Titus 1:15-16 KJV
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
I do not know how a person would get around this clear teaching of the Bible. It is possible for a person to profess a relationship with God, but for their lifestyle to tell a whole different story.
The context is speaking of those giving heed to Jewish fables (vs 14) but the application can go far beyond that. The apostle also speaks of the Cretians who are "alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies."
Here is the Bible fact; those who know God live in a way that supports their claim that they know God. There will be a demonstration of godliness that, rather than denying their claim, gives testimony to the truth of their claim.
Are Christians sin-free? No! The Bible is clear that Christians will fall, fail, and in other ways, sin. There is plenty of evidence of New Testament era Christians with all sorts of personal problems and sins that caused shame and reproach to the work of Christ. So I am not implying nor is the Bible teaching that a Christian must be or can be sinless. But a Christian's life ought to bear testimony of the faith they claim to possess. And when a man's works deny that he knows the God he claims, he must be warned and rebuked sharply concerning that.
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
I do not know how a person would get around this clear teaching of the Bible. It is possible for a person to profess a relationship with God, but for their lifestyle to tell a whole different story.
The context is speaking of those giving heed to Jewish fables (vs 14) but the application can go far beyond that. The apostle also speaks of the Cretians who are "alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies."
Here is the Bible fact; those who know God live in a way that supports their claim that they know God. There will be a demonstration of godliness that, rather than denying their claim, gives testimony to the truth of their claim.
Are Christians sin-free? No! The Bible is clear that Christians will fall, fail, and in other ways, sin. There is plenty of evidence of New Testament era Christians with all sorts of personal problems and sins that caused shame and reproach to the work of Christ. So I am not implying nor is the Bible teaching that a Christian must be or can be sinless. But a Christian's life ought to bear testimony of the faith they claim to possess. And when a man's works deny that he knows the God he claims, he must be warned and rebuked sharply concerning that.
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