I'm not sure if in my muddled headedness I explained myself clearly. As a Christian, my entire nature has changed. I'm a new creation. old things have passed away and new things have come. I'm sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is given as a GUARANTEE of the things that will come. He reminds me constantly of Jesus's words, and the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and who gave Himself for me. I have presented my self to Him as a living sacrifice and He is transforming my mind, my thoughts, my attitudes.
You see, this is the believer and this is the state of the believer. Yet, it would be hypocritical for me to say that I am perfect, for as Paul said, "I have not yet attained perfection, but God is working in me". I still strive and struggle with sin and temptation. Being a Christian is not a magic formula to prevent that happening. What now is mine, is the ability to resist temptation, for I have a high priest who is forever interceeding for me, who knows my weaknesses and who won't allow me to be tempted/tested beyond what I can bear.
Now, knowing all that it cost Jesus, and knowing that oneday I will bow before Him and lay my crowns/rewards at his feet in acknowledgement of all he has done for me, when I sin, I know I have sinned and ask forgiveness. I do all I can to resist temptation with God's power behind me to help me.
My question here Omega is, based on your first mail... if a true Christian, who has the Holy Spirit in him or her and is deliberately resisting the Holy Spirit's promptings.. what will the result be? loss of something that is called guaranteed in the Bible, or will there be still consequences for a Christian who does not live the victorious life?
I have my own thoughts I'll post later