Is Christ a complete Saviour from sins that are past? and after conversion, is He able, if man meets all the conditions by abiding in Christ, to keep him from sinning? Is that what the Scriptures teach, or are we still sinners and need to pray "Forgive us our sins"? In what sense are we sinners after conversion? If we sin after being born again, are we not sinners? And if we are sinners, can we be Christians? N. L. M.
1. Jesus Christ is a complete Saviour from the sins that are past. "Whom God set forth to be a propitiation, thru faith in His blood, to show His righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God." Rom. 3:25, A.R.V. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. So much for the past. See also Isa. 1:18, et al.
2. "Thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins." Matt. 1:21. "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14. "He is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God thru Him." Heb. 7:25. He "is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding joy." Jude 24.
The above is the teaching of the Scriptures. "Are those still sinners who accept of this Saviour?"—In Him, no; of themselves, yes. Christ is perfect; in Him we are complete, made full. Col. 2:9, 10. And He calls such "saints," holy ones. Col. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:9-11. But in ourselves and of ourselves we are not perfect; we still sin or "miss the mark," come short of His glory. Therefore we call ourselves sinners, saved by His grace. 1 Tim. 1:15. Not that "I was chief," but "I am chief." The Christian life is one of constant development. God's glory is constantly revealing new imperfections in our wisdom, in our knowledge, in our performance. And the humble soul will still pray that God will forgive these sins and imperfections and put them away; and at the same time God counts them His, and they have perfect confidence in Him. Thus they live perfect in the Lord's sight, because their heart and will are perfect, but in the light of His glory they see their imperfections still. "Not that I have already obtained or am already made perfect; but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:12, A.R.V. And so Paul tells us that he buffeted his body, died daily, constantly gloried in the cross, never boasting of his perfection, never counting himself a saint, but rejoicing in the blessed epithet, "Paul a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ."