Haven't you read about David and what happened after he went out and "sin boldly" with Bathsheba? He ended up paying a very grave price including virtually the ruin of his entire family, his respect with the people, and close to the destruction of his kingdom. His remaining life was spent in constant turmoil. Yet it doesn't cease God from calling him a "man after His own heart".
Jonah the same. He chose to disobey God and headed off in the opposite direction. Instead he landed right back where he was suppose to be in need of a good bath.
We can sin but there are consequences for our actions. Every law that was ever given and every command that God has ever wanted us to do is meant for our good and benefit. When we refuse to follow His divine hand and "sin boldly", we always end up in trouble. But as Luther elegantly stated, God will always brings us back to repentance. We need not worry when we sin-not if we'll sin.
I am saying that I would do no evil if I were able,
And that, my friend, is what total depravity is all about.
Haven't you read about David and what happened after he went out and "sin boldly" with Bathsheba? He ended up paying a very grave price including virtually the ruin of his entire family, his respect with the people, and close to the destruction of his kingdom. His remaining life was spent in constant turmoil. Yet it doesn't cease God from calling him a "man after His own heart".
Jonah the same. He chose to disobey God and headed off in the opposite direction. Instead he landed right back where he was suppose to be in need of a good bath.
We can sin but there are consequences for our actions. Every law that was ever given and every command that God has ever wanted us to do is meant for our good and benefit. When we refuse to follow His divine hand and "sin boldly", we always end up in trouble. But as Luther elegantly stated, God will always brings us back to repentance. We need not worry when we sin-not if we'll sin.
So your contention is that sinning does not matter spiritually, only temporally. If you sin, God will make it tough on you during your life on earth, but if you are among the elect from before time, then you are still saved.
Now that does not square with a lot of public figures who sin boldly and yet live long and very rewarding lives. The leadership of the Democratic Party comes to mind. The Clintons were penniless beggars (relatively speaking for incoming Presidents) before traveling to Washington. Now Bill is worth what - $50 million, and living a grand life with jetsetting, all the trailer park chicks he could wish for and enough Peruvian marching dust to keep his nose in practice. And so on.
This interpretation, if that is what you proposing, is no better than the Osteens and Warrens preaching the prosperity gospel.
If the only consequence of sin is a possible temporal repercussion, then my post of John Piper is validated.
I am saying that I would do no evil if I were able,
And that, my friend, is what total depravity is all about.
No, that is about me. I must throw myself upon the mercy of Almighty God. If I were a Calvinist and predestined to either Heaven or hell, why would I? Does Calvinism reduce morality and behaviour to getting a Dairy Queen sundae or not? From my perspective it would seem so.