Should Believers Have a Consciousness of Sin?

Dovegiven said:

Why not go back to the foundation? Romans 10:12-15 (KJV)
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

If I were to believe everything read in this thread I would have to conclude Paul was living under a curse of "sin consciousness", something God forgot. I can imagine God shouting "WHAT?" to Paul's 1 Timothy 1:14-17 (KJV)
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

if "in fact" God had removed that information from His memory, yet allowed the Holy Spirit to inspire that confession of his sins? Paul confessed "I am chief of sinners". That could not be if God had actually forgotten that and his future sins.

I think God allows Christians to deal with sin consciousness in their ongoing testimony of how God fixes them, day by day.

Anyone rendered "unconscious" to any sin they commit after meeting Jesus makes them brain dead to the very concept of what sin is, therefore opening them up to no longer recognizing what sin is. Dangerous position. I must conclude there is at least one here who doeswn't realize he is still in unconfessed sin.

The ideal is to not choose to walk our flesh life out according to a "sin consciousness", but rather to learn what living by a "righteousness consciousness" is about. Sin in that person will shrink to the pleasing of our Lord Jesus.

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First, the sin consciousness is a curse for the person believing they sin. God have taken the curse of sin away and the consciousness of sin. The same affect the law gave to Israel mentally is what happens with many believers today. It brings guilt of conscious. As long as you reject scripture you reject Christ. It plainly teach if the blood of animals could have taken away sins they would not have had a consciousness of sin (Heb.10:1, 2, 3). You are continually trying to reason without contextual scripture; but you add scripture assuming it answers proved a point and it doesn’t. But you look at me as if I’ve done something wrong because I show you scripture based on the foundation of what Christ said and I prove it. You are not proving your position.

The most important things to discuss here is what Paul said in context. You can see in the commentaries Paul is not saying he is a sinner. Paul is using his testimony as a witness. Even at that time Paul was not the chief of sinners; he was saved from sin. When Paul was the chief of sinner he sought to put Christians to death. Paul used his life as an example.

1Ti 1:13 Who “was before” a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

1Ti 1:14 And the “grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant” with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

If Paul is saying Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and speaks contrary to that by saying he still sins, then his verses in 1Corinthians would cause him to be contradictory.

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that “Christ died for our sins” according to the scriptures;

1Co 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, “your faith is vain;” “you are still in your sins.”

Rom 4:15 Because the law works wrath: for “where no law is, there “is no” transgression.”

You still choose to reject that God is not “imputing sin” to believers (2Cor. 5:9; Rom.4:8). The only way a person can sin is if God imputes sin. When God says He will not remember sin, He doesn’t see or remember believers as sinners and will not impute sin. If God saw a person as a sinner you would be condemned. Sinners are condemned.

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

@Bendito,

Bendito said:

Nobody said Jesus doesn't take away the sins of the world. Tell me what that means. I think most if not all Christians don't understand what it means. I hope they do....When Jesus took away the sins of the world, we followed Him. When He died we died, and when He rose from the dead we also rose from the dead and no longer slaves to sin.
.

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I’ll use scripture and then explain it. I won't be able to get to all of it right now but I'll do a little at a time.

Joh 1:29 The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which “takes away the sin of the world.”

1Jo 3:5 And you know that he was manifested to “take away our sins;” and in him “is no sin.”

G142 (take away)
airō
A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind); specifically to sail away (that is, weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin: - away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).

When Jesus did this, He cancelled sin as Hebrews 9:26 says. Sin was literally in the spirit taken away. In God's mind man doesn't sin. God put away what Adam started. Sin was imputed upon men from birth because of Adam. But then Righteousness was imputed upon men from birth because of Jesus. This is the faith you must believe. We don't see it in our flesh or actions immediately, but God sees us in Christ. God doesn't see believers in the flesh; God sees us in the Spirit as Saints that He saved and cleansed from sin. If I look at myself in the flesh I can only see a sinner; even if I sinned once a day. But in Christ I'm in a sanctified position that has nothing to do with my works wrong or right pertaining to sin. I'm only Righteous because that's my position in Christ until I am judged. If I've been disobedient and didn't walk by faith putting on the character of Christ, I will be damned.

Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

G115 (put away)
athetēsis
From G114; cancellation (literally or figuratively): - disannulling, put away.

Jesus had to fulfill prophesy in Daniel.

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Jesus made and end of sins. Eternal life could not come in until the sins of the world were taken away.

If you don't understand what I've said, ask me and I'l explain it in a much better way.

regibassman57 said:

@Bendito,



I’ll use scripture and then explain it. I won't be able to get to all of it right now but I'll do a little at a time.

Joh 1:29 The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which “takes away the sin of the world.”

1Jo 3:5 And you know that he was manifested to “take away our sins;” and in him “is no sin.”

G142 (take away)
airō
A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind); specifically to sail away (that is, weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin: - away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).

When Jesus did this, He cancelled sin as Hebrews 9:26 says. Sin was literally in the spirit taken away. In God's mind man doesn't sin. God put away what Adam started. Sin was imputed upon men from birth because of Adam. But then Righteousness was imputed upon men from birth because of Jesus. This is the faith you must believe. We don't see it in our flesh or actions immediately, but God sees us in Christ. God doesn't see believers in the flesh; God sees us in the Spirit as Saints that He saved and cleansed from sin. If I look at myself in the flesh I can only see a sinner; even if I sinned once a day. But in Christ I'm in a sanctified position that has nothing to do with my works wrong or right pertaining to sin. I'm only Righteous because that's my position in Christ until I am judged. If I've been disobedient and didn't walk by faith putting on the character of Christ, I will be damned.

Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

G115 (put away)
athetēsis
From G114; cancellation (literally or figuratively): - disannulling, put away.

Jesus had to fulfill prophesy in Daniel.

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Jesus made and end of sins. Eternal life could not come in until the sins of the world were taken away.

If you don't understand what I've said, ask me and I'l explain it in a much better way.

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So you're saying there is no sin? I'm really trying to understand your......

@Bendito,
Yes, I'm saying we do not sin because we are in Christ and there is no sin in Christ. Read Ephesians that explains the Gift. This is talking about sin.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It is impossible that a believer can be obedient in works to take away sin. But a believer can be obedient daily, through Grace, working and learning to put on the character of love as Jesus Christ commands us to do. We are saved from sin by Grace.

We walk by faith believing our life is only in Christ though we don't see it. We as believers should not see ourselves in the flesh; those in the flesh has been condemned. You can only sin in the flesh. There is "NO" believer that is "IN" the flesh. The Grace of God has given us leverage over sin because God has caused us to be born again from the flesh and protected in HIm from sin. It's not to say we don't make mistakes; it's to say when we do, God's Grace is sufficient and doesn't impute it to us as sin. However, we will reap what we sow.

1. Thee wages of one sin under the law was death or some form of punishment (Rom. 6:23).

2. The wages of "unfruitful works is Grace to live again and continue to practice until we get it right without guilt or condemnation or imputation of sin. Grace gives a man the opportunity to learn - even if they make mistakes. A believer's faith and works will be judged at the end. At that time we will receive the rewards according to our works of faith.

@Bendito,
Do a study on everything that Jesus came to do for man regarding sin. Whatever you read, take hold of it spiritually (mentally) through the eyes of faith.

regibassman57 said:

@Bendito,
Yes, I'm saying we do not sin because we are in Christ and there is no sin in Christ. Read Ephesians that explains the Gift. This is talking about sin.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It is impossible that a believer can be obedient in works to take away sin. But a believer can be obedient daily, through Grace, working and learning to put on the character of love as Jesus Christ commands us to do. We are saved from sin by Grace.

We walk by faith believing our life is only in Christ though we don't see it. We as believers should not see ourselves in the flesh; those in the flesh has been condemned. You can only sin in the flesh. There is "NO" believer that is "IN" the flesh. The Grace of God has given us leverage over sin because God has caused us to be born again from the flesh and protected in HIm from sin. It's not to say we don't make mistakes; it's to say when we do, God's Grace is sufficient and doesn't impute it to us as sin. However, we will reap what we sow.

1. Thee wages of one sin under the law was death or some form of punishment (Rom. 6:23).

2. The wages of "unfruitful works is Grace to live again and continue to practice until we get it right without guilt or condemnation or imputation of sin. Grace gives a man the opportunity to learn - even if they make mistakes. A believer's faith and works will be judged at the end. At that time we will receive the rewards according to our works of faith.

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So you're saying that no matter what I do, I can't sin?

@Bendito,

You said: Jesus did not take sin out of the world but the consequences of sin. The wages of sin is death, He became sin for us and was nailed to the cross for us. But sin still exists in the world and you can still choose to sin. That's why He tells us that we should not choose it.

Under the law, every debt that was owed there was a crime associated with it. A person did not pay a price for a crime that did not happened. Every crime had a debt attached to it that a person had to pay.

Jesus paid the price for every sin a man did commit past, present and future. Only God could impute man’s sins to Christ as He saw it. But in actuality, the only sins Jesus paid the price for was from the time of Adam unto the cross. At this point Jesus condemned the nature of sin that was in Adam and ended with Christ fulfilling Daniel 9:24. This is why sin does not exist. Ask yourself – what does Daniel 9:24 say? Receive it by faith.

If sin still existed in God’s mind, the prophesy of Daniel would be false. Sin has been condemned (Rom. 8:2, 3). The bible says, the law is not of faith Gal. 3:12). The law is only of the flesh. If you see yourself after the flesh, you will see yourself in sin and you would have to say you are condemned because sin is condemned. The Mosaic Covenant Laws were laws of the flesh. The New Covenant is only of the Spirit and in the Spirit; not of or in the flesh.

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.

@Bendito,

Bendito said:

So you're saying that no matter what I do, I can't sin?

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It is an impossiblity... No matter what you do, you cannot sin. NOW- you commit "unfruitful works" which if you do not repent from in your ways, you will die in hell. If you do not develop into the character that Christ has told you to develop in His love, you will die and be gathered out of the body of Christ and cast into the lake of fire (Mat. 13:41).

@Bendito,
The free Gift of God is the freedom from the bondage of sin. Anyone that sins is already condemned because sin has been judged and condemned. If a person does not believe what Jesus has done is in unbelief.

Joh 3:18 He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The Pharisees didn't believe Jesus is who the prophets were speaking of. They didn't believe John or the other prophets. They were in bondage to sin; not any other nation. So when Jesus told them He would make them free, they didn't believe Him (Joh. 8:31-34).. Jesus was talking about making them free from sin.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Am I saying that believers are condemned? No... I'm saying if they do not believe why Jesus came in the time of judgment, they will be in unbelief. Right now they have Grace to learn, but if they choose not to believe Jesus took away sin and they speak contrary to what Jesus has done, they don't believe the record John gave of Jesus' coming. Unbelief condemns a believer as well as unbelievers.

regibassman57 said:

@Bendito,
Do a study on everything that Jesus came to do for man regarding sin. Whatever you read, take hold of it spiritually (mentally) through the eyes of faith.

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Well there's the problem...I believe in letting the Holy Spirit teach me, not in learning the Word intellectually. What you say sounds all right but there is something wrong here. Why don't you put aside the 'mentally' and lean on Him too?

@Bendito,
How did you get "intellectually" from "spiritually mindedness? A spiritually minded believer here from the Holy Ghost. A fleshly minded person does not. You have to understand life through faith and not in the flesh. When you sin, you can only be "in" the flesh as I've said. Meditate on this scripture.

Romans 7:5
For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

If you are "in" the Spirit, the motions of sins cannot work in you; meaning you cannot sin in the Spirit, because the law of sin only operates in those that are in the flesh; those that are not born again. This is why the scripture says, when you "WERE" in the flesh.

You are no longer "IN" the flesh if God's Spirit is in you.

Romans 8:9
But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

As long as you refuse to believe what Jesus has done for you, you will stay in unbelief.

Faith is believing what Jesus did and wrote. If Jesus said He came to take away your sins and you don't believe, you don't have faith.

You said in post#60 Nobody said Jesus doesn't take away the sin of the world. After explaining it to you, you have the option to say what the scripture says or reject them. In our conversations you've been rejecting them. If Jesus took away the sins of the world how can you sin? If you say Jesus didn't take away the sins of the world you don't believe the scriptures. If you say Jesus paid the price for sin but we still sin, you reject the scriptures.

2 Corinthians 4:13
We having the same spirit of faith, according "as it is written," I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

You say by faith what you believe.

If you don't believe Jesus took away your sins, you are voicing it by saying you still sin. Though in post #60 you're alluding to a different mindset. Which says your wavering. Which also means your not sure. Which means you have doubt. Which also says your faith is unstable.

regibassman57 said:

You are not conscious of sin, but you are conscious of your works and the things you do which are "right" or "wrong."

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Greetings @regibassman57

Your posts are very confused.

If a believer has a consciousness of "right" or "wrong"
Then they have a consciousness of sin


Consciousness definition

the state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings.

synonyms:awareness, wakefulness, alertness, responsiveness, sentience


If I choose to go and steal my neighbours car, then I would be aware/conscious of that being a sin/wrong doing.

@Fragrant Grace,

Fragrant Grace said:

Greetings @regibassman57

Your posts are very confused.

If a believer has a consciousness of "right" or "wrong"
Then they have a consciousness of sin.

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Hello Fragrant, I’ve been very consistent on my stance that believer do not sin. I’ve consistently presented that believers commit “unfruitful works;” as Jesus supports. I can understand it being confusing if a person is not familiar with the term “unfruitful works,” but in my conversations on this forum I’ve ask member to study the term in order to come to an understanding and they don’t.

You understood the “consciousness of sin” when you were in the “flesh” because that’s the only way you could experience “sin.” You are no longer in the flesh (Rom. 8:9). The flesh is for the law, and faith is for the Spirit. You are not alive to both (Rom. 8:14).

Rom 7:5 For when we “were” in the flesh, the motions of "sins," which "were by the law," did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Gal 5:18 But if you be led of the Spirit, you are "not under" the law.

The consciousness of “right” or “wrong” does not have to be the consciousness of sin. Being aware of “right” and “wrong” is being aware of your actions. You will have an awareness of who you are. If you are a sinner, you will be aware of sin. If you are Righteous and have been made free and saved from sin, you will have an awareness of “unfruitful works” or "dead works."

To understand "sin" is to understand the "law of sin." To sin is to be “under” the law and the law is not of faith (Gal. 3:12).

1Jo 3:4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are “under” the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become “guilty” before God.

If you sin, it's because the law told you and imputed sin to you. God is not imputing sin to you (2Cor. 5:19).

If you are "justified" by the law you cannot be justified in God's sight (Gal. 2:16).

Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for “by the law” is the “knowledge of sin.”

Every time a believer says they sin, they are putting themselves “under” the law. The law is not of faith (Gal. 3:12). Faith is understood in Grace, faith is not understood under the law; and where “sin” abound, “Grace” abound much more (Rom. 5:20). It’s by Grace that believers have been made Righteous. Grace and sin are in complete opposition. If a person sins, they have not received the Gift of Righteousness.

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by “one man” “sin entered into the world,” and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; “much more” they which receive “abundance of grace” and of the “gift of righteousness” shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

I don’t know if you understand what these scriptures are saying, but they give the full assurance that “sin” cannot be seen in the light of “Grace.”

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where “sin abounded,” “grace did much more abound:”

G5248 (abound)
huperperisseuō
From G5228 and G4052; to super abound: - abound much more, exceeding.

You cannot see sin in the light, and the light never stop shinning in our hearts.

regibassman57 said:

@Fragrant Grace,

You cannot see sin in the light, and the light never stop shinning in our hearts.

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I've never seen a roach in the dark, but when I turn a light on I sometimes see one.
Aside from the natural, did not Jesus, the light of the world, who walked in light, not witness sins? Are you saying He is blind to sin?
God never saw sin, even Adam's?

@Dovegiven,

Dovegiven said:

Aside from the natural, did not Jesus, the light of the world, who walked in light, not witness sins? Are you saying He is blind to sin?
God never saw sin, even Adam's?

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Thanks for asking a question. Yes, when Jesus was walking the earth He was the light of the world and did witness sin, but at that time we know He had not condemned sin/Satan as of yet from the cross. We know Jesus witnessed sin when He forgave the woman caught in adultery (Joh. 8:3).

I’m not saying Jesus was blind to sin, I’m saying Jesus condemned sin, cancelled it and made an end of it (Rom. 8:3;Heb. 9;26; Dan. 9:24). I’m saying sinners are dead “in” their sins and God does not recognize their sin. God sees them as dead souls until they come to the light. The sin God does not remember is of the”nature of sin.” This is why God will not “impute” sin, because the nature has been condemned. Every person that sins, “is” condemned in God’ sight.

We know God saw Adam’s sin because He imputed sin unto Adam. We know that God saw sin between Adam and Jesus, because sin was in the world (Rom. 5:13). But we also know, God did not impute sin between Adam and Moses though sin was in the world. However, God did impute sin during time of the Mosaic Law. Once the witness of Jesus Christ came, through John the Baptizer, we know that sin was limited. John witnessed that Jesus would come and “TAKE AWAY” the sin of the world (John 1:29; 1Joh. 3:5). It doesn’t say, “SINS” of the world, but “SIN” of the world. This is taking about the “NATURE” of sin. Once the nature of sin was removed by condemnation, the “law that imputed sin” was” also removed.

I'm out....Its too hard arguing with somebody who is never wrong in anything he says....He's right! Even when he's wrong.

@Bendito,

Bendito said:

I'm out....Its too hard arguing with somebody who is never wrong in anything he says....He's right! Even when he's wrong.

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You are the only one agruing trying to prove your point. Why would you agrue about God's word which is something you didn't write? Why would you "feel" anything negative speaking to someone over the internet? I'm not the problem because i'm not the devil. You don't fight against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12).

If I am presenting scripture incorrectly, wouldn't it show through the scriptures I use? If I'm wrong in using scripture wouldn't I contradict myself for everyone who reads it to know? If God's word is speaking for itself, it will not contradict itself. I showed you, you are wrong through scripture. I send you scripture that shows you your error in thinking, but you get upset with me? You can do the same. I've asked you to show me through scritpure where i'm wrong and you don't. Don't become frustrated with me because I present scritpure to you to prove my position in belief. I didn't write it, but I know waht it says because I study. Not to say that you don't.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

@Bendito,
I forgot... Bibleguy and Sue corrected me when I was wrong and I owned up to my errors. If you show me scritpurally where I'm wrong I'll accept it and change my view as I did with them. Scripture and other tools will prove the credibility of scripture.

regibassman57 said:

If you are "in" the Spirit, the motions of sins cannot work in you; meaning you cannot sin in the Spirit, because the law of sin only operates in those that are in the flesh; those that are not born again. This is why the scripture says, when you "WERE" in the flesh.

You are no longer "IN" the flesh if God's Spirit is in you.

Romans 8:9
But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

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How do you know if you are in the flesh or in the Spirit?
Here is a good test for you.

Gal 5:19; Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21; envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

If you are "practicing" any of these things... guess what... you're being led by the flesh.

Gal 5:22; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23; gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24; Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25; If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Rom 8:13; for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Notice it says "putting to death" (current tense... not past tense) it doesn't already put to death.

@B-A-C,

B-A-C said:

How do you know if you are in the flesh or in the Spirit?
Here is a good test for you.
If you are "practicing" any of these things... guess what... you're being led by the flesh.

Click to expand...

Scripture makes a distinction between being "IN" the flesh, or "IN" the Spirit. A believer can walk "AFTER" the flesh, but they cannot be "IN" the flesh.

Rom 7:5 For when we "were in the flesh," the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Rom 6:20 For when you "were" the servants of sin, you "were free" from righteousness.

When a person was "IN" the flesh, they sinned. A believer cannot sin “IN” the Spirit. "IN" Christ there is no sin.

1Jo 3:5 And you know that Jesus was manifested to take away our sins; and "IN HIM" is no sin.

Believers have been "BORN AGAIN" into a new nature and bought with a price; they are not their own (2Co 5:17; 1Co. 6:19, 20) If a believer lives "AFTER" the flesh, they will die.

Rom 8:12, 13 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live “after” the flesh. For if you live “after” the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.

God’s Grace covers the believer “IN” and with the “Gift” of “Righteousness” which is not earned through a man’s efforts. In Christ a man is not "IN" the flesh.

Rom 8:9 But "you are not in the flesh," but "in the Spirit," if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

However, there is a “Righteousness” that is earned which a believer is responsible for (1Jo. 3:7; 2:29). But the Grace of God has redeemed a believer from sin for eternity. A believer has been redeemed from the nature of sin. This is why they cannot be "IN" the flesh.

Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood “Jesus entered in once” into the holy place, having “obtained "eternal" redemption” for us.

Eph 1:7 In whom we have “redemption” through his blood, the “forgiveness of sins,” according to the “riches of his grace;”

Believers should study "UNFRUITFUL" works and/or 'DEAD" works.