Endymion said:
I'm trying to get a handle on what you're saying. What I understand from your posts so far is that born-again Christians are pure (only inasmuch as a sinned human can be pure) in that they do not commit unnecessary harm, they do not violate the decrees of the Lord, and they maintain spiritual harmony with God.
Born-again Christians are not yet pure (or holy) until they arrive in Heaven in their glorified bodies. While we are still on earth, we still have the sin nature with which we were born. However, we also have the Holy Spirit within, from the very moment that we are born anew. The struggle between the two natures continues until we either die or are raptured.
The "duty" of the Holy Spirit is to comfort, convict, and give discernment to the Christian. The degree of influence that the Holy Spirit has on the individual depends on the degree of surrender by the believer, and by how much the believer "feeds" the Spirit.
The sin nature is "fed" by participating in sinful activities, hanging out with bad characters, dwelling on temptations and negative thoughts, watching movies and TV programs that appeal to baser desires, listening to worldly music, etc.
The new nature of the Holy Spirit is "fed" by regular prayer and Bible study, fellowship with other Christians, regular attendance at church, meditating on and memorizing Scripture verses, reading inspirational publications, listening to Christian music, etc.
If a Christian starves the sin nature and feeds the Holy Spirit nature, then it is
more likely that the Christian will stay close to the will of God. That is NOT holiness or perfection. That's impossible. But it is a constant walk in the right direction, on the right path.
Christians who stray from that path, or take steps backward on that path, are called "backslidden" or "carnal".
Every day, the Christian must pray for strength and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, and struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Christians are no "better" than any other people on earth. But Christians do have a Savior Who can intervene for them, and a Holy Spirit within who can assist them in their struggles. The Bible is our guide book, and the Holy Spirit helps us understand and apply those Scriptures within.
If a Christian stays within the will of God, and regularly examines his/her own heart, confesses and repents sin, and communicates with God, then that person is said to be "in fellowship" with God, or, as you said, "maintain spiritual harmony with God."
So what I'm following here is that given these parameters, a true born-again Christian could not logically be consciously responsible of the crimes against humanity people have brought up here.
A born-again Christian
can commit any sin possible. That's a trap that many Christians can fall into. They think, "oh, I've arrived, and
I would
never do that sin." That's when they are most susceptible to falling into that sin.
1 John 1
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I Corinthians 10
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
However, a born-again Christian who does commit a sin, especially a public sin against other people, and doesn't confess and repent, can't continue without consequences. Those consequences can include (and are not limited by) various degrees and combinations of guilt, physical sickness, loss of family and friends, church discipline, and society's condemnation. In some cases, it can include death.
Acts 5
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
These consequences are not vengeful punishments from God. They are ways of discipline used to guide the offender back onto the path of righteousness, and for reparation of personal relationships and God's reputation. (We all know how the sins of Christians damage the reputation of God and other Christians.)
I Corinthians 11
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Wow, I know this is a looooong response but I hope I answered your questions. :P
