James
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Greetings and love from our God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
"Let you heart be not troubled" we can all stumble in our walk, this is what fellowship is actually for, so that we can Keep each other in the faith. I may not quite have ears to hear yet but I do see a lot. I have always been a quiet, meek yet observant and inquisitive individual. But I am humble enough to admit that I am nothing but dust without God. I have had a very troubled past which God has saved me from and I think sometimes that people often forget about the spiritual war we are in. We are taught "it's not of works" which can be very deceiving itself because people tend to fall back in to the temptations we are told to avoid. I agree and accept the finished works of Christ but that doesn't mean I can sit back, put my feet up and drink my coffee. Quite the contrary I am now in debt to Christ and want to work daily "strive to enter" "pick up my cross daily" to show my Faith and constantly "examine thyself. ( James 2:18) "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." It's the one true Jesus I seek not the many impostors that have entered the world. I have tried to share my testimony on here too but I am struggling to shorten it to fit the characters required as I have had many different experiences that have all contributed to who I am today and how I came to Jesus for salvation. It really does show the extent that Jesus will go to just to find his lost sheep.
May the grace God guide you always and peace be with you in Jesus name.
1 Samuel 30:8
And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
James 2:5
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Matthew 11:5
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Be the voice, Be Christlike, and keeping on Striving. God Bless You all.
The apostle James pretty much sums it up below. TRUE LIFE SAVING FAITH is not barren it produces fruit. Not because we want Jesus to love us more, but because we love HIM. Faith without works is dead! Dead faith! Remember the parable of the talents? Some "Christians" are going to have a rude awakening when the Messiah returns.
James 2:15-20 (KJV) 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
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?"
Greetings in Christ JESUS
See. Dan, like the SDA sect, interprets it literally differently from you. Actually, they interpret that just like the Pharisees, and Scribes, and Priests, our Lord JESUS also kept the Law of the 10 commandments that GOD gave to Moses and his body-the people of Israel- to keep them.
Paul the Apostle, a former Pharisee extremist, knew very well to distinguish the difference between what GOD gave to Moses and to JESUS, what was given to Moses was the dead letter of the Law, and Israel was as always a simply sinful nation, but what was given to JESUS is the Spirit of the Law, the only one capable of giving life to the disciples of Him, JESUS really FULFILLED the Law. GOD is Spirit.
By the way, the body without the Spirit is dead ( James 2:26), the dead do not praise the Lord ( Psalm 119:17), so the keepers (Jews or Gentiles) of the dead letter of the Law of Moses that lasted until John the Baptist as JESUS warned, they all are dead, and they do not praise the Lord at all, they do not believe in the revelation and determination of JESUS that the dead letter of the Law given to Moses lasted only and only until John the Baptist. period
The heavens(the 1st and 2nd heavens, i.e. the Dispensations of the Old and New Testaments(the 3rd heaven shall be still established- Luke 20:35-36, among other biblical references) and the earth(the current rebel Israel), which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against this Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Romans 2:12&14
12 For as many as have sinned without Law(the Gentiles) shall also PERISH without Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law(the Jews) shall be JUDGED by the Law;
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the Law, do by nature the things contained in the Law, these, having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves:
13 (For not the hearers of the Law are just before GOD, but the doers of the Law shall be justified.
Get ready
Israel of old in a way represents the natural man at his best.
They were a nation separated from a pagan Idolizing world and instructed by God with God in their midst.
They displays the nature of man who's joined to a living soul. (Adam).
(This is an example where religion does not save.)
Sin is not only what you do that condemns you. It's also who you are that condemns you. "A sinner!
Education about right on wrong can't save you, it can only convict you,
However, this lesson and conviction is necessary for the preparation of the Gospel. That's was their purpose.
There is only one that can save you and that's the last Adam. he is a quickening spirit. (Life giving Spirit.) Christ.
There has to be a transition from the first Adam to the last Adam and that is seen in baptism of the Holyspirit. Romans 6:3-4.
Look at the order of events here in Romans 6:22-23.
1st) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God,
2nd) ye have your fruit unto holiness,
3rd) and the end everlasting life.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ( The Gift is eternal life by that life giving Spirit. Jesus)
Romans 8:11. speaks on the quickening spirit that raised Jesus from the dead quickening our mortal bodies to bare fruit unto life.
Romans 8:12-16 sums this all up.
"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" This is the gift of eternal life shown in sanctification.
This is also what James is saying in James 2:17-18.
God bless.
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. ( John 9:41).
In the Old Testament we see the mad Prophet Balaam stopped by a donkey who God readily used to block his way and for a mouthpiece of rebuke. ( 2 Peter 2:16-18 as quoted in the N.T. from Numbers 22-24). We see also how the demons Jesus cast out knew who Jesus was ( Mark 3:11-12). This is somewhat understandable from the fact that the angels were there to see God in heaven and witness the creation of the earth ( Job 38:7).
We are warned in James 2:19 about not just saying that we believe in God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; this is quoted many times in scripture. The conscience of men can be seared after some time; hearts hardened ( 1 Tim. 4:2; Exodus 7:3 and subsequent verses with Pharaoh). A believer has a healthy awe based on God's Holiness; and without holiness no man can see God ( Heb. 12:14).
Only man could see the miracles of Christ and still remain in unbelief. That would not just be related to the physical miracles when on earth; but also the miracle of salvation which often was accompanied by deliverance in scripture but which we see today. Mercifully God forgives any sin against the Father or Son is forgivable ( Matt. 12:32); but against the Holy Spirit is not.
The Spirit demonstrates His Holiness amongst the ministry of John 16:8 warning the world of sin; righteousness and judgment to come. The opposite of a broken and contrite heart is pride and self righteousness (only the sick need a physician Matt. 9:12).
Therefore such Pharisitical people also make their own twisted judgments on right and wrong and condemn others based on that mindset.
May we read scripture for its true meaning not through any man centered agenda; respecting ALL of it as God's Word ( 2 Tim. 3:16). May we have a heart to always glean new truths from God; seeking His face daily ( Psalm 1:2
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!
There is no earn salvation, in being obedient to God commands.
Obedient does show our love for Him, according to Scrip
Believing, loving & obedience go hand in hand, it's the proof of having one of the other, aligns us with the whole of Scripture to all those who walk in the faith of Abraham James 2:18-24
Titus 3:5
States to those who believe, there are works of righteousness to be done, that all may see & glorify our Father who is in heaven. Matt 5:16
Yet, it's not by these works that we are being saved, but by His Mercy, Who causes us by His Spirit influence upon our hearts to will & do of His good pleasure & His good pleasure is to love Him, become obedient, which shows itself forth as these works of righteousness.
1Pet 1:22 Seeing ye have purify your souls in obeying the Truth, states obedient purifies us by 1Pet 1:23 by hearing & becoming obedient to the incorruptible Word of God that lives & abides forever is how we become born again.
This is the working out of our salvation with fear & trembling, the sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, stating the progressional work of "washing of regeneration & renewing in the Holy Spirit" bringing us unto obedience. & sprinkling of the Blood/Life of Jesus in our hearts that cleanses & purges out not only the sin, but the evil one from our heart, who influence us to sin.
Folks, the very essence of the Salvation is obedience, & one must learn obedience, eventually bringing us to become holy, blameless, unreproachable & acceptable in His Sight. Col 1:22
Hebrews 5:9 states there must be obedience to be born again, & Jesus becomes the Author of their eternal salvation
Again, it's only by His merciful loving kindness that we are empower to these works of righteousness, which conforms us into the Image of the Obedient One. Rom 8:29 Who always did those things that pleases the Father John 8:29 John 14:31
He's our Example, lets pick up the cross & follow Jesus, His Spirit Rom 8:2
in love & truth
NOW WE HAVE THE INTRODUCTION TO JAMES:
I. JAMES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT:
The Book of James is part of a collection of books in the New Testament that are called the Jewish Literature. The Jewish Literature begins with the Book of Hebrews and continues through to the end of the Book of Revelation.
II. THE THEME OF THE BOOK:
The theme of the book is found in James 2:20, "Faith without works is dead."
Let me just give you a small explanation of where I'm going with this. In the book of Hebrews, there is so much to study about faith. From a language standpoint, from a biblical standpoint, the word faith, PISTIS in Greek, means persuasion. It is a word that describes the influence and the ministry of God's Spirit over our lives. He's persuading us. He's ministering to us.
And so, when James says faith without works is dead, and you might pencil in there if you are a note taker that the word "works," when we see it in Chapter 2 means activity. Faith without activity is dead. He'll even say in Chapter 2, if you say you have the faith but there's no activity, can that faith save you?
And the answer is no. He even includes the answer in his question. He says no, it can't. That's just human faith. That's just an intellectual belief and agreement.
Since faith is a word that describes the presence and activity of God's Spirit in a person's life, faith without activity is a dead faith. With faith being the moving and ministering of God's Spirit, if God's Spirit isn't there and active in your life, you have a dead faith.
That's from a biblical perspective. That's not religious, and especially here in America, where faith is being promoted as coming from man, human beings, that we produce the faith, that we have to believe in order for God to bless us. Faith without works is dead.
Sins; therefore can be of commission or omission. There are many exhortations in scripture; one of he most frightening is that cowards are named among other grievous sins as a group who will not inherit the Kingdom of heaven ( Rev. 21:8). Therefore; we are without excuse if we always "go along to get along" and if we desire to live a cloistered existence and not let our light shine before men we are not living as the Lord desires. During persecution; of course it takes wisdom at times especially when there are other family members involved as to when to speak and when not to. The other side of this equation is a lack of patience; where we become so fearful of our needs being provided that we aren't taking things into prayer and trusting His guidance. Jesus Himself at times withdrew Himself from the crowds; He knew there was the appointed time to die and didn't let all the other attempts on His life distract Him.
In all these things then; it truly is faith that allows us to work in His strength. James 2:26 is interesting with the analogy of a body without the spirit (human spirit) present is dead. All of our talk is empty without action which is prompted and motivated by our love for God having us keep His commandments ( John 14:15).
Also; it seems apparent that we should; more than ever keep the admonition in Hebrews 10:25. As a Body; a cord of two or three isn't easily broken ( Ecclesiastes 4:12). Helping a brother or sister in Christ really is helping ourselves as Christ lives in all the saints. The concept of being the hands and feet of God gives a tangible representation of heaven; which is more than an amorphous light or mist.
I can't tell you how Dan would answer that question,
but here's mine
It's not a work of our self-efforts in our own strengths or our own understanding, it following the Light of Christ in our hearts, the still small Voice of Conscience that convicts us of our wrong doings & directs us to do what is just, good & holy, Titus 2:11
Micah 6:8 , its the Treasure we have in these earthen vessels, enlightening us in the power of Holy Spirit, picking up the Cross & denying self, & causing us to will & do of His good pleasure, which works were finishes from the foundation of the world, Hebrews 4:3 Acts 15:18 We enter into His works, coming to a place of rest from our own works
Then there some that are persuaded they don't have to do anything, but believe, without becoming a doer of the Word, thats more like being a demon, for they believes, but they do not obey.
Consider all that Scriptures, beginning with Abraham, Gen 18:19 by his obedience Abraham proved his faith & his love for God
John 15:10 he abided in God's love & received all that God had promise him, through his obedience to God's commands.
Today's Christianity says you can be a Christian without keeping His commandments, God loves you & His grace got you covered. This is a changing of the definition of Grace, which is defined in Scripture as Titus 2:12 Grace is the power of God to reveal our sins & to takes us out of them, not to encourage or pamper us in our sins.
Friends, God salvation is a free gift, but faith without works is dead. James 2:17-26 this is clearly seen & understood in the whole of Scriptures. Jesus Himself learn obedience by the things that He suffer, & became perfect, perfected our salvation, all for our sakes, that we may follow Him. John 14:31
in love & truth
Romans 3:10,11 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
These verses apply to ALL MANKIND. whether they lived in Old Testament or New Testament times. And for God to forgive any sin of any kind at any time is for that sin to have been paid for. And all of the sacrifices of the Old Testament could never pay the penalty demanded by the Law of God for any sin of any kind at any time.
Forgiveness of sin has everything to do with Salvation itself. Any Old Testament Believer was "saved" just like any New Testament Believer. That is, Christ must have "paid for their sins" and that Salvation must have been applied to them by making them Born Again. And that is ALL the work of God Alone, Grace Alone.
John 3:3,4 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? John 3:9,10 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Nicodemus was an "Old Testament" Jew under the Ceremonial Laws.
So again, Salvation, the forgiveness of sin, any sin of any kind in any time can only be forgiven if we have become Born Again by God's Grace Alone.
The keeping of the Ceremonial Laws, the keeping of any Law of God could never "save" anyone or forgive any sin at any time in history. Abel's sacrifice did not forgive his sins, did not save him. Abel's sacrifice was acceptable to God because God had "saved" him. Cain's offering was not because Gid had not saved him.
1 Corinthians 14:26-28 is just saying if you are speaking in a tongue/another language you need an interpreter. Tongues were known languages. You see, tongues is used to say that they are speaking in a language they weren't taught. Proof of this is in Genesis 10:5 where the world was split because of the building of the tower of Babel, and God gave them each a different language or tongue.
Now the New Testament understanding of tongues is that you are filled with the spirit and in turn you can speak in tongues of other languages. That was completely reserved for the first century church and here is why:
1. It was clearly not a sign of salvation ( 1 Corinthians 14:22)
a. It was for the Jews ( 1 Corinthians 14:21) "This people" is God talking about Jews.
2. It was done away with ( 1 Corinthians 13:8-10)
a. "Tongues shall cease": the meaning of "that which is perfect" means the completion of scripture. So when Revelation was finished by the apostle John, tongues ceased.
3. Proof of salvation is by our works and not by signs ( James 2:14-19)
4. Tongues was never received after baptism, but after receiving the Holy Spirit ( Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6)
a. After receiving the Holy Ghost they would speak in tongues, it was not when they were baptized.
5. Tongues are not necessary ( 1 Corinthians 14:19)
As clearly seen, tongues were merely a sign for the Jews that was used by Spirit filled Christians which was done away with after scripture was completed; not proof of salvation. Salvation is completely through Christ and Christ alone. Romans 5:8, 6:23, 10:9, 10:23, and John 14:6. You don't need tongues to tell you that you are saved, you need the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
If you would like more elaboration, just respond back to this with your questions.
Yet, as you wrote, "Our core values we know for sure but secondary issues we don't", which is what we need to emphasize & build up one another on, rather than on matters we know little or nothing about. Yet, it's always an interesting exercise to ponder even over such things. Blessings.
24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
Further insight. As Ephesians 1:6 states we are to be made acceptable in the beloved. As far as us "accepting" Christ; that is not Biblical as James 2:19 warns about God. Christ is more than Savior; He is Lord and Master; whether we acknowledge it or not there are only two alternatives ( Matthew 21:44). His Sheep hear His voice; the goats do not. ( John 10:27).
This "committing" of men it would seem would involve the Godhead living within someone and being sealed with the Spirit. It would involve chastising which Hebrews 12:8 in King James brings out pretty strongly in regard to those not in Christ who are "bastards."
Therefore Jesus had to do constant "weeding" out; and this would involve challenging statements; parables; and other means.
Jesus in Luke 16:15 warned that what was esteemed or honorable among men was an abomination to God. That is different than what Jesus Himself did when He was praised in Luke 2:52 for His growth in wisdom and stature in terms of how He "gained favor" at that time. That shows His humility in the 30 or so years; taking up the majority of His earthly life being submissive to His parents (unlike the Pharisees who found ways through their religious piety to disrespect parents for the sake of their own material gain).
Jesus loved His own so much that He made sure that He was the atoning sacrifice on the cross through His own volition; and death could not hold Him. (see John 10:18). It was a miracle in itself that He survived all the attempts on His life (including Gethsemene) through supernatural assistance so that He could make it to the cross to die at the set time and place. No one in scripture is said to be amazed at these acts
It sounds like you're assuming once someone becomes a Christian that he doesn't have much responsibility to obedience, that God does it all? If that is your belief what scriptures do you feel support that?
You speak of a new nature. Do you feel like this nature is instantly and fully given by God or that it something a Christian develops into maturity? Which do you think comes first- this nature you say God gives that forces the follower to obey regardless of his freewill, or that the follower genuinely decides to obey and then is blessed by God?
The Bible I'm reading says in many places we have responsibility, especially ongoing responsibility as Christ followers. Proof of this is Paul writing many of his books to churches who were already believers, warning them of backsliding and avoiding sin. If God 100% controls people's actions as followers instead of the followers, why then would Paul write so many warnings to Christians? And if God is 100% controlling of people, does that mean God is responsible for causing sin when a Christian inevitably sins as the Bible says we all do? These are things to consider on this topic.
I think Christians are 100% responsible for their own actions, whether obedience or not and that excuses are used to justify sin and disobedience, which is another clever satanic deception.
I agree with Adam, as we see in Genesis 2:7 that when God breathed into the nostrils of Adam the breath of life he became a living soul. When this spirit of life that is given by God leaves us, we are no longer a living soul. Ecclesiastes 12:7 the spirit goes back to God who gave it, that is for all people, saved or not saved.
We cannot live without the spirit, our breath as James 2:26 said without it our body is dead. When we stop breathing and that spirit goes back to God, we are no longer a living soul, as Jesus said on the cross, I commend my spirit, His breath then He died. Jesus did not go to heaven He went to the tomb/grave the same as we will. Jesus did not ascend to heaven until after He was resurrected, John 20:17.
My understanding is the confusion comes from Greek Philosophy, the meaning of death, Hades, and the immortality of the soul that merged into the Church with Augustine with the teaching on human nature and the afterlife to Greek philosophies.
Daniel 12:2 is the same as John 5:28-29 that we see in Revelation 20:11-15, the sheep and the goats, we see the last enemy cast into the lake of fire death, and hell/grave. My understanding of Scripture we are mortal, and our breath/spirit goes back to God and our soul no longer lives but is asleep in the grave until we are resurrected from the grave. This body is not what is resurrected it is our soul into our new body, and that is when we will be absent from this body, 1 Cor. 15:42-58.
Can I tell someone who thinks their loved one is in heaven their wrong? No, that would be hurtful. If they ask for my understanding, this is what Scripture says to me.
God bless,
RLW
See, I did not disagree of you, I only meant to remember the James 2:10's preaching.
Also Paul Apostle said: Galatians 4:22-25 and 29-30
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage(of the Enemy) with her children.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
What was the population of Israel in the time of the prophet Elijah? Million(s)? But GOD said: 18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him-1Kings.19:18
1Kings 20:15 - 15 Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered ALL THE PEOPLE, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand. (The others were of the rebel Israel idolater, in Revelation synagogue of Satan, and in John 8:44, sons of ...
Romans 3:10,12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:there is non that seeketh after God.
Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
1 Corinthians 1:27,28 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
I set this post aside as a side note for the thread debating the PURPOSE for the commandments and what seems to be requirements for salvation.
Not whether they were good to follow.
I also stated Israel was given the articles of God and no one keeps those laws better than them.
My point was they weren't broken off for not keeping them, They were broken off because they stumbled over that rock of offence and chief Cornerstone. Christ!
Oseas disagreed with my assertion of Israel but we agree on James 2:10.
I said amen to James 2:10, That was more to my point.
Most of the time obediance to the commandments comes up by some individuals it's about requirements for salvation not sanctification.
God bless.
" whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" James 2:10.
My point exactly.
When it comes to atonement for sin God requires perfection!
No one has ever done that keeping the Law.
That's why provided us a perfect Lamb.
God bless.
It's hard to believe that "1) Israel keeps the Law far better than any nation ever has!!". Will be? Maybe Sabbath day, for " whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all - James 2:10.
What is man SAVED from?
The wages of SIN is DEATH.
What is SIN?
Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Hebrews 10:16 And this is the covenant I will make with them, after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my LAWS in their hearts, and in their minds I will write them:
Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
So what is the SIN that results in death.
James 2:7 Do they not blaspheme thy Holy NAME by which ye are called?
Revelation 13:6 And he open his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme HIS NAME ....
John 16:8 And when HE (the Holy Ghost) is COME, he (the Holy Ghost) will reprove the world of SIN ....
So what is SIN that leads to death? ....blasphemy of the Holy Ghost by whose NAME ye are CALLED.
Acts 2:38 .....REPENT (of your beliefs) and be baptised in the NAME of Jesus ......
John 16:9 Of SIN because the BELIEVE not on me (the promised SEED of God), the ROD that CAUSES man to do the WILL of God.
Man does't BELIEVE that Christ came as SINFUL FLESH (you and I and all creation): and DIED on the cross.
Three days later Christ ONLY arose; and all creation were joint heirs with Christ's resurrection, all creation bears the NAME of Christ, because they were made ONE with Christ, blaspheming that name leads to DEATH.
The whole world is DEAD in sin (UNBELIEF).
God bless you
Lot's wife never demonstrated saving faith from what scripture would indicate; at the very least desiring more to turn back to see the fate of the city doomed for destruction rather than to escape. "Righteous Lot" ( 2 Peter 2:7-8) was vexed every day; and clearly quite compromised in his dealings when he offered his daughters to the men who were trying to break down his door to commit abominations. No mention of his wife is in the scriptures; as was with Sarah; for instance in Hebrews 11.
Today in church it was discussed how Abraham was said to be the only one who was a "friend" of God ( James 2:23). Exodus 33:11 states the same of Moses as well so technically my Pastor erred. My point here I may expound on later; namely the fact that God truly spoke in a different manner to them than many others in the Bible. The friendship; in other words went both ways. The discussion also came up today in Sunday school on how He is both Master and friend. This is a mystery in itself; and forces us beyond stereotypical cultural viewpoints toward such a relationship. As for now; I will just state that Lot had to be "shoved" out of his town literally; and the angels had to put up with his ridiculous bantering about going to the nearby little town; which was promptly abandoned once Lot saw what happened and hid in the mountains. Abraham and Moses both had slow starts and their own issues; but were able to have close fellowship with the Lord as we see from Genesis 18:17 with Abraham and Exodus 32:30 where Moses acted to intercede to prevent God from destroying all of Israel. That scene is another discussion as to its theological implications.
We all should strive to be as the saints in the "hall of fame" in Hebrews 11; not stubborn like Jonah as an ox. Nonetheless these all are true believers. We CANNOT claim God's promises with an imaginary Christ or on other terms than scripture dictates and expect it to be true.
Therefore Job is called righteous because God had saved him.
The Bible IS THE WORD OF GOD. There are no contradictions nor "lies" in the Bible because God is the author of the Bible.
I've been having serious doubts about my salvation. I'm afraid I just know intellectual facts. I know Jesus Christ is the only way into Heaven, and I know He's coming back soon. I know I'm a sinner that will perish and go to Hell if I don't trust the Lord as my Savior. I don't want to be left behind, please help me.
Faith is trusting Christ to do what He said He would do, and I don't want to have faith in my prayer or in my faith, I want to rest on Jesus alone.
What's the difference between my faith and the demons ( James 2:19) ?
I don't want these doubts anymore, I want full assurance of my salvation. How do I make sure I have received Christ?
Thank you
Another sad fact is that many are not serious about fulfilling the Great Commission. This lack of perseverance robs many of using spiritual gifts; which are illustrated in examples such as Acts 16:17. This reminds us of Acts 13:8-12 with another person who was seeking to attain Paul's miraculous powers by offering him money. This caused him to become blind much as Paul did for a season.
The first example really hits home because many so called Christians aren't even discerning enough to tell when obvious false Gospel messages are creeping in. This woman was telling the truth; and not just any way was proclaimed but she stated through the spirit in her that it was THE way. The error was the spirit was using her (probably because of her own desire for recognition or money) to draw attention to itself; we must remember that the demons know and shudder ( James 2:19). It seems Paul tolerated this behavior for a time; either he wanted to ignore the distraction or wasn't sure it was from the enemy.
Sadly; from my own experiences and having been granted some spiritual discernment the truth is never very popular. I try not to be jaded myself with so many false prophecies and revelations promulgated today lest there be a few that are genuine. It seems more than cooincidence that there are very few words of knowledge that are critical of actions; and if a rebuke is given it is often more of a show of pride than an honest assessment. Nonetheless; so much can be prevented if such responsibilities would be done quickly by elders as well as responsible laypersons before error is allowed to take root; or sins destroy the life of an individual or family. Jesus didn't mince words with Peter and other would be disciples; try that approach in todays seeker friendly church and see how long it is before you are escorted out the door. Truth be told we cannot love our brethren without exhortation and rebuke balancing encouragement
You said; It was by their works that He never knew them.
But if you examine Matthew 7:16-23 carefully you'll see that it was them trusting in their works and not his work is why he never knew them.
vv 16 states "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matthew 7:17-20 goes on to give you the contrast between the fruit and the thistles and what become of them.
There's dead works and there's fruit.
Thistles may be a sign of dead works.
Fruit is a work of God and performed by God that the believer bares by being connected to the vine. Philippians 1:6.
Philippians 2:13.
This is what James is saying in James 2:18 "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."
A person wilfully continuing in sin is not saved, so you can't lose what you don't have.
James 3:19 reads; "Thou believest THAT THERE IS ONE GOD; thou doest well: THE DEVILS ALSO BELIEVE, AND TREMBLE.
Believing there's a God doesn't save souls.
Also; Titus 1:16 reads; "THEY PROFESS THAT THEY KNOW GOD; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
A profession doesn't save souls either.
Look at those professors described in the previous verse.
vv 15. "Unto the pure all things are pure: (BUT UNTO THEM THAT ARE DEFILED AND UNBELIEVING) is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled."
If you can earn your salvation you can lose it.
If you can earn it you have no need of Christ, he came to loose the captives.
He didn't come to give instructions on how to live a saved life.( You can't. )
Salvation is him giving you life that produces fruit.
So shall we continue in sin? NO!
If you were baptized into Christ you are Identified with him and see sin the way he do.
This is what Romans chapters 6, 7, and 8 is all about.
God bless.
Faith without works is dead. Or... Titus 1:16 - They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
James 2:19
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
Or the ones that proclaim to be believers, but Jesus says He never knew them because they were workers of iniquity. They believed in Jesus, they just never repented.
So, the question should be what is Salvation before we discuss losing one's salvation. I think we confuse believing in Jesus to be saved. God's Word says even the devils believe...we know they aren't saved.
The once saved always saved doctrine, I think is dangerous, as we see many Churches today giving people license to live like the devil, and have the comfort of eternal salvation over their heads.
So, what is Salvation, what is born again? Can a person believe in Jesus and live in sin and still be saved? If a person must repent, is that not works? Remember, Jesus told those "Christians" He never knew them because they were workers of iniquity. It was by their works that He never knew them.