As a child and an early teen I remember attending a CHURCH OF GOD and recall hearing different members testify to the fact that they did not commit sin. I remember one particular lady state "That she was Saved Sanctified and had not committed a sin in x amount of years." (This was years ago and I can't remember
the number she stated.) I also recall that in addition to Redemption they also believe in Santification as a separate work of Grace. They stated that when you were Sanctfied the carnal nature (Old Man as it was often referred to as) was removed and you were free from sin. And no longer committed sin.
The reason I am asking this is that I have heard that this is also in Nazarene Doctrine as well as associated with early Wesleyan Methodist. I would like to know if any of you brothers or sisters have ever encountered or heard this
I remember corresponding with a man who said he has not sinned ever since he was born again. He even said he could not sin, that is was impossible. Not sure what denomination he was. They probably use 1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him." out of context.
I too, have worked with a chappie who claimed to be sinless because he was saved....I pointed out that pride was a sin......the conversation rapidly went down from there.
The Holiness movement (Nazerines, Methodists, some Pentecostals) believe this because they LOWER the Biblical definition of sin so they can live above it.
The truth is that the closer one lives to God the greater they see themselves as sinners and undone which in turn produces greater humility and leads to more manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit.
The very boast that one has not sinned in one day is sin as one aspect of the Biblical definition of sin is coming short of the glory of God. Thus, this person is boasting they are as sinless as God.
I doubt this was an Anderson, Indiana affiliated Church of God. They are not of the 'holiness' persuasion. There are four different synods of Church of God in my area.
They vary in belief from radical Pentecostal (Cleveland) to Calvinistic (Anderson, Ind.), to an Arminian non-tongues speaking denominations.
even John wesley had to back away from his view on attaining a state of 'sinless perfection" by the grace added by the 2nd act of Grace, as he later on stated meant that all good works would be from love of God, not that we would be perfect!
Through my experience talking with members of The Church of God, they always reference 1John3:9 and 1John5:18.
They say these verses plainly teach a believer never sins.
My question is how do they harmonize 1John1:8,10 with 1John3:9 and 1John5:18?