Here are is a clear example of how Reformed Theology contradicts the tenet of Scripture...
V.
This corruption of nature, during this life, does remain in those that are regenerated;[11] and although it be, through Christ, pardoned, and mortified;
yet both itself, and all the motions thereof, are truly and properly sin.[12]
Westminster Confession, Article 6
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/
II. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man;
[7] yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part;[8] whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.
[9]
III.
In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail;[10] yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome;
[11] and so, the saints grow in grace,
[12] perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
[13]
Westminster Confession, Chapter 13
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/
The passages in bold allude to how they teach that a regenerated Christian remains inwardly defiled and thus double minded.
What they have done is confuse "temptation" with "sin."
The Bible teaches this...
Jas 1:14 But
every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Under Reformed doctrine this "being drawn away in temptation and enticed by the lusts of the flesh" is a "sin nature" or "corruption of nature." Another word for the lusts of the flesh is the term "concupiscence" and it was Augustine who taught that the very existence of concupiscence was PROOF of "inborn sin" or "inborn corruption of nature" being passed down in the male sperm (Seminal Identity or Traducianism).
The Bible is clear that Jesus was...
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
As well as that...
1Co 10:13 There hath no
temptation taken you but such as
is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Temptation is not sin nor are the passions of the flesh sin. Nor is temptation or the passions of the flesh a "sinful nature," they are simply natural desires that God calls us to rule over. Sin is when when the will is exercised in a manner to gratify carnal desire in discordance with the knowledge of the truth (right and wrong).
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well,
sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Thus it is the mind set on the things of the flesh which is an enemy of God.
Rom 8:5 For
they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For
to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Thus as can be seen by the above quotes from the Westminster Confession of Faith it is clearly evident that Reformed Theology teaches that the "temptation wrought by natural desire" is viewed as sin. Due to viewing this as sin they are forced to deny genuine heart purity in those whom are regenerated and thus preach a doctrine which caters to double-mindedness existing in a regenerated believer, ie.
"In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail;" WCF Ch. 13 Sec. 3
This is why they are compelled to rip out of context scriptures like Rom 7:14-25 and 1Joh 1:8 as proof texts for an ongoing state of sinfulness in a Christian.
Thus due to this "ongoing state of corruption" that they believe in they have forced an invented theology upon the "death of Christ" known as Penal Substitution in which they can teach a POSITIONAL/ABSTRACT salvation in that they view justification as purely based on the forensic swap of "Christ's Righteousness" for the "Believers Sin." This is often termed the "Double Imputation" of Reformed Theology.
This forensic transfer as the basis of being right with God utterly perverts what the Bible actually teaches. It is a complete denial of the true Gospel whereby people can be redeemed from all iniquity and made pure by the blood of Christ.
The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit is in the world convicting people of sin, righteousness and the judgment to come. When a sinner responds to this conviction through a godly sorrow working a genuine repentance whereby the rebellion to God is forsaken, that "former" sinner is found to be in a submissive and teachable state before God. It is in this state that God raises the former sinner up unto newness of life whereby they are cleansed of their former sins by the blood of Christ and thus they can faithfully abide in the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ having been made inwardly pure via their faith. There is no inward corruption or root of iniquity in a Saint of God for they have been cleansed and purged of all sin.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing
ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Yet "temptation" still exists and the "passions and desires" still exist, yet the passions and desires are CRUCIFIED for the old man has been put to death thus the minds eye of a saint is set SINGLY on God.
Gal 5:24 And
they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Mat 6:22
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
This is the true state of a genuine born again believer. If a professing Christian is not in that state they need to do what Paul teaches...
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
It amazes me how readily people buy into these theological systems when the Bible so clearly and plainly contradicts their doctrinal tenets. So many people will argue in favour of being perpetually corrupt in this life and scorn any contention that genuine heart purity is possible.
The Bible says this...
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be
righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
There is absolutely nothing forensic or positional implied in the above passage.
What you do is a reflection of who you are!
