Hello friends,
It seems like this thread got a little warm there for awhile.
Think about something, what joy it must give the powers of darkness when Christians fight amongst themselves about what those powers can and cannot do. We have the Bible, which is our book of instructions and past dealings between people, sin, and God's grace and love for all mankind.
There is some truth in all your post, there is some sarcasms in all your post, and there is roon for learning in all OUR walks with God.
So lets look at a few Bible verses first in the NIV and then the AMP
2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
The Amplified reads; 17Therefore if any person is [engrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
1John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
The Amplified reads; 8If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
The Amplified reads; 1THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
1John5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him.
Again the Amplified reads; 18We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ's divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him].
James 1: 13-15 When tempted, no one should say, „God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Amplified; 13Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one.
14But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
15Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death.
1John 3:6 No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him.
Amplified; 6No one who abides in Him [who lives and remains in communion with and in obedience to Him--deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] commits (practices) sin. No one who [habitually] sins has either seen or known Him [recognized, perceived, or understood Him, or has had an experiential acquaintance with Him].
Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.
No Amplification needed!
I will say it again and again, the only power the evil forces have over us is what our “lack of faith” which is more correctly defined, our doubt in God’s word empowers them with.
People who were once filled with the Holy Spirit can allow their hearts to become hardened and reject the truth.
I do not believe in a once saved always saved doctrine. We must die daily to our fleshy desires.
So my fellow Christian brothers and sisters, forgive that you may be forgiven, and choose daily to surrender to the will of God and PREACH, PREACH like some-ones life depends upon it, because it does!
God Bless you all
Brother Jerry