Christians: Are you telling me when you became a Christian you stopped sinning altogether?

Question

I've been hearing from a lot of "christians" claiming that my sinning is worse than theirs.

Not just that, but that my sins would keep me out of heaven while theirs won't.

A lot of "christians" judging the sincerity of my repentance, or the effort I make to not sin again despite tremendous temptations from Satan.

If God and the Holy Ghost have illuminated passages of the bible so that I clearly see that nothing we do matters to God, just as long as we have faith in Him, who are these "christians" to say "nay"?

I asked earlier whose denomination has all the right answers, and everyone told me to read the bible and figure it out for myself. I've done that, but now they all want to tell me my interpretation is wrong, while their interpretation is right.

First they tell me to think for myself. Then they tell me to ignore what I think and believe what they tell me to think.

But no one wants to tell me which denomination has all the right answers.

Why?

I should probably mention I've been reading the bible for over 40 years now.

Answer 1

Therein lies the problem with everyone interpreting scripture for themselves. There needs to be a universal interpretation for general purposes. Hence, the Catholic Church.

This does not mean one cannot have personal revelation, but having an overall understanding of what God intended for us...gives us a place to measure our personal interpretation against. That means we'd still be accountable to make sure our personal interpretation isn't way off the mark.

In this age of pluralism...it's every man/woman for themselves. You can believe what you want, and I can believe what I want. We say we both believe in God, and can have totally different ideas of that same God. Everyone's beliefs are of equal value. It's called chaos.

I'm a convert to Catholicism. I did not go in agreeing with everything the Church taught. But after studying Catholicism, it's history, and it's view of salvation...I have come to realize that what the Church teaches is right on!

Answer 2

A lot of people call them self Christians who are not.

Anyone who says they do not sin is a liar (which, by the way is a sin).

Anyone who says your sin is worse than theirs and that they have a better chance of going to Heaven than you is judging you (yes - yet another sin - one of the worst as a matter of fact).

There is no denomination that has all the right answers. The very word denomination means "division" so you can't expect a whole truth from any of them.

God sent His message to us through the prophets. If you have been reading the Bible for a long time, you know that God's word says "Woe be unto the man who puts his faith in man". Maybe you should go back and study the book of Job. It might help you a little to know that God may ask you why you are listening to any other man when you have the answers already.

Just keep reading God's word and pray for knowledge. We all have to sail our own ships, so to speak. We all get different things from our studies, but if we continue to seek God's truth we will find favor with Him.

You are doing just fine. Just hang in there and stop worrying about what other people think. None of them can get you into Heaven - or, most importantly, keep you out!!

Answer 3

First off no one alive knows the exact criteria to enter heaven, all we (Christians) are doing is following guidelines we believe to be God's true guidelines.

Second in our opinion faith is very important, and that if you have rejected God, and Jesus' dying on the cross for your sins you are off to a very bad start.

Third, This is where Catholicism differs with most other Christian churches, We believe that we are not saved by faith alone, as James says "Faith without works is dead" thus I do not believe that a Christian who has faith but never does anything good, or does many bad acts, would get into heaven (but really how should I know).

So having faith is very very important (I will not call it a necessity because I am not God and can not make absolute judgment), but it is not the end all, a true Christian must do what his faith calls for him to do, to live in Jesus' example, not only believe that Jesus saved us (which he did).

Well I wrote an essay but still have not answered your question, but yes Christians do sin, and it is worth the same as yours yet sins can be forgiven through God, if you just ask sincerely. Then you might say well does that mean as long as I ask for forgiveness I can continue sinning? Well yes and no, you will always sin so yes you will continue sinning, but that shows if you will do the act over and over you are not truly sorry.

Answer 4

I'll answer your last question first:

The reason that Christians tell you to read the Bible and pray, rather than telling you which denomination has all the right answers is because NO denomination has ALL the right answers.
Each denomination is only the result of mankind's interpretations of God's laws given to us in the Bible. I can honestly tell you that the church I belong to -not the church I attend, but the church I REALLY belong to- is ALWAYS right. It is the church of Christ. And it's not found in a building of stone and wood, but in my prayers, my seeking, and my devotion to God. It's found in trying to obey Christ's teachings. NO church of stone and wood can give you that. The only purpose to church is supposed to be fellowship with other Christians...but somewhere along the way it's become something else.

Okay, your next (or first) questions were actually harder to answer. What *I* believe is that the only difference between a Christian and someone who isn't a Christian is that a Christian is forgiven. Yes, Christians do still sin. I know I do. But it isn't sin itself that condemns us. It's sinning, without taking it to God. It's thinking that we can do whatever we want, as long as we ask for forgiveness afterwards. I consider that to be a form of pride.

We each have to work out our own salvation, as is said in Philippians 2:12. And how do we work out our own salvation? Through GOD, and through prayer.

So I think you're on the right track.

Answer 5

Orion!

I have been a Christian for more than 10 yrs now and haven't read the Bible through. You have done well on your process.

What I can say about your issue with Christians is "Whoever be sinless among them cast the first stone!"

No, becoming a Christian does not mean that I sin no more. I still do and it grieves my heart. I know that being human, I can never be perfect (ie. sinless).

I belong to a church that believes it is a hospital for sinners and not a showcase for saints! Everyone there is in process as no one is perfect and can never be until the day!

Please visit this site and just forward your question to them. I do hope this helps you.

Answer 6

first we must define SIN and what is sin, sin is the disobedience of God.
the 10 commandment were given as a guideline for the people of that time to know what was God will and if you look closely at them they are rule to live by for our well being.
but Jesus gave a new commandment, and said that in this commandment all of the other commandments are fulfilled.
and that is that we love one another as our selves.
we may try to follow this commandment but we always fail in one way or another. and we have to repent of this.
attacking denomination does not follow this commandment, for we know that as long as there are humans in control they will never be perfect.
attacking other Christians, or believers does not follow this commandment either because we are still living in this body with that sin nature, called the flesh.
and attacking the non-believers is not following that commandment.
when we can can encourage each other, it must be done in love, and if we cannot do this in love, then it is better to say nothing at all.
there fore i will not judge you, condemn you, or even tell you that you are right.
but I will encourage you to do, whatever you do in love.

Answer 7

Maybe I (and others) have misunderstood what you meant, but when you say "deeds aren't very important" and "nothing we do matters to God", it makes it sound (not that I'm saying that this is your position, but rather what it appears to be to me) as if you believe the bible gives people free license to sin as much as they want after they are saved and God will just go on forgiving no matter what. If (and note the "if" here) that is what you are advocating, then (which makes the following contingent on whether the "if" clause is true or not) it is not your sins that are worse than others, but your attitude towards sin. Individual sins will not keep us out of heaven, but indifference to committing sins will. All sins matter to God, but sins that are repented of will be forgiven.

Answer 8

First of all, if Christians are telling you that your sin is worse than theirs, that is flat out wrong. God opposes all sin, period. In addition, I would hope that Christians would have a more humble attitude in light of Romans 7:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The phrase "we were still sinners" should refrain anyone from boasting or condemning others. Now we do have a responsibility to repent from sin and lovingly correct others, but not to put them down or judge.

In the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11) Jesus does not condemn, but He does specifically call the woman to repent. This is the example Christians should follow in encouraging without judging. John 8:11 "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Giving the benefit of the doubt, I hope that what people are trying to communicate is that the sins of those who are saved are covered by Jesus' death on the cross, and while who are not saved carry their own sins. That's a huge difference. Even so, everyone is called to repent, especially the saved, because of the freeing gift of salvation they have received.

In response to your thought that "nothing we do matters to God". Consider Isaiah 59:1-2 1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

And also in John 8:11 mentioned above, if nothing we did matters to God, Jesus would not have specifically called the woman to repent. You are right about faith being required, but we need faith AND deeds. Check out James 2:14-26 especially James 2:22 "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did."

Finally, with people telling you to think for yourself, then telling you to listen to them, my suggestion would be to find out what GOD thinks, not you, or even other people. I often find that "what I think" is not always the best way and that I should rely on God's word and the advice of Christians who walking the walk instead of just talking it. What people should you listen to? Read Matthew 7:15-20; v 20 "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

As for the question on denominations, I don't believe in denominations, I just don't see Jesus supporting this. Eph 4:4-6 says that there is ONE BODY which I believe includes anyone who is God fearing, Bible-believing-and-doing. But on a personal note, I'd find a non-denominational church that fits the above criteria and call it a day. IMHO, becoming and staying a Christian is hard enough without getting caught up in denominations. Just my 2¢.

God bless, and keep searching, you will find it! Matthew 7:7-12

- Ray

Answer 9

Only the word of God has all the right answers.

Yes, we still sin, and yes it feels awful to have sinned yet again. I seem to do it on not just a daily basis, but most everytime I open my mouth.

Do you hate sin? Sin is disobedience to Gods word.
If you hate the sin that you do, and turn away from the awful stench and feel of that sin, you are on the right path.

If you sin and feel , ohh well, I am still forgiven, lets go do it again, You need to read and reread Gods word some more.

God will reveal what is good. Let him reveal more and more to you every day.

Answer 10

There is no correct denomination. Follow Christ not man. I have been reading the Bible in the Hebrew and the Greek for a little over a year. I have grown in Christ and have a much better understanding of what he taught by it. The English just come up short in some places.