12/01/22 SINNER OR SAINT?

12/01/22 SINNER OR SAINT?

There is a distinct and definite line of separation between being a sinner and a believer.

The sinner produces the works of the flesh:
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The believer produces the Fruit of the Spirit:
Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

But there are various levels of growth and development for sinners and saints (the Biblical term for believers, which means holy ones).

Simply, and Biblically, stated sinners sin and saints live righteously (1 John 3:4-10).

The sinner will go deeper into sin and the saint will increase in grace and knowledge, if they stay on their present path.

Don't confuse the presence of the Carnal Mind in a Christian with the act of sinning. Our Old Man is an inherent predisposition to sin (thus called the Adamic Nature). This Double Mindedness is imposed on every child of Adam, and continues with the person, even after conversion. We cannot be forgiven of the Carnal Mind since we are not responsible for its presence in our lives. However, God does not want us to struggle with this rebellious attitude, therefore He provides the faithful Christian with deliverance (cleansing) from this inbred corruption when we receive the fulness of the Holy Spirit.

Until a Christian's heart is purified from this sinful propensity, he will have an internal struggle (between the New Man and the Old Man). This internal battle is not sin. Yielding to the Old man is sin. As I said, the purified heart will save you from the condition described in Romans chapter seven.

God saves the sinner from his sins and sinning through conversion.
God saves the saints from internal strife (brought about by the Double Mind), through the fullness of the Spirit.
God enables faithful followers to grow in grace and knowledge as they continue to walk in victory.