SINS DONE IN IGNORANCE AND SINS DONE WILFULLY
The error made regarding the phrase "saved by grace" among believers is that they think they are saved even though they continue with their specific habitual sins. This belief is the reason why they say that they are still Sinners saved by grace. Such faith is contrary to the scriptures because all the letters in the New Testament are directed to Saints and not to Sinners. A Sinner becomes a Saint when he or she is born again. Although they are saved by grace, they do not distinguish between their former life as a Sinner and their new life as a Saint.
If a holy person continues to sin like a Sinner, then NO SALVATION from sin has taken place, but only FORGIVENESS of sins was received. This understanding or view belongs to the Old Testament dispensation because they then could only receive forgiveness, but never salvation/deliverance from SIN. The truth however is, that the Saint has received NOT ONLY forgiveness of his past sins but ALSO SALVATION from the power of sin, as well as the Holy Spirit as a help him/her to stop all sins — thus perfecting holiness. Before Christ they had no Helper, but now the Saint has no reason to keep on committing sins.
Why do the Believers try to live better if it is not possible? Why does God require obedience from a child of God if it is not possible? Does God accept sin or can the Saint continue to commit sins without any consequences?
TAKE NOTE:
All sins done before rebirth are forgiven and left unpunished. That is grace.
“Being justified freely by his GRACE through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are PAST, through the forbearance of God;” (Rom 3:24-25)
“But he that lacketh these things (see 1 Pet 5-8) is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his OLD SINS.” (2 Pet 1:9)
IMPORTANT
ALL NEW SINS DONE AFTER GRACE WAS RECEIVED, WILL BE ACCOUNTED FOR
“Wherefore WE LABOUR, that, whether present or absent, WE MAY BE ACCEPTED of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; THAT EVERY ONE MAY RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE IN HIS BODY, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Cor 5:9-10)
THERE IS TWO TYPES OF SINS Those sins done in IGNORANCE OR UNKNOWINGLY and those sins that are done ON PURPOSE HOW DOES GOD DEAL WITH THE SINS THE SAINT DO IN IGNORANCE? In the Old Testament, the high priest brought one blood sacrifice for the sins of the people that were done in ignorance (not consciously). However, for all known sins, the people themselves had to bring a blood sacrifice. “But into the second went the high priest alone ONCE A YEAR, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:” (Heb 9:7) Likewise, the blood of Jesus Christ our High Priest, covers all our sins done unknowingly (unconsciously). Sins done in ignorance are those sins that are not known to the believer or that ARE NOT YET REVEALED AS BEING SIN When a sin done in ignorance, becomes known, THE BELIEVER BECOMES GUILTY. It is then the responsibility of the believer to stop the known sin with the help of the Holy Spirit. The believer can no longer rely on UNCONDITIONAL forgiveness. The known sin must be confessed and mortified — it is the SACRIFICE required of the believer in the New Testament.
TAKE NOTE:
If the believer does not mortify the known sins, he or she SINS on purpose and Jesus cannot be crucified a second time for KNOWN sins.
“For if we sin WILFULLY after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS,” (Heb 10:26)
HOW DOES GOD DEAL WITH THE SINS OF THE SAINT DONE WILFULLY?
The Sinner was saved by GRACE because all his sins of the past have been forgiven him and left unpunished, because Jesus PAID THE FULL PENALTY FOR IT on the Cross. (The wage for sin is death!) The Sinner becomes a SAINT because he has received the Holy Spirit and HE also empowers him to stop with all known sins.
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”(Heb 10:26-27)
“He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 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? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, THE LORD SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb 10:28-31)
WARNING:
If a believer does not mortify his known sins, his conscience becomes insensitive and he is no longer convinced of his sins. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION TO BE IN!
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; HAVING THEIR CONSCIENCE SEARED WITH A HOT IRON;” (1 Tim 4:1-2)
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