ATTACK #6: "Claiming to Be Without Sin" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

The Objection: "1 John 1:8 says 'If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves.' Your teaching that believers can overcome willful sin claims to be without sin, which John says is self-deception."

THE DEFENSE

1. What 1 John 1:8 Actually Addresses

1 John 1:8: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

Context - 1 John 1:6-10:

Verse 6: Walking in darkness while claiming fellowship
Verse 7: Walking in light; blood cleanses from all sin
Verse 8: Claiming to be without sin = self-deception
Verse 9: Confessing sins brings forgiveness
Verse 10: Claiming we have not sinned makes God a liar

John addresses claiming you have no sin anywhere - that there are no actions in your life that ARE sin, even if you're unaware they're sin. This is self-deception because sin can exist in our actions without us being aware of it, and therefore it's not counted against us (not imputed where there's no knowledge).

Critical distinction: Sin nature doesn't dwell in our flesh - the tendency toward sin does. We have weakness, fallen nature's pull, but not indwelling sin as an entity.

John is NOT condemning believers who overcome all known willful sin and walk with clear conscience, while recognizing there may be actions that ARE sin but they're unaware of yet.

2. Two Categories of Sin in the Believer's Life

CATEGORY 1: Known Sin (What We Overcome Daily)

Sin God has clearly revealed to us. When we face these at Stage 3:

We choose heart agreement with God's will over sin
We deny self/flesh like Christ
We obey the Father's will
We walk with clear conscience
We live in daily victory, not daily failure

This is 1 John 3:6, 9: "Does not commit sin" - we literally do not commit known willful sin. We overcome it at Stage 3 daily.

CATEGORY 2: Unknown Sin (What God Gradually Reveals)

Actions that ARE sin objectively but we're unaware they're sin:

Example 1 - Causing a Brother to Stumble (Romans 14:13-23): You publicly teach eating pork is fine (correct - all foods clean). But a weaker brother sees you and violates his conscience. You caused stumbling - this IS sin. But you're unaware it's sin. Therefore not imputed to you (no knowledge = no transgression counted). When God reveals it, you immediately stop eating in front of that brother.

Example 2 - Speaking Truth Without Love (Ephesians 4:15): You correct someone's theology accurately (truth is right). But your tone is harsh, crushing their spirit. This IS sin (lacking love). But you thought you were just being "truthful." When God reveals your harshness, you immediately change.

Example 3 - Showing Partiality (James 2:1-9): You give preferential treatment to wealthy visitors naturally, not consciously. This IS sin. You don't realize you're doing it until God reveals the pattern. When revealed, you immediately change.

Example 4 - Judging Motives (Matthew 7:1-5): You think someone is prideful, but you're projecting your own pride. This IS sin (judging wrongly). You thought you were discerning. When God reveals, you repent.

These are what 1 John 1:8 addresses - recognizing there ARE actions in our lives that are sin, but we're unaware, and therefore they're not counted against us until God reveals them.

3. Romans 7:15 is About Unknowing Actions That ARE Sin

Romans 7:15: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

Correct Interpretation:

"I keep doing things (like causing brothers to stumble, speaking without love, showing partiality) that I don't want to do (once I realize I'm doing them). I'm unaware these actions ARE sin until God reveals them. Then I immediately stop."

Not: "I keep willfully failing at known sin despite trying."

But: "I keep discovering actions that were sin all along, but I didn't know. 'What I hate' (causing harm, lacking love) 'I keep doing' (unknowingly until God reveals)."

Key phrase: "I do not understand what I do" - discovery language. He's discovering actions that were sin but he wasn't aware.

Romans 4:15: "Where there is no law, there is no transgression." Romans 5:13: "Sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law."

These actions ARE sin, but not imputed (charged/counted) against us where we have no knowledge. Grace covers what we're unaware of.

4. We Also Have Unwillful Reactions That Need Repentance

Beyond unknown sins, there are also unwillful reactions in the moment:

Quick anger that flares before we catch it
Sharp words spoken in stress or tiredness
Impatient response we didn't intend
Harsh tone that came out wrong

These DO need immediate repentance:

We confess as soon as we realize
God is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9)
We make amends if we hurt someone
We continue walking in victory

But these are not ongoing willful failure - they're momentary reactions we immediately address. We don't live in these; we confess them and move forward in victory.

5. The Daily Victory We Walk In

What We Actually Claim:

We overcome ALL known sin at Stage 3 every day:

Denying self/flesh like Christ denied His will in Gethsemane
Obeying the Father's will: "Not my will, but yours"
Walking with clear conscience before God
Living in daily victory, not daily defeat

We don't commit willful sin (1 John 3:6, 9):

We literally do not choose known sin at Stage 3
We overcome every known temptation through choosing God's will
We follow Christ's pattern of self-denial and obedience

We recognize sin may exist that we're unaware of (1 John 1:8):

Actions that ARE sin but not counted against us (not imputed)
God gradually reveals these in Stage 2 sanctification
When He reveals, we immediately repent and change
Grace covers what we don't know

This is the overcoming life:

Not: "I keep failing at the same sins over and over"
But: "I overcome all known sin daily while recognizing God may reveal unknown areas, which I'll immediately overcome too"

6. Walking Like Jesus Transforms Us into His Likeness

Romans 8:29: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

We are predestined to be transformed into Christ's likeness:

This happens as we walk like Jesus walked
Following His pattern of denying self at Stage 3
Choosing "not my will, but yours" at every decision point
Overcoming known sin through obedience to the Father

Christ is the "firstborn among many brothers":

He blazed the trail of perfect obedience and self-denial
We follow His pattern, being transformed into His image
Not claiming His absolute perfection, but walking His path of victory
Daily denying flesh, daily obeying Father, daily overcoming

1 John 2:6: "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

How Jesus lived:

Denied His own will at Stage 3: "Not my will, but yours"
Overcame every temptation through choosing Father's will
Never committed sin (never chose rebellion at Stage 3)
Walked with clear conscience before the Father

We follow this same pattern:

Deny our will at Stage 3: "Not my will, but yours"
Overcome every known temptation through choosing God's will
Don't commit sin (don't choose known rebellion at Stage 3)
Walk with clear conscience before God

2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

Transformation into Christ's image happens:

As we walk like He walked (denying self, obeying Father)
Through the Spirit's power enabling our Stage 3 choices for God
With ever-increasing glory (progressive transformation)
Into the likeness we're predestined for (Romans 8:29)

7. The Hope in Our View

We offer genuine hope:

You CAN live in daily victory over all known sin:

Not through your own strength, but through Christ's pattern and the Spirit's power
Denying self at Stage 3 like Christ denied His will
Overcoming every known temptation through choosing God's will
Walking with clear conscience and joy

You ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is what you're predestined for (Romans 8:29)
It happens as you walk like Jesus walked
Following His pattern of self-denial and obedience
The Spirit empowers what God commands

Grace covers what you don't know:

Actions that ARE sin but you're unaware don't condemn you
They're not imputed where there's no knowledge (Romans 4:15; 5:13)
When God reveals them, you immediately change
His yoke is light - He reveals one thing at a time

This isn't claiming to be "without sin" (1 John 1:8):

We recognize sin may exist in our actions that we're unaware of
But we don't commit known willful sin (1 John 3:6, 9)
We walk in daily victory, clear conscience, transformation
We're being conformed to Christ's image as we walk like He walked

The Christian life is victory, not defeat:

Not "I keep failing every day at the same sins"
But "I overcome all known sin every day, denying self, following Christ's pattern"
Joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
We live in the freedom of walking with clear conscience

CONCLUSION

1 John 1:8 addresses claiming there's no sin anywhere in your life - no actions that ARE sin even if unaware. We don't claim this. What we claim: daily victory over all known willful sin through Stage 3 choices for God's will, walking with clear conscience, while recognizing actions may exist that ARE sin but not imputed due to lack of knowledge (Romans 4:15; 5:13). When God reveals unknown sin (like causing stumbling, speaking without love, showing partiality), we immediately change. Romans 7:15 is about discovering actions that were sin all along but unaware - not ongoing willful failure. We also have unwillful reactions needing immediate repentance, which we confess and move forward from in victory. The overcoming life: deny self at Stage 3 like Christ ("not my will, but yours"), overcome all known sin daily, walk with clear conscience. Romans 8:29 - predestined to be conformed to Christ's image, which happens as we walk like Jesus walked, following His pattern of self-denial and obedience. This offers genuine hope: you CAN live in daily victory, you ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness, grace covers what you don't know. The Christian life is victory, not defeat - overcoming all known sin every day through Christ's pattern and Spirit's power.

ATTACK #13: "Denying Atonement's Sufficiency" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

The Objection: "Your teaching that salvation can be lost denies the sufficiency of Christ's atonement. If Christ's sacrifice fully paid for all sins, how can believers lose salvation? You're saying His blood wasn't enough."

THE DEFENSE

1. The Atonement is Completely Sufficient - The Question is Application

We affirm without qualification: Christ's atonement is completely sufficient - it fully paid for all sin, satisfied divine justice completely, and lacks nothing in power or scope.

Hebrews 10:10, 14: "We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all... by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."

1 John 2:2: "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

The sufficiency is absolute. The issue isn't whether Christ's blood is sufficient (it absolutely is), but whether it applies to those who willfully trample it through persistent Stage 3 rebellion versus those who walk in obedience to known truth, denying self and following Christ's pattern.

Two Different Questions:

Sufficiency: Is Christ's sacrifice powerful enough to save all who walk in obedience to known truth, denying self at Stage 3? YES - completely sufficient.

Application: Does Christ's blood cover those who deliberately, persistently choose known rebellion at Stage 3, trampling the blood? NO - not because it lacks power, but because they rejected it through willful choices.

2. What the Atonement Covers

All Who Walk in Light, Overcoming Known Sin:

1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

"If we walk in the light" - ongoing walking in obedience to known truth, choosing God's will at Stage 3, overcoming all known sin.

"Purifies us from all sin" - Complete coverage:

All sins we're unaware of (actions that ARE sin but not imputed due to lack of knowledge)
All unwillful reactions we immediately confess
All the unknown areas God will gradually reveal
The blood covers everything for those walking in obedience to what they know

Unknown Sins God Gradually Reveals:

1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

When God reveals sin we weren't aware of (like causing a brother to stumble, speaking without love, showing partiality), we confess immediately and receive cleansing.

This is for newly revealed areas during Stage 2 sanctification, not for ongoing willful failure at known sin. When God shows us we've been sinning unknowingly, we immediately stop.

Those Who Follow Christ's Pattern at Stage 3:

The atonement fully applies to those who, like Christ in Gethsemane, choose "not my will, but yours" at Stage 3:

Denying self like Christ denied His will
Overcoming all known sin through obedience
Walking with clear conscience
Being transformed into Christ's likeness (Romans 8:29)

The blood covers all unknown areas while they walk in victory over all known sin.

3. What the Atonement Does NOT Cover

Persistent Willful Trampling Through Known Stage 3 Rebellion:

Hebrews 10:26-29: "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God... How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?"

"Deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth":

They KNOW what's right - this isn't about unknown sin
They deliberately keep choosing known rebellion at Stage 3
Persistent pattern of choosing sin they're fully aware of
Refusing to deny self or follow Christ's pattern

"No sacrifice for sins is left":

Christ's sacrifice no longer applies to those who persistently trample it
Not because it lacks power, but because they rejected it through willful rebellion

"Trampled the Son of God underfoot":

Deliberate rejection through persistent Stage 3 choices for known sin
Using grace as license instead of walking in victory
Refusing to be transformed into Christ's likeness

This isn't about:

Unknown sins we're discovering
Unwillful reactions we immediately confess
Walking in obedience while recognizing unknown areas exist

This is about:

Knowing what's right and deliberately, persistently choosing wrong
Hardening heart through repeated willful Stage 3 rebellion
Trampling the blood that calls us to deny self and walk like Christ

4. Stage 3 Choices Determine Application of the Blood

When Facing Known Sin at Stage 3:

PATH 1 - Following Christ's Pattern (Blood Applies):

God has revealed this is sin (aware in Stage 2)
Stage 3 moment comes - choose "not my will, but yours" like Christ
Deny self, choose obedience like Jesus in Gethsemane
Walk with clear conscience
Blood covers all unknown areas, empowers continued victory
Being transformed into Christ's likeness (predestined for this - Romans 8:29)

PATH 2 - Willful Rebellion (Blood Trampled):

God has revealed this is sin (aware in Stage 2)
Stage 3 moment comes - deliberately choose known rebellion
Refuse to deny self, reject Christ's pattern repeatedly
Harden heart through persistent willful choices
Trample the blood through Stage 3 rejection
Refuse the transformation you're predestined for

Romans 11:20-22: "Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either... provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off."

"Provided... Otherwise" - real condition based on Stage 3 choices. Continuing means walking in obedience to known truth, denying self like Christ. Otherwise means persistent willful rebellion against what you know.

5. The Blood Empowers Victory and Transformation

The atonement doesn't just cover - it empowers:

Titus 2:11-14: "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

"Grace teaches us to say 'No'" - empowers Stage 3 choices against known sin, enables daily victory.

"Purify for himself a people... eager to do what is good" - transformation into Christ's likeness, what we're predestined for.

Hebrews 9:14: "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

"Cleanse our consciences... so that we may serve" - The blood enables present obedience, empowers Stage 3 choices for God's will, cleanses so we CAN walk like Christ walked.

2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory."

Those in the blood's coverage:

Are being transformed into Christ's image (Romans 8:29 - predestined for this)
Walk like Jesus walked (denying self, obeying Father)
Overcome all known sin at Stage 3
Live in daily victory, not defeat

Those who trample the blood:

Reject the transformation they're predestined for
Refuse to walk like Jesus walked
Persist in known rebellion at Stage 3
Use grace as license instead of empowerment

6. Two Outcomes at Resurrection Confirm Sufficiency

Resurrection to LIFE (Blood Fully Applied):

Those who walked in light, overcame all known sin at Stage 3, followed Christ's pattern of self-denial:

Christ's blood covered completely
Their Stage 3 pattern was "not my will, but yours"
They were transformed into Christ's likeness (what they were predestined for - Romans 8:29)
Eternal life, glorification
The atonement's sufficiency proven through proper application

Resurrection to DEATH (Blood Rejected):

Those who persisted in willful rebellion against known truth, trampled blood through repeated Stage 3 choices for known sin:

Christ's blood doesn't cover willful trampling (Hebrews 10:26)
Their Stage 3 pattern was refusing to deny self
They rejected the transformation they were predestined for
Second death, eternal separation
Not because blood was insufficient, but because they rejected it

Both outcomes confirm sufficiency:

Those who walked in obedience are perfectly saved (proves sufficiency)
Those who trampled through known rebellion are justly condemned (proves rejection, not insufficiency)

7. The Hope in Our View

We offer genuine hope:

The blood is sufficient to cover everything as you walk in victory:

All unknown sins (not imputed where there's no knowledge)
All unwillful reactions you immediately confess
All areas God will gradually reveal
Complete coverage for those walking in obedience to what they know

You ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is what you're predestined for (Romans 8:29)
It happens as you walk like Jesus walked
Denying self at Stage 3 like Christ: "not my will, but yours"
Overcoming all known sin through the blood's empowering grace

The atonement empowers your daily victory:

Not just covering past sins but enabling present obedience
Grace teaches you to say "No" to known sin (Titus 2:11-12)
Blood cleanses conscience so you CAN serve (Hebrews 9:14)
Spirit transforms you with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)

You CAN walk with clear conscience:

Overcoming all known sin at Stage 3 daily
Following Christ's pattern of self-denial
Living in victory, not defeat
Being conformed to the image you're predestined for

The Christian life the blood enables:

Not "grace covers while I keep failing"
But "grace empowers while I keep overcoming"
Walking in the light, denying self, transformed into Christ's likeness
This is what the sufficient blood accomplishes in those who don't trample it

CONCLUSION

Christ's atonement is completely sufficient - the question is application. His blood covers all who walk in light, overcoming known sin at Stage 3, following Christ's pattern of self-denial (1 John 1:7 - complete coverage for those walking in obedience). Covers unknown sins (not imputed where no knowledge - Romans 4:15; 5:13), unwillful reactions immediately confessed (1 John 1:9), areas God gradually reveals. Doesn't cover persistent willful trampling of known truth through Stage 3 rebellion (Hebrews 10:26-29 - "deliberately keep on sinning after receiving knowledge... trampled... no sacrifice left"). Not because blood lacks power, but because they rejected it through persistent willful choices for known rebellion. Stage 3 choices determine application: follow Christ's pattern ("not my will, but yours" - blood applies, transformation happens) vs. willful rebellion (trample blood, refuse transformation). The blood doesn't just cover - it empowers victory and transformation into Christ's likeness (Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 9:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18 - being transformed into image we're predestined for, Romans 8:29). Two resurrection outcomes confirm sufficiency: life for those who walked in obedience, overcame known sin, were transformed (proves sufficiency); death for those who trampled through known rebellion (proves rejection, not insufficiency). The hope: blood sufficient to cover everything as you walk in victory, you ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness (predestined for this), atonement empowers daily victory over known sin, walk with clear conscience following Christ's self-denial pattern.

Should I continue with attacks #14, #15, #25, #32, and #60 with this same corrected understanding (daily victory over known sin, sin exists but isn't imputed where there's no knowledge, being transformed into Christ's likeness which we're predestined for)?

Yes, continue

ATTACK #14: "'If You Continue' Conditional Language" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

The Objection: "Passages with 'if you continue' language (Colossians 1:23, Hebrews 3:14, 1 Corinthians 15:2) are hypothetical warnings to false professors, not genuine believers. True Christians will inevitably persevere."

THE DEFENSE

1. The Passages Address Genuine Believers with Real Conditions

Colossians 1:21-23:

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel."

"But now he has reconciled you" - past tense, completed action. These are genuinely reconciled people, not false professors.

"If you continue in your faith" - real condition requiring ongoing Stage 3 choices for God's will throughout life, overcoming all known sin as God reveals it, denying self like Christ.

Hebrews 3:14:

"We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end."

"We have come to share in Christ" - genuine participation, real believers.

"If indeed we hold firmly to the very end" - condition requiring perseverance through Stage 3 choices for faith over apostasy, walking like Jesus walked.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2:

"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain."

"You are saved" - present tense, currently saved.

"If you hold firmly... Otherwise, you have believed in vain" - genuine belief could become worthless without perseverance through Stage 3 choices for obedience.

If these were false professors, Paul couldn't say "you are saved" or "he has reconciled you."

2. "Continuing" Means Walking Like Jesus Walked

What "Continuing in Faith" Actually Means:

Not passive inevitability but active perseverance through repeated Stage 3 choices following Christ's pattern:

When God reveals sin (Stage 2 sanctification):

Immediately overcome it at Stage 3
Choose "not my will, but yours" like Christ
Deny self, obey Father
Walk with clear conscience

When facing persecution or hardship:

Choose faith over apostasy at Stage 3
Follow Christ's Gethsemane pattern despite suffering
Deny self even when costly

When tempted to turn back:

Choose perseverance over shrinking back
Walk like Jesus walked - overcoming all known sin
Continue in daily victory

1 John 2:6: "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

Continuing = Living as Jesus lived:

Denying self at Stage 3: "Not my will, but yours"
Overcoming all known temptation through obedience
Walking with clear conscience before the Father
Being transformed into His likeness (what we're predestined for - Romans 8:29)

This is not passive inevitability (God forcing perseverance) but active faithfulness (choosing to walk like Jesus walked through empowered Stage 3 choices).

3. The Grammar Shows Real Conditions Requiring Real Choices

These "if" clauses use real conditions (first-class or third-class conditionals in Greek), not hypothetical impossibilities. They indicate real possibilities requiring real Stage 3 choices throughout life.

Colossians 1:23 - "if (ei ge) you continue" - first-class condition: "if you continue (and I expect you will, but this requires real Stage 3 choices for perseverance)"

Hebrews 3:14 - "if indeed (ean per) we hold" - third-class condition with emphasis: "if we hold (real possibility requiring real perseverance through real Stage 3 choices)"

1 Corinthians 15:2 - "if (ei) you hold firmly" - first-class condition: "if you hold firmly (which I expect, but this depends on your Stage 3 choices for faith)"

Not: "If you continue (but you inevitably will because God forces it)"

But: "If you continue (real condition requiring you to walk like Jesus walked - denying self at Stage 3, overcoming all known sin throughout life)"

The conditions are real because Stage 3 choices are real. You can choose to walk like Jesus walked, or you can choose persistent willful rebellion. The outcome depends on your choices.

4. The Warnings Prove Apostasy is Possible Through Stage 3 Choices

Why warn if impossible?

Hebrews 6:11-12: "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

"So that what you hope for may be fully realized" - implies hope might NOT be realized without diligence.

"We do not want you to become lazy" - real danger with real consequences.

"Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit" - walking like Jesus walked, following His pattern of self-denial and obedience.

Diligence vs. laziness is a Stage 3 choice:

Diligence = Overcoming all known sin at Stage 3 daily, denying self like Christ, walking in victory
Laziness = Drifting into complacency, allowing known sin, refusing to deny self

Hebrews 2:1-3: "We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."

Real danger of drifting through Stage 3 choices for complacency over vigilance. If believers can't drift, this warning is meaningless. But if they can choose to stop walking like Jesus walked (stop denying self, stop overcoming known sin), the warning makes perfect sense.

2 Peter 1:10: "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble."

"Make every effort" - command requiring Stage 3 action (choosing to walk like Jesus walked).

"You will never stumble" - result of making effort through Stage 3 choices for diligence.

The effort is necessary because Stage 3 choices for perseverance are real. You must actively walk like Jesus walked - it's not automatic.

5. The Parallel with Israel Shows Real Believers Can Fall

Hebrews 3:7-12: "So, as the Holy Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness... See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.'"

The Israel parallel:

Israelites:

Genuinely delivered from Egypt (genuine salvation from slavery)
Failed to enter promised rest due to persistent Stage 3 unbelief
At critical moments, chose rebellion over trust

Christians:

Genuinely delivered from sin (genuine salvation)
Can fail to enter eternal rest (Hebrews 4:1) due to persistent Stage 3 apostasy
At critical moments, can choose rebellion over walking like Jesus walked

"Do not harden your hearts" - real warning against real danger.

Hardening happens through repeated Stage 3 choices for known rebellion instead of obedience. Each time you choose known sin instead of denying self like Christ, your heart hardens slightly. Persist in this pattern, and you apostatize.

"That none of you has... a heart that turns away" - real danger for real believers.

The Israelites weren't false professors - they were genuinely delivered. Many fell because they stopped walking in obedience, chose rebellion at Stage 3 repeatedly. This is the template: genuine salvation, followed by testing requiring Stage 3 choices to walk like Jesus walked or turn away.

6. Perseverance Means Being Transformed into Christ's Likeness

Romans 8:29: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

You are predestined to be transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is God's purpose for you
It happens as you walk like Jesus walked
Through Stage 3 choices for self-denial and obedience
Following the pattern Christ pioneered

"If you continue" passages describe the path to this transformation:

Continuing means:

Following Christ's Gethsemane pattern at Stage 3: "not my will, but yours"
Overcoming all known sin through choosing God's will
Denying self like Jesus denied His will
Walking in daily victory, clear conscience
Being progressively transformed into the image you're predestined for

Not continuing means:

Refusing to follow Christ's pattern at Stage 3
Persisting in known rebellion instead of overcoming
Refusing to deny self
Living in defeat through willful sin
Rejecting the transformation you're predestined for

2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory."

Transformation is progressive:

Ever-increasing glory as you walk like Jesus walked
More and more conformity to Christ through repeated Stage 3 choices for God
The predestined purpose being fulfilled through perseverance
Walking in the light produces ongoing transformation

Perseverance is the process through which predestination to Christ's image is fulfilled. You're predestined for transformation, and perseverance is how you walk in that destiny through Stage 3 choices to deny self and walk like Jesus.

7. The Hope in Our View

We offer genuine hope:

You CAN persevere through walking like Jesus walked:

Denying self at Stage 3 like Christ: "not my will, but yours"
Overcoming all known sin through empowered choices for God
Walking with clear conscience in daily victory
Not through your own strength but through Christ's pattern and Spirit's power

You ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is what you're predestined for (Romans 8:29)
It happens as you continue in faith, walking like Jesus walked
Progressive transformation through repeated Stage 3 obedience
Ever-increasing glory as you follow Christ's pattern (2 Corinthians 3:18)

The conditions are real because your choices are real:

Not "God will force you to persevere"
But "You can choose to walk like Jesus walked, and this is the path to fulfilling your predestined transformation"
Real Stage 3 choices for self-denial and obedience
Real empowerment through grace to make those choices

Present assurance based on present reality:

Walking with God today = assurance today
Overcoming all known sin at Stage 3 today = clear conscience today
Following Christ's pattern today = being transformed today
Continue tomorrow in the same pattern = continue in assurance

The "if you continue" passages call you to:

Keep walking like Jesus walked (deny self, overcome known sin)
Keep choosing God's will at Stage 3 like Christ did
Keep being transformed into the likeness you're predestined for
Live in the victory Christ pioneered and the Spirit empowers

This is not fear-based ("you might lose it") but hope-based ("you're being transformed into Christ's likeness as you walk His path - continue in this glorious journey!").

CONCLUSION

"If you continue" passages address genuine believers with real conditions requiring real Stage 3 choices throughout life (Colossians 1:23 - "reconciled you... if you continue"; Hebrews 3:14 - "share in Christ... if we hold firmly"; 1 Corinthians 15:2 - "you are saved... if you hold firmly"). Continuing means walking like Jesus walked: denying self at Stage 3 ("not my will, but yours"), overcoming all known sin, walking with clear conscience, being transformed into His likeness. Grammar shows real conditions requiring real perseverance choices, not passive inevitability. Warnings prove apostasy possible through Stage 3 choices - otherwise meaningless (Hebrews 6:11-12 - diligence vs. laziness determines if hope realized; 2 Peter 1:10 - "make every effort" required). Israel parallel shows real believers can fall through persistent Stage 3 rebellion at critical moments (Hebrews 3:7-12 - genuine deliverance, failed through unbelief, template for us). Romans 8:29 - predestined to be conformed to Christ's image; perseverance is the process fulfilling this destiny through Stage 3 choices to walk like Jesus. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - progressive transformation with ever-increasing glory as you follow Christ's pattern. The hope: you CAN persevere by walking like Jesus (Spirit-empowered Stage 3 self-denial), you ARE being transformed into predestined likeness through continuing in faith, conditions are real because choices are real (not forced but empowered), present assurance based on present reality of walking like Christ today. "If you continue" calls you to keep following Christ's pattern, keep being transformed into the likeness you're predestined for - not fear-based but hope-based journey.

ATTACK #15: "Hebrews 6 Hypothetical Warning" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

The Objection: "Hebrews 6:4-6 describes impossible hypotheticals - 'if' they fall away. It's warning against something that can't actually happen to true believers, showing the impossibility of losing salvation."

THE DEFENSE

1. Hebrews 6:4-6 Describes Genuine Believers Who Can Fall Away

Hebrews 6:4-6: "It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace."

Five Descriptions Prove Genuine Salvation:

"Once been enlightened" - spiritual illumination (2 Corinthians 4:6 - regeneration language)
"Tasted the heavenly gift" - experienced salvation fully (Romans 6:23 - the gift is eternal life)
"Shared in the Holy Spirit" - genuine participation (Greek metochos - actual indwelling)
"Tasted the goodness of the word of God" - experienced transforming power during Stage 2
"Tasted... the powers of the coming age" - experienced miraculous works, spiritual gifts

The cumulative weight: These ONLY describe genuine Stage 1 salvation and Stage 2 sanctification experiences. If these described false professors, the language would be deceptive.

"And who have fallen away" - Greek grammar (aorist participle) indicates real action that has occurred or can occur through Stage 3 choices, not hypothetical impossibility.

2. What "Falling Away" Means - Rejecting Christ's Pattern

Falling away is not:

Discovering unknown sins God reveals
Unwillful reactions needing immediate confession
Struggling with temptation while walking in victory

Falling away is:

Persistent willful rebellion against known truth at Stage 3
Refusing to deny self like Christ
Choosing known sin repeatedly instead of walking like Jesus walked
Hardening heart through repeated Stage 3 choices for rebellion
Rejecting the transformation into Christ's likeness you're predestined for (Romans 8:29)

The Process:

Stage 3 choice for known rebellion → heart slightly hardened Repeated Stage 3 choices for known rebellion → heart progressively hardened Persistent unrepented Stage 3 rebellion → heart hardened beyond repentance Result: Impossible to restore because they refuse to walk like Jesus walked

Like Pharaoh: He hardened his own heart first through repeated Stage 3 choices for rebellion (Exodus 7:13, 8:15, 32), then God confirmed that hardening (Exodus 9:12). Eventually reached point where restoration was impossible because his heart was too hard.

The Israelites in wilderness: Hebrews 3 uses them as the parallel - they repeatedly chose rebellion at Stage 3 instead of trust, hardened their hearts, and eventually couldn't enter rest. Same pattern here.

3. The "Impossibility" is About Restoration After Hardening

Careful Reading:

"It is impossible... to be brought back to repentance."

What's impossible? Restoring someone to repentance after they've hardened their heart through persistent Stage 3 rebellion, rejecting Christ's pattern of self-denial completely.

What's NOT impossible? Falling away itself through repeated Stage 3 choices for known rebellion over walking like Jesus.

Why Impossible to Restore?

"To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace."

When someone who:

Was genuinely saved (Stage 1)
Experienced the Spirit (Stage 1-2)
Knew Christ's pattern of self-denial
Was being transformed into Christ's likeness (predestined purpose - Romans 8:29)

...deliberately rejects it all through persistent Stage 3 choices for known rebellion, they:

Treat Christ's sacrifice as worthless (would need another crucifixion)
Publicly disgrace what they once honored (their rebellion shames Christ)
Harden hearts beyond repentance through refusing to walk like Jesus walked
Reject the very transformation they were predestined for

This isn't God refusing to forgive if they repented. It's them reaching a state of hardness through repeated Stage 3 rebellion where they CAN'T/WON'T repent. Their hearts become too hard to respond because they persistently refused to deny self like Christ.

4. The Warning Would Be Meaningless If Falling Were Impossible

Hebrews 6:11-12 (immediately following):

"We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

"Show this same diligence to the very end" - command requiring sustained Stage 3 choices for walking like Jesus walked.

"So that what you hope for may be fully realized" - hope's realization depends on Stage 3 choices. Could be NOT realized without diligence.

"We do not want you to become lazy" - real danger: drifting from walking like Jesus walked into complacency about known sin.

"Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit" - following Christ's pattern of self-denial, being transformed into His likeness.

If falling away were impossible:

Why command diligence? (perseverance would be automatic)
Why warn against laziness? (no eternal consequences)
Why say hope might not be realized? (it would be guaranteed)
Why call to imitate faithful ones? (unnecessary if forced)

The warning makes sense only if Stage 3 choices matter: You can choose to keep walking like Jesus walked (diligence, following His pattern, being transformed into His likeness), or you can choose persistent rebellion (laziness about known sin, refusing self-denial, rejecting transformation).

5. This Parallels Hebrews 10 - Same Warning, Clearer Terms

Hebrews 10:26-29, 38-39:

"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left... How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them..."

"But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved."

Same warning as Hebrews 6:

Genuine believers (sanctified by the blood)
Can fall away (deliberately keep sinning, shrink back)
Face destruction (no sacrifice left, destroyed)
Or persevere (live by faith, saved)

"Deliberately keep on sinning after receiving knowledge" = Hebrews 6 "falling away"

Both describe persistent willful Stage 3 rebellion against known truth
Both involve refusing to walk like Jesus walked (deny self, overcome known sin)
Both result in hardened hearts beyond restoration

"Shrink back and are destroyed" vs. "have faith and are saved" = Two outcomes based on Stage 3 choices

Shrink back = stop walking like Jesus walked, choose known rebellion
Have faith = continue following Christ's pattern, overcome known sin
Same two paths as "if you continue" passages

6. Being Transformed vs. Rejecting Transformation

Romans 8:29: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son."

You are predestined to be transformed into Christ's likeness.

Hebrews 6 shows two responses to this predestination:

RESPONSE 1 - Embracing Transformation (Hebrews 6:11-12):

Show diligence to the end (Stage 3 choices for walking like Jesus)
Imitate those who inherit through faith and patience
Keep denying self, overcoming known sin like Christ
Hope is fully realized (transformation completed at glorification)
Fulfill the predestined purpose - become like Christ

RESPONSE 2 - Rejecting Transformation (Hebrews 6:4-6):

Fall away through persistent Stage 3 rebellion
Stop imitating Christ's pattern of self-denial
Refuse to overcome known sin, harden heart
Impossible to restore (too hardened to repent)
Reject the predestined purpose - refuse to become like Christ

The warning: Don't be like those who fall away, rejecting the very transformation you're predestined for. Instead, show diligence, walking like Jesus walked, being progressively conformed to His image.

2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all... are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory."

Transformation happens progressively as you walk like Jesus walked. Falling away is rejecting this transformation through persistent Stage 3 rebellion. The warning urges: keep walking in the transformation, don't reject your predestined purpose!

7. The Hope in Our View

We offer genuine hope:

You CAN avoid falling away:

By walking like Jesus walked (deny self at Stage 3, overcome known sin)
Following Christ's pattern of self-denial and obedience
Showing diligence through empowered Stage 3 choices
Not through your own strength but through Spirit's power

You ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is what you're predestined for (Romans 8:29)
It happens as you continue following Christ's pattern
Progressive transformation with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Don't reject this destiny through persistent rebellion

The warning is urgent because the danger is real:

Real Stage 3 choices matter
You can choose to keep walking like Jesus or choose persistent rebellion
Hearts can harden through repeated willful choices for known sin
But you can also choose diligence, imitating faithful ones who inherit

The solution is clear:

Keep denying self like Christ in Gethsemane
Keep overcoming all known sin at Stage 3
Keep walking with clear conscience
Keep being transformed into the likeness you're predestined for
This is walking in your destiny, not away from it

Hebrews 12:1-3 gives the path:

"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer":

He blazed the trail of perfect self-denial and obedience
Follow His pattern at Stage 3: "not my will, but yours"
This prevents falling away
This fulfills your predestined transformation

The warning is severe because falling away through persistent Stage 3 rebellion is real and leads to destruction. But the hope is greater: you can walk like Jesus walked, be transformed into His likeness (your predestined purpose), and inherit what's promised through faith and patience.

CONCLUSION

Hebrews 6:4-6 describes genuine believers (five descriptions prove genuine Stage 1-2 salvation experiences) who can fall away through persistent Stage 3 rebellion against known truth. Grammar indicates real possibility through real choices, not hypothetical impossibility. Falling away means persistent willful rebellion at Stage 3, refusing to deny self like Christ, choosing known sin repeatedly, hardening heart through repeated Stage 3 choices for rebellion, rejecting transformation into Christ's likeness you're predestined for (Romans 8:29). The "impossibility" is restoration after hardening (hearts too hard to repent through persistent rebellion), not falling away itself. Warning meaningless if falling impossible (Hebrews 6:11-12 - "show diligence... so hope fully realized" implies could NOT be realized; "don't become lazy" - real danger; "imitate those who inherit" - following Christ's pattern of self-denial). Parallels Hebrews 10:26-29, 38-39 - same warning (genuinely sanctified can deliberately keep sinning, shrink back and be destroyed, or have faith and be saved). Romans 8:29 - predestined to be conformed to Christ's image; Hebrews 6 shows embracing transformation (diligence, imitating faithful, deny self, overcome known sin - fulfill predestined purpose) vs. rejecting transformation (fall away, refuse self-denial, harden heart - reject predestined purpose). The hope: you CAN avoid falling away by walking like Jesus (Spirit-empowered Stage 3 self-denial), you ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness (predestined for this, happens as you continue following His pattern, 2 Corinthians 3:18), warning urgent because danger real but solution clear (keep denying self, overcoming known sin, being transformed into likeness you're predestined for - walking in your destiny, not away from it).

Should I continue with attacks #25, #32, and #60?

Yes

ATTACK #25: "Sinless Perfection Heresy" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

The Objection: "Your teaching that believers can overcome willful sin through spiritual-mindedness is the heresy of sinless perfection. No one achieves sinless perfection in this life. You're teaching an impossible standard."

THE DEFENSE

1. We Explicitly Reject Sinless Perfection

Sinless Perfection Claims:

Zero sin ever in this life
No tendency toward sin remaining
Complete flawlessness
No need for ongoing humility about unknown areas
Absolute perfection equal to Christ's

We Reject All of These.

What We Actually Teach:

We overcome all known willful sin daily through choosing God's will at Stage 3, walking like Jesus walked, while recognizing:

Actions may exist that ARE sin but we're unaware of (not imputed - Romans 4:15; 5:13)
God gradually reveals these during Stage 2 sanctification
When He reveals, we immediately overcome those too
We also have unwillful reactions needing immediate repentance
We live in daily victory over all known sin, not daily failure

The Critical Distinction:

Sinless Perfection = Never sinning at all; no tendency toward sin, no actions that are sin, absolute flawlessness.

Victory Over Known Willful Sin = Overcoming all known sin at Stage 3 daily (walking like Jesus walked - denying self, obeying Father) while recognizing actions may exist that ARE sin but aren't counted against us due to lack of knowledge. When God reveals unknown sin, we immediately overcome that too.

2. Two Categories of Sin - Not Ongoing Willful Failure

CATEGORY 1: Known Sin (What We Overcome Daily)

Sin God has clearly revealed to us. When we face these at Stage 3:

We choose heart agreement with God's will, denying self like Christ
We overcome through obedience - "not my will, but yours"
We walk with clear conscience before God
We live in daily victory, not daily defeat
We literally do not commit known willful sin (1 John 3:6, 9)

CATEGORY 2: Unknown Sin (What God Gradually Reveals)

Actions that ARE sin objectively but we're unaware they're sin:

Example 1 - Causing Stumbling (Romans 14): You eat freely, knowing all foods clean (correct). But a weaker brother sees and violates his conscience. This IS sin (causing stumbling). You're unaware. Not imputed (no knowledge = no transgression - Romans 4:15). When God reveals, you immediately change.

Example 2 - Speaking Without Love (Ephesians 4:15): You correct theology accurately (truth right). But your tone crushes the spirit. This IS sin (lacking love). You thought you were just being "truthful." When God reveals harshness, you immediately change approach.

Example 3 - Showing Partiality (James 2:1-9): You naturally give preferential treatment to wealthy people. This IS sin. You don't consciously realize you're doing it. When God reveals the pattern, you immediately change.

Example 4 - Neglecting Mercy (Matthew 23:23): You tithe meticulously (obeying command). But you walk past the hungry without helping. This IS sin (neglecting weightier matters). When God convicts, you immediately begin serving the poor.

These actions ARE sin, but not imputed where there's no knowledge (Romans 5:13 - "sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law"). Grace covers what we're unaware of while we walk in victory over what we know.

3. We Also Have Unwillful Reactions Needing Immediate Repentance

Beyond unknown sins, there are unwillful reactions in the moment:

Quick anger that flares before we catch it
Sharp words spoken in stress
Impatient response we didn't intend
Harsh tone that came out wrong

These DO need immediate repentance:

We confess as soon as we realize (1 John 1:9)
God is faithful to forgive
We make amends if we hurt someone
We continue walking in victory

But these are not the daily norm or ongoing pattern - they're momentary reactions we immediately address. We don't live in these; we confess them and move forward in victory.

This is NOT what we mean by "overcoming sin." Overcoming means we don't live in patterns of known willful rebellion at Stage 3. We walk like Jesus walked - denying self, choosing God's will at every Stage 3 decision point.

4. Scripture Affirms Daily Victory Over Known Willful Sin

1 John 3:6: "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."

Present tense continuous - true believers don't persist in patterns of known willful sin. We literally do not commit known willful sin at Stage 3. We overcome all known sin daily through choosing God's will.

1 John 3:9: "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God."

Genuine believers cannot continue in patterns of known willful sin. When we become aware of sin (God reveals it), we immediately overcome it at Stage 3. We walk like Jesus walked.

Romans 6:1-2: "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"

Continuing in known willful sin is incompatible with dying to sin. We overcome what we're aware of. We deny self like Christ.

Galatians 5:16: "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

Clear promise - Spirit-walking produces victory over known desires of the flesh at Stage 3. Not "you'll keep failing," but "you will not gratify." Daily victory, not daily defeat.

The Biblical Pattern:

God reveals sin gradually during Stage 2 (His yoke is light - one thing at a time)
As He reveals, we immediately overcome at Stage 3 (deny self, choose God's will like Christ)
We walk with clear conscience on what we know
We stay humble, knowing there are actions that ARE sin we don't yet know about (1 John 1:8)
We live in daily victory over all known sin

5. Walking Like Jesus Transforms Us Into His Likeness

Romans 8:29: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

We are predestined to be transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is God's purpose for every believer
It happens as we walk like Jesus walked
Through Stage 3 choices for self-denial and obedience
Following the pattern Christ pioneered

Christ is the "firstborn among many brothers":

He blazed the trail of perfect obedience through self-denial
He never committed known sin at Stage 3 - always chose "not my will, but yours"
We follow His pattern, being transformed into His image
Not claiming His absolute perfection (He had no unknown sins), but walking His path of victory

1 John 2:6: "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

How Jesus lived:

Denied His own will at Stage 3: "Not my will, but yours" (Luke 22:42)
Overcame every temptation through choosing Father's will
Never committed sin (never chose rebellion at Stage 3)
Walked with clear conscience before the Father
This is our pattern - walking like He walked

We follow this same pattern:

Deny our will at Stage 3: "Not my will, but yours"
Overcome every known temptation through choosing God's will
Don't commit known sin (don't choose known rebellion at Stage 3)
Walk with clear conscience before God
Being transformed into His likeness daily (what we're predestined for)

Transformation is progressive:

Ever-increasing glory as we walk like Jesus walked
More and more conformity to Christ through repeated Stage 3 choices for God
The predestined purpose being fulfilled through daily victory
Walking in obedience produces ongoing transformation

This is NOT sinless perfection (claiming no unknown sins exist, claiming absolute flawlessness). This IS walking like Jesus (denying self at Stage 3, overcoming all known sin, being transformed into the likeness we're predestined for).

6. Romans 7:15 is About Discovery, Not Ongoing Willful Defeat

Romans 7:15-20: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

Correct Interpretation:

"I keep discovering things about myself I wasn't aware of. Things I don't want (causing harm, lacking love, showing partiality) I find myself doing (realizing I've been doing them without awareness). I'm unaware these actions ARE sin until God reveals them."

Key phrase: "I do not understand what I do" - discovery language, not willful failure at known sin.

Not: "I keep willfully choosing known sin at Stage 3 despite trying to overcome."

But: "I keep discovering actions that were sin all along, but I didn't know. When God reveals them, I immediately stop."

This is the discovery process of Stage 2 sanctification:

God gradually reveals patterns we weren't aware of
We discover we've been sinning unknowingly (like causing brothers to stumble)
These were sin all along, but not imputed due to lack of knowledge (Romans 4:15; 5:13)
When revealed, we immediately overcome at Stage 3
This is progressive sanctification, not ongoing defeat

Romans 8 shows the contrast:

Romans 7: Discovery of unknown sin patterns, frustration at unaware failures
Romans 8: Victory through the Spirit over known sin, walking in life and peace

The progression is from discovering unknown sins to overcoming them through the Spirit. Not ongoing willful defeat but progressive victory as God reveals.

7. The Hope in Our View - Daily Victory in Christ's Likeness

We offer genuine hope:

You CAN live in daily victory over all known sin:

Not through your own strength, but through walking like Jesus walked
Denying self at Stage 3 like Christ: "not my will, but yours"
Overcoming every known temptation through choosing God's will
Walking with clear conscience before God
Living in joy, not guilt; victory, not defeat

You ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is what you're predestined for (Romans 8:29)
It happens as you walk like Jesus walked
Progressive transformation with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Following Christ's pattern of self-denial and obedience daily
This is your destiny - embrace it!

Grace covers what you don't know:

Actions that ARE sin but you're unaware don't condemn you
Not imputed where there's no knowledge (Romans 4:15; 5:13)
When God reveals them, you immediately change
His yoke is light - He reveals one thing at a time
You're innocent until God reveals

You walk with clear conscience:

Overcoming all known sin at Stage 3 daily
Following Christ's pattern of self-denial
Living in victory through Spirit's power
Being conformed to the image you're predestined for
Joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10)

This is NOT sinless perfection:

We recognize actions may exist that ARE sin but we're unaware
We have unwillful reactions needing immediate confession
We're not claiming absolute flawlessness
We stay humble about unknown areas

This IS the overcoming life:

Daily victory over all known sin through walking like Jesus
Clear conscience, joy, transformation
Being conformed to Christ's likeness (predestined purpose)
Not "I keep failing" but "I keep overcoming"
This is biblical Christianity - walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6)

CONCLUSION

We explicitly reject sinless perfection (zero sin ever, no tendency, complete flawlessness, no unknown areas, absolute perfection). What we teach: overcome all known willful sin daily through Stage 3 choices for God (walking like Jesus - deny self, obey Father, "not my will but yours"), while recognizing actions may exist that ARE sin but we're unaware (not imputed - Romans 4:15; 5:13), God gradually reveals during Stage 2, when He reveals we immediately overcome, also have unwillful reactions needing immediate repentance. Two categories: (1) Known sin - we overcome daily at Stage 3, walk with clear conscience, literally don't commit known willful sin (1 John 3:6, 9), live in daily victory not defeat; (2) Unknown sin - actions that ARE sin objectively but we're unaware (causing stumbling, speaking without love, showing partiality, neglecting mercy), not imputed until God reveals, when revealed we immediately change. Scripture affirms daily victory over known sin (1 John 3:6, 9 - don't "keep on sinning"; Romans 6:1-2 - can't continue; Galatians 5:16 - "you will not gratify"). Romans 8:29 - predestined to be conformed to Christ's image; happens as we walk like Jesus walked through Stage 3 self-denial and obedience. 1 John 2:6 - "must live as Jesus did" (deny self at Stage 3, overcome every known temptation, don't commit known sin, walk with clear conscience). 2 Corinthians 3:18 - being transformed with ever-increasing glory as we walk like Jesus. Romans 7:15 is discovery process (finding actions that were sin all along but unaware), not ongoing willful defeat. The hope: you CAN live in daily victory over all known sin (walking like Jesus, Spirit-empowered), you ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness (predestined for this, Romans 8:29), grace covers what you don't know (innocent until God reveals), walk with clear conscience following Christ's self-denial pattern, joy and victory not guilt and defeat. Not sinless perfection but overcoming life - walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6).

ATTACK #32: "Jesus Had Sin Nature" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

The Objection: "Your teaching that Jesus had our same temptable flesh means He had a sin nature. This is heresy - Jesus was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He couldn't have had a sinful nature like ours."

THE DEFENSE

1. Temptable Flesh ≠ Sin Nature

What We Inherit from Adam:

Mortality - physical death
Temptable flesh - biological impulses (Stage 1) and tendency toward sin
Fallen world environment

What We DON'T Inherit:

Legal guilt for Adam's sin (Ezekiel 18:20 - "son shall not bear guilt of father")
Sin as an entity dwelling in our flesh (the tendency dwells there, not sin itself)
Damnation at birth (children are innocent until they personally sin)

What Christ Had:

✓ Temptable flesh - biological impulses and capacity for Stages 1-2 temptation ✓ Tendency toward sin in the flesh (could be tempted toward sin) ✓ Mortality - could die physically (and did) ✓ Fallen world environment - lived in corrupted creation

What Christ Didn't Have:

✗ Legal guilt - no guilt for Adam's sin or anyone else's sin ✗ Sin nature - no indwelling sin, no moral corruption inclining Him toward evil ✗ Personal sin - never chose Stage 3 heart agreement with sin

Romans 8:3: "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to be a sin offering."

"In the likeness of sinful flesh" - similar enough to be genuinely tempted (real flesh, real impulses, real tendency toward sin in the flesh), different enough to remain sinless (no guilt, no sin nature, always chose Father's will at Stage 3).

2. Christ Experienced Stages 1-2 Fully But Never Reached Stage 3 Sin

STAGE 1 (Biological Impulse) - ✓ EXPERIENCED FULLY:

Jesus had all natural bodily drives:

Hunger - Matthew 4:2 ("he was hungry" after 40 days fasting)
Thirst - John 19:28 ("I am thirsty")
Exhaustion - John 4:6 ("tired as he was from the journey")
Physical pain - Isaiah 53:5; crucifixion agony
Emotional distress - John 11:35 (Jesus wept); Matthew 26:38 ("My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow")
Self-preservation drive - Luke 22:42 (biological drive screaming for survival in Gethsemane)

These biological impulses were real, intense, persistent. Not sin - just full humanity with the tendency in the flesh.

STAGE 2 (Imagination/Scenarios) - ✓ EXPERIENCED FULLY:

Jesus' mind was presented with scenarios - both righteous options AND sinful temptations:

Wilderness Temptations (Matthew 4:1-11):

Hunger Impulse (Stage 1):

Sinful scenario: "Turn stones to bread" (use divine power selfishly, distrust Father)
Righteous scenario: "Man shall not live by bread alone" (trust Father)
Stage 3: Heart agreed with Father's will - chose trust, quoted Scripture
Stage 4: Righteous fruit - completed fast, demonstrated perfect dependence

Gethsemane (Luke 22:42-44) - Most Intense Example:

Self-Preservation Impulse (Stage 1):

Overwhelming biological drive to avoid suffering and death

Stage 2 Scenarios:

Sinful scenario: "Avoid the cup, escape suffering, abandon mission"
Righteous scenario: "Submit to Father's will, embrace cross, accomplish salvation"

Stage 3 - THE CRITICAL DECISION: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; YET NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS BE DONE"

The battle was FIERCE (sweat like drops of blood - v44)
Stage 1 impulse SCREAMING for survival
Stage 2 sinful scenario POWERFULLY attractive
But Stage 3: Heart agreed with Father's will
This is where victory happened - Stage 3 choice for God

Stage 4: Went to cross, accomplished salvation (righteous fruit from Stage 3 choice)

STAGE 3 (Heart Agreement) - ✓ ALWAYS CHOSE GOD'S WILL:

Christ's will always agreed with the Father despite experiencing Stage 1 impulses and Stage 2 sinful scenarios with full intensity. He never chose Stage 3 heart agreement with sin; He always chose Stage 3 heart agreement with God.

At every Stage 3 decision point:

Denied His own will: "Not my will, but yours"
Chose heart agreement with Father's will
Overcame every temptation through obedience
This is the pattern we follow "in Christ"

STAGE 4 (Action/Manifestation) - ✓ PERFECT RIGHTEOUS FRUIT:

Because Christ always chose Stage 3 agreement with the Father, He always manifested Stage 4 righteous fruit:

Perfect obedience in every action
Perfect love in every relationship
Perfect trust in every trial
Perfect submission in every decision

1 Peter 2:22: "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."

Zero Stage 4 sinful manifestation because He always chose Stage 3 heart agreement with God, never with sin. He walked in perfect victory at Stage 3.

3. Christ is the Firstborn - We Follow His Pattern "In Christ"

Romans 8:29: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."

Christ is the "firstborn":

The first to walk the path of perfect Stage 3 alignment with the Father
Blazed the trail through perfect self-denial and obedience
Overcame every temptation by choosing "not my will, but yours"
We follow as His brothers and sisters

We are predestined to be conformed to His image:

This happens as we walk like Jesus walked
Following His Stage 3 pattern of denying self
Choosing "not my will, but yours" at decision points
Overcoming all known sin through obedience like He overcame

Hebrews 2:10-11: "In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family."

"Pioneer" (Greek archēgos) - the one who goes first, opening the path. Christ pioneered perfect Stage 3 alignment; we follow.

"Of the same family" - we share His humanity (temptable flesh experiencing Stages 1-2 with the tendency), and we can share His victory (Stage 3 alignment with Father producing Stage 4 righteous fruit).

Being "In Christ" Means:

NOT: Christ does it for us while we remain passive BUT: We follow His pattern - choosing Stage 3 heart agreement with God just as He did, walking like He walked

1 John 2:6: "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did."

"Live as Jesus did":

Experience Stage 1 impulses (Jesus did; we do)
Face Stage 2 scenarios including sinful options (Jesus did; we do)
Choose Stage 3 heart agreement WITH GOD (Jesus did - this is where we follow)
Produce Stage 4 righteous fruit (Jesus did; this flows from Stage 3)

Philippians 2:5-8: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus... he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"

"Have the same mindset" - at Stage 3, choose what Christ chose: submission to Father's will over self-interest, denial of self for obedience.

Not claiming Christ's absolute perfection (He had no unknown sins; He overcame with divine nature preventing even the possibility of Stage 3 sin). But following Christ's Stage 3 pattern (choosing "not my will, but yours" at every decision point, overcoming all known sin through obedience).

4. Hebrews 4:15 Proves Christ's Temptation Was Real

Hebrews 4:15: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he was without sin."

"Tempted in every way, just as we are":

He faced the full spectrum of Stage 1 impulses we face
He faced the full spectrum of Stage 2 sinful scenarios we face
The temptation was real, not merely external or superficial

"Yet he was without sin":

He never chose Stage 3 heart agreement with sin
Always chose Stage 3 heart agreement with God
Perfect victory at every decision point
This is the pattern we follow

If Christ didn't experience real Stages 1-2:

He couldn't truly empathize with our struggles
His victory would provide no model for us
His high priesthood would fail
The incarnation would be meaningless

Because Christ experienced full Stages 1-2 with real Stage 3 choices:

He can genuinely empathize (He knows exactly what we face)
His victory provides a real model (He showed us how to choose at Stage 3)
His high priesthood succeeds (He helps us make the same Stage 3 choices He made)
The incarnation accomplishes its purpose

Hebrews 2:17-18: "For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

"He himself suffered when he was tempted" - the suffering was real because Stages 1-2 created genuine internal struggle. The tendency in the flesh was real. The scenarios were powerfully attractive. The battle at Stage 3 was fierce.

"He is able to help those who are being tempted" - He helps us do what He did: choose Stage 3 heart agreement with God despite fierce Stage 1-2 pressure. Following His pattern, we overcome.

5. We Follow Christ's Pattern at Stage 3 - This is Being "In Christ"

Christ's Gethsemane Pattern Applied to Us:

When Facing Known Sin at Stage 3:

Christ's Pattern:

Stage 1-2: Fierce battle (overwhelming impulses, powerful scenarios)
Stage 3: "Not my will, but yours be done"
Stage 4: Righteous fruit (went to cross, accomplished salvation)

Our Pattern "In Christ":

Stage 1-2: Battle (impulses and scenarios we face)
Stage 3: "Not my will, but yours be done" (following Christ's pattern)
Stage 4: Righteous fruit (overcoming known sin, walking in victory)

This is what it means to be "in Christ":

Following His Stage 3 pattern of self-denial
Choosing God's will like He chose
Overcoming like He overcame
Being transformed into His likeness (Romans 8:29 - predestined for this)

When We Fight Willful Sin at Stage 3, We Align With:

The Father's Will: Choosing what God wants, just as Christ did

Jesus Christ Himself: Following His pattern - He is "the firstborn among many brothers" (Romans 8:29), blazing the trail we now walk

The Holy Spirit: Walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) who empowers our Stage 3 choices for God, just as the Spirit empowered Christ's choices

Romans 6:11-14: "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness."

"Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God" - Stage 3 identity: we belong to God like Christ belonged to Father

"Do not let sin reign" - Stage 3 choice: don't let Stage 1-2 pressure result in Stage 3 agreement with sin

"Offer yourselves to God" - Stage 3 choice: actively choose heart agreement with God like Christ did

"Instrument of righteousness" - Stage 4 result: righteous fruit flows from Stage 3 alignment, just as Christ's righteous fruit flowed from His Stage 3 obedience

This is what Christ did first (pioneered). This is what we do "in Christ" (following His pattern).

6. Christ Had Tendency But Not Sin Nature - We Follow His Victory

The Distinction:

Tendency toward sin in the flesh:

Christ had this (could be tempted, felt pull of Stage 1-2)
We have this (can be tempted, feel pull of Stage 1-2)
This is part of human nature in a fallen world
Not sin itself, but capacity for temptation

Sin nature (moral corruption inclining toward evil):

Christ did NOT have this (no inclination toward Stage 3 agreement with sin)
We do NOT have this as believers transformed by grace (no indwelling sin entity)
What we have is tendency, not nature

Sin as actions:

Christ never committed sin (never chose Stage 3 agreement with rebellion)
We don't commit known willful sin (don't choose Stage 3 agreement with known rebellion)
We walk like Jesus walked - overcoming at Stage 3

The Victory:

Christ showed us:

Tendency toward sin in the flesh can be overcome
Every Stage 3 decision can align with God
Perfect obedience through self-denial is possible
"Not my will, but yours" defeats every temptation

We follow:

Overcoming tendency through Stage 3 choices for God
Aligning every known Stage 3 decision with God's will
Obedience through self-denial like Christ
"Not my will, but yours" - our daily pattern

Romans 8:3-4: "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

"He condemned sin in the flesh":

Christ proved that even with the tendency in the flesh (experiencing Stages 1-2 fully, facing fierce battles), Stage 3 can always align with God. He lived in flesh with tendency, faced full temptation, yet always chose Father's will at Stage 3.

This condemns sin by proving:

Sin is not inevitable (genuine Stage 3 choice exists)
Tendency doesn't force Stage 3 sin (we can choose God like Christ did)
Victory is possible (Stage 3 alignment with God overcomes tendency)
We can follow Christ's pattern "in Him"

7. The Hope in Our View - Walking Like Christ Walked

We offer genuine hope:

Christ experienced what you experience:

Stage 1 impulses (He had them; you have them)
Stage 2 scenarios (He faced them; you face them)
Tendency toward sin in the flesh (He had it; you have it)
He knows exactly what you're going through

Christ showed the path of victory:

Stage 3: "Not my will, but yours" at every decision
Denying self, choosing Father's will
Overcoming every temptation through obedience
This is the pattern you follow

You ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is what you're predestined for (Romans 8:29)
Happens as you walk like Jesus walked
Following His Stage 3 pattern of self-denial
Ever-increasing glory as you overcome like He overcame (2 Corinthians 3:18)

You CAN walk in daily victory like Christ:

Over all known sin at Stage 3
Through following His pattern: "not my will, but yours"
Empowered by the same Spirit that empowered Him
Living like Jesus lived (1 John 2:6)

When you fight willful sin, you align with:

The Father (choosing His will like Christ did)
Jesus Christ (following His pioneering pattern)
The Holy Spirit (empowering your choices like He empowered Christ's)
This is being "in Christ Jesus"

The Christian life is following Christ's pattern:

Not "Christ was perfect so I can't be"
But "Christ showed me how - I follow His Stage 3 pattern"
Not "I keep failing because I'm not Christ"
But "I keep overcoming because I'm 'in Christ,' following His pattern"
Victory through walking like Jesus walked

CONCLUSION

Christ had temptable flesh (biological impulses Stage 1, capacity for Stage 2 scenarios, tendency toward sin in flesh) but not sin nature (no moral corruption, no indwelling sin). He experienced Stages 1-2 fully (real hunger, thirst, exhaustion, emotional distress, self-preservation drive; wilderness temptations faced sinful scenarios powerfully; Gethsemane most intense - overwhelming Stage 1 impulse for survival, Stage 2 sinful scenarios powerfully attractive). Never reached Stage 3 sin - always chose "not my will, but yours" (heart agreed with Father's will despite fierce Stage 1-2 pressure). Stage 3 is where victory happened and where we follow His pattern. Romans 8:29 - Christ is "firstborn among many brothers," blazed trail of perfect Stage 3 alignment; we follow, predestined to be conformed to His image. Hebrews 2:10-11 - "pioneer" who went first; we share His humanity (temptable flesh, Stages 1-2 with tendency) and can share His victory (Stage 3 alignment producing Stage

Continue

4 righteous fruit). Being "in Christ" means following His pattern: experience Stage 1 impulses (Jesus did; we do), face Stage 2 scenarios (Jesus did; we do), choose Stage 3 heart agreement WITH GOD (Jesus did - this is where we follow), produce Stage 4 righteous fruit (Jesus did; flows from Stage 3). Hebrews 4:15 - "tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin" proves temptation was real (full Stage 1-2 with tendency), victory was real (never chose Stage 3 sin, always chose God), pattern is real (we can follow). Hebrews 2:17-18 - "suffered when tempted" (real battle at Stages 1-2), "able to help those tempted" (helps us make same Stage 3 choices He made). When we fight willful sin at Stage 3, we align with Father (choosing His will like Christ), Jesus Christ (following His pioneering pattern as "firstborn"), Holy Spirit (empowering our choices like He empowered Christ's). Romans 6:11-14 - "dead to sin, alive to God in Christ" (Stage 3 identity), "do not let sin reign" (Stage 3 choice), "offer yourselves to God" (Stage 3 active choosing like Christ), "instrument of righteousness" (Stage 4 fruit from Stage 3 alignment like Christ's fruit). Romans 8:3-4 - Christ "condemned sin in the flesh" by proving even with tendency (Stages 1-2 fully experienced), Stage 3 can always align with God. The hope: Christ experienced what you experience (impulses, scenarios, tendency - He knows), showed path of victory (Stage 3 "not my will, but yours"), you ARE being transformed into His likeness (predestined for this Romans 8:29, happens as you walk like He walked), you CAN walk in daily victory like Christ (over all known sin, following His pattern, Spirit-empowered, living like Jesus lived 1 John 2:6), when you fight willful sin you align with Father, Christ, and Spirit - this is being "in Christ Jesus."

ATTACK #60: "Mental Illness & Disabilities" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

The Objection: "Your teaching that believers must overcome willful sin through spiritual-mindedness is cruel to those with mental illness, cognitive disabilities, or neurological conditions. People with OCD, schizophrenia, severe anxiety, depression, autism, or intellectual disabilities may struggle to control their thoughts or behaviors. Are you saying they can't be saved if their condition makes spiritual-mindedness difficult? What about those with addiction, PTSD, or trauma-related compulsions? Your doctrine condemns those who need compassion, not judgment."

THE DEFENSE

1. God Judges the Heart's Direction at Stage 3 According to Actual Capacity

The Foundation:

God judges heart intent at Stage 3 - the will's direction toward Him or away from Him - according to actual capacity, not ideal capacity the person doesn't possess.

1 Samuel 16:7: "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

God sees the heart's direction at Stage 3 - when facing decisions, is the heart turned toward God or away? If someone's condition limits capacity at Stage 3, God judges the heart's direction considering that limitation, not as if full capacity existed.

Luke 12:48: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

Proportional accountability - God judges according to capacity at Stage 3. Those with greater capacity bear greater responsibility. Those with limited capacity due to disability bear responsibility only for what they can genuinely control at Stage 3 decision points.

Romans 2:14-16: "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves... God judges people's secrets through Jesus Christ."

God judges according to conscience and capacity, not arbitrary external standards. He judges the heart's direction at Stage 3 considering actual ability to choose, not judging as if everyone has identical capacity.

2. Stage 3 Requires Genuine Capacity to Choose - Limited by Conditions

Understanding Stage 3 in Light of Disabilities:

For Stage 3 to involve accountability, three elements are required:

Knowledge that something is wrong - awareness it's against God's will
Capacity to choose otherwise - genuine ability at Stage 3 to align with God instead
Deliberate heart choice - choosing direction despite knowledge and capacity

If element #2 (capacity to choose otherwise at Stage 3) is severely limited or removed by mental illness, disability, or trauma, accountability is proportionally limited.

Many conditions affect all stages but especially limit Stage 3 capacity for genuine choice:

Stage 1: Often intensified (depression intensifies despair impulses; addiction creates powerful cravings; anxiety amplifies fear)

Stage 2: Often overwhelming (OCD creates intrusive scenarios; schizophrenia creates delusional scenarios; trauma creates involuntary flashback scenarios)

Stage 3: Capacity for genuine choice severely limited - this is the critical impact. Compulsions feel impossible to resist; delusions impair ability to choose reality; trauma responses can bypass normal decision-making entirely; severe depression impairs capacity for clear choices.

God judges these Stage 3 moments according to actual capacity to choose, not as if full capacity existed.

3. What God Looks For - Heart's Direction Despite Limited Capacity

What Matters:

Direction at Stage 3 moments when some capacity exists, not perfection in outcome. Is the heart turned toward God or away? At the Stage 3 moments when genuine choice is possible (even if limited), is the person fighting their condition with God's help or embracing it as license?

Psalm 51:16-17: "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."

"A broken and contrite heart" - this is what God desires. Someone with mental illness struggling against compulsions while maintaining a broken, contrite heart toward God at the Stage 3 moments when they can choose is not in willful rebellion. Their heart's direction is toward God, even when capacity is severely limited.

2 Corinthians 8:12: "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have."

"According to what one has, not... what one does not have" - God judges Stage 3 according to actual capacity. If someone has severely limited Stage 3 capacity due to disability, God judges according to that limitation, not according to ideal capacity they don't possess.

The Person With Mental Illness/Disability:

If they're fighting their condition at the Stage 3 moments when they can (even if limited capacity), seeking help when possible, turning to God in the struggle when capacity allows, maintaining heart-direction toward God at Stage 3 when genuine choice is possible - they're not in willful rebellion.

At Stage 3 moments when the condition severely limits capacity to choose, God judges the heart's direction (toward Him or away) considering the limited capacity, not judging as if full capacity existed.

4. Examples of Conditions Affecting Stage 3 Capacity

Severe OCD:

How it affects stages:

Stage 2: Creates overwhelming compulsive scenarios that feel inescapable
Stage 3: Compulsions create such intense pressure that capacity to choose otherwise is severely limited
The person's will may oppose the compulsion, but the condition overrides normal Stage 3 capacity

God's judgment: Considers that Stage 3 capacity is severely impaired. Judges heart's direction at moments when some capacity exists. Fighting the compulsion when able, seeking treatment, maintaining heart toward God despite limited capacity = faithfulness within limitation.

Schizophrenia:

How it affects stages:

Stage 2: Delusions distort perception of reality, creating false scenarios perceived as real
Stage 3: If the person can't distinguish real from unreal, capacity to choose rightly is severely impaired

God's judgment: Considers that Stage 3 capacity is impaired by inability to perceive reality accurately. Judges heart's direction - does the person seek God within their understanding? Fighting to stay grounded when able, taking medication, maintaining heart toward God = faithfulness within limitation.

Severe Intellectual Disability:

How it affects stages:

Stage 2: May lack capacity for complex moral reasoning
Stage 3: Capacity for informed Stage 3 moral choices is limited

God's judgment: Like children who "don't yet know good from bad" (Deuteronomy 1:39), judges according to actual capacity. Simple Stage 3 choices ("I love Jesus," "I choose kindness") within their capacity are judged as such, not as if neurotypical capacity existed. Childlike trust exemplifies what Jesus praised (Matthew 18:3).

Severe Depression:

How it affects stages:

Stage 2: Cognitive distortions affect scenarios (everything filtered through hopelessness)
Stage 3: Can impair capacity for clear decision-making

God's judgment: Considers that Stage 3 capacity is affected by cognitive distortions. Fighting to turn toward God despite depression, seeking help, maintaining heart-direction toward Him at moments when some capacity exists = faithfulness within limitation.

PTSD/Trauma:

How it affects stages:

Stage 2: Trauma triggers create involuntary flashback scenarios
Stage 3: Trauma responses can bypass normal decision-making entirely (fight/flight/freeze)

God's judgment: Considers that trauma responses often bypass Stage 3 entirely or severely limit capacity. Judges heart's direction at moments when not triggered, fighting to heal, seeking God's presence despite trauma = faithfulness within limitation.

Addiction:

How it affects stages:

Stage 1: Brain chemistry changes create powerful cravings
Stage 2: Obsessive scenarios focused on obtaining/using
Stage 3: Addiction literally changes brain's reward system, severely compromising decision-making capacity

God's judgment: Active addiction severely impairs Stage 3 capacity. But moments of clarity exist where some Stage 3 capacity is present (choosing to seek help, stay in treatment, avoid triggers when possible). Judges these choices made within addiction's limitations, showing mercy for severely impaired capacity while honoring heart's direction at moments when genuine choice is possible.

5. Following Christ's Pattern is Possible Within Limitations

The Key Understanding:

Following Christ's Gethsemane pattern ("not my will, but yours be done") doesn't require neurotypical capacity, perfect mental health, or absence of disability. It means:

At the Stage 3 moments when genuine choice is possible within your capacity:

Choosing heart alignment with God over rebellion
Turning toward Him rather than away
Fighting your condition rather than embracing it as license
Maintaining direction toward God at the decision points where you can

This looks different for everyone:

Neurotypical person:

Many Stage 3 moments daily with full capacity
Expected to overcome all known sin through choosing God's will
Following Christ's pattern: "not my will, but yours" at every decision point

Person with severe mental illness:

Fewer Stage 3 moments with genuine capacity due to condition severely limiting ability to choose
At those moments when some capacity exists, choosing God within limited capacity
Fighting condition when able, maintaining heart-direction toward God
Following Christ's pattern within severe limitations

Person with severe intellectual disability:

Simple Stage 3 choices within their capacity ("I love Jesus," "I choose kindness")
Childlike trust that Jesus praised (Matthew 18:3)
Following Christ's pattern at their capacity level

Person with trauma/PTSD:

Stage 3 choices at moments when not triggered
Heart-direction toward God maintained even when capacity impaired by triggers
Following Christ's pattern when genuine choice is possible

Person in active addiction:

Stage 3 choices in moments of clarity (choosing recovery when capacity allows)
Fighting addiction when some capacity exists
Following Christ's pattern within addiction's severe limitations

Christ's Gethsemane pattern applies to all, but God judges according to actual Stage 3 capacity:

Not "Did you choose perfectly at every Stage 3 moment like Christ did with full divine capacity?" But "At the Stage 3 moments when you had capacity to choose within your limitations, was your heart's direction toward Me or away?"

6. Being Transformed Into Christ's Likeness Within Your Capacity

Romans 8:29: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son."

ALL believers are predestined to be transformed into Christ's likeness - including those with mental illness, disabilities, and neurological conditions.

Transformation happens within actual capacity:

Neurotypical believer:

Transformed through overcoming all known sin at Stage 3 with full capacity
Ever-increasing glory through full engagement with sanctification process
Walking like Jesus walked with neurotypical capacity

Believer with severe mental illness:

Transformed through fighting condition when able, maintaining heart toward God despite limited Stage 3 capacity
Ever-increasing glory through faithfulness within severe limitations
Walking like Jesus walked within their capacity (fighting, seeking help, heart directed toward God)

Believer with intellectual disability:

Transformed through simple childlike trust and obedience within their capacity
Ever-increasing glory through pure, uncomplicated love for God
Walking like Jesus walked at their capacity level (simple choices for God, childlike faith Jesus praised)

Believer with trauma/PTSD:

Transformed through healing journey, choosing God at moments when not triggered
Ever-increasing glory through maintaining heart-direction despite impaired capacity at times
Walking like Jesus walked within trauma's impact (fighting to heal, seeking God despite triggers)

2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory."

"We all" - includes ALL believers, regardless of capacity limitations. Transformation happens for everyone being conformed to Christ, but the process honors actual Stage 3 capacity.

The transformation isn't about achieving neurotypical Stage 3 capacity - it's about heart-direction toward God at the moments when you have whatever capacity you have.

7. The Hope in Our View - Compassionate Truth

We offer genuine hope:

God judges your heart's direction, not your disability:

He sees your heart at Stage 3, considering actual capacity (1 Samuel 16:7)
He knows your limitations and judges accordingly (Luke 12:48; 2 Corinthians 8:12)
He judges heart-direction at moments when you have capacity, not as if you had capacity you don't possess
Your disability doesn't disqualify you from salvation

You CAN follow Christ's pattern within your capacity:

At Stage 3 moments when genuine choice is possible for you
Choosing heart alignment with God over rebellion when you can
Fighting your condition when able, seeking help
Maintaining heart-direction toward God
Following "not my will, but yours" at the level you're capable of

You ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness:

This is what you're predestined for (Romans 8:29) - applies to ALL believers
Happens within your actual capacity, not requiring capacity you don't have
Ever-increasing glory through faithfulness within your limitations (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Your transformation looks different but is real

Grace covers what your condition affects:

Actions resulting from severely impaired Stage 3 capacity
Moments when condition eliminates genuine ability to choose
Trauma responses that bypass normal decision-making
God's mercy honors your actual limitations

What matters is heart-direction when you have capacity:

Not "Did you overcome perfectly with full capacity?"
But "At moments when you could choose, was your heart toward Me?"
Fighting when able, seeking help, maintaining direction toward God
This is faithfulness within your reality

Psalm 103:13-14: "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust."

"He knows how we are formed" - knows the brain chemistry, the neural pathways affected by trauma, the cognitive limitations, the genetic vulnerabilities. Judges Stage 3 heart intent accordingly, considering actual capacity to choose.

Matthew 9:36: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

Jesus' response to those struggling: compassion, not condemnation. Those "harassed" (mentally tormented, Stage 2 overwhelmed) and "helpless" (Stage 3 capacity severely limited) receive mercy based on heart's direction.

Isaiah 42:3: "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out."

"A bruised reed" - those damaged, fragile, with severely limited capacity at times. Christ's response: gentle preservation and support, not crushing judgment for limited Stage 3 capacity.

CONCLUSION

God judges heart's direction at Stage 3 according to actual capacity, not ideal capacity person doesn't possess (1 Samuel 16:7 - sees heart; Luke 12:48 - proportional accountability; Romans 2:14-16 - according to conscience and capacity). For Stage 3 accountability: (1) knowledge it's wrong, (2) capacity to choose otherwise, (3) deliberate heart choice. If #2 severely limited by mental illness/disability/trauma, accountability proportionally limited. Many conditions affect all stages but especially limit Stage 3 capacity for genuine choice (OCD creates overwhelming Stage 2 compulsions and Stage 3 pressure; schizophrenia distorts Stage 2 reality, impairs Stage 3 capacity; intellectual disability limits Stage 3 complex reasoning; depression impairs Stage 3 decision-making; PTSD trauma responses bypass Stage 3 entirely; addiction severely compromises Stage 3 capacity). God judges these Stage 3 moments according to actual capacity, not as if full capacity existed. What matters: heart's direction at Stage 3 moments when some capacity exists - fighting condition when able, seeking help, maintaining heart toward God (Psalm 51:16-17 - "broken and contrite heart"; 2 Corinthians 8:12 - "according to what one has, not... does not have"). Following Christ's pattern ("not my will, but yours") possible within limitations - at Stage 3 moments when genuine choice possible within your capacity, choosing heart alignment with God, turning toward Him, fighting condition, maintaining direction toward God. Looks different for everyone based on actual capacity. Romans 8:29 - ALL believers predestined to be conformed to Christ's image, including those with disabilities; transformation happens within actual capacity. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "we all" being transformed (includes all believers regardless of capacity limitations), ever-increasing glory through faithfulness within limitations. The hope: God judges heart's direction not disability, you CAN follow Christ's pattern within your capacity (at moments when genuine choice possible, fighting when able, maintaining heart toward God), you ARE being transformed into Christ's likeness (predestined for this, applies to ALL, happens within actual capacity), grace covers what condition affects (severely impaired Stage 3 capacity, eliminated ability to choose, trauma responses), what matters is heart-direction when you have capacity ("At moments when you could choose, was your heart toward Me?"). Psalm 103:13-14 - "he knows how we are formed" (knows brain chemistry, trauma effects, limitations, judges accordingly); Matthew 9:36 - compassion toward those "harassed and helpless"; Isaiah 42:3 - "bruised reed he will not break" (gentle preservation, not crushing judgment for limited capacity).

ATTACK #6: "Claiming to Be Without Sin" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

THE DEFENSE

1. What 1 John 1:8 Actually Addresses

2. Two Categories of Sin in the Believer's Life

3. Romans 7:15 is About Unknowing Actions That ARE Sin

4. We Also Have Unwillful Reactions That Need Repentance

5. The Daily Victory We Walk In

6. Walking Like Jesus Transforms Us into His Likeness

7. The Hope in Our View

CONCLUSION

ATTACK #13: "Denying Atonement's Sufficiency" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

THE DEFENSE

1. The Atonement is Completely Sufficient - The Question is Application

2. What the Atonement Covers

3. What the Atonement Does NOT Cover

4. Stage 3 Choices Determine Application of the Blood

5. The Blood Empowers Victory and Transformation

6. Two Outcomes at Resurrection Confirm Sufficiency

7. The Hope in Our View

CONCLUSION

ATTACK #14: "'If You Continue' Conditional Language" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

THE DEFENSE

1. The Passages Address Genuine Believers with Real Conditions

2. "Continuing" Means Walking Like Jesus Walked

3. The Grammar Shows Real Conditions Requiring Real Choices

4. The Warnings Prove Apostasy is Possible Through Stage 3 Choices

5. The Parallel with Israel Shows Real Believers Can Fall

6. Perseverance Means Being Transformed into Christ's Likeness

7. The Hope in Our View

CONCLUSION

ATTACK #15: "Hebrews 6 Hypothetical Warning" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

THE DEFENSE

1. Hebrews 6:4-6 Describes Genuine Believers Who Can Fall Away

2. What "Falling Away" Means - Rejecting Christ's Pattern

3. The "Impossibility" is About Restoration After Hardening

4. The Warning Would Be Meaningless If Falling Were Impossible

5. This Parallels Hebrews 10 - Same Warning, Clearer Terms

6. Being Transformed vs. Rejecting Transformation

7. The Hope in Our View

CONCLUSION

ATTACK #25: "Sinless Perfection Heresy" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

THE DEFENSE

1. We Explicitly Reject Sinless Perfection

2. Two Categories of Sin - Not Ongoing Willful Failure

3. We Also Have Unwillful Reactions Needing Immediate Repentance

4. Scripture Affirms Daily Victory Over Known Willful Sin

5. Walking Like Jesus Transforms Us Into His Likeness

6. Romans 7:15 is About Discovery, Not Ongoing Willful Defeat

7. The Hope in Our View - Daily Victory in Christ's Likeness

CONCLUSION

ATTACK #32: "Jesus Had Sin Nature" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

THE DEFENSE

1. Temptable Flesh ≠ Sin Nature

2. Christ Experienced Stages 1-2 Fully But Never Reached Stage 3 Sin

3. Christ is the Firstborn - We Follow His Pattern "In Christ"

4. Hebrews 4:15 Proves Christ's Temptation Was Real

5. We Follow Christ's Pattern at Stage 3 - This is Being "In Christ"

6. Christ Had Tendency But Not Sin Nature - We Follow His Victory

7. The Hope in Our View - Walking Like Christ Walked

CONCLUSION

ATTACK #60: "Mental Illness & Disabilities" - FINAL CORRECTED VERSION

THE DEFENSE

1. God Judges the Heart's Direction at Stage 3 According to Actual Capacity

2. Stage 3 Requires Genuine Capacity to Choose - Limited by Conditions

3. What God Looks For - Heart's Direction Despite Limited Capacity

4. Examples of Conditions Affecting Stage 3 Capacity

5. Following Christ's Pattern is Possible Within Limitations

6. Being Transformed Into Christ's Likeness Within Your Capacity

7. The Hope in Our View - Compassionate Truth

CONCLUSION

About Us

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Joey Vigreux (Restoration.Theology.org@gmail.com)

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