Faith and sin
Got a good question in a small group discussion on Tuesday and I wanted to know what you guys thought. I have my own personal answer, but when I gave it, the person was not entirely convinced, so I'll post it after a little input from you guys.
The question:
If sin is a lack of faith, and we need faith to be saved, what is it when we sin? Are we "not saved" when we sin? Or is there a range of "faith," where we can achieve a minimum level to be saved, but not enough to avoid sinning? Can faith and sin coexist?
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Who's ready for school to start? And when are you guys going to post your bios?
posted by Mickey Sheu at
12:29 PM
4 Comments:
I think salvation is based on an acknowledgement of your sins and the forgiveness from Christ, but not on faith. faith is good to have, but even the disciples were faithless at times (ie. as Peter started sinking while walking towards Jesus on water). The tendency to sin does gradually decrease as we grow in Him but it is only a result of our salvation rather than a prerequisite.
September 22, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Hello Ethan!
September 23, 2007 at 12:56 AM
To follow up a little -
what's the difference between an "acknowledgment of your sins and the forgiveness from Christ" and faith?
September 24, 2007 at 11:46 PM
Also...Christ said that the faith of a mustard seed would be able to move mountains. Although not primarily used in reference to salvific faith, this is still an indication of the fact that the power of our salvation is not based on the strength or quantity of our faith, but upon the free grace of God. Therefore, our level of faith in the nature and promises of God WILL vary from moment to moment, but will never ultimately vanish, as we have become new creations in Christ. There are numerous promises made to us that we have been permanently sealed, and can never revert to the old creation again, and that we WILL be gradually changed to the image of Christ within this lifetime, although final consummation will not come until his Return. We must always remember we are not saved BY faith, but THROUGH it BY GRACE. Faith has no saving power in and of itself.
October 16, 2007 at 12:45 PM
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