Galatians
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Galatians 2:20 I AM CRUCIFIED with Christ .......
I BELIEVE God's word, I'm DEAD.
..... nevertheless I LIVE ...... yet NOT I, BUT CHRIST .......
Psalms 1:2 ... his delight is the LAW of the Lord .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW of the SPIRIT OF LIFE in Christ ......
John 14:6 .... I am the LIFE ......
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE body ...... ONE Spirit .....
1 Corinthians 15:38 ... to every SEED ..... his (Christ's) own BODY .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 NOW ye are the BODY of Christ .....
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ in you ....
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
I'm DEAD, dead men CANNOT sin.
God Bless YOU!
What is ONE SAVED FROM?
DEATH
If you don't believe; you will DIE in your SIN (unbelief), ALL other sins are COVERED by the BLOOD of Christ.
You cannot; add or take away, from the WORKS of the CROSS of Christ.
Did his CROSS save mankind; from DEATH, or was the WORKS of the CROSS useless?
Philippians 3:18 For MANY (christians) walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are ENEMIES of the CROSS of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:20 I am CRUCIFIED with Christ, yet I LIVE, yet NOT I, but CHRIST ......
ONLY the BODY of Christ was RESURRECTED.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Ye are the BODY of Christ ..... you're just a BODY, nothing else.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit in YOU (my BODY) and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and KEEP my judgements and DO THEM.
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE BODY ....
Most don't BELIEVE the WORKS of the CROSS of Christ.
God Bless YOU!
Once again; the verse "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom" is a necessary verse to quote and is found in Proverbs as well as at least a couple places in Psalms. Assuming that there is a genuine conversion needs to be in word and deed. Confessing with our mouth must be accompanied by believing in our heart ( Romans 10:9-10). Believing in our heart must involve; of course a heart change as Ezekiel 36:26 indicates. Evidence of that is an understanding that as sinners we are coming from being ENEMIES of God (i.e. the enmity is in both directions) as Romans 5:10 indicates. True faith understands the painful sacrifice of Christ to pay the redemption through the atonement which only His blood could do in our behalf. Obedience accompanies true love for God as John 14:15 indicates. RECOGNITION that we are crucified with Christ ( Galatians 2:20) means that our new nature is now having new affections and the old one is something which we no longer find our "default" mode. We are beyond wanting to avoid sin because of the consequences but because we recognize that we are offending a Holy God who dwells in us ( 2 Cor. 5:1; and apparently the meaning implicit in John 1:14 where He dwells in us. True salvation never brings contentment with sin; we may fall away but as Proverbs says in chapter 24; verse 16 he rises again; but it is not so for the wicked. We are saved by grace but always have potential to sin and a true believer will be as Paul was cognizant and wary of anything that will get in the way until the end of this earthly existance ( Philippians 3:12-14). This is like 1 Corinthians 9:24 in striving to gain the prize.
Another related situation is that a true believer recognizes that rewards can be attained or lost according to Revelation 3:11. Realizing that we can enter heaven but as through the fire suffering loss ( 1 Cor. 3:15) shows salvation is the beginning of the journey of a truly saved person
The first thing they refer you to is the 10 commandments and their argument sounds just like those who present the keeping of the law as a means of salvation.
So, they should have a clear understanding of what the law was for and what it did "by the scriptures" through a study in Romans, Galatians, and Corinthians.
Romans 7:8-14.
Galatians 2:16-21.
Galatians 3:1-29.
2 Corinthians 3:5-11. and then perhaps scriptures like Philippians 3:2-14.
These verses convict the sinner and put all under sin. That's what the law was for!
Our outward ceremonies and obedience at our best couldn't make us perfect! There is no new birth!
God requires perfection that is why he required a perfect replacement, Lamb. Christ Jesus.
SANCTIFICATION FOLLWS THIS.
Consider Israel.
God displayed the fallen nature of man and their inability to perform even while God was in their midst and carried them. This was and still is an example to us.
We are lost hopeless sheep gone astray apart from Jesus's blood shed on the cross.
Understand Matthew 21:42.
Jesus is the chief cornerstone, the pivotal piece of the foundation in which we are to build on.
When we are led by the Spirit we're building with precious stone. When we are led by the flesh, we build with wood hay and stubble. every man's work shall be tested by fire.
WHEN ISRAEL AS A NATION IS DRIVEN TO CALL ON THEIR MESSIAH THOSE WHO ACCEPT HIM AT THAT TIME WILL BE SAVED ALSO. AND GOD WILL BE SANCTIFIED IN THEM.
God bless
You're changing the narrative to strengthen your point.
You said,
Just because you strive for righteousness and strive to walk in Jesus's example does not mean you're trying to earn heaven.
We agree on striving for righteousness and strive to walk in Jesus's example! When did you get that?
You also said, "You think the 10 commandments apply- obviously the argument that since Jesus it's ok to do "whatever" is a weak argument"
I've never heard anyone say that on this site, in fact for years we've made it very very clear that the commandments was Holy and they were to show man he is a sinner.
The emphasis has always been on man and his inability to keep the commandments and man's fallen sinful nature.
Is man sinful? Yes!
Has all sinned? Yes!
Romans 3:10
1 John 1:8-10.
Can the commandments make him right with God? No! Galatians 2:21.
It has never been anything close to an argument whether killing, stealing, adultery, ect was a sin or not on this site, and you know that.
There's plenty sins we make that is not listed in the 10 commandments, We sin in our mind and heart, Lack of patience and trust in God is a sin.
You can sin doing the right thing because you didn't want to. Our rebellious nature is sinful.
The Power of Christ resurrection didn't just atone for your sins, it also quickened you to live a live a productive life in Christ, pleasing to God. Romans 8:9-13.
And even with this power and energy from the Holyspirit you can't come from underneath the blood of Christ.
Scripture teaches if a man continues in sin he's not saved. You call that a straw man's argument. But I'm sure you will admit that all have sinned.
You've said no one knows whether they are saved or not until the judgment, But if we're saved by keeping the law it should be clear to you that we're all condemned considering the strictness of the law, then how do God judge his people? He'd have to compromise if Galatians 2:16 isn't true.
God bless.
What does taking up your cross and following Jesus imply.
DEATH, you have to DIE; yet, you are alive; this is the first death, dying to TRUTH, then the judgement: 1 Peter 4:17 The time is (NOW) come, that JUDGEMENT must begin at the HOUSE OF GOD (your the house of God, judged by the words of God).
Galatians 2:20 I am CRUCIFIED (you died on the cross) with Christ; yet I LIVE, yet NOT I, but CHRIST LIVETH in me (YOU are the body of Christ).
ONLY the BODY of Christ arose from the grave, the NEW CREATION, you are the BODY of Christ, you; flesh and blood, now longer exist, you DIED on the cross, only Christ RESURRECTED exist.
1 Timothy 6:16 Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the LIGHT ......
! Corinthians 15:54 ...this mortal shall put on IMMORTALITY (Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY) .....
1 Corinthians 15:49 As you have borne the IMAGE of the EARTHLY, you shall bear the IMAGE of the heavenly .....
Romans 8:29 ... being predestinated to be conformed TO THE IMAGE of CHRIST ....
John 17:22 And the glory that thou gavest me, I HAVE GIVEN THEM, that they may be ONE, EVEN AS WE ARE ONE.
God Bless You!
You should understand that as Peter is leading in the first part of the book of Acts, at the persecution when the apostles left town in Acts Chapter 7, James (the Lord's half-brother), took over as the head of the church in Jerusalem. So, they actually had a council there that was the head of all ministry in Jerusalem. It wasn't Peter.
Then in Acts Chapter 15, here's where Peter comes, and Paul comes, and the council in Jerusalem gets together and they want to discuss the issue of salvation for the Gentiles. So, Peter is standing in front of the leaders in Jerusalem in Acts Chapter 15 giving testimony concerning the salvation of the Gentiles. After Acts Chapter 15, Peter disappears from the historical records until he writes his letters.
Galatians 2:7 states that Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, and Peter was the apostle to the Jews. After a few years, the leader of the church in Jerusalem was James while Paul and Peter traveled.
So, Peter was not there in charge. He was a missionary and traveling, and that's when he came back and reported to the council what he found about the Gentiles being born of the Spirit of God.
Paul died in Rome around 64 A.D. Peter died in Rome around 66-67 A.D.
III. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN:
According to Verse 1, Peter wrote his letters to the DIASPORA, which is the designation for the Jews who had been displaced from Jerusalem. Starting in Acts Chapter 7, there was persecution against the believing Jews. And they all left the city of Jerusalem because of the persecution.
All of these Jews who left because of that reason were called the DIASPORA, which literally means the spreading over, or spreading out. It's a word used for a farmer planting seed as he goes through his field.
Remember, this word is also found in James. James ministered to the 12 tribes of the DIASPORA. Peter also writes to the DIASPORA. As a matter of fact, all the Jewish literature is written to the DIASPORA.
We have documents and accounts of how if you were a believer, and if you happened to know who a Christian was, and you said I need a fellowship to go to, they would check you out first to make sure you were not a spy or some kind of government official.
But you would be interviewed at least two or three times to see if they want you in the fellowship. Are you going to be a problem? What are your motives? How sincere are you?
It's just the opposite of today where churches are trying to get in as many people as they can, almost not caring who they are. Just show up!
But back then they were very selective as to who they received into their fellowships to make sure that they're not going to have a problem, and to make sure your motives are in sincerity.
So, Paul left Titus there on the island of Crete, and Titus was known as a bulldog type of person, not like Timothy who was timid and needed to be reminded to have a little courage and to stand up for the truth of Christ. But Titus was the other way around. You didn't want to tangle with Titus. So, Paul left the right man in the right spot.
III. THE HISTORY OF TITUS:
His name is mentioned 13 times in the New Testament; 9 times in 2 Corinthians. He was a Gentile and was saved during Paul's first missionary journey ( Galatians 2:3).
Paul called Titus three things:
1) My genuine son in the faith ( Titus 1:4).
2) My brother ( II Corinthians 2:13)
3) My partner and fellow worker ( II Corinthians 8:23).
Titus traveled with Paul in all of his missionary journeys and was used by Paul to minister mostly in the city of Corinth. After Paul's first imprisonment, he traveled through the Island of Crete with Titus. Paul left Titus there while he went on to Macedonia.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Matthew 20:30-34 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
Matthew 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
This is a "historical parable". That is it is an accurate description of an actual historical event. But like all of the miracles that Jesus did, He is teaching us in this language something about the Gospel, the Nature of Salvation.
In this case we see that the two blind men came to Jesus pleading for Mercy that He would give them physical sight. And then, having received sight they FOLLOWED JESUS.
Just as we come to Christ demanding nothing but pleading with Him that He might give us Spiritual Sight, that He might Save us. And having received our Sight, that is Christ having Saved us, WE FOLLOW JESUS.
So our FOLLOWING JESUS and OBEDIENCE to Him is the RESULT of our Salvation, never the cause. The action is God's action altogether in saving us by His Grace Alone; not of our Works in any sense whatsoever, "that any man should boast".
Galatians 2:16-21
Hebrews 11
Hebrews 12:1,2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF FAITH; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Galatians 2:20 puts the focus on being crucified with Christ and the life now lived being that in the Spirit. Our identity should be understood as part of His Body; which is the physical representation of Christ on earth today; functioning together to act as "salt and light" until He comes ( Matt. 5:13-20). This idea of being saved to be part of a community is opposed to our "rugged individualism" mentality here in the West especially. Without this understanding we are putting all of our spiritual growth under the Pastor who is somehow supposed to be the only one who shapes and molds us into Christ's image. Thus; we only evangelize; do service projects; corporate prayers; missionary ventures; etal. under his directive; scheduling and tutelage. In such an approach we are placing an undue burden on someone called to have the role of an elder to play all the other roles such as accountability partner; and we are also liable to fall away should the leader of a church fall into error or sin himself.
Every church seems to have individuals that stand out for service (usually but not always a minority); and others that; for one reason or another make an appearance on Sundays (whether primarily to support family members; ritualistic purposes; etc.)
As adopted sons and daughters of the Kingdom we share a stronger bond than what we find in our own families. Some will not reach out in that capacity toward others. Psalm 27:10 reminds us that even if our mother and father forsake us; we have refuge in Christ. Perhaps more time fellowshipping with those in the foreign mission field whose families have shunned them for being a Christian would help many of us. Those churches involved with international college students in exchange programs; for instance have an advantage in such exposure as well as unique evangelistic opportunities.
I always say we may as well get along now; since we are going to spend eternity together.
Then the mysterious transaction of Spirit-given Faith: to believe, to receive, & then to rejoice that the Work of Salvation has been completed in us. Nothing at all of us - but all of God to bring sinners devoid of the knowledge & blessings of God, into the family of the olive tree's 'natural branches'; standing only by faith ( Romans 11:20).
And Galatians 2:16: this is Paul speaking of those 'justified by faith & not the works of the law'. This "faith of Jesus Christ" can only apply to those after Christ's death & not before, even as Peter was reprimanded for his hypocrisy in applying the ceremonial Law - applying the works of the Law to the faith of Christ. And you've stated that this is the 'Christ's Faith' ("His faithfulness in paying the full penalty for the sins of those he saves"). I think the Greek here is that it is the 'Faith from Christ', but I can't be sure; one of our Greek-speaking brothers will need to verify this as this is an important point in what you shared. In any case, only those after Jesus completed His Work on the Cross, can this Faith be seen and applied.
But I think we understand Romans 4 in regards to Abraham differently.
First let me say my understanding is that the translation from the Hebrew to English here could have been done somewhat better; but I do not feel qualified to get into that.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth{belief BECAUSE God has saved us}on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith{that is Christ's faith, Christ Himself} is counted for righteousness.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, even we have believed{belief BECAUSE God has saved us}in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the FAITH OF CHRIST, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
All True Believers throughout time are justified, i.e. saved by the faithfulness of Christ; NOT OUR FAITH. Our faith is a GIFT of God and is the RESULT of our Salvation and Justification; it is not the CAUSE nor the REASON.
And that was the case for Abraham and all Old Testament True Believers.
I am going to let the word of God answer the questions you ask.
You ask: Did the apostle Paul commit sin after he was saved.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN of GOD doeth not commit sin, for his (GOD'S) SEED remaineth in him: and he CANNOT sin because he is BORN of God.
You ask: in 100 years will I be alive in physical body? YES!
John 11:26 Whosoever liveth and believeth in me (the SEED) shall NEVER DIE, believest thou this?
Luke 20:36 Neither can they (the SEED) DIE ANYMORE (they died with Christ on the cross): for they are EQUAL unto the ANGELS (angles have Christ's resurrected body); and are the children (SONS, like Christ) of God, being the children (SEED) of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:38 But God giveth it (Christ's SEED) a body as it has pleased him, to every SEED his (Christ's) OWN BODY.
You ask: do I every commit sin. NO!
Galatians 2:20 .....I am DEAD, nonetheless I LIVE, YET NOT I, but Christ LIVETH IN ME .... ALL creation DIED on the cross ....ONLY ONE SEED (Christ) arose ....
You ask: What does it mean to be born again.
To believe the WORD's Of GOD.
You can not be BORN again until you BELIEVE YOUR DEAD, only Christ is alive.
You ask: Where is Paul living and in what form:
Luke 20:36 ...EQUAL to the angles .... the IMAGE of CHRIST ...... Christ is the ANGEL of GOD ......
Isaiah 63:8 .... and the ANGEL of his (God's) presence SAVED them ..... Paul is living IN and BY the presence of Christ, in the body of Christ ...
Colossians 1:27 ..... this mystery ..... Christ in you .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 ... ye are the BODY of Christ ....
God bless YOU!
I don't think you totally understand the Kingdom of God.
You don't exist; you DIED on the cross, Christ ONLY arose.
Galatians 2:20 I am (was) CRUCIFIED with Christ, nevertheless I LIVE, YET NO I, but CHRIST IN ME ..... the NEW CREATION .....
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the DEATH of his saints (SEED).
Abraham was PROMISED a SEED, only ONE SEED, the promised SEED ---- CHRIST ----
CHRIST, the promised SEED AROSE, all creation were joint heirs of that resurrection, making them the SEED of Christ.
There is ONLY ONE SEED
Isaiah 59:21 .... this is my covenant with them (Christ's SEED) , My Spirit that is upon thee (Christ), and the words that are in thy (Christ's) mouth, shall not depart out of thy (Christ's) mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy (Christ's) SEED, nor out of the mouth of thy (Christ's) SEED'S SEED, from henceforth and forever
I will give you some of the scriptures that says we died on the cross with Christ and were raised with Christ, the first resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:14 .... that if ONE died for ALL,then were all DEAD.
Colossians 3:3 For ye are DEAD, and your life is hid with Christ IN God.
Romans 6:6 ....our old man is CRUCIFIED with him .......
Galatians 2:20 I am CRUCIFIED with Christ: nevertheless I live, YET NOT I, but Christ liveth in ME .....
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised US UP TOGETHER ......
Isaiah 26:9 Thy DEAD men shall arise, TOGETHER with my dead body shall they ARISE ....
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the FIRST RESURRECTION .....
God bless you
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith OF the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith OF Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified BY Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith OF the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 2:1-4 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Do you believe what THE WORD says.
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all shall be made alive.
Has this not already happen, at the cross and resurrection?
Galatians 2:20 I am Crucified with Christ ...
Are not these words for ALL men, do you believe you were crucified with Christ 2000 years ago, not yet born, but reaping the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 For BY GRACE are you SAVED (given immortal LIFE) ......
This happened 2000 years ago, do you believe you were given this gift of God before you ever knew to do right or wrong?
Romans 9:11 For the children (the new creation, Christ in you) being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to the election (of Grace) might stand not of works, but of him (the Holy Ghost) that CALLETH.
Is it not God that is doing ALL THINGS according to his good pleasure.
Are not ALL men a POT and God the POTTER?
Is not God going to DESTROY ALL marred POTS and remake them into vessels of HONOUR.
All this was done at the cross and RESURRECTION.
God will CAUSE his creation to come to TRUTH at his good pleasure.
It's all THE WORKS of God, man has no say in what God see fit to do, we just know what the END will be.
1 Corinthians 15:28 ..... GOD will be ALL in ALL.
God bless you.
I would respectfully ask you again.
What is man's condition before we have become saved?
What does it mean to become saved, i.e. to become Born Again?
How do you understand, for example, Galatians 2:16-21 and similar passages in Romans?
How do TRUE BELIEVERS become apostate and come under the wrath of God if Christ has paid the full penalty demanded by the Law of God for their sins? Is that not double jeopardy?
If we hold a gospel that is CONDITIONAL upon something we do or do not do, is that not a gospel of grace plus works. In other words are you not saying "Christ has done His part and now its up to us"?
Are these not questions that you must face if you hold a gospel where we can lose our salvation.
And yes, the ETERNAL CHURCH spoken of in the Bible is made up of ALL TRUE BELIEVERS throughout history. And that church cannot become apostate. But every local church and congregation, just like National Israel of the Old Testament, has NOT been made up of ALL true believers and that is the church that becomes apostate, as had National Israel by the time of the Cross.
Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Ezekiel 36:24-29
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Jude 1:24, 25
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
The true gospel of the Bible is a gospel where God does 100% of the work in saving us and our works cannot and do not contribute to our salvation in any way whatsoever.
If we have become saved it is because God has chosen us, paid for our sins, drawn us, and saved us. And He will therefore KEEP us.
If we are following a gospel where we can lose our salvation, we are not following the gospel of the Bible.
We may not come to full understanding in terms of our individual lives; but God is faithful in all His promises which are most often expressed in covenants in the Bible. Again; it is in the context of corporate worship; being part of the armies of God; His Body etal. where our identity should be saught and expressed. My favorite saying on this is that we are going to be together for all eternity; so we should start getting along with one another now.
With our Resurrection; of course comes full restoration. We know that heaven itself has streets of gold and is adorned with all sorts of unimaginable gems on the doors and walls. We see in Isaiah how the animal kingdom is going to be restored ( Isaiah 11:6-9); how natural lives will be restored to where they were before the flood; and how we will literally rule over cities ( Luke 19:17 and surrounding verses). The fullness of the earth and harvest; as well as great material wealth also will occur starting in the Millennium. So in all these things his promises are "yea and amen" ( 2 Cor. 1:20). Those who were widows; orphans; martyrs and otherwise suffering in this life will come to a better country in the future ( Heb. 11:16).
There are also promises in terms of the fate of the wicked. Realizing what we have come from helps us now in our fallen state to humbly adore and worship God in a manner fitting for His saints. We must realize that we cannot return to Eden; in our natural state. We are crucified with Christ; therefore and part of a new and better life as Galatians 2:20 states. We are now in enemy territory; and nothing on our part can change that if we are indeed living a Godly life in Christ Jesus. We are aliens passing through; and the charms of this world should no longer bring comfort to our minds and tempt us to make a bargain in any way with the prince of this world to have a comfortable life. May we trust God in all things according to His will. ( Psalm 37:4
April 28, 2023
May my tongue extol and magnify YOU, because YOU so richly deserve the praise we should give unto YOU. "May the words of my mouth be acceptable unto YOU."
Thank YOU LORD for answered prayers and the peace and comfort that follows as we learn to abide in YOU according to Scripture. Isaiah 26: 3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Praise the LORD for all on this forum and for the promises YOU give to us. May we all endeavor to trust, believe, and walk for "...in the joy of the LORD is my strength.."
April 9, 2023 Galatians 2:20; Matthew 28:18-20;
Acts 4:10-12
What is it?
When is it?
Matthew 24:21 For then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION such as was not since the beginning of the world to THIS TIME (of the great tribulation), no, nor shall ever be (but this one time).
Matthew 24:22 And except those days (of the great tribulation) BE SHORTENED; there should no flesh be SAVED; but for the elects sake those days (of the great tribulation) SHALL BE SHORTENED.
According to God's word NO FLESH can BE SAVED until after the GREAT TRIBULATION.
Are you saved NOW?
Yes, you were saved by the RESURRECTION.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ ....
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, our old man is crucified with him .....
Romans 6:5 ...we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.....
Colossians 3:1 If ye be then risen with Christ .......
Luke 20:36 ...being the children of the resurrection .....
The wrath of God; that GREAT TRIBULATION, was poured out on Christ, the Great tribulation was SHORTENED to 3 days, for the elects sake.
God bless you.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ .....
We were all crucified with Christ.
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together (with Christ) .....
We were all raised up with Christ.
Isaiah 28:19 ....together with my dead body shall they arise ...
God bless YOU!
1 Timothy 6:16 Who ONLY hath IMMORTALITY ....
It was a finished WORK 2000 years ago; now, nothing has to be ADDED and certainly nothing can be TAKEN AWAY. This is the Gospel.
You died with Christ, and you were raise a NEW CREATION, it's HIS LIFE IN YOU.
You believe, because God CAUSES you to believe. He's the LIFE in you.
Philippians 1:29 It is GIVEN to you in the behalf of Christ to believe in him ...
You have faith, because Christ is the LIFE in you.
Galatians 2:16 .... the FAITH OF Jesus Christ ....
You have WORKS, because it's HIS LIFE in you.
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD that WORKETH in you both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
God Bless YOU!
I'm sorry if my response did not answer your question. Please allow a second shot at it.
You asked two questions. First question was if 1 Corinthians 1:18 means that we wear gold crosses around our necks?
My answer to that would be no.
Your second question: does 1 Corinthians 1:18 mean that we go to the tattoo parlor and ask for a cross to be etched/cut into our skin.
My answer to that would also be no. I gave you my understanding of what that verse means.
Again, your question is "Are we supposed to wear crosses on our necks?"
I do not know of any scripture that forbids it. There is scripture that speaks against idols and worship of idols. I suppose if a person does not worship or idolize a piece of jewelry or any other material possessions, that person would be okay.
Also, Luke 14:27 does not address your question. "Whosoever does not bear his cross" doesn't mean whosoever does not wear a cross around his neck.
What does it mean to bear ones cross?
Here in our culture, basically people understand it to mean whatever hardships I have to go through today, I'm just bearing my cross for Jesus. Except that whether you are a Christian or not, you are going to go through difficulties. It is not what it means.
When Jesus died on the cross, He died my death.In reference, you can read Romans 6:1-14, and Galatians 2:20.
What does it mean to take up your cross?
You see, when I received the life of Jesus Christ, I also received His death. That's why Paul can say in Philippians, "Oh that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings."
Power to live and power to suffer go hand in hand. But they are not my sufferings. They are the sufferings of Christ. But when He died on the cross, He died my death. He died in my place therefore I have died. But my biggest struggle in life is that every day, my flesh is trying to get down off that cross.
I think you, yourself have to determine how & if you fast. By your faith.
Isaiah 58, Galatians 2:6, Hebrews 11:6, James 1:5-7,
The problem, you've stated you have is considered 'high blood sugar' usually less sugar intake is better for your body. Less food would be less sugar, but that means don't take the same insulin amounts. You should talk about it with the people you're trusting that diagnosed you & prescribed medicine to you, if you're taking insulin.
I guess the first act of faith in fasting for you could be, eating healthy. Cut out unnecessary sugars.
Several fellowships do a 15 day no desserts. Some turn off TV, radio etc to take time to listen to GOD. Usually all fasts reading the Bible & praying more. Turning from sin, like things that displease GOD. Like abusing someone's own body: 1Corinthians 6:9-10,11, Romans 14:22,23, Philippians 3:9,
Hebrews 11,
Interestingly the Bible mentions taking off Kingly garments & putting on sackcloth with fasting: 1Kings 21:27, Daniel 9:3, Isaiah 37:1, Jonah 3:5-10,
(this is the chapter Daniel 9, that the fellowship, takes the 'no dessert' fast from.)
Matthew 6, praying & asking Luke 11:1-13,
Then extreme fasts, for extreme situations: Books of Esther, Matthew 17:14-21,
Hopefully these are helpful