I believe that in these passages we are being instructed that even though we are forgiven, we do NOT have “carte blanche” to continue sinning with impunity…although forgiven, we need to continue to search our heart and life in an attempt to STOP sinning. With the HELP of the Holy Spirit.
Thus the passage about those who are dead no longer sin. In my opinion, this means that ONLY those who are dead no longer sin.
If you are correct in your interpretation, which I respectfully decline to agree with, then I am in BIG trouble. Just today I got frustrated with my father and snapped at him. Just today I got frustrated with someone going 15 MPH in a 25 MPH zone and thought bad thoughts. Just today…(on and on…)
Thank you, Scotti – a more apropos statement of bringing one’s entire self to the Bible and using it to understand what the Scriptures teach, rather than parroting given verses, I have never seen.
(And you thought you weren’t cut out for Great Debates! ;))
Shoe1234, that idea is something I’ve always wondered about. If you don’t mind, I’ve opened a new thread where we can discuss just that idea. Welcome to the Boards! It’s not everyone who can produce a first post that’s interesting enough to span a new thread.
Also, since we do have several new people, the way the quote tags work is this, type <quote>Whatever you want to quote</quote> only replace the angle brackets (<>s) with square ones (). Also, since I can’t type links in context, you might want to try doing what I do: type a few words then hit the Preview Reply button which is below the Options section, and use the buttons on that screen which will help you out with coding. This way, you won’t be automatically subscribed to the thread, but you can use all sorts of interesting tricks in your post.
Forgive the hijack, but I’m curious. Why did you not ever visit the Love thread that was opened when you requested that I comment on love? I could search for the thread wherein you made the request, but I’m hoping you’ll just remember and thus spare me from that.
