I happened to run across this passage in 1 Cor. 3, and thought it was an excellent example of The scriptures making a distinction between the salvation of a saint, and his/her level of spiritual maturity and level of obedience:
Here were have a disturbing juxtaposition of descriptive terms:
+God's temple, Gods field, God's building, will be saved, infants in Christ,
-AND YET...not spiritual, jealousy, strife, still of the flesh, suffering loss of reward because of their work.
Apparently both of these sets of descriptors CAN be true about the same people. Paul addresses some very serious sins in this book, and yet also in chapter one Thanks God for the grace that was given to them in Christ...so that they are not lacking in any gift.
I believe what we see here is a description of saved people who are none-the-less being disobedient in several areas. Now I'm not saying this should be our goal. No one should be happy if this passage describes them, it is obviously not a glowing commendation...
...But, we should, like Paul, give grace, mercy, and compassion, and yes correction to those believers who still struggle with sins, and thank God for whatever small evidences of grace we DO see in their lives.
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Christians should not sin...but they do!
Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by 12strings, Jul 18, 2012.