<<< Like the Apostle Paul wrote, I think he scoffed at people who claimed that people would sin more being given more freedom. I think he just hasn't met me yet. I had a tendency to walk the bare edge. Push it as far as it could go. >>>

I, on the other hand, played it safe growing up. I tried to be the "good boy". And it worked pretty good since my older brother got into enough trouble for the both of us. My dad would give me simple advice: "Don't be stupid like your brother!" To which I replied, "I won't." Truth was I was afraid to be "bad" though the prospect seemed to have a tempting allure to it at times. I was very naive.

As it turns out I didn't even have to experience the "really bad stuff" in my life to come to the conclusion that I was no different than anyone else. I simply didn't have to fall off the cliff to prove it to myself. It's not like it came easy ... oh, no!! I had to go through years of self-righteous Pharisee living first. :)

What I'm saying to you is that YOU are no different than ME. And realize this: Paul claims to have been chosen as the "Chief Sinner" for the purpose of being the example of those who are brought into eternal life. He KNEW what it was to take it to the limit. The only difference between you and him was that he knew how to get around his "pushing the limit" by finding the "loopholes" in the system so that he could do it and come out looking righteous in the process!! You see, YOU were the kind of person that made him look good by comparison while everybody just ASSUMED that his thoughts and intentions were pure. Just like it was with my brother and I it is assumed.