Why Christians continue in sin.....?

and its evil stranglehold of bondage and addiction of iniquity.

Many say they are Christians and have accepted Christ, yet continue in sin without even the slightest change in their sinful thoughts or actions in life. Are they truly converted...:

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3. Jesus laid down the first principle of how we may become a child of God. This new spiritual birth is true conversion.

Nicodemus came one night came to have a talk with Jesus. Jesus knew where Nicodemus needed help. He told him, how we must have this new spiritual birth. Nicodemus did not understand at first. He asked Jesus, "How can a man be born when he is old?"

John 3
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
4"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

So we must be 'born of the Spirit' and be converted, so what does this mean?

Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3.

This does not mean that we should become childish, but childlike. A child has confidence in his parents and believes them. So we must trust and believe God. Conversion, also called the new birth, is plainly taught in the word of God. Peter said: "Repent you.... and be converted." Acts 3:19. Paul and Barnabas on their journey "passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren." Acts 15:3.

So are we converted when we have this spiritual rebirth and does it involve changing from our sinful ways.

 

Because of our sin nature.

 

Bigger concern would be those who claim to be Christians, and yet follow theology of a false prophet like a Joseph Smith or Ellen White!

 

Christians love their sinful pleasure more than their sinless Savior.
God will sanctify his chosen ones and he will discipline us to bring us to love Him more than our sins.

 

But is that our answer, scripture tells us this...
2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

 

But notice how He does this...

John 17:17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 

Its a progressive process, as none obtain here a state of sinless perfection!

 

Indeed, sanctification is a process.

Malachi 3:2-4 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

 

Yet scripture tells us the following:

Romans 6:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

So we may say we are being refined and yet allow sin to control us...

James 1:14-16 King James Version (KJV)
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 

Listen to the Apostle Paul and find out... The sin within a man unless the man brings his body into subjection will control the man... It is a constant daily warfare, that we will NOT win in this world... The unregenerate man does not even think about sin, he drinks it in like water but the regenerate man, Satan tests him to his very limits to follow the Lord... Paul is not excusing himself by no means but he telling us the way it is... Brother Glen:)

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Btw... Don't be so caught up in sin you forget this one!

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

Yes, and we see this...
1 John 2:13-15 King James Version (KJV)
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.