Ephesians
King James Version (KJV)
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Philippians 2:12,13. The apostle was concerned for the Church's behavior: vv 2-4 (disagreements, unloving, discord, striving & not esteeming). And of course, he gives the supreme example of the Mind of Christ in his Coming in the form of a Servant. So Paul goes on to write (v12), 'therefore as you have obeyed me in the past, not just when I'm around but now when I'm not with you, work out (put into practise/into operation) what your salvation has brought you, and do so in trembling & fear (in all diligence & seriousness)': my paraphrasing. "work out your own salvation" is the big question here. If it were to 'find your own way to God', or 'now that you are saved, make all effort to remain saved', then I don't believe that was Paul's teaching. As one Bible teacher often preached, "you have been given the gift of Salvation, now work it out in your life", i.e. 'be constantly in step with the Spirit, being humble before God, scrutinizing your life, keeping short accounts with Him; you can't add anymore to your salvation, or else it's no more of Grace but of works, so be diligent to not be slack but mindful of God's great Grace & your position in Christ'.
"His Faith". I did mean, God's Faith given to man to believe & to be exercised with. Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 12:3, are good examples - the Gift of God given to us is 'Grace AND Faith', for man's faith is incapable of apprehending the fullness of Christ's Sacrifice at the Cross for him & being exercised to please God.
1 Corinthians 9:27. A 'castaway' what Paul was referring to, was that he would be disqualified from this high calling if he was hypocritical by preaching salvation through Jesus & the power of that Risen Life, & yet be undisciplined in dealing with the appeals of his flesh. In this case, he would have failed - and maybe removed from ministry, even from earthly life itself. GBU
Prior to the Cross, man stood on HIS faith & acceptable works - after the Cross, man stands without any of that - only on the Work of the Holy Spirit, regenerating the old sinful heart and giving Faith (by God's Grace) to believe ( Ephesians 2:8); the Spirit's permanent indwelling bringing continual spiritual renewal; the Spirit's baptizing into Christ's Body (adoption), and the Spirit's Seal of ownership & security. If a repenting sinner has experienced such a Work of the Spirit in his heart & life, he can have full confidence that the Spirit will always guide, keep, warn, & discipline if necessary, so that God's child would never be lost into the world - indeed would never ever desire the world & its enticements. If this Work of the Spirit of God were not ALL of God's Work alone to secure a sinner, then the Work of the Cross has failed, & we may just as well go back to following a set of rules with sacrifices (works), hoping for a good outcome.
We can be confident that if God has done this wonderful Work of Salvation in a person's life, then that Work is permanent & will never fail. If we believe that a 'believer' can one day spurn God's Love & turn his back on Him forever, then the Bible assures us that that work was not of God, but of man - for God, by His Word & Work of His Spirit can never fail. This is the God I have fully placed my trust in - if He was any less that what He has declared in the Bible & revealed personally in my life, then I will admit that I am on very shaky ground. Blessings.
Jeremiah 5:30-31 declares: "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?"
1 Thessalonians 5:3 "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
I know that I am a sinner, so what can I do to be saved? The answer is, there is nothing that I, being DEAD in trespasses and sins, can do to affect my salvation!
Ephesians 2:1 "And you hath he quickened [made alive], who were DEAD in trespasses and sins;"
John 6:29 "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST..."
Romans 9:15-16 "For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."
So what about the churches that say, we will show you how to become saved, or, you must be baptized in water and partake of the Lord's supper? Virtually every church promotes a do-it-yourself salvation, which is not that of the Bible! The baptism that is required is the washing away of our sins, which only God can perform. When we meditate on the word of God with a view to being obedient to it, we are feeding on the flesh and drinking the blood of the Lord Jesus.
John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
Salvation is 100% the work of God. If we are trusting in any work that we do for Salvation, we are trusting in a FALSE GOSPEL that cannot save.
Visit ZionInTravail on youtube and the web to lean more about the True Gospel of Salvation and the Day in which we are living.
Giving, witnessing, making disciples, praying, teaching Bible, preaching, etc are works "OF" righteousness; not works "FOR" righteousness.
May we be faithful in our walk with CHRIST. November 16, 2023
2 Timothy 2:15
James 2:
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Romans 4:
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Ephesians 2:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Titus 3:
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
May we be intercessors in CHRIST name, Isaiah 59:16, for those who have been blinded by the god of this world, 2 Corinthians 4:3, 4.
We are called to stand in the gap for others, Ezekiel 22:30, and plant the seed of the word that others may water and that GOD will give the increase.
Acts 15:
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Salvation is by faith in CHRIST alone.
GOD bless everyone!
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. ( Ephesians 2:5-7).
This verse shows how God is rich in mercy; and goes beyond just a one time experience and puts his people on display for the Millennium and throughout eternity all because of what Christ accomplished on our behalf on the cross. In the present He is working out our salvation through fear and trembling (stating that we are to work it out but implying of course that it is His strength and surrender to the Spirit that accomplishes this: Philippians 2:12-13). This is known as "sanctification" followed by glorification after death or at the time of the Rapture/Resurrection of the saints.
I brought out before in the last post and many times in other posts that God chastises all those He loves. This isn't a popular concept especially among the "prosperity gospel" crowd. Indeed the KJV says we are bastards if we aren't being disciplined in this way ( Heb. 12:8). A human child through the love of the parents is disciplined as the famous "spare the rod and spoil the child" and many like sentiments in scripture indicate ( Prov. 13:24). Ephesians 4:22 says to put off the old man; and Galatians states that we are crucified with Christ (chapter 2; verse 20).
God has also expressed His love in honoring His covenants; both with national Israel and the new covenant with His church.
This would be my response to comments on difficulty conceiving of the value of what happened in the Old Testament. Indeed all scripture is good for instruction and all other tenets as stated in 2 Tim. 3:16. There is much to learn from mistakes of others as well as worthy acts of saints of all ages in scripture.
Thank you for your response and patience with me, I really do appreciate it. I understand ( Ephesians 2:8) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" It is the obedience part where the confusion comes in. I no longer celebrate holidays or birthdays etc. But you say about going to a "brick and mortar church to be taught by other men" but this is not why I go. The word of God is my only authority. I attend a church because I walked a very dark path and my heart was a cold bitter angry one. And so in order for me to change it I must surround myself with 'loving' people. I understand that I have to "study to shew myself approved", I search scriptures everyday like the Thessalonians, but I also need to "fellowship" so that I can not "deceive myself" and be corrected in my error, be reproved to "examine myself to make sure I am in the faith." I have full faith in God, It's faith in myself I lack. Is going to 'church' on a Sunday adultery towards God? Do I keep the sabbath? I know Jesus is coming, I just want to be prepared like the 5 wise virgins.
Again I really do appreciate your time and patience with me. I know can be quite burdensome with my vast amount of questions and limited understanding. God bless you and peace in Jesus name.
I know the two resurrection you speak of, most believe what you believe.
The word speaks of Christ resurrection, then the resurrection of those who never believe that were raised with Christ.
Colossians 3:1 ... if ye be RISEN with Christ ....
Ephesians 2:6 .... and hath RAISED US us up together ....
Isaiah 26:19 .... TOGETHER with my dead body shall they ARISE ....
Hosea 6:2 ..... in the third day he will raise US UP .......
The saints that arose with Christ, were the Old Testament saints that had died in faith, but had never receive their promise of eternal life.
Those: in Revelation under the alter clothed in white are the Old saints awaiting their promise, eternal life, by their resurrection of Christ.
These are the 144,000 raised with Christ, the firstfruits of the resurrection.
Hebrews 11:39 And these all, havlng obtained a good report through faith, received not the PROMISE (eternal life).
Hebrews 11:40 Christ having provided some BETTER THING FOR US (never having to die and wait in the grave), that they WITHOUT US should not be made PERFECT (by our resurrection as one).
Hebrews 5:9 ...and having been made perfect .... by our resurrection as one ....
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore who be perfect (by our resurrection as one), be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise mined, God shall reveal even this to you.
God Bless YOU!
Considering the definition and description given by Brother Jesse and Brother Giannis.
"wild untamed, impure, and grungy"
It's fair to say these dogs "as a people" had no master!!
Certainly the dogs thats defined in the Greek translation mentioned in Revelation.
The Gentiles do fit that description.
Ephesians 2:12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Just a thought.
God bless.
As good as the KJV is, the New Testament is still a translation of the original Greek.
The words translated everlasting, eternal, forever, and world; in a few places, would more correctly have been translated AGE, or for the AGE, or of the age.
So, although time does not really exist, God does all his WORK in AGES, now and those to come.
Christ is IMMORTAL LIFE, in all AGES, there is yet more to come.
Ephesians 2:7 .... that in the ages to come .....
Same Greek work translated other places as eternal, everlasting, forever, world in some places.
If I am incorrect, perhaps our brother in Greece, brother Giannis, will give us a correct translation.
God BLESS YOU!
I believe we all agree on what you have shared " The doubt and conscience of the person causes him to sin being that he thinks eating meat ect as a sin, However, "so he's not persuaded of and by the grace of God imputed to him.
I would be cautious to interpret faith that way, when I look up faith in the strongs it says persuasion, That Parallels with Ephesians 2:8-9.
If I translated it as belief, "then that which I believe in is persuaded by God.
However simply believing in something doesn't always work out being that one can be wrong and I doubt God persuaded that.
I was emphasizing that those who believe you can live a perfect life in this body they might want to consider that verse.
Thanks my brother,
God bless.
This is not done by an alter call or an profession but by the Spirit of God that searches the heart.
Colossians 2:12
having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Galatians 6:15
For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Romans 6:4
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Colossians 3:1
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Romans 7:6
But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
Ephesians 4:24
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Life begins here as a babe in Christ,
God bless you for this all important portion of scripture.
If this is not gotten right nothing else matters.
You did not address this directly with me, but I felt it. This is not to debate it with you. I know in my heart nothing I have posted comes from Satan. There is a difference between, we sin, and we serve sin, dead in or dead to.
Ephesians 2:1:4 When we are born, we are born dead in trespasses and sins, and we remain in that spiritually dead state until we believe in faith Jesus as our savior and are baptized for the remission of our sins, at that moment we who were dead in sin are made spiritually alive in Jesus, Ephesians 2:5.
We confess to now be dead to sin and the old way of living and walk in the newness of life found in following Jesus, Romans 6:1-4. We are dead to sin and alive to God and we have a new walk, Romans 6:2,11. Dead to sin means we are no longer a slave to sin, we are no longer serving sin, Romans 6:6. We no longer allow sin to reign in our body.
This doesn't mean that a Christian will ever reach a state of sinless perfection while on this earth. As long as we are in this mortal body, sins will on occasion be committed. However, the point we became dead to sin through Jesus we will never participate in a lifestyle of persistent, continual, habitual sin. We will never let sin reign over us again, we are no longer sin slaves.
Slip-ups and stumbles are likely, part of us having the Adamic nature, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive our sins if we confess them. If we go back to our evil ways slaves to sin letting sin reign over us instead of our Savior Jesus, no more forgiveness, we are again dead in sin, living in sin.
This is what my understanding is, given to me through prayer and the guidance of the Spirit of God. If we say or teach we can get to a point while in this mortal body, we will never sin again, is that not the same as you shall not surely die??? Only One has or ever will live in this flesh and did not sin. Repentance is not a one-time thing, it is how we live, our walk in the Spirit.
God bless,
RLW
Part one
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We both agree on the verse above, salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ and is a gift not of ourselves, we cannot earn our salvation. We are also ordained that we should walk in good works.
This is not a discussion on how we are saved it is about whether when we accept Jesus as our savior and are baptized, are we saved forever. Are all our sins ever we do, forgiven at that point? Or can we fall from God's grace and forfeit our salvation? One thought, do we have free will, if so, God being a sovereign God would leave it up to man to choose to accept or reject His word, His offer, and His gift. So, if a man can choose, can he later as a Christian choose to forsake Christ thereby abandoning his salvation and losing the gift of eternal life? Or is it all predestined? If so, why would there be a judgment?
What are God's terms? (Isn't that a contradictory statement? Isn't it to believe in him whom he sent?) That is true. To some that is easy, all they must do is believe, they have their ticket. Someone then asks them do they believe in God and what Jesus did, all they must do is say yes, I believe. Is it just to believe that is contradictory, is this a half-truth, like you will not surely die? Gen. 3:4-5.
If we say when someone walks away or falls back into sin they were never saved to begin with. If we do is that judging? Is there any way for us to know what is in the heart of another man or woman? 1 Cor. 2:11. If we say they were never saved is that just to support a doctrine? I have been studying this is the reason for the delay. I hope I can show my understanding of this long-debated subject.
See part two,
Let us agree to walk with the LORD and put forth HIS will and commandments first by carrying out HIS promises.
1- Let us confess and repent of our own sins. 1 John 1:9
2- Ephesians 2:8-10 Remember we are ordained to do good works!
3- 2 Peter 3:9 love the lost
4- Matthew 28:18-20 Go make disciples
5- 2 Timothy 2:15 Study HIS word
6- 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 Love, and apply HIS word
7- 1 Timothy 2: 1-4 pray for "...all that are in authority..."
8- Romans 10:1, 2 cultivate the desire and pray to GOD that all might be saved
This is in no particular order and not exhaustive by any means. I am sure the brethren on this forum are able and capable to add to it to the glory and praise of the LORD.
Titus 2:11-14 for while we wait and looking for that blessed hope; for HIS
glorious appearing may we be "...Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;"
Our hope must be only in CHRIST and no one else. GOD to shine HIS face on all who are on this forum and gloriously bless your situation.
September 19, 2023
The Lord told Israel in Ezekiel 36:27 he will put his spirit within them, and cause them to walk in his statutes, and they shall keep his judgments, and do them.
This is also what he does for us Gentiles. If we all agree Israel is saved "or is to be saved" the same way we are then the Holyspirit that directs their walk is the same that directs ours.
If we agree we all sin and no one can present themselves perfect but yet you can forfeit your salvation, What percentage of your sins you have to repent from to be saved?
What percentage of sins you have to commit before you lose your salvation?
Ephesians 2:4-6 says "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
( He made us alive WITH CHRIST)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
How long does that mercy last?
Does our imperfect nature forfeit God's mercy?
God's Commandments, statutes, and judgments are perfect!
The Holyspirit drives us to perform them perfectly.
However we stumble at the perfection in the Law and sin against it even in our imperfect minds.
Even the restraint from sin let's us know we are sinners in need of God's mercy.
Paul says, in Romans 7:24 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
You can't do anything to gain salvation and you can't do anything to hold it.
If it's not the Holyspirit that is regenerating you then you are not saved even if you supposedly stopped sinning.
Salvation is a new life, one from above with a repentant heart.
Your walk testifies of this rebirth.
Salvation comes before Sanctification and Sanctification Is a continuing work of the Holyspirit.
God bless.
1. ** Genesis 3:6-7 (KJV)** - This passage describes the story of Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden: "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."
2. ** Psalm 51:5 (KJV)** - In King David's prayer of confession, he says, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." This verse is often interpreted as evidence of the inheritance of a sinful nature from birth.
3. ** Romans 5:12 (KJV)** - In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes, "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." This verse is often cited to support the idea that all humans inherit a sinful nature from Adam, the first man.
4. ** Ephesians 2:3 (KJV)** - In this passage, Paul describes humanity before coming to faith in Jesus: "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." This verse suggests that humans are, by nature, deserving of God's judgment due to their sinful inclinations.
It's worth noting that interpretations of these verses and the doctrine of original sin can vary among Christian denominations..
Philippians 3:20 (KJV) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Conversation: behavior, conduct, manner of life, manner of walk, Gk citizenship, commonwealth.
I would lean toward citizenship meaning for this particular passage.
3:20 citizenship. This figure would have been particularly appreciated by the Philippians who were colonists living away from Rome, though citizens of Rome. Similarly, Christians live away from the place of their citizenship, heaven. - Ryrie
Conversation found in Ephesians 2:3 (KJV) 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
I would lean toward the behavior, one's conduct, and manner of walk definition as it is used in Ephesians 2:3.
Is God a universalist?
Isaiah 48:16 ...and HIS Spirit has SENT ME ......
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify, that the Father SENT his son to be SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD....
ONLY the carnal mind of man refuses to BELIEVE that Christ will not do what his Father SENT him TO DO.
Can one be the saviour of the world UNLESS he saves the world.
Hebrews 2:8 ... we see NOT YET all things put under him .....
Ephesians 2:8 .... that in the AGES TO COME ......
Is one foolish enough to believe this age is all there is, why is it so hard to believe Christ will save most in the AGES TO COME.
Your SAVED from DEATH.
God Bless YOU!
Revelation 19:14 states: "and the armies in heaven, clothed in [b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses".
Revelation 2:26-27 says 26 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father."
Perhaps a reminder of the exhortation of 1 John 2:10 is needed at this point. "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him." The next verse states the opposite state of a soul who hates his brother; that is being in darkness. We are adopted sons and daughters ( Ephesians 1:5 and many other verses) and part of something vastly bigger than ourselves. If we are saved we are no longer our own ( 1 Cor. 6:19) and bought with a price. Therefore our commission and omission of transgressions affects not only us but others in our midst as well; particularly true in regard to the body of Christ. Salvation itself; therefore in order to be genuine begins to give the true convert a sense of being "seated in heavenly places" ( Eph. 2:6). That verse shows how we are in that state together as well in the Body of Christ not just as individuals.
What matters to those who the Godhead dwells ( John 14:23) is the Lord's concerns. Note that keeping God's Word is a part of the verse indicating those who are truly possessed by the Holy Ghost. God gets all the glory and does all the work; but we are responsible to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phillipians 2:12) demonstrating our inner heart through our outer actions and works. The persevering is part of God's work of sanctification; but of course we need to be demonstrating good works predestined for us to do from the foundation of the world ( Ephesians 2:10).
Agape
Hi Friends
Ephesians 2:1-5
speaks of past tense, so there's a question one must ask themselves, are you still a sinner? & if so, than if stands according to Scripture & sound reasoning that, that person is still walking according to the course of this world, to the prince of the power of the air & is still a child of disobedience. Still having their conversations in the lust of the flesh & fulfilling the desires of the flesh & of the mind. & by nature a child of wrath, therefore one is not in Christ & no new creature, though they say they are, yet their a liar & know Him not, by not keeping His commandments.
The cause & effect of this is that one has not contended for the Faith that was once delivered to the saints, but has received the doctrine & teaching of men, who's learning is by letter that sprung up in the apostasy, who have turn the Grace of God into lascivious, & denying the only Lord God & Jesus Christ who He has sent, though they may ever so zealous profess Him in a knowledge, that's not received by a revelation from His Spirit. 2Cor 4:6,7
Ephesians 2:6-10
Grace appearance to all mankind is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to each individual soul, teaching them to deny all ungodliness & worldly lust & instructs them to live soberly, godly & righteously, Believing that it is He who's within you speaking to you is faith, believing your hearing the Word of God & Obedience to this Word of Faith / GRACE is the good works that were ordained of God that we such walk in them,
It's a good work to cast down all imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, denying all ungodliness & worldly lust that spring up within us, bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ by learning to live soberly , godly & righteously as Grace instruct us
This is the working out our Salvation, the Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of the Blood/Life of Jesus
For we are His workmanship being created in Christ Jesus unto these good works through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Ghost & having a readiness to revenge all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled brings us to be born again through hearing & obedience to the Incorruptible Seed. John 1:13
This is Salvation by Faith through Grace, that is not of ourselves, but is a Gift of God given through His Son, wrought by His Spirit appearance within us.
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Salvation is made by: Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Yet, TRUE life-saving faith is not dead, it is not barron, it produces works not for salvation but out of love for Christ.
James 2:16-20 (KJV) 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Blessings!
Jesue said Matt 5:20
the expression of the Scrip implies obedience,, for Matt 7:21 to enter His works that's been prepared for us from the foundation of the world. Ephesians 2:10 which is these works of righteousness of Titus 3:5 that comes to us by His mercy towards us.
What are His works, the first is 'repentance" God Spirit work upon one soul, convincing one of their sins, which springs from the spirit of unbelief, that comes from the devil, his influnece upon one's heart, & keeps one in his kingdom of disobedience & all who plead for sin & are convince we're not to be delivered from it in this life is of the devil, are deluded, deceived & believe a lie,
2 Thessalonians 2:11 their faith is a life & why? Because they did not choose to become lovers of the Truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:10,11
I could go on with this vein of Truth that's Scriptural sound, with sound reasoning. His Spirit Witness in your own hearts witnesses to the Truth that's being reveal. the question is will you receive Him?
Friends, for the love of your eternal souls, & for the love of Christ soften your heart by Jeremiah 4:3 thorns, the corruptible seed of the devil & Hosea 10:12 the free gift, the Word of Righteousness, the incorruptible Seed of Rom 5:17 & receive Him
in love & truth
Cont..
Same gospel, yet in an embryo state of types & shadows, its blessing were outward, worldly & only cleansed to the purifying of the flesh, was a tutor to led us to Christ who's Blood cleanses the conscience from dead works " sin; meaning the author of it " by His Spirit of Grace & Truth in the inward parts.
The OT gospel of the letter commanded, but could not empower, thus the history of Israel never continuing steadfast & faithful to the end. Which is a repeated exhortation in Hebrews to us & them as our example of what not to do.
Yet, God in Hebrews 11 gives us Light of the true & living faith, that comes by hearing & hearing by the Word of God, Himself. We must put a separation from a faith that comes from the letter & the living faith that comes from the Spirit, letter kills, Spirit brings us into the very Life of God, becoming partakers of the Divine Nature & delivers us from the corruption of our fleshly birth.
With the NT gospel of Grace, inwardly, God promise Holy Spirit provides the power for the new birth John 3:6 its blessing are inward, heavenly, spiritual, in truth "Christ" the Substance of all things. Who in the fullest of time was made a life quickening Spirit, for our sake
Concerning the rest of Chapter 4 its has to do with obedience to the gospel under the 2 covenants, it they would have obey, their was a certain measure of rest that OT gospel provided, otherwise, they could not have been condemned for not entering into it & the same goes for us, the question is, who will truly enter?
Our rest is in Christ, the Substance, who provides all for us, in causing us to will & do of His good pleasure by the promise
Holy Spirit, to those that believe, believing & obeying are synonym, we enter into His works that were finished from the foundation of the world Ephesians 2:10 provided we obey Him, thus He becomes the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey Him.
NT the birth.
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Mark 4:33,34 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
Psalms 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
Chris,
The efficacy of Christ's payment for the sins of ALL whom He has saved or ever will save extends throughout the history of the world beginning from creation.
The Ceremonial Laws which Old Testament Israel were commanded to observe were "historical parables" designed to teach them, and us, about the nature of Salvation, the forgiveness of sins. Observance of these Ceremonial Laws did not save anyone. And apart from Salvation, there is no forgiveness of sins.
Old Testament Israel did not have the whole Bible as we do today; so there understanding of the Nature of Salvation would not have been nearly as complete as ours should be today. Although Jesus was critical of Nicodemus for not understanding that we must be "Born Again".
But God does not require an extensive knowledge of the Word of God to save because Salvation is 100% the Work of God Alone, i.e. Grace Alone. The Salvation of the 120,000 Ninevites who humbled themselves and repented of their wickedness at the preaching of Jonah is a beautiful example.
So once again, there is ONE AND ONLY ONE Salvation for anyone whom God saves throughout the history of the world. And that Salvation is by God's Grace Alone, apart from any obedience to the Law of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Colossians 2:4 "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words."
1 John 2:1 "My little children these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sins we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"
Ephesians 2:3 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ."
Exodus 25:13
Hebrews 9:5 "And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly."
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
1 Peter 2:25 "For ye were as sheep gone astray; but now are returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."
Isaiah 42:1 "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring judgement to the Gentiles."
John 8:28- 29 "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak those things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always these things that please him."
1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting."
Romans 9:5 "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen."
Psalms 45:7 "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
John 17:1 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom thou has given me, that they may be one, as we are."
P4 follows
Part 4.
EL-OLAM [el-oh-lahm]: "Everlasting God" ( Psalm 90:1-3) - God's nature is without beginning or end, free from all constraints of time, and He contains within Himself the very cause of time itself. "From everlasting to everlasting, You are God" ( Psalm 90:2).
EL-GIBHOR [el-ghee-bohr]: "Mighty God" ( Isaiah 9:6) - the name describing the Messiah, Christ Jesus, in this prophetic portion of Isaiah. As a powerful and mighty warrior, the Messiah, the Mighty God, will accomplish the destruction of God's enemies and rule with a rod of iron ( Revelation 19:15).
Those are just perhaps a few of the names of GOD.
Here's another article that might help.
Who is God? - The Fact
The fact of God's existence is so conspicuous, both through creation and through man's conscience, that the Bible calls the atheist a "fool" ( Psalm 14:1). Accordingly, the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence from the very beginning ( Genesis 1:1). What the Bible does is reveal the nature, character, and work of God.
Who is God? - The Definition
Thinking correctly about God is of utmost importance because a false idea about God is idolatry. In Psalm 50:21, God reproves the wicked man with this accusation: "You thought I was altogether like you." To start with, a good summary definition of God is "the Supreme Being; the Creator and Ruler of all that is; the Self-existent One who is perfect in power, goodness, and wisdom."
Who is God? - His Character
Here are some of God's characteristics as revealed in the Bible: God is just ( Acts 17:31), loving ( Ephesians 2:4-5), truthful ( John 14:6), and holy ( 1 John 1:5). God shows compassion ( 2 Corinthians 1:3), mercy ( Romans 9:15), and grace ( Romans 5:17). God judges sin ( Psalm 5:5) but also offers forgiveness ( Psalm 130:4).
See Part 5.
I used to know a GiGi in fort Polk Louisiana & Vincent! Back in 1982
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Thanks again for your blessing
AMEN