Cease From Sin

Whoever does not cease from sin, yet claims to be a Christian is a hypocrite.
I do not apologize for my statement.
CEASE meaning... "a willful, conscious effort to not give in to temptation, thereby sinning. A spiritual struggle" It does not mean a sinless state of spirituality.

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath SUFFERED for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath SUFFERED in the flesh hath ceased from sin" 1 Peter 4:1 

"For in that he SUFFERED, himself being TEMPTED, he is able to help those who are tempted." Heb. 2:18

(Suffered definition: to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience)
Christ, in the flesh being Jesus -- Jesus, being God the Son in the flesh, was sinless, without sin, and yet could be tempted. THAT was SUFFERING for Him because He was SO holy. It was painful to experience. Could He have succumbed to the temptation and sin? The controversy rages on. If He could NOT sin… if it was so impossible for Him to sin, then how was it suffering? In my mind, it was both. Jesus could not sin and yet He suffered the same conflict we have when we are tempted to sin, because of the flesh. 

We become, are CREATED a new creature, being truly born again. This new creation is not flesh, of necessity, sinless in its creation. We, in Christ, are that new creation… spotless, blameless, holy,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing IN THE HEAVENLY realms. For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be HOLY and BLAMELESS in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will" Eph 1:3-5 

"yet Christ has now reconciled you to God in His physical body through death, in order to present you before the Father HOLY and BLAMELESS and BEYOND REPROACH" Col. 1:22 

…but we live in the flesh. So, the soul suffers in the spiritual conflict of resisting temptation to the point of not being seduced…NOT SINNING, overcoming the temptation, being victorious over the enemy, and coming out and away from the BATTLE – not having sinned. Some might call that sinless – in the heavenlies, in the spiritual life, in our walk with Jesus. Rom. 8:1-8 

That's my "nutshell" version. Anyone who claims to be Christian, a disciple of Jesus, a born-again son of God and does not experience this on a daily basis, is a hypocrite, a wannabe… and has deluded themselves thinking they are holy. One who experiences the suffering of resisting temptation and does not overcome, is weak and a carnal Christian. Matt. 26:41.

What happened on the cross when sin entered Jesus… when He BECAME sin? God, and everything Holy, left Him – abandoned Jesus. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matt. 27:46

 He was, in that moment, totally and only human.

So with us too, we cannot sin and "abide" still in Christ. We say, "Yes, but we have forgiveness." Yes we do, and can immediately restore our relationship to that of being in Christ again. But how many times? Yes, 70 x 7. But that's not the ideal for the mature, perfect man.

"Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Gal. 5:16 

The basic idea of continuing in Christ is that of dwelling. It’s like dwelling in a house. We are to dwell in Christ, in the kind of life He showed us how to live. We know that Jesus lived a righteous life. He lived a life that was always right toward God and man. So, we are to be right with God and man just like He was. 

Continuing in Christ means that a person walks and fellowships with Christ.
Acts 17:28: “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.”

We should live in a consciousness of the Lord’s presence.
1 Jn. 2:6: “Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” 

Continuing in Christ means that a person walks in open confession before God. What does that mean? That means that you live your life hour by hour all day long opening up your life to God. It means that you don’t walk in sin, and when you do accidentally slip into sin you don’t let that sin go unconfessed. 

Continuing in Christ means that a person experiences the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Continuing in Christ means that person continues in the Word of Christ and knows the truth.

Continuing in Christ means that a person has power to live like he should.
Where does that power come from? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13) 

Continuing in Christ means that a person dwells in love and in unity and fellowship with all other believers. 

Continuing in Christ means that a person bears fruit and lives a very fruitful life.
Galatians 5:22-25: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Continuing in Christ means that a person actively surrenders himself to obey God’s commandments. 

Continuing in Christ means that a person loves his brother and sister. 

Continuing in Christ means that a person does the will of God.

If you are not continuing in Christ, then the fellowship is broken.

Nowhere have you read above that he who has not ceased from sin is not saved!