Some interesting questions and scriptures below to get us thinking....
HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT SIN IS?
ROMANS 14:23 ...... WHATSOEVER IS NOT OF FAITH IS SIN
ROMANS 3:20, Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: FOR BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN.
ROMANS 7:7, What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I HAD NOT KNOWN SIN, BUT BY THE LAW: FOR I HAD NOT KNOWN LUST, EXCEPT THE LAW HAD SAID, YOU SHALL NOT COVET.
1 JOHN 3:4, Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW.
JAMES 2:10-11 For WHOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL. [11], For he that said, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, SAID ALSO, DO NOT KILL. NOW IF YOU COMMIT NO ADULTERY, YET IF YOU KILL, YOU ARE BECOME A TRANSGRESSOR OF THE LAW.
Sin is not believing or rejecting God's Word and breaking anyone of God's commandments.
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HAVE WE ALL BROKEN GOD'S LAW AND SINNED?
ROMANS 3:23 FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD
ROMANS 5:12 WHY, AS BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN; AND SO DEATH PASSED ON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED
ROMANS 3:10 AS IT IS WRITTEN, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE
All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and stand before God guilty of sin and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)
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WHEN ARE WE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD FOR SIN?
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 17:30-31 [30], And the TIMES OF THIS IGNORANCE GOD WINKED AT; BUT NOW COMMANDS ALL MEN EVERY WHERE TO REPENT: [31], Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.
HEBREWS 10:26-31 [26], For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, [27], But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [28], He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: [29], Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? [30], For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. [31], It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
JAMES 4:17 Therefore TO HIM THAT KNOWS TO DO GOOD, AND DOES IT NOT, TO HIM IT IS SIN.
God only holds us accountable for sin once he gives us a knowledge of the truth of Gods' Word at which time he calls us to believe and follow what His Word says
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WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR THOSE WHO CONTINUE IN KNOWN SIN WHEN WE HAVE RECEIVED A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD?
HEBREWS 10:26-39 [26], FOR IF WE SIN WILLFULLY AFTER THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, THERE REMAINS NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, [27], BUT A CERTAIN FEARFUL LOOKING FOR OF JUDGMENT AND FIERY INDIGNATION, WHICH SHALL DEVOUR THE ADVERSARIES.
ROMANS 8:13, FOR IF YOU LIVE AFTER THE FLESH YOU WILL DIE: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.
ROMANS 6:23 THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH but the gift of God is s eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
If we continue in unbelief and known unrepentant sin there remains no more sacrifice for sins and Gods' forgiveness for sin because we are continuing to practice sin and not believe and follow what Gods' Word says and we are in danger of the judgement because choose our sins over believing and following what Gods' Word says.
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WHO THEN HAS GOD'S MERCY?
PROVERBS 28:13, HE THAT COVERS HIS SINS SHALL NOT PROSPER: BUT WHOEVER CONFESSES AND FORSAKES THEM SHALL HAVE MERCY.
1 JOHN 2:1 1, My little children, these things write I to you, THAT YOU SIN NOT. AND IF ANY MAN SIN, WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS
1 JOHN 1:9, IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
JOHN 3:15-18 [15], That WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.[16], For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.[17], For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2:38 [38], Then Peter said to them, REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.
It is not God's will that we sin but if any many sin we have an advocate with the father Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1-2) and if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us for our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13). Go to Jesus now just as you are do not wait as there is nothing you can do to make yourself right with God. Jesus knows this and because he loves you has paid the price for your sins already and offers you His forgiveness without money and without price as a free gift *Ephesians 2:8-9. God's forgiveness is yours today. All you need to do to receive it is to hold out your hand of faith by continual believing in the very Words of Jesus, confess your sins to him and go and sin no more.
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HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU KNOW GOD?
1 JOHN 2:1-4 [1] My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: [2] And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. [3] AND HEREBY WE DO KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. [4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Those who know God believe and follow Gods' Word and keep or obey Gods' commandments not because they are saved by the law but because they love Jesus *John 14:15 and have been born again *1 John 3:4-9 to walk in God's Spirit of love *Galatians 5:16, through faith * 1 John 5:2-4 and have entered into Gods' new covenant promise (see Hebrews 8:10-12 from Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:24-27).
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILDREN OF GOD AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL?
1 JOHN 3:3-10 [3], And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. [4], WHOEVER COMMITS SIN TRANSGRESSES ALSO THE LAW: FOR SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW. [5], And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. [6], WHOEVER STAYS IN HIM SINS NOT: WHOEVER SINS HAS NOT SEEN HIM, NEITHER KNOWN HIM. [7], LITTLE CHILDREN, LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU: HE THAT DOES RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RIGHTEOUS, EVEN AS HE IS RIGHTEOUS. [8], HE THAT COMMITS SIN IS OF THE DEVIL; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [9], Whoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. [10], IN THIS THE CHILDREN OF GOD ARE MANIFEST, AND THE CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL: whoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.
The children of God do not practice sin which is defined in the scriptures as breaking anyone of God's 10 commandments and not believing and following what Gods' Word says. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest or revealed. Gods' children believe and obey Gods' Word and keep His commandments. The children of the devil continue in unbelief and sin.
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WHO ARE GOD'S PEOPLE?
REVELATION 12:17, [17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ
REVELATION 14:12, HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS: HERE ARE THEY THAT KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE FAITH OF JESUS.
REVELATION 22:14, BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, THAT THEY MAY HAVE RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY ENTER IN THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY.
Gods' saints as also shown earlier keep all the commandments of God through faith in Jesus and are the ones blessed with everlasting life. This also includes God's 4th commandment which is a sign to God's people that the God of creation is saving His people from sin (see Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 20:20)
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WHO HAS GOD'S SPIRIT?
ACTS 5:32, And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN TO THEM WHO OBEY HIM.
God's Spirit is only given to all those who obey Him and are living up to all the knowledge that God has revealed to them through His Word.
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DO YOU WANT ETERNAL LIFE?
MATTHEW 19:16 [16] And, behold, one came and said unto him, GOOD MASTER, WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO, THAT I MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?[17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.[18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Ask God to come into your life and keep all the commandments of God
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HAVE YOU BEEN TAUGHT “JUST BELIEVE” ALONE WITHOUT FOLLOWING WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS AND YOU WILL BE SAVED?
JAMES 2:16-26 [16], And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? [17], Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. [18], Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. [19] Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: THE DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE, and tremble. [20], But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? [21], Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? [22], Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? [23], And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. [24], Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. [25], Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? [26], For as the body without the spirit0 is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
MATTHEW 7:21 [21], Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; BUT HE THAT DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
JOHN 14:15 If you love me KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS
Believing Gods' Word without obeying what Gods' Word says is simply the dead faith of devils. Genuine faith therefore believe and obeys what Gods' Word says.
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DO YOU LOVE GOD?
JOHN 5:42 But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you.
1 JOHN 5:1-3 [1] Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him. [2] BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE LOVE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, WHEN WE LOVE GOD, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. [3] For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
JOHN 14:15 [15] IF YOU LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.
JOHN 15:10 [10], If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Without Jesus we do not have the love of God in us. Jesus says He knows us. Since we have all fallen into sin we cannot love God unless God changes our hearts to love Him. We need Jesus to give us a knew heart that loves and this is the good news of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and Gods' new covenant promise which is given to all those who through faith believe and follow what God's Word says (see Hebrews 8:10-12 from Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:24-27. We show our love to God by believing and following what His Word says. God gives us His Spirit so we can obey Him as we believe His promises to us
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CAN WE HAVE GODS SPIRIT WITHOUT OBEYING WHAT GODS WORD SAYS WHILE LIVING IN KNOWN UNREPENTANT SIN AND UNBELIEF?
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 5:32 32, And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN TO THEM THAT OBEY HIM.
DO YOU WANT GODS HOLY SPIRIT?
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2:38 [38], Then Peter said to them, REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.
JOHN 14:15 [15] If ye love me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.[16] And I WILL PRAY THE FATHER, AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER, THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOR EVER;[17] EVEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
In times of ignorance when we do not know any better God winks at but when he gives us a knowledge of the truth through His Word calls all of us to believe and follow what HIs Word says. If at this time we reject God's Word to continue in known unrepentant sin and unbelief we can grieve and quench (put out) God's Spirit so that God will no longer hear us (see Proverb 28:9).
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ARE YOU BEING TAUGHT GOD’S LAW (10 Commandments) HAS PASSED AWAY?
MATTHEW 5:17-18 [17] THINK NOT THAT I AM COME TO DESTROY THE LAW, OR THE PROPHETS: I AM NOT COME TO DESTROY, but to fulfill. [18] For verily I say unto you, TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS, ONE JOT OR ONE TITTLE SHALL IN NO WISE PASS FROM THE LAW, till all be fulfilled.
ROMANS 8:4 [4], That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
ROMANS 3:20 [20], Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
ROMANS 7:7 [7], What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. No, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.
ROMANS 3:31 [31], Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yes, we establish the law.
JAMES 2:10-11 For WHOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL. [11], For he that said, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, SAID ALSO, DO NOT KILL. NOW IF YOU COMMIT NO ADULTERY, YET IF YOU KILL, YOU ARE BECOME A TRANSGRESSOR OF THE LAW.
According to the scriptures Gods' law has the same role in the new covenant that it did in the old covenant and that is to give us the knowledge of good (moral right doing) when obeyed and evil (moral wrong doing) when disobeyed. Sin (moral wrong doing) when broken and righteousness (moral right doing) when obeyed. Their role in the new covenant is to show us that we are all sinners and to lead us to Christ that we might be forgiven through Gods' grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:22-25) so we can be born again into God's new covenant promise (see Hebrews 8:10-12; from Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Ezekiel 36-24-27; John 3:3-7; 1 John 3:4-9) so we can walk in newness of life in Gods' Spirit (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:1-4; Romans 6:1-23). Gods' 10 commandments therefore have not been abolished. God wants to establish them in our hearts so that we can love God and our fellow man.
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DOES GOD HEAR OUR PRAYERS IF WE A KNOWINGLY BREAKING ANYONE OF HIS LAWS?
PROVERBS 28:9, HE THAT TURNS AWAY HIS EAR FROM HEARING THE LAW, EVEN HIS PRAYER SHALL BE ABOMINATION.
PROVERBS 28:13, HE THAT COVERS HIS SINS SHALL NOT PROSPER: BUT WHOEVER CONFESSES AND FORSAKES THEM SHALL HAVE MERCY.
The key word here is "knowingly" in times of ignorance God winks at. He knows us and what has been falsely taught to us in our own lives and in times of ignorance God does not hold us accountable for sin and unbelief until he gives us a knowledge of the truth through His Word. At this time if we reject Gods' Word and continue in known unrepentant sin and unbelief God holds us accountable for our sins and sill not hear us until we return to Him in confession of sin and repentance of sin.
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Dear friend in the Lord Jesus, are you really in the faith? If you say you. JESUS tells us we you shall know them by their fruits. What are your fruits?
God bless