Righteous sinners.

[Heneni]

How can a christian be righteous and a sinner at the same time?

Heneni

 

[Caladan]

It is impossible for a human to not be a sinner, even if they happen to be king David, or his son King Solomon- Wisest of men. by Christian standards, there was only one man who was free of sin, only one..
And that man promised only to one man that he will be with him in paradise, a sinner.. a criminal, facing execution. not his descpiles, but a sinner, and a stranger, who has not followed him, and only shared a brief dramatic moment with him.

 

[BruceDLimber]

> Righteous sinners

Your subject line reminds me of Bill Sears, a famous Baha'i who used to speak of
"reverent murderers, virtuous backbiters, and friendly theives!"

Cheers!

Bruce

 

[Charity]

I'm don't believe that you can be a righteous sinner. A person who is righteous is usually a person who worships God in truth and love, who fears God and is a faithful follower. Sinners tend to not follow the Lord nor obey His commandments, so I don't see how they can be called righteous.... You can't be hot and cold, you have to choose, your either righteous or a sinner

 

[ChristineES]

Righteous sinners- No man could save himself by works. We are slaves to our own flesh. God can save us, and in that way we become righteous. In other words- we are righteous not by works but by mercy.

 

[sojourner]

We are not so black-and-white as that. We are both righteous and sinners, because we are in process of returning to God.

 

[deseretgov]

Yes it's possible. Righteousness is a state of mind. It is impossible for us to not be sinners in this life. A righteous person, while a sinner, always tries to improve themselves. They always try better next time. They also will easily accept more light and knowledge.

A wicked pereson refses to improve themselves. They are content to be where they are. The DOn't want to follow God's commandments and they refuse to accept more light and knowledge.

 

[sojourner]

Yes it's possible. Righteousness is a state of mind. It is impossible for us to not be sinners in this life. A righteous person, while a sinner, always tries to improve themselves. They always try better next time. They also will easily accept more light and knowledge.

A wicked pereson refses to improve themselves. They are content to be where they are. The DOn't want to follow God's commandments and they refuse to accept more light and knowledge.

Righteousness is more than a state of mind. It's a state of being.

 

[deseretgov]

Righteousness is more than a state of mind. It's a state of being.

Yes, excellent point. It's a combination of attitude and your actions.

 

[Ringer]

How can a christian be righteous and a sinner at the same time?

That's easy. Christians aren't sinners. In the same way, Christians aren't hypocrites either.

 

[Charity]

That's easy. Christians aren't sinners. In the same way, Christians aren't hypocrites either.

I'll bet there are lots of self-righteous sinners Ringer......

 

[Ringer]

I'll bet there are lots of self-righteous sinners Ringer......

What I mean is that, based from what I see in the Bible, Jesus never refered to Christians as sinners. The sinful nature was our past but not who we are now. You know, and while we were yet sinners Christ died for us? Jesus always refered to those who put their faith in him as saints and as holy men and women. Sin no longer holds us as slaves. As it were, because of the transformation that takes place we are now dead to it. I know I'm getting technical and I'm not suggesting Christians don't sin but I think it's something to think about and to note.

 

[Dunemeister]

What I mean is that, based from what I see in the Bible, Jesus never refered to Christians as sinners.

He never referred to Christians at all....

 

[Heneni]

Who is doing the sinning? Your spirit or your flesh?

If its the flesh, then the only way to get the flesh to stop sinning is to crucify it. And that is what all christians are required to do. To sever all relationship with it. To not give in to its dictates. The nature of the flesh, is the animal instinct.

If you sin with your spirit, you are said to be unclean. I dont think that a christian can have an unclean spirit. Their spirits have been renewed. We are said to be a holy nation. Holy would indicate righteous.

So with the body we serve the law of sin and death, and with the spirit the law of freedom. We are righteous because our spirits are righteous, and have been put in right standing with god. We sin with our flesh, and are therefore sinners in the flesh. We must not continue to sin however. Its not easy, but it is do-able. As long as you are more than an overcomer in christ jesus, your spirit can put your body under subjection. The flesh is ruthless. Jesus withstood temptation to the point of sweating blood!

Thats how i see it. When the body of death is ditched all that is left is the spirit, which will be clothed with glorious bodies. That body wont be at war with our spirit all the time.

 

[Ringer]

He never referred to Christians at all....

True but I just used the term Christian to make it easier on myself.

 

[sojourner]

Yes, excellent point. It's a combination of attitude and your actions.

No, that's not what I meant. It's more than what we think or what we do. It's a matter of who we are in relationship to the Christ.

 

[sojourner]

What I mean is that, based from what I see in the Bible, Jesus never refered to Christians as sinners. The sinful nature was our past but not who we are now. You know, and while we were yet sinners Christ died for us? Jesus always refered to those who put their faith in him as saints and as holy men and women. Sin no longer holds us as slaves. As it were, because of the transformation that takes place we are now dead to it. I know I'm getting technical and I'm not suggesting Christians don't sin but I think it's something to think about and to note.

"Sinner" and "Christian" are not polar opposites. They may be more like a complimentary pair.