A Sinner Without Spot????
When I think back on all the times I heard this verse mentioned I was always given the impression that we had to live a holy perfect life in order for us to “make it” as that was what was required of us if we were to make it to heaven. I agree fully that it is only those that are without spot or wrinkle and holy that will enter into heaven. That is not something I have changed my mind on and if you have been following along with my post over the past 8 or 9 months you should know by now what I believe my entrance into heaven requires, so I won’t go into detail on that in this post.
As I think back on this I also remember that we also told that no sin would enter heaven, which of course is correct, but at the same time we were told we were sinners saved by grace and at the same time told we still sinned daily. Now, those of you that don’t believe in the gospel of grace and peace and that Christ redeemed the entire human race on the cross, would you be so kind as to help me here as I am a bit confused?
In one breath we were told to enter heaven we had to be without spot or wrinkle or blemish and holy and in the next breath we were told we were sinners saved by grace and we still sinned on a daily basis, then how is that going to work. If I am still a sinner and sin will not enter heaven, then would someone out there that does not believe in the gospel of grace and peace and yet at the same time believe the two scenarios I mentioned above, how can this be reconciled? I would appreciate some feedback on this from those that are critics of this redemption of the entire world.
I don’t need feedback for my own peace of mind but simply to see how anyone can believe the “without spot or wrinkle” position and then at the same time believing the “still a sinner” position and at the same time believe they will someday enter heaven. How can both of these go hand in hand if sin will not enter heaven? If you are still a sinner how can you be without spot or wrinkle?
I am just throwing this out there as I know some people need to be challenged by what they have always been told is the way to heaven and they believe it like I did, which was without checking anything out for myself and letting the Holy Spirit teach me like He wanted to. If any out there do not want to answer this for me by posting on this blog and would rather email me with how these two things are reconciled in their own minds, I will have my email at the end of this post and I think it would be very interesting to see the answers I get, if I get any.
Anyway, hopefully this will get someone thinking as to what they have always believed which of course may not be right. Just because it is the “popular way” to believe does not make it fact. Believing something does not make it factual but finding out something is factual makes a believer out of you. Sad to say, the church out there has this reversed. This is my email address for those that may want to explain this to me and how they can say they believe both of these things. allincluded@gmail.com
This is a comment I received by email from my friend Bill who doesn’t have access to the internet at his work but I email him my posts on a daily basis, so I will just copy it here.
Bill’s comment: Love it ! ……… you know why the legalist think most are excluded ?……….. because it makes them feel exclusively included… !
For me Roy as I am one of the small group I see clearly there is no reconciling these two things you have mentioned. It goes along with what Jesus was driving at when He said ( Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect). Now there is an impossible task unless ofcourse we are thus made so by Christ alone. As you say when we heard the verse you have qouted out of Ephesians before we immediatly focused on ourselves and our walk. This only lead to more works and eventual fustration. I am seeing more and more as time passes that all or at least most of Jesus teaching was simply intended to bring us to an end of ourselves and our feeble attempts to become righteous. We are already Righteous simply because we are accepted in the beloved, this is where we can find and experience true rest. Thankyou Jesus that you have made me righteous and perfect inspite of myself, what a Redeemer, what a Saviour you are.
The end of ourselves is a good place to be Randy. You raise good points in your comment. Thanks.
A thought provoking post roy.While reading your post this passage came to mind.A double minded is unstable in all his ways.This was my life before comming to the knowledge of the truth that is in christ Jesus.I thought it was me that had to be without spot nor wrinkle in my walk with the Lord.By keepping myself free from the temptations of the world.And to be continually sin concious and confessing my sins every day.How frustating it was to live a life like that.When the Savior had already bore my sin and set me free.Eph 5v27,lets us know that christ is comming for a church without spot nor wrinkle,by the way which HE prepared for himself.Not us.
The provision for us has already been made throught his death buriel and ressurection.He has already presentented us all holy unblameable and unreprovable in God our fathers sight.I think we would agree roy, that means that we are without spot nor wrinkle my friend.
My mind is no longer double minded roy.For christ said,if our eye be single then our whole body will be full of light.The eyes of my understanding of what christ did for the entire world is single now.heb2v 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.
Kenneth.
Ps loved randys comment also.Hope you are well my friend.
Yes Kenneth, a church prepared by Himself which is why it is without spot or wrinkle. If it was not for that it would be full of spots and wrinkles without a doubt which is why He prepared it.
Thanks for the comment.
I thought this was a very interesting post thanks for writing it!