Why don't you 'sin'? (Jesus Christ, moral, abstinence, doom, choice)

[Mr. Peanut]

Our best efforts (which includes repentance and endurance), combined with Christ's atonement, achieves perfection.

Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

By one sacrifice, CHRIST made us perfect forever, Christ alone did this. Now we are growing "in grace" being conformed to His image. But Christ and only Christ saved us. Not Christ plus something we do, but Christ 's sacrifice alone paid for all the sin of all the world. Now we are babes in Christ, adopted forever into His family and growing to maturity in Him. Nothing we do contributes to our salvation once we have trusted only in what he did on the cross.

[Sola'lor]

Originally Posted by Starfish

I wonder if LDS know the meaning of the word atonement better than anyone else. The word is only used a few times in the Bible, but it's used many times in the Book of Mormon. We are taught thoroughly, repeatly about the atonement. The atonement is central to our gospel.

Perfection? "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect." Matt. 5:48

You are right that we are doomed from the start if we expect to achieve perfection in this life. We all sin. Perfection is impossible for all of us except Christ. However, we do the best we can. Christ's atonement (his grace) makes up the difference. Our best efforts (which includes repentance and endurance), combined with Christ's atonement, achieves perfection.

This is pretty much my answer to tomspug too.

[Sola'lor]

Originally Posted by Mr. Peanut

Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

By one sacrifice, CHRIST made us perfect forever, Christ alone did this. Now we are growing "in grace" being conformed to His image. But Christ and only Christ saved us. Not Christ plus something we do, but Christ 's sacrifice alone paid for all the sin of all the world. Now we are babes in Christ, adopted forever into His family and growing to maturity in Him. Nothing we do contributes to our salvation once we have trusted only in what he did on the cross.

So If I sin all I want and still believe in Christ I will be the same as someone who does their best to follow all of the commandments?

[Starfish]

Originally Posted by Mr. Peanut

Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

By one sacrifice, CHRIST made us perfect forever, Christ alone did this. Now we are growing "in grace" being conformed to His image. But Christ and only Christ saved us. Not Christ plus something we do, but Christ 's sacrifice alone paid for all the sin of all the world. Now we are babes in Christ, adopted forever into His family and growing to maturity in Him. Nothing we do contributes to our salvation once we have trusted only in what he did on the cross.

Christ's sacrifice, the atonement, did pay the price for our sins. But we are also continually told in the scriptures to repent. Repentance is not just a one-time event when we accept Christ. Repentance is a continuing process as we grow toward perfection and gradually overcome our weaknesses. So we do need to DO something. Through our repentance, we no longer have to pay for our sins--because of the atonement. Without repentance, we will have to pay the price ourselves.

[Somkid]

Originally Posted by zenzero

Friend Tomspug,
There is nothing as SIN or No-sin. Good or evil.
If one does something and his concience does not feel good it is instantaneous punishment. If not and he enjoys doing it, fine. Finally one has to be do without doing that is doing without any desire of any results for doing the job. Just doing for doing sake.
Love & rgds

Friend Somkid,

Sorry to state that if one does something without understanding then also it is not going to help.
Reason is simple.
Traditionally many hindus / jainas do not eat meat. Since they have never tasted it they do not cook or eat at their homes but due to friend circle or some other reason some taste it and like it and then start doing so without the notice of their families. Similarly unless if you have something you cannot give it away [remember the one about GIVING] First one must have it to give. Similarly if you know something and still remain unattached to it then it helps in your karma.
Love & rgds

Maybe it is too early or I need more coffee but, I'm not following you on this 100%. I agree there is no good or evil these things are personal concepts of the material world what is good to some people is evil to others and of course it works the other way as well. What I am suggesting is in Buddhism we follow that which could be considered universally true ie. steeling is without merit or taking what is not given to you freely, killing is demerit as all sentient beings want to be happy and thus to kill one would likely impose on their happiness, sexual misconduct shows one has no respect for oneself or others, as your body is a gift and should be treated with respect. And of course attachment is the cause of all suffering but that is a lesson many do not wish to learn.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by Mr. Peanut

Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

By one sacrifice, CHRIST made us perfect forever, Christ alone did this. Now we are growing "in grace" being conformed to His image. But Christ and only Christ saved us. Not Christ plus something we do, but Christ 's sacrifice alone paid for all the sin of all the world. Now we are babes in Christ, adopted forever into His family and growing to maturity in Him. Nothing we do contributes to our salvation once we have trusted only in what he did on the cross.

Mr. Peanut,

I'm wondering how you understand the commandment given in 2 Timothy 2:19: "And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." It would appear that we must continue to make a conscious choice as to whether to "depart from iniquity" or not. Jesus also said (in Matthew 7:21) that "he that doeth the will of my Father" will enter into the kingdom of heaven, and not just he who professes belief. And in Hebrews 5:9, we're told that Jesus is the author of salvation "unto all them that obey him."

Can you understand the reason for our confusion? Hebrews 10:14 refers to those who "are sanctified" (KJV) or to those who "are being made holy," according to the version you are using. Are you saying that we are "being made holy" by lip service to our Redeemer, and that nothing is expected of us? If so, why the continual emphasis throughout Christ's sermons on doing good?

[sojourner]

We try not to sin for the simple reason that sin takes us out of God's presence.

[tomspug]

Originally Posted by Sola'lor

So If I sin all I want and still believe in Christ I will be the same as someone who does their best to follow all of the commandments?

Hence James saying "faith without works is dead". You can SAY that you believe in Christ, but if you believed in Christ, you would follow him. Someone who continued their life as though nothing has changed clearly HASN'T accepted Christ. This is why we refer to conversion as a 'transformation'.

But by no means are works a requirement for faith, they are merely indicative OF faith. Does that make sense? You can't have one without the other, but that doesn't mean that works is the causality, it's merely the result of belief in Christ.

[DallasApple]

I think some of the things I consider sin are sin because they are harmful to me or others or both.

They arent sin and happen to be harmful at the same time.The fact that they are harmful to me or another isnt a coincidence.

Sometimes I learn the hard way.

Blessings

Dallas

[sojourner]

So If I sin all I want and still believe in Christ I will be the same as someone who does their best to follow all of the commandments?

If you believe in Christ, you won't want to sin.