Dear editor:
Mr. Ames wrote more regarding "ongoing sinning." He stated, "Jesus does command us to be perfect." In the text, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48), Mr. Ames assumed that the pronouns "ye" and "your" refer to Christians in general. He is incorrect; Yeshua (Jesus) was speaking to the Jews (regardless of faith or lack of it). Proper pronoun identification in the Bible is vital. So many errors occur because of wrong identifications of the pronouns.
He then wrote, "Not many sentences later, same sermon, he commands us to ask our Father to forgive us our debts (sins) (Matthew 5:48 with 6:12 and 14.)" This, again, is a command to the Israelis, and not to "Christians." (There were no "Christians" at that time.) He made this same error a number of times in his response.
Mr. Ames stated, "I believe the Bible to be God inspired; every word is God's word." I also know that Scriptures are infallible. I know that "Paul's words, the evil I do not want to do -- this I keep on doing (Romans 7:19) (are) his words, (and that) God inspired him to write them." Only, they describe his remembrances and thoughts before he was born of God. Otherwise, he would have been the worst hypocrite, since he states that he sold himself unto sin in the same place that he states that others are not to continue in sin! A continuous reading of Romans 6-8 will show this to some thoughtful readers. That is why his expressions are in the present and active voice.
The same is true when Paul wrote that he, the chief of sinners, obtained mercy. Yeshua gave him his assignment before Paul came to faith! This is recorded three times in Acts 9:3-8, 22:6-11 and 26:13-18.
Mr. Ames continued, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves in the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8)." He didn't include the verse after, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Are those who are forgiven and cleansed still with sin? That would mean that the sacrifice of Yeshua was unsuccessful!
He doesn't know the timing of "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." He asked, "Why pray this petition if we have stopped sinning?" as if it is for Christians. The Israelis will do exactly that when the Kingdom is about to come, which is when His will will be done on Earth as in the heavens.
The grace of God that is unto everlasting salvation and that removes sins certainly gives those who have been relieved of the sin debt the power to refuse to sin; even non-saints can refuse to sin! The theology that declares that humans cannot help but sin is contrary to the Bible and to good parenting and laws of lands. It is so wrong.
James Wilson
Hot Springs
Editorial on 03/22/2017