Christians don't sin

[kalt]

I know that most Christians will say that they are sinners, but so many will point to someone who commits a “big” sin (mortal sin) and will say that that person is obviously not a Christian.

Where does this idea come from? Since almost everyone I’ve seen make this claim is a non-Catholic Christian, they must be getting this idea from the Bible (they don’t accept Tradition as authoritative) Where in the Bible does it say that Christians don’t commit “big” sins?

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

I know that most Christians will say that they are sinners, but so many will point to someone who commits a “big” sin (mortal sin) and will say that that person is obviously not a Christian.

Where does this idea come from? Since almost everyone I’ve seen make this claim is a non-Catholic Christian, they must be getting this idea from the Bible (they don’t accept Tradition as authoritative) Where in the Bible does it say that Christians don’t commit “big” sins?

I think the problem here is where do we identify “big” and “small” sins?

The beloved disciple John often talks on the subject of those who claim to be Christian and yet do not do Christian things:

He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [1 John 2:4]

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. [1 John 2:9]

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. [1 John 2:15-16]

So when we see, say, Benny Hinn lying on television about raising a man from the dead, backtracking later on about it, etc, we can point and say, “That is not a Christian,” if he chooses to continue and embrace it. At the same time, we cannot be too judgmental, for there really is no such thing as “big” or “small” sins.

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. [James 2:10]

Furthermore, we will be judged the way that we judge others: “For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). This doesn’t mean we can’t denounce wrongdoing (the apostles and Church Fathers all did this), but that we must be discerning of how we go about it. Our Lord instructed that if we see a brother sinning, for example, we should confront him privately about it (Matt 18:15), and Apollos was confronted privately by Aquila and Priscilla regarding some errors he had in his teachings, and from that he grew into a spiritually sound individual (Acts 18:24-28).

So yes, when I see someone professing to be Christian committing bad deeds, I do say, “That is not a Christian,” or perhaps more appropriately, “That is not a Christian thing to do,” because I am simply stating it for what it is. At the same time I pray for that person that they may see the light and return to the true Way of Christ, so that we may gain a brother.

 

[prodigalson12]

Well, there are many misconceptions non believers think we believe, this is one of them. Apparently according to them, once you claim to be Christian, you automatically become absolutely perfect, and any blemish, no matter how slight, means you are no longer a practicing Christian and are labeled a hypocrite. They don’t understand, the difference between they and us, we fall into sin and through reconciliation and repentence, are set free from it, on the other hand, those that do not believe, have no concept of the above, and in fact, most wallow in it joyfully, thinking they are free, when in fact, they are in bondage.

 

[4Squarebaby]

If the latest responses to your KKK thread inspired this one I would say it was not a matter of big or little but of replaying the same sin over and over again. For example, if a man commited adultery, confessed the went forth to cheat and confess again and again you will question his status

 

[adstrinity]

What about that list by Saint Paul, ‘Do not deceive yourselves for murders, nor adulterers, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves (etc) will inherit the kindom of Heaven And that’s what some of you were.’? …I’m sure you know the passages I’m talking about. He concludes with that’s what some of them were, not what they are currently.

 

[prodigalson12]

What defines a true believer is that their very nature struggles against the nature of this world, it’s not to say it does not succumb to it, but it’s saying, we struggle against it, compared to the non believer that embraces the ways of the world and in most cases, urges others to do the same.

If one were to confess a sin, then actively pursue the same sin again, making no effort to repent of it, his confession is null and void because he continues not to repent of it. We are called to at least try, and the better of us do so with all of our might and succeed, but not on our own accord do we finally break free from the chains of sin, but through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The worldly person may indeed show self control in many areas of their lives, avoiding many sins, but they do so on their own and only for a short time, they all fail, we all fail, for we all fall short of his glory.

As time passes for each individual, the believer will make great strides forward, they will continue to be flawed, but they will make progress and again, only through our Lords grace., The non believer remains within his own muck, at best, fooling himself into thinking they are on the right path, when it’s the same path they have always taken which leads them to death, for no matter how “good” they can make themselves, they will never reach God through their own means no matter how hard they try. Thank God himself, it’s not up to us alone, he came to us in the flesh, to be with us, and it’s not a matter of us reaching up to him, but the other way around, we only need to accept his grace.

 

[Bible_Catholic]

I look at it like this; Being a Christian means you are a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. Because a Kingdom is not a democracy, the citizens do not pick and choose or vote on the laws that they will follow. They submit to the laws of their king. of course they will stumble, but if someone keeps breaking the same laws and shows no sign of repentance, then that person has no respect or loyalty to their King. So therefore cannot be considered a part of His Kingdom until he humbles himself and submits to His authority.