Great discussion! I can understand your thinking Stephen however, even our efforts at holiness are futile because the law is contrary to it! We are but dust ( awaiting an upgrade 😁). I have been thinking lately about Solomon’s words about vanity Really apart from a Jesus we are nothing I hope all will find peace in Jesus, it’s really all about Him. I agree the rest is vanity..,, The Vanity of Wisdom 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, 18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, Speaking of vanity, this verse is a little perplexing but all points back to God. He is sovereign, He provided a solution to our sin problem. We can be thankful and do our best but will not be “fixed” until the rapture/resurrection! Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Geri9, people use 1 John 1: 8-10 to justify a life of giving into sin whenever temptation comes knocking. This is not what John is teaching. While we do have unknown sin in us, to knowingly sin is unacceptable to God. It defiles us, and we will not inherit God's Kingdom. Nothing defiled will enter in. Our garments must be white, which is the righteousness of the Saints. The same Apostle John revealed to us: 1 John 3 [4] Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. [5] And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. [6] Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. [7] Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. [8] He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. (NKJV) KolleenWStone wrote: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. Jn 10" Yes, Kolleen, Jesus' sheep hear His voice and follow Him, with "follow" being the operative word. A person is not following Jesus if they are engaging in known acts of sin, i.e., works of the flesh. They are defiled before God. No one can serve two masters. We either serve Jesus (eternal life) or we serve sin (eternal death). It's one or the other. There's no middle ground. The hour is late, so it's time to chose who we will serve. James 1 [12] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. [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. (KJV) Since we ALL sin and fall short of the Glory of God I guess we will ALL be in hell. NO ONE can come to the Father except through Jesus. And why is that? Because we ALL sin. If you do not believe that you sin then you are fooling yourself.
12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart[f] to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity[g]and a striving after wind.[h]
and what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
