Discuss Romans 8 Page 15

Hi Cindy. I don't see any difference between the two terms; both are often used in the Bible, e.g. 1 Peter 1:3 and Romans 8:2. If we understand that the word, 'Christ', is not Jesus' surname, rather His Title as the Anointed One or Messiah of God, then whether we place it in front of His Name or after His Name, matters not at all.

I do agree , No man can pluck me out of God's Hand, You can't, Congress, Armies, Terrorists, non Christians. Nobody can take me out of God, but I can Walk Away. I can take myself out. I love those Bible Verses where it says ( And Jesus, called 12 and anointed them with Power to cast out devil's and to heal all sickness, and then in a side bar it says,,, ( Oh yeah,, every body but Judas Iscariot who by the way was never saved) Let me see,,,. What chapter is that! The book of ,,, uh,,, uh,, . Yeah ,, that's right it doesn't, and why? Glad you asked. Because Judas had the Same Thing, Matthew, Peter, John, etc,, had. He had the Goods, The Power of God Operating in His Life. He's not the The First good man, turned on God, because of The Love of Money. Anybody ever heard of the Doctrine of Baalam? How about King Joash in 2nd Kings chap. 12. The Priests, Ministry would misuse the money coming in. Its not a New Concept, it's as old as man. He coveted That Money. But hey Thank the Lord, Prosperity Preachers died out then,, Right,,, okay,, keep smiling.

The Bible says Jesus gave Judas that first sop. That represented a Guest, or to Honor, respect. Christ was reaching out to Him already. Are that sop and then what, Satan entered into Him. So the Question is how did Satan enter into a Place he already is. If you're at work, home, The Church and Bodily there. How is it possible for you to enter a Place you already are? In this Case, The Spirit of God Departed, left that Temple and then Satan entered in. We know Judas hung himself, and repented and left the money. But Paul says , there are 2 repentances, sorrows. Sorrow of the world, I hate where my life, circumstances are. And Godly Sorrow, Repentance, that says God just forgive me, save me, help me. Acts said Judas died and went to His own place,Hell. He was in , but He got out. He could have found a Alter like Peter did. This Eternal Salvation Doctrine is damning souls Daily

Mikey Out.

Biscoe House of Mercy

You could quote Scripture, and break them down for hrs. You could theologically determine Actions and Reactions. The Bible talks of Israel doing what, Paul said they Blasphemed The Holy One. All sin can be Forgiven, but that of Blasphemy against The Holy Ghost.

God will forgive me if I break all The Ten Commandments,,,10 times. Where sin did abound,, Grace did much more abound. It overwhelms sins, it leaves it defenseless. It swallows , consumes, defeats it

So if God will forgive me of every sin, I can think of save that of Blasphemy.

Then how can I explain what Blasphemy truly is?

Blasphemy is Rejecting God.

Mikey Out. Biscoe House of Mercy

Oh as i rejoice over this gray and cold day, in the rain. I can put some wood in the oven and get heat. I read all the anointed's thoughts and notes, and pray for u all. And can state that the heart is bubbling over with the Lord's comfort and His heart for reconciliation, for all of us. John 17.

Far away from other people's noise and unsaved thoughts, i can seek Jesus' peace among the wild animals in the forest. It's a special bird that i love to hear, he says: Where are you ,,, my dear? I'm completely put off by this bird's chirping. It's like a love song. And is it not that dear friends, all sound from all creation is a song of praise to our God? Romans 8:18-25

This bird sings louder than all the other beeps and screams in the forest. "I call it my talatrosis". It's really a Mltrost, (target thrush) unfortunately the English translation has nothing to explain to me, i can not find the correct answer in English, but when you hear this bird, it is a sure sign of spring far north in Europe.

So today while the wood is crackling in the oven, the window is up,

and the fresh air from young newly awakened pine forest penetrates into my living room, and into my lungs. And i can hear this lovely bird chirping from the big forest. The river flows below and no one else sounds this day. Where i can find my self and lift myself up to God in the certainty of victory that He one day, (and He is coming soon).

Will put everything in order for us. Psalms 55:23 Through Jesus Christ we will always find a way out. He Is Immutable! As we seek our Heavenly Homes, 2 Timothy4:18 i will find such peace as here today. Without pain and heavy body. Only rest in the Lord, in the Lord, and all things are done for Him who is Worthy. And this i get to be a part of, because to take my eyes off Jesus i do not. I will always raise His Name if the opportunity is there.

I will never be ashamed of Jesus and all that He has done for all of us, Amen. Stay blessed in Jesus name, love u in Christ.

Tony:

There is flesh and blood: A BODY

There is ONE SPIRIT: IMMORTAL LIFE

Flesh and blood, the body, dies and returns to dust,

Spirit, life, CANNOT die.

Hell is a doctrine of man: If a body of flesh and blood was placed in literal fire, it would be consumed in a few minutes, there would be not eternal torment. No need for a second resurrection.

If SPIRIT (there is only ONE SPIRIT and that SPIRIT IS GOD)( Ephesians 4:4-6) was placed in literal fire, it would not be affected.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Lazarus and the rich man is a PARABLE.

Lazarus went to the bosom of Abraham, symbolic of the BORN AGAIN, being ONE with God.

The rich man went to the GRAVE, a gulf that CANNOT be passed over UNTIL the second resurrection of the DEAD back to their flesh, to be judged and brought to TRUTH.

There are TWO RESURRECTION, one has already occurred, Christ and those that were ORDAINED to have their part in that FIRST RESURRECTION.

Luke 20:36 Neither can they (those CHOSEN to have their part in the first resurrection) DIE ANY MORE: for they (the CHOSEN) are equal into the ANGELS; and are the children of God, being the children of the (FIRST) resurrection.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and Holy is he that hath part in the FIRST resurrection ......

The second resurrection TO JUDGEMENT, has not yet occurred BUT:

Isaiah 26:9 ...For when thy JUDGEMENTS are in the earth (second resurrection) the inhabitants of the world will LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS.

1 Timothy 4:10 ...for we trust in the living God, who is the SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN (even those in the second resurrection), specially those (in the first resurrection) who believe.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest EXPECTATION of the creature (man) WAITETH (second resurrection) for the manifestation of the Sons of God (first resurrection).

Romans 8:21 Because the creature (man) ITSELF shall ALSO be DELIVERED from the bondage of corruption (the GRAVE) into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

God Bless YOU!

Hi K. I understand that Paul's salutation (or, greetings) is found in Romans 1:1-7. What you're referencing ( Romans 15:14 to 16:27) includes Paul's personal messages & finally his benediction; the actual benediction being Romans 16:25-27).

Hi Donna,

I'm not sure I understand, "our salvation is not a singular event.." When God got a hold of me, It WAS a singular event! He brought me to repentance, He showed me my sin, He showed me the errors of my man-made, superstitious religion - and I believed on Him and in that moment was born from above! In that one moment, God took out my stony heart, and put in me a heart of flesh. My sanctification, your sanctification, the sanctification of every born-again, blood bought believer is a process, it is us 'working out our salvation with fear and trembling', as the Bible says.

But as for salvation, there must be a time when we can point to when God dealt with us, and changed us from within by being born-again by the Spirit of the living God! As for me, it was the best day of my life! Praise Jesus! That was almost 39 years ago, and Jesus is sweeter than ever! :)

Yes, salvation is a singular event, which a believer will never forget in his whole life. We cannot keep getting 'saved', but we can keep getting 'sanctified', i.e. growing in grace, becoming more and more rooted in God's Word and growing in faith. I share these things because I am concerned about you, wanting to be sure that you KNOW you are saved by being born again by believing the gospel of Christ...and then, after that, being changed little by little by the Holy Spirit!

Grace to you!

-Kathy-

Billy:

Not everyone was ordained to take part in the FIRST RESURRECTION.

If your part IS NOT in the first resurrection; you lay in the grave until the SECOND RESURRECTION.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest EXPECTATION of the creature WAITETH for the manifestation of the SONS of GOD (first resurrection).

Romans 8:21 Because the creature ITSELF also shall be DELIVERED (second resurrection) from bondage of corruption (the grave) into the glorious liberty of the CHILDREN OF GOD.

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things (including death and the grave) shall be subdued unto him ..... GOD WILL BE ALL IN ALL.

1 Corinthians 15:54 .....Death is swallowed up in victory.

God Bless YOU!

Our salvation is not a singular event or even a sprint but a marathon . " Life isn't about how to survive the storm , but how to dance in the rain " ."The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing"(John Powell) " Real integrity is doing the right thing knowing that nobody is going to know whether you did it or not"(Oprah Winfrey).Pray, read the Bible, do what you can especially by example. One can see what is all over the place in the world ,lead by example. Learn from when you commit a sin , no matter whether it is small or of a larger magnitude, it can & will happen, repent, pray,reach out when tribulations rain down ,reach out to share blessings,we learn by all of these, sometimes others learn. Bible verses shared in comments, I read not only the verse , but the entire chapter many times. God Bless!

ROMANS OUTLINE

6. Paul's Salutation (5:14-16:27) Should This Be (:15:14-16:27)

Not long after I replied to your question, I noticed the statement looked incomplete. I decided to leave it believing you would understand based on the previous sentence. Then the LORD confirmed the thought with scripture!

Samuel wept for Saul. Samuel being the Judge of Israel: 1Samuel 7:15, Samuel came on the scene because Eli & his sons were dishonoring GOD & GOD's laws. As set forth in the Books of Deuteronomy, & Leviticus, given to Moses, recorded in Exodus 24 - 30, full chapters & Numbers. 1Samuel 1, 1Samuel 2:22-25, 1Samuel 2:11-18, they were the Priests yet they did their own will. (also fitting for your question) 1Samuel 2:27-36, 1Samuel 2:26, 1Samuel 3, = 1Samuel 4, please note also in Exodus 32, these were actions out of GOD's will, Genesis 13:13, Genesis 19, Yet when Abraham prayed GOD would have spared them all if there were 10 righteous at Abraham's request Genesis 18:16-33,

also comes to mind, GOD allows people to intercede on behalf of others even sinful, the ultimate example is Jesus, even now on our behalf

2Peter 3:9, Luke 17:25-30, 2Chronicles 16:9, Romans 8:34,

With all of these. Why do you ask?

Genesis 1:28, John 16:23, John 14:13,

Hopefully these are all helpful

Carl, the issue of 'why Christians suffer' is one of the biggest dilemmas we often see amongst believers.

My thoughts are these.

First of all, it helps to remember that all of our maladies stem from the fact that we ourselves our sinners, albeit redeemed ones, and live in a fallen world. This is not heaven; believers are subject to anything and everything this world holds.

Secondly, because we have sinned, and there is much work yet to do within our hearts to conform us to God, the Lord does bring us through many difficulties, whether financial distress, relational troubles, and physical ailment, to name a few. Many of God's saints have been exercised in sickness of mind and/or body, as well as manifold other troubles! David says, in Psalm 119:67, 'Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but NOW I have kept Thy Word." Afflictions are the sheepdogs that drive us to our Shepherd. :) And I smiled wryly at one point of your comment, Carl: "...she is faithful to the church". That can be a wonderful thing! What an honor to serve the lambs of Jesus! Amen! BUT, often, we can slip into being more faithful to the church than we are to Jesus Himself. We spend our time in programs and other things that actually eat up time that He wants us to spend with Him. I'm not saying this is the case with this dear woman...but it could be that Jesus is 'making her to lie down' on her back for a while so that she looks up at Him more. :)

ALL things work together for good to those who are the called according to His purpose". Romans 8:28.

2 Cor. 4:

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

God designs that all that we experience in this life draws us closer to Him. May we all learn to let all things we endure cast us deeper into the mold of Christ Jesus! Amen!

Blessings, Carl....

Greek translation of Biblical in the Gospels= (Internet research ) Greek = "Metaonia" - "meta" = "after", bears the concept of "shift", or "change",

Repent= the act of leaving what GOD prohibited & returning to what HE commanded.

Revelation 2:5, Matthew 3:2, Luke 13:3-9, Exodus 20:14,

Where does it say to be sorry, because of our trespass?

Remember the woman: John 8:1-12, Psalms 130:4,

James 2, Matthew 25:31-46, Ezekiel 33:11,

Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Romans 8:13, Matthew 10:28, Colossians 1:10-23, Ephesians 5:1-20, Jude 1:24-25,

Hopefully these are helpful

Eph.4:26 is not about anger against our brothers in the Lord or people in general, Be Angry, and sin not, it is against the devil

we are to be angry and don't let up on him, don't allow him to accuse you and bring you into fear and doubt the power of God.

Christians should make a stand and don't let their anger against the devil to stop, John 10;10, the devil is out to kill, steal and

destroy YOU so stop being passive! You have been given power and authority Luke 10:19, AMP read it- its time for the church to wakeup -your enemy is not the people - but the devil that's behind them. Corinthian 2:16, "You have the mind of Christ," Romans 8:11, " the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is in you declare it 2Peter 1:3, 'His divine power has given us everything we need for a Godly life. This verse is not about you be angry all day but at sun set you can not be angry against your wife , your children your neighbor, your Mother or Father but be vigilant against the devil Jesus did it Matthew 16:23, Jesus turned and to Peter " Get behind me Satan", then sweet Jesus in John 2:13-16, goes after the money changers - amazing. So think again Ephesians 4:26, Blessings David

Praise be to God for the salvation of your family members! I will be praying for you and your family, may you all be united through the love of Christ. I hope these verses will encourage you and remind you to keep going strong for the Lord.

Romans 8:37

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

1 Corinthians 1:10

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

Thank you Jesse! We are free because of the Brave!

Matthew 10:34, Romans 8:38-39, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11,

Genesis 3:24, 1Chronicles 21, 1Chronicles 24:16, Exodus 32:27, read in context Exodus 32, Leviticus 26, Numbers 22, Deuteronomy 13:15, Deuteronomy 20:13, Deuteronomy 32, Jeremiah 50:35-37, Amos 1:11, Amos 9:4-15,

Joshua 5:10-15 continues Joshua 6,

1Samuel 15,

2Kings 6, note 2Kings 6:22, 2Chronicles 23:21, Nehemiah 4, Esther 9, Jeremiah 43:11, Hosea 2:18, Micah 4:3,

Hope these encourage

Thanks for that Suze. I agree with much that you wrote, but rather than deal with each part of it, I would ask, What is the origin of our carnal minds? What was in Paul's mind when he stated, "the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" Romans 8:7,8: where does this carnal mind/carnal life, lived in the flesh, come from?

Is this something God has given us from our birth, or has another intruded into humanity causing us to sin against God & that sin has been passed on to all generations? ( Romans 5:12; Acts 5:3; 1 Timothy 5:14,15; 2 Corinthians 2:10,11; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; Luke 22:31,32; etc., are a few verses showing Satan's activity, from the first day till the day he is put away, & our ongoing struggle to withstand him & his devices & to live in the power & joy of the Holy Spirit).

Satan is never absent - He is present - He is at work - and working in the hearts & minds of those who choose to live according to the dictates of their flesh & not in the fullness of the Spirit. Such were the gross sins of those kings mentioned earlier - if Ananias & Sapphira could have Satan gripping their heart so as to lie to the Spirit, how much more of Satan's control over those kings & indeed so many rulers/govts of today & their workings against Jesus Christ.

Marke, there are a lot of different directions I can go with this, but, I am going to keep this rather short and simple. If predestination was the intended by God, then that would make Him a "respecter of persons" ( Rom. 2:11), which he is not. Christ came to save the entire world from sin ( John 3:17). Jesus even said what whosoever believes on him would be saved ( John 3:15-16). That is anyone. We also see in the Greek that this believe is present and on-going faith. Not a 1x event that secures the believer and preserves them.

When God is speaking about foreknowledge and predestination He is not speaking of individual salvation, but, His plan of salvation. For example, in Romans 9 when talking about Jacob and Esau he is not talking about God loving Jacob the person and hating Esau the person. He is talking about the 2 nations, Israel and the Edomites. He knew from the foundation of the world that there would be a fall and mankind would need a Savior, as he is Omniscient.

So, God does not predestine some to Heaven, while overlooking others so they can go to hell. God hates all sin and wants all to repent and come to His Son for salvation. It is His will that ALL be saved ( 1 Tim. 2:4). However, we must accept receive this gift and allow with Holy Spirit to work in our hearts. remaining faithful is not one trying to "keep themselves saved". It is responding to the gift of the Holy Spirit written on their hearts.

Very well said Doug! Context matters even in the Greek. And I don't think the KJV writers got it wrong when with all the if/then conditional verses. Salvation is contingent on remaining faithful to the end! God has made it clear we have a choice. His spirit is there to guide us and help us grow but the bible doesnt say anything about us never being able to resist it. Matter of fact we warned not to quench it. As Rev. 2: 10 says, be faithful until death and receive the crown of life. Can't be any more clear than that! If salvation was unconditional it we would see it in the bible and dont think I need to go looking in the Greek to see what God is saying in plain English.

You said "Just curious to know if you are faithful to Christ, and if so, what causes you to be faithful?" and the answer is clearly the Holy Spirit. However, we need to look deeper into scripture and what the exact function of the Holy Spirit is and what our obligation is in our relationship with Christ for final salvation.

Before salvation, the Holy Spirit of God works and draws us to the Father and to accept His Son's sacrifice for salvation. However, we have a free will and can resist this. Since it is the will of the Father that all be saved, but know that many won't because they will reject Christ, we must conclude that there is a free choice on the part of the one who the Holy Spirit is working on and drawing to Christ. We even is in John 3:16 "whosoever believeth" is a reference to anyone. It is not the "elect" as John Calvin taught.

We see that once one receives the Holy Spirit they must continue believing. We see in John 3:16 that "believeth" is present continual. If salvation was a 1 time event then "believeth" would be in the "Aorist". Yet, every time we see believeth it's in the continuous tense.

Just as the Holy Spirit draws us to the God, we make the choice to receive it. This is not forced on us. From there, God works in the us to do His will and good pleasure. So, remaining faithful is NOT a "work" but a response to the grace of God working in our hearts. However, scripture is clear that we must endure in faith to receive the inheritance of eternal life. Notice John 10:29 says "they", not "he". This is a blessing for believers as a whole. The individual still has to endure in in the Christ's body.

John 15 illustrates what I'm talking about. V. 5 says if a man abide not (aorist) he is cut off. It's the exact moment of leaving the protective hand of God ( John 10:29) he is cut off. However the one that abideth (present continual) remains in Christ and in the Father ( 1 Jn 2:24-25).

Doug,

I agree with you that a believer has an obligation to remain faithful to the Lord. In fact, that's what the Lord expects from us, faithfulness. He is faithful to us and He expects the same in return. But what is it that causes a believer to remain faithful? Is it our flesh, our human effort? Or is it the Spirit of Christ dwelling in a believer that causes them to remain faithful?

Just curious to know if you are faithful to Christ, and if so, what causes you to be faithful?

Reply to Adam.

I do not generally judge a person's true spiritual condition, especially early in their profession. I did not have assurance I was really saved for several years after I got saved. I encourage new believers to follow on to grow in Christ and to give diligence to make their calling and election sure by continually taking heed to God's word.

Thank you for the reply, Marke. I couldn't help notice you dodged the second question.

Your response suggests that you can determine a Christian by fruit, but a new Christian has no fruit track record yet.

So, if someone hears the gospel for the first time tomorrow and decides to be a Christian, at that time is he a 'real Christian' to you?

Reply to Adam.

Allow me to use the parable of the sower in Matt 13 to answer your question. The three types of hearers who did not get saved never showed signs of a new life in Christ like the good hearer did. The fake Christians did not bring forth good fruit to perfection and the fake Christians did not come unto a good understanding of God's word like the good hearer did.

19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Hi Marke,

I noticed you distinguish between real and fake Christians. What is your definition of a real Christian?

If non-believer attends church tomorrow and responds to an altar call professesing faith in Jesus do you consider that person a real Christian or is there a particular test that determines which they are?

God bless.

Reply to Doug.

Cod chose Christians in Christ before they were born but His selection was based upon His foreknowledge, not according to some plan He had that did not involve the response of the sinner to the preaching of the Gospel. We have been chosen in Christ since the beginning if we are saved. If it were possible for Christians to lose their salvation it nevertheless remains impossible for God to have chosen them in Christ from the beginning.

Marke, I agree that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is denying that the Gospel is true and should be received.

Erich did an excellent job using scripture to interpret scripture. However, you appear to just be saying you're right, but there's still no biblical support. You're saying that John 10:28 is absolute based on your rational, but, not grounded in scriptures. You're saying everyone just needs to believe John 10:28 is a OSAS verse, even though that is not even what Christ was intending. He was admonishing the Jewish leaders who refused to come to the light. Yet, you did not address the fact the John 10:27 is also ABSOLUTE and only the one following Jesus is safe in the hand of God.

Having to remain in the Son to remain in the Father for eternal life ( 1 John 2:24-25) doesn't negate the promise that all who are being saved are in the Father's hand. You said "We are ALL bought with a price, we are NOT our own...He paid for us with his own blood". If this is the case, why is not everyone just automatically saved? After all, Christ's atoning death was for the whole world. And if one genuinely accepts Christ & then renounces him, why would that person still have eternal life & the one who never accepted Christ lost? After all, they both ended up denying Jesus ( Matt. 10:32-33).

It seems like you're taking bible verses regarding Christ's one time sacrifice for the entire world and trying to apply that to individual believers. Yes, Christ shed his blood once for all, but, that does not mean the believer doesn't have an obligation to remain faithful. Rev. 2:10 says " be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." This is a conditional promise from Christ, so I must conclude that the one who is safe in the hand of God is the one who is remaining faithful to Christ. And the one faithful to the end will receive the end of their faith, eternal life ( Romans 6:22; 1 Peter 1:9)

Christians are assured of salvation & should take great joy in the promise of God to keep them in His hand! However, to inherit eternal life one must endure to the end.

Reply to GiGi.

I got saved in 1971 just before I joined the Army. I ended up in a church with one of my supervisors at Ft. Gragg and we became close friends for more than two years. But in 1974 my friend and I had a disagreement over a Bible teaching and he accused me of possibly having committed blasphemy against the Holy Spirit for which I would never be forgiven. This bothered me a great deal so I began praying for God to show me what the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost was all about. After seeking the answer for several years I believe the Lord finally answered me. Here is what I believe:

God has promised to enlighten every sinner born into the world ( 1 John 1:9). The Holy Spirit seeks to save every sinner in the world ( 1 Tim 2:4.) The Holy Spirit draws all men to Christ ( John 12:32.) The sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is committed by sinners who see the light, are pointed to Jesus by the Holy Spirit, and yet reject the light and speak evil of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or God. ( John 3:19.) The basis of condemnation to hell is rejecting the light clearly revealed to the unrepentant sinner by the Holy Ghost.

We see that in Romans 1 where sinners who clearly see and understand the light reject the light and are therefore condemned without excuse. The Pharisees who blasphemed the Holy Spirit in Mark 3 knew Jesus was God because Nicodemus said so in John 3:2. We know sinners who have not yet been shown the light by the Holy Spirit can be guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit because of what Jesus said in John 15:22-24.

Hi Michele!

As I thought upon your post, I got thinking about 2 verses. The first is Romans 8:7 -

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

This is our condition before being born again. We are 'at war' with God; our sinful nature rebels against God, and the apostle tells us we, in that state, CANNOT obey God's law, and in honesty - we do not want to obey God's law! We want our own wills to be done!

This is why Jesus said we must be born again, we must be 'born from above', at which time we receive a new heart, a heart of flesh.

The next verse I thought of is:

Hebrews 8:10 -

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Once those laws are written within, we suddenly LOVE God's law and delight in both knowing it and doing it! .And we delight in it because we are no longer at enmity with God, but because we love Him!

You are so right, Michele, in observing that in obeying God's Word and making that the rule of our lives, we not only please God - we keep ourselves from being entangled in this fallen world!

Blessings!