Man - 'Created in the image of God'

[Daily Devoted]

You do not understand the difference between the act of sinning and the state of sin.
The act of sinning is when I do something not appropiate to the life in Christ. The state of sin is in my flesh I cannot get rid of it.
As you know Jesus was made sin, but never sinned. that is to say that Jesus was made flesh but never obeyed its lusts. The flesh and sin is one and the same. So if we say we have no sin (or the lusts of the flesh) the truth is not in us.

You are misinterpreting Scripture. Nowhere in Scripture does it differentiate a state of sin with the act of sin. When the Bible says that Jesus was made sin, it means that our sins were placed upon him. He lived a sinless life, but died to pay the penalty for sins. While on the cross, our sins were placed on Him. That is why the Father looked away from the Son, because He cannot look on sin. It was in this moment, that the penalty for sin was paid.

You cannot go in and out from abideing in Christ, if that is the case I would be a double minded man, or a baby in Christ.
A mature and serious Christian would take hold of this: 1Peter 1:14-16, "As obedient children, do not be comformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be Holy for I am Holy'"

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The book of James was written to believers. If believers do not sin then why is this in the book?

So if we say we have no sin (or the lusts of the flesh) the truth is not in us.

1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If these verses are referring to the lust of the flesh being in us, then why the need to confess our sins? Again, this was written to believers.

Abiding in Christ is the same thing as being in fellowship with Christ. When we sin as Christians, it breaks our fellowship with Christ, but through confession of our sins, we can be restored to fellowship with Christ.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

In this section, Jesus is talking to His disciples. The disciples are already believers. Why then is He telling them to abide in Him if believers cannot at times not abide in Him.

 

[Daily Devoted]

A mature and serious Christian would take hold of this: 1Peter 1:14-16, "As obedient children, do not be comformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be Holy for I am Holy'"

Take it in context. Peter is writing to Christians who have been scattered abroad due to persecution.

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Peter tells them to look forward to the time when Jesus is revealed. This is referring to when Jesus comes again and takes the believers to heaven to be with Him. At this time we receive our glorified (sinless) bodies. Now, in light of this hope (unfulfilled reality) that we have, Peter tells the believers to not fashion themselves according to the former lusts. We are not to make ourselves slaves of the former lusts, because we are no longer under the power of sin. Peter tells us to strive to be holy as Christ is holy. Again, why would he have to tell the believers to be holy if it was not possible for a believer to sin. For that reason, I added the word strive to be holy. When we look at these verses in context we have to come to the conclusion that this is the correct interpretation of these verses.

 

[free spirit]

You are misinterpreting Scripture. Nowhere in Scripture does it differentiate a state of sin with the act of sin. When the Bible says that Jesus was made sin, it means that our sins were placed upon him. He lived a sinless life, but died to pay the penalty for sins.

When Jesus was made flesh he olso was made sin. By keeping all of the law even to death he fulfilled the law and repaired what Adam had broken to do that he had to pay with his life

While on the cross, our sins were placed on Him.

He was allready made sin or flesh, or stood in the place of humanity

That is why the Father looked away from the Son, because He cannot look on sin. It was in this moment, that the penalty for sin was paid.

the above statement is a speculation and inmagination of men, sorry but it is a lie.
read all of Psalm 22 and you will see that on verse 24 it says, :For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him for help, He heard." this is the true relationship between God and Jesus while he was on the cross. the underline phrase is an indication that God never looked away. Also in the book of Job God questioned Satan so if God can look on satan who is the father of all sins, I am confident that God never took off his eyes from His suffering son

If that is what you believe you have a superficial understanding of the scriptures.
Please read the following article that I wrote some time ago.


And in Galatians 3:13 I have found lies about my Lord and about His accomplished works, for it reads: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’”
It is ludicrous to say that He redeemed us from the curse of the law by allowing Himself to become a curse for us, just by dying while hanging on a tree.
Before we go any further it is important for us to understand that the tree is only a tool to administer death to a condemned man. We must surely know that it is the sins that the man has committed that makes him accursed and not the way he dies. That is why the law became a curse for us, because we could not keep it and consequently we merited death because of our transgressions, not because the law in itself was bad. (So death is not a curse, but it’s the consequence of sin). He came to fulfil the law for us and by fulfilling the law He absorbed the law in Himself. Therefore He became a blessing for us, because He freed us from the curse of the law written on tablets of stone, having replaced them with the law of the spirit of Himself (the Holy Spirit). I am fully convinced that it is correct for the above verse of Galatians 3:13 to read: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having fulfilled the law for us.”
We all know that our Lord became flesh for us and consequently He was made sin, because the flesh and sin are one and the same. Also our Lord (who is a type of Adam) took those of us who are faithful in Himself on the cross. He also took the sin of the whole world on the cross for the justification of all humanity as He fulfilled the law by being obedient even to death. But none of the above is a curse in itself. However, the law became a curse to us because we could not keep it. By doing all of the above He became a blessing for all those who believe and obey Him.
We would certainly and clearly see the error if we read Deuteronomy 21:23 in context with verse 22. We will then discover that part of verse 23 doesn’t apply to our Lord, for we read in Deuteronomy 21: 22-23: “And if a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, (23) his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance.” We can all sorely see that the above underlined scripture of verse 23 doesn’t apply to our Lord because our Lord was not guilty of having “committed a sin worthy of death,” required in the previous verse. In fact He was sinless, regardless of how He appeared to those who witnessed, or condemned Him to death. (Yes, He was made sin but never committed sin. Isn’t that something that we should rejoice about? For by doing that, Jesus stripped sin of the power of the law.)
Furthermore the testimony of 1Corinthians 12:3 reinforces that He didn’t become accursed for it is written: “That no one speaking by the spirit of God says, Jesus is accursed.” With those undisputable proofs in hand we should only come to one obvious conclusion: that the Scriptures suggesting that our blessed Lord become a curse for us is nothing but a “blasphemous diversion” working against the knowledge of the accomplished works of our Lord.
If you are not yet convinced, I would suggest that you insert the corrected verse in Galatians 3:13 and judge it in context and you will see that the whole chapter, and indeed all of Galatians, is explaining to us how the curse of the law has been replaced by having faith in the grace of Christ, who paid the price for us by enduring the brutal sufferings of the cross and yet died sinless. He thus fulfilled the law for us, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith in Him. Read 1Corinthians 15:55-57 and you will see that death and sin are defeated by the fulfilment of the law and not by Christ’s dying hanging on a tree. Read Romans 5:17-21 and you will also see that through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men; even so, the total obedience to the law of one Man resulted in justification of life to all men.
It is vital that all believers understand the book of Galatians, which explains faith in the grace of Christ in contrast to the works of the law. Satan knows that and so he uses all means in order to defend the written ambiguity, which clearly denigrates the character of our God, the accomplished works of our Lord, and the character and epistles of His apostles.

 

[free spirit]

Daily Devoted

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The Lusts of the flesh conceived sin, as I said this is the state of sin that no men can get rid of, but only if you obey "bringeth forth death" So I have sin in me, but it is no master over me because my master is stronger than sin in me.

 

[free spirit]

Take it in context. Peter is writing to Christians who have been scattered abroad due to persecution.

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Peter tells them to look forward to the time when Jesus is revealed. This is referring to when Jesus comes again and takes the believers to heaven to be with Him. At this time we receive our glorified (sinless) bodies. Now, in light of this hope (unfulfilled reality) that we have, Peter tells the believers to not fashion themselves according to the former lusts. We are not to make ourselves slaves of the former lusts, because we are no longer under the power of sin. Peter tells us to strive to be holy as Christ is holy. Again, why would he have to tell the believers to be holy if it was not possible for a believer to sin. For that reason, I added the word strive to be holy. When we look at these verses in context we have to come to the conclusion that this is the correct interpretation of these verses.

Ho yes we can sin, but it is not what is required, we are required to be holy and he has made that possible for us by his gift of the Holy Spirit, all we have to do is obey him, but if you are taking comfort in disobedience then i am sorry but in such case we will be deluding ourseves. If the witness in your heart is that you are not holy, the witness is propably right, all I can say to you is seek the Lord to change that. Believe me the works of repentance if done properly should make you holy in this life, for while we are here we must conform to his life.

 

[free spirit]

DAILY DEVOTED

We are not to make ourselves slaves of the former lusts, because we are no longer under the power of sin.

But what you say above you know that sin has an identIdy, therefore you agree with me that sin and sinning is different, obviously you do not realise that yet. In other words, sin has a mind of its own, sin dwelling in our flesh and the Holy Spirit are in conflict you decide who wins by obeing one or the other. while we are children in Christ we do err and he forgives us but we must grow up to the full stature of Christ.

 

[free spirit]

DEILY DEVOTED

Nowhere in Scripture does it differentiate a state of sin with the act of sin.

To the contrary, in Roman 7:14-25, Paul is explaining this very thing, but let us read verses 20 and part of 21 "but if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find the principle that evil is present in me" You may ask yourself who is the evil one. I repete Jesus defeated sin or the evil one by not sinning at all. He kept all of the laws intact. Jesus was made flesh like us therefore he took on himself also the evil of sin, so it stand to reason that when he was made flesh was also made sin.

 

[tarasan]

In Genesis, it is written that God created man in His own image. The ministers that I have talked to, do not take this statement as meaning, "We look like God, or God looks like us". They interpret it as spiritual (ie. "holy", etc.). We know that we are created above all other living things on this earth. In the scriptures, angels appeared in similar form to humans. We know that Christ said, "If you see me, you see my father." If I just apply general logic, and look at the whole animal kingdom as well as man, and even call the young of animals 'sons/daughters', the young look the same as their 'parents' (ie. a newborn fish doesn't change into a turtle). If angels are 'sons of God', and we can become 'equal unto the angels', and angels look like man, then God must look like us????????? What are your thoughts?

look at genesis chapter 2 it has God breathing life into adam, we would cliam that is the image of God, that Breath that gave us life.

also Angels dont look like us, for example we dont look remotely like seraphrim.

 

[Thorwald Johansen]

look at genesis chapter 2 it has God breathing life into adam, we would cliam that is the image of God, that Breath that gave us life.

also Angels dont look like us, for example we dont look remotely like seraphrim.

What about the angels that have visited man on earth, or the ones that John saw in his dream (Revelation)? The N/T scriptures warn us to be careful how we greet beggars or other persons not known to us, because they may be an angel.

 

[Thief]

Scripture interprets Scripture.

This is a false practice.

When one portion of the Bible is called false, all other parts of the Bible that are built on that part or that refer to that part must then also be false.

It is your opinion that there are bits and pieces missing. I believe that the canon of Scripture is complete.

You readily use your own words to tell someone else what scripture means.

You readily say....'your opinion'... to anything your don't want to hear.

This...what you do...is hypocrisy.

And yes.... scripture contradicts other portions of scripture.
here you go....
From a thread I started a long time ago...I quote myself....


Man was created a little less than the angelic.

There is a long standing belief that the fall of the angelic..one third of heaven...was brought on by a division....an argument.

God...having made Man...a little less than the angelic...said to the angels...
"Man is fragile...follow after him and see to it, that he dash not his toes...nor his head."

One third of the angelic said "nay".
"For that Man is less than we are... He should be made to serve us."

There is nothing wrong in that logic.
Man does so unto lesser creatures in every way.

We... chain our dogs, and expect their loyalty...keeping to one master...even though it is their nature to run free in packs, and hunt at will.
We.... saddle and bridle our horses...and expect them to take us wherever we desire...and we break their spirits that they will obey.
We.... cage little birds..that they sing for our pleasure...but the little creature sings for a mate he will never find. There will be no nest...no offspring...and he will die in his solitude.
We...readily kill anything that cannot be made to serve us...any disobedient animal.

A fight broke out..... Brother angel against Brother angel.
One third of the angelic fell from grace...losing their positions in heaven.
They lost their place because of an argument...concerning something that looks like..... you.

They want you dead.

Two thirds of heaven lost their Brothers because of an argument...
concerning something that looks like..... you.

Do you not bear resemblance to the one third fallen?
Do you not perform unto lesser things...and your fellowman ...as you will?

Are you not concerned..what...or who...will be standing over you...
When you lay down to breath your last breathe?

 

[tarasan]

What about the angels that have visited man on earth, or the ones that John saw in his dream (Revelation)? The N/T scriptures warn us to be careful how we greet beggars or other persons not known to us, because they may be an angel.

havnt dealt with my seraphrim arguement man, look at what they are...

angel literally means messanger mate they can be

ordinary people who carry messages (Job 1:14; Luke 7:24; 9:52)

• prophets (Isaiah 42:19; Malachi 3:1)
• priests (Malachi 2:7)
• church leaders (Rev 1:20)

hebrews chapter 1
13 the ones i think your talking about are spirits.
But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

 

[Daily Devoted]

You readily use your own words to tell someone else what scripture means.

You readily say....'your opinion'... to anything your don't want to hear.

This...what you do...is hypocrisy.

And yes.... scripture contradicts other portions of scripture.
here you go....
From a thread I started a long time ago...I quote myself....


Man was created a little less than the angelic.

There is a long standing belief that the fall of the angelic..one third of heaven...was brought on by a division....an argument.

God...having made Man...a little less than the angelic...said to the angels...
"Man is fragile...follow after him and see to it, that he dash not his toes...nor his head."

One third of the angelic said "nay".
"For that Man is less than we are... He should be made to serve us."

There is nothing wrong in that logic.
Man does so unto lesser creatures in every way.

We... chain our dogs, and expect their loyalty...keeping to one master...even though it is their nature to run free in packs, and hunt at will.
We.... saddle and bridle our horses...and expect them to take us wherever we desire...and we break their spirits that they will obey.
We.... cage little birds..that they sing for our pleasure...but the little creature sings for a mate he will never find. There will be no nest...no offspring...and he will die in his solitude.
We...readily kill anything that cannot be made to serve us...any disobedient animal.

A fight broke out..... Brother angel against Brother angel.
One third of the angelic fell from grace...losing their positions in heaven.
They lost their place because of an argument...concerning something that looks like..... you.

They want you dead.

Two thirds of heaven lost their Brothers because of an argument...
concerning something that looks like..... you.

Do you not bear resemblance to the one third fallen?
Do you not perform unto lesser things...and your fellowman ...as you will?

Are you not concerned..what...or who...will be standing over you...
When you lay down to breath your last breathe?

Where are you getting your quotes from the angels. They are not found in Scripture. I don't see any evidence presented here for Scripture being contradictory. Bring forth the evidence. Why should we accept your words as more correct than the next guy. Where's the beef?

 

[Daily Devoted]

The Lusts of the flesh conceived sin, as I said this is the state of sin that no men can get rid of, but only if you obey "bringeth forth death" So I have sin in me, but it is no master over me because my master is stronger than sin in me.

No, sin is no longer your master, but we as humans will fall into sin at times regardless of the fact that it no longer has power over us.

 

[Daily Devoted]

Ho yes we can sin, but it is not what is required, we are required to be holy and he has made that possible for us by his gift of the Holy Spirit, all we have to do is obey him, but if you are taking comfort in disobedience then i am sorry but in such case we will be deluding ourseves. If the witness in your heart is that you are not holy, the witness is propably right, all I can say to you is seek the Lord to change that. Believe me the works of repentance if done properly should make you holy in this life, for while we are here we must conform to his life.

I never said that I was trying to comfort myself in my sin. Quite the opposite: I said that our sin breaks our fellowship with God, and confession is the only way to regain that fellowship.

You said earlier that a mature Christian would be holy:

Romans 7:14-25
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

This is Paul speaking in the present tense. If Paul, an apostle of Christ, still sins, then how can you claim to have overcome sin? Or do you feel that you are more spiritually mature than Paul? It goes back to whether or not we are abiding in Christ. By the way, if you think my saying not abiding in Christ means lost Salvation, I do not. We cannot lose our Salvation, but we can be out of fellowship with God.

I do want to ask you: Can you honestly say that you no longer sin? That means you never have an angry thought, you never have a lustful thought, etc.

 

[Daily Devoted]

the above statement is a speculation and inmagination of men, sorry but it is a lie.
read all of Psalm 22 and you will see that on verse 24 it says, :For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him for help, He heard." this is the true relationship between God and Jesus while he was on the cross. the underline phrase is an indication that God never looked away. Also in the book of Job God questioned Satan so if God can look on satan who is the father of all sins, I am confident that God never took off his eyes from His suffering son

You are correct here. I was mistaken on the looking away part. I apologize. I did not purposely state a falsehood. The Father and the Son were out of fellowship for that moment, but God never looked away. I come to that conclusion because God's holiness does not allow Him to be in fellowship with sin. Christ was born sinless. No sin was in his flesh. He was made in the likeness of sinful man, but he had no sin in Him. You see, God required a spotless sacrifice. If Christ's flesh contained sin, whether or not He gave into sinning, then God would not have been able to accept the sacrifice.

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

 

[free spirit]

Daily Devoted

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Forgive me for saying this, but the above verse is perfectly describing what an ipocrite would do, you should know that the Holy Spirit was given to change that.

This is Paul speaking in the present tense. If Paul, an apostle of Christ, still sins, then how can you claim to have overcome sin? Or do you feel that you are more spiritually mature than Paul? It goes back to whether or not we are abiding in Christ.

Yes that scripture out of context gives the impression that Paul the apostle status is like you describe: But if you read the chapter before and the chapter after that verse you realise that Paul is desrcibing the status of imself when he was a religious man and did not have the spirit of Christ in him. To me "abiding in Christ" means to be living in Christ's character.

By the way, if you think my saying not abiding in Christ means lost Salvation, I do not. We cannot lose our Salvation, but we can be out of fellowship with God.

read Hebrews 10:26-31, and then you can tell me if we are able to willfully sin.

I do want to ask you: Can you honestly say that you no longer sin? That means you never have an angry thought, you never have a lustful thought, etc.

If I say that now I will be a lier, because I have not yet quite finished to crucifing my flesh with its passions and desires, all I can say is that by the grace of God I am well on the way to do just that, Why? because I know what God requires of me.
It is written in John 1:12 that Jesus has given us a right to become children of God, for it says. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” Thus once the Lord has approved us, we should be able to identify ourselves with the words of 1 John 3:2-12 for in them we find what we should be looking forward to, and who we really are destined to be, as we read: “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see resemble Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Everyone who practises sin also practises lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practises righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practises sin is of the devil, flesh for the devil flesh has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose that He might destroy the works of the devilflesh. No one who is born of God practises sin, because His seed abides in Him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil flesh are obvious; anyone who does not practise righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”

 

[Thief]

Where are you getting your quotes from the angels. They are not found in Scripture. I don't see any evidence presented here for Scripture being contradictory. Bring forth the evidence. Why should we accept your words as more correct than the next guy. Where's the beef?

For this thread...and for what I have written....
say 'nay' if you care to....

But the Devil knows the scriptures....all of them.
He knows the prophets....all of them.

The Devil doesn't live in heaven.

Knowing scripture is not a saving grace.....nor is it proof.

 

[free spirit]

Christ was born sinless. No sin was in his flesh. He was made in the likeness of sinful man, but he had no sin in Him. You see, God required a spotless sacrifice. If Christ's flesh contained sin, whether or not He gave into sinning, then God would not have been able to accept the sacrifice.

A baby is also bone sinless, but the fact that he is of flesh he will eventually sin, but Christ did not sin ever. Christ's flesh were like any other man because Christ was also subject to temptations, unger, pain ect.

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

The above scripture quoted by you shows that sin in the flesh was condemmed to death, in other words finaly the flesh of a grown man diead without the blame of a single sin, isn't that awesome

 

[Daily Devoted]

Yes that scripture out of context gives the impression that Paul the apostle status is like you describe: But if you read the chapter before and the chapter after that verse you realise that Paul is desrcibing the status of imself when he was a religious man and did not have the spirit of Christ in him. To me "abiding in Christ" means to be living in Christ's character.

You are wrong on my taking this out of context. If Paul is discussing how he was before Salvation, why then does he use the present tense in saying I am carnal, sold under sin. Paul calls himself the chief of sinners. 1Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. This letter was written to Timothy toward the end of Paul's life and he uses present tense.

Php 3:4 ¶ Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul says he has not yet attained perfection.

read Hebrews 10:26-31, and then you can tell me if we are able to willfully sin.

This passage is saying that if we go on sinning deliberately without any change after we are saved, there is no longer a sacrifice of sins. Paul goes straight from saying we have full assurance of faith, and that we need to stir up each other to love and good works (v.24), to saying if we go on sinning deliberately there is no longer a sacrifice of sins. i.e I get "saved", but I deliberately continue to commit adultery against my wife. This would mean that I was most likely never truly saved. That is what Paul is hinting at here.

If I say that now I will be a lier, because I have not yet quite finished to crucifing my flesh with its passions and desires, all I can say is that by the grace of God I am well on the way to do just that, Why? because I know what God requires of me.
It is written in John 1:12 that Jesus has given us a right to become children of God, for it says. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” Thus once the Lord has approved us, we should be able to identify ourselves with the words of 1 John 3:2-12 for in them we find what we should be looking forward to, and who we really are destined to be, as we read: “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see resemble Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Everyone who practises sin also practises lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, let no one deceive you; the one who practises righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practises sin is of the devil, flesh for the devil flesh has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose that He might destroy the works of the devilflesh. No one who is born of God practises sin, because His seed abides in Him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil flesh are obvious; anyone who does not practise righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”

You cannot substitute the word flesh for devil. The devil is not flesh. The devil is spirit. Also, this refers to Christ's appearing in His full glory, which He has not yet done, other than to three of His disciples. When Christ returns in His glory, we will then be transformed to be like Him. Sin is who we (humans) are not what we do. Sin is our nature.

 

[Daily Devoted]

If we can become perfect, then we don't need a sacrifice. If Christ was not perfect, he was not God. If Christ was not God, He was not able to be a sufficient sacrifice.

I am sure you will bring up the Devil's "tempting" of Jesus in the wilderness. Taking what other passages in Scripture say into account (James 1:13-15), I would conclude that the word "tempt" is a bad translation. The word "test" would be a better word. Yes, Christ had hunger, thirst and the other fleshly needs, but Christ could not be tempted in the sense that we are.