed, uncrucified sins are what prevent people from going to heaven. It's much simpler than that. What prevents people from going to heaven is not being right with God. If we're not right with God, we will have no desire to be in heaven. The exclusion from heaven of the wicked is voluntary with themselves.

Unconfessed, uncrucified sins are a symptom, not a cause.



The path to heaven includes being right with God. If there are things in our lives which are a stumbling block to us, preventing us from being right with Him, He will make us aware of these things.



We don't need to. This isn't the main issue. The main issue is being right with God. God knows what a person needs to know in order to be right with Him, and will bring the things to mind that a person needs to know.

The goodness of God leads to repentance. If we want to lead people to repentance, it behooves us to make known His goodness.

Why would I have such a list? Spending enough time meditatin on sin to write that list cannot be healthy...

I've had the same type of thought in response this request, but not so eloquent.

The fact is, though, such a list does not exist, right! If it did exist, then it would be wise to follow Paul's counsel in the following passage:

2 Corinthians
13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

FE 214
In order to understand your condition, it is necessary to study the Bible, and to watch unto prayer. The apostle says, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Let not those who are ignorant remain in ignorance. They cannot remain in ignorance, and meet the mind of God. {FE 214.1}

HP 131
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" (2 Cor. 13:5). Some conscientious souls, on reading this, immediately begin to criticize their every feeling and emotion. But this is not correct self-examination. It is not the petty feelings and emotions that are to be examined. The life, the character, is to be measured by the only standard of character, God's holy law. The fruit testifies to the character of the tree. Our works, not our feelings, bear witness of us. {HP 131.2}

OHC 336
We do well to examine ourselves to see what manner of spirit we are cherishing. Let us learn to speak gently, quietly, even under circumstances the most trying. Let us control not only our words, but our thoughts and imaginations. Let us be kind, be courteous. {OHC 336.3}

1SM 89
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Cor. 13:5). Closely criticize the temper, the disposition, the thoughts, words, inclinations, purposes, and deeds. How can we ask intelligently for the things we need unless we prove by the Scriptures the condition of our spiritual health? {1SM 89.1}

Tom, you are the one who has been saying the Holy Spirit doesn't reveal all of "the sins that were practiced before conversion", that He waits to reveal some of them until after they have experienced the miracle of rebirth. But that isn't what I hear the Bible or the SOP teaching. Instead, Peter describes newborn babes as those who, like Jesus, do not sin. They laid aside their former sinful habits and practices.

They put off the old man habits of sin and put on the new man of righteousness and true holiness. They are dead to sin. In Christ they are perfecting holiness. Of course, these truths are only true while they are abiding in Jesus. They are free to stop abiding in Jesus and revert back to their former sins. But so long as they are abiding in Jesus they do not and cannot commit a known sin. Here is how it is described:

1 Peter
2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious.

1 Peter
4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

SD 300
Great responsibility comes to those who have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Strive to understand the meaning of the words, "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." In the new life upon which you have entered, you are pledged to represent the life of Christ.

Having put on the new man, "which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him," "put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." {SD 300.2}

The old sinful life is dead; the new life entered into with Christ by the pledge of baptism. Practise the virtues of the Saviour's character. Let His wisdom dwell in you richly in all wisdom; "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." . . .

The sins that were practised before conversion, are to be put off, with the old man. With the new man, Christ Jesus, are to be put on "kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." {SD 300.3}