Hi Paul....Great article!!  You hit the nail on the head about the most messed up doctrine of new Christians, especially.  They are taught that because they are saved by the blood of Jesus, they now aren't supposed to sin.  They think a magic switch just turns off their humanity.  I know this because I had a very hard time in the beginning because of this.  I went to a church where I was told I shouldn't wear makeup, nor should I cut my hair.  Men should not have long hair, and no woman should wear slacks.  Nobody should cuss, drink wine, smoke, sneeze in church, and never talk to someone else's husband without his wife present, etc.  I'm not sure, but there may have been a rule about eating beans on Saturday night, too. Of course, there must be a bible school for children, and different! ones for adult men and women (never men and women in the same room however).....and never miss the yearly bible conference and retreat....and the charity dinners, and women's church luncheons....and tithing, singing in the church choir, and going to pre-marital bible discussions (marriage not allowed without permission of the pastor)......and NEVER WEAR RED HIGH HEELS.

Then I read and studied Romans chapter 7.  Paul had the same problems we all have....there are two battling natures in us, and there will be until we get our resurrection bodies.  Only God can change our nature....and then He changes us by "washing us" by the "water of the word"....the more we read and study, the more we change inside ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.  That process is called "sanctification", and it's done by God if we trust in Him and follow His lead.  It happens b! y reading the bible ourselves.  It doesn't work if we just go to church one hour a week and the "pastor" tells us what he thinks it says.  This is something we absolutely have to do for ourselves....this isn't difficult!  Dying and shedding His blood for us on that Cross of Calvary...that was extremely difficult!  He did it so I don't have to.  Now I read what He wrote for me.

We can't follow the law.  If we could, why did Jesus die?  I'm still "wretched" (like the Apostle Paul), but I thank God for His Son, Jesus Christ, because I'm forgiven.  All I'm doing now is waiting and watching for His coming for me....it's all I want!

Maranatha!

YsiC,

Arlene