Re: 1 John 3:9 Can a True Christian Sin? Part 2

I agree that this letter was written to Christians, and as you say, Christians may be at various levels of development in Christ. I don't believe these two scriptures contradict each other at all in my understanding of being re-born.

'If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us." He would then be self-deceived'

This would be a person that has accepted Christ into their lives but not yet been born of the Spirit. Because surely, before we are born of the Spirit, we are very much still in the flesh even though we may be following Christ. In my opinion, this counts for all of the scriptures showing that even believers have to watch always for sin and temptation. These are those that have accepted Christ, but have not yet been born of the Spirit (which I believe accounts for the majority of Christians)

'Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.'

In my opinion this scripture can stand as it is without us having to change it if we understand that being born of the Spirit is something very specific that happens to every believer at some time. Christ says anyone that believes in Him will be saved. Christ also says that only those that are born of the Spirit will be saved. Therefore, everyone that believes in Christ will be born of the Spirit at some point. But Christ never says (that I know of) that we will be born of the Spirit immediately, as soon as we believe in Him.

More importantly, what I really want to know is what do you think it means to be born of the Spirit? You posted the video, but never said exactly what you think it means, and please be specific, not generic.

I have been very clear that I believe being born of the Spirit means to receive the second baptism of the Holy Ghost, which regenerates the person from death into life in Christ. I have shown scriptures that support this. I also believe that at the time of being born of the Spirit, we are perfected in Christ (not every single action but our hearts are perfected). Refreshed agrees that being born of the Spirit is the same as receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but doesn't believe that we are perfected after receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost.