No, they haven’t. If Ravi raped all those women is he RESPONSIBLE for that sin in terms of his judgment? Is rape a sin for a born againer? Can a born againer sin? Is that sin held against him if he is UNREPENTANT? Can a born againer commit any WILLFUL sin and still expect to enter heaven, IF HE IS UNREPENTANT? If a born againer can’t sin, does that make him perfect? Does repentance even matter to him or needed? Why ask forgiveness if you can’t sin? Answer those questions please. Yes, they have. You don't accept the answer which is the born again believer in Christ has a new, spirit nature - born of the Spirit, indwelt by the Holy Spirit - which strives against the old carnal nature (see Paul's example in Romans 7). It is this new spirit nature that is IN CHRIST, clothed in HIS righteousness, it cannot be stained with sin, it is holy, set apart, sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. This doesn't mean the old sin nature doesn't crop up and cause trouble. We can have victory only through Christ over that slavery to sin. You nor I know what was in Ravi's heart or what really happened. It's easy for people to judge and condemn a person who is no longer able to defend himself.
- If Ravi raped all those women is he RESPONSIBLE for that sin in terms of his judgment? Of course! He will answer to God for it (perhaps his illness and death were a result, I don't know). But that sin like all our sin is under the blood of Christ - HE paid the penalty for it. There is no eternal condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. There ARE consequences for disobedience in the here and now. We can't hide from God.
- Is rape a sin for a born againer? Of course!
- Can a born againer sin? Of course!
- Is that sin held against him if he is UNREPENTANT? God will discipline and chastise His children. Some He may even take home before they can cause anymore scandal to the cause of Christ (see the example Paul gave of the Corinthian guy who was fooling around with his father's wife). We cannot become UN-born again. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of our redemption. He will never leave us or forsake us, lose us or cast us out. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
- Can a born againer commit any WILLFUL sin and still expect to enter heaven, IF HE IS UNREPENTANT? We aren't saved because we are good enough, we are saved because Christ died for sinners. Abstaining from sin doesn't save you, faith does because of GRACE.
- If a born againer can’t sin, does that make him perfect? We aren't "perfect" because we don't sin, we are made perfect and righteous as Christ by grace through faith and not by works.
- Does repentance even matter to him or needed? Of course it does. It matters in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, it matters with our testimony to the world, it matters to brothers and sisters in Christ. If we truly love God and grasp the magnitude of His awesome mercy, love and grace then it will show in how we live each day. He is working within us constantly to conform us to the image of Christ for His own glory. But we can't ever come close to meriting or deserving salvation - that's why it is by grace.
- Why ask forgiveness if you can’t sin? Because stubbornness only will bring us chastisement and grief. Why not be at peace and enjoy the wonder of being in a right relationship with the Creator who loves us so much He knows how many hairs we have on our head and every tear we have ever cried. Why wouldn't we want to know Him better? Why wouldn't we want to know that He makes all things work together for our good? Why wouldn't we want to live in a way that honors Him out of gratitude for His unspeakable gift? We are told to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. A genuine believer WILL see a change in the way he/she thinks, lives, relates to others and God. If there is nothing there that indicates a new birth has occurred - that sin still reigns over us and we are powerless against it, then we ought to get down on our knees and surrender our hearts to Christ. Come to Him in faith and ask Him to save us. A true faith cannot help but be revealed in a newness of life - a changed heart and mind that seeks to know God more and more.
Now...will you stop with the "why won't any of these people give a straight answer"? Accept or reject my answers but don't keep asserting nobody has tried yet.
I should have included this question:
Is raping women over a 10 year period considered WILLFUL sin?
Boatbums says: No matter what you do, you cannot be unsaved. You are sealed. Yes, God will discipline and chastise His children but in the end everyone gets into heaven.
Matthew 7
21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
INIQUITY = SIN.
Hebrews 10
26For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
SIN WILLFULLY