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Hello Virdee. I was touched by what you wrote, of your struggle to have assurance of salvation. The Scripture that came to mind is all of Romans chapter 8, which would answer your doubts & fears. If I might briefly go through some points in this chapter with you, even as you follow it in your Bible. Here is a chapter giving the one IN Christ full assurance of their position before God, particularly as the apostle related it to himself, he who was made free from the deathly hold that the Law had upon him & from the lusts of the flesh.
Romans 8:1: Paul immediately lays the foundation that he is referring to 'true' believers: to those who walk according to the Holy Spirit's direction & not by fulfilling the desires of the flesh. Those who are unbelievers, or hope they are believers, will not obey the Holy Spirit, simply because the Spirit is not in residence in their lives (vv 9,14). When the Spirit speaks or directs (i.e. we heed the Law of the Spirit only now in our new life/makeup), the believer will listen & obey. If we are swayed by the flesh, we will very soon know of our wandering & either return to holy living or face discipline. We can fully trust God that 'He will not leave or forsake us'; we are His children adopted into His Family (vv 14-17) & we cannot be 'un-adopted'. We will not only face the normal trials in life that come to each one of us, but also the attacks by the enemy of our souls (vv 35-39), but none of these will remove us from the "Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". With this confidence given to us, it should be our delight to obey Him in everything He tells us or requires of us. Then when the Day of His Appearing comes, our confidence in Christ & His Blessed Work in us, causes us to rejoice & "not be ashamed at His Coming" ( 1 John 2:28). Those who live in sin & selfish desires will be in terror & horror overcoming them, when they see the Holy One of God appear & their sins exposed. Onto Page 2.
You asked, "what GOD's NAME was manifested by my Lord JESUS?" Yet, reading the rest of your comments, it appears to me that you hold to an "only Jesus is in Heaven" position, that when Jesus was made flesh, "GOD called Himself Jesus.." Really!!! So, as not to be mistaken, are you in that camp, that says 'that since God is in Christ that only Jesus is now in Heaven'? I'm hoping that I've misunderstood you, as we know most assuredly that when Jesus ascended into Heaven, He went back to the Father & is seated at His right Hand ( John 20:17, Acts 2:32,33, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 3:22, etc.). So, NOT two Gods, but the One God, with Jesus His Son Who came forth out of God now distinct from Him through the incarnation. Thus He rightly fully claims the eternity of the Godhead (the Alpha & Omega), & also receives the worship of all. So your comments are troubling, if that is your position.
Whenever we question suffering and why it needs to be on this earth today; the ultimate question may be why did God's Son have to suffer beyond any other in creation? Again; the physical death would have been nothing compared to the sweat of drops of blood considering His upcoming separation from the Father and taking on our sins onto Himself. This atonement is perhaps the biggest reason suffering needs be; it all began with the fall of man and it's ripple effect in all Creation but God in His infinite wisdom knew that this atonement needed to happen to restore all things to Himself ( Acts 3:21).
One could; of course look at all of human history as one would view a screen play; full of drama; pathos and various characters of antagonist or protagonist leanings. This helps us to examine God's overall "emotions" (again reducing things to a human level to comprehend characteristics of the Godhead). If we were to examine our free will in the midst of this it could be crudely compared to a rogue actor doing some unscripted scene which is confined to the small time allotted for the play to act itself out.
This shows how we as humans cannot ultimately change the course of predetermined events; but also that we are not robots ourselves who are always bound to the same script but all have individual roles to play and also how all of us are interconnected to each other. This results in all who are His own on "stage right" as it were and the rest on "stage left". Proverbs 3:6 says in all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps (I believe that is one translation).
When we look to the Apostle Paul's declaration that the sufferings of the present time are nothing compared to the glory to come ( Romans 8:18) we see that the joys of heaven will therefore be so much the greater after the harvest from today's brief trials
The sin of the sons of God having relations with women ( Gen. 6:2) and the resulting hybrid offspring seems to be clear as written; although some take it as some symbolic event. People often try to make a spurious claim of these being offspring of Cain and ignore the fact that all mankind was judged at the flood except for Noah and his immediate family (who I would say Genesis 6:9 indicates that his seed wasn't corrupted as the rest of mankind when it mentions that he was "perfect in his generations")
Science seems to indicate several mass extinctions separated by aeons of time; the greatest of which I believe is stated to be in the Cambrian mass extinction event the better part of 1 billion years ago; and the later one wiping out the dinosaurs and other creatures some 65 million years or so. What it can't explain; of course is how undigested food is found in dinosaurs that were obviously frozen to death in mass graves along with other complexities where trees; and catastrophic destruction of trees and other evidence clearly indicating a mass inundation of flood waters. As I alluded to in the first post today there is more than ample evidence of giant and advanced structures (pyramids in various countries; Balbak (or however it is spelled) and other giant sized structure found in islands in the Mediterranean and elsewhere in the world such as Stonehenge which defy explanation as to how the stones were moved and how they were cut to reflect advanced technology and often tied in with regular astronomical events with the direction they are facing.
Christians at least up until recently have understood that man's evil resulted in collateral damage to the rest of creation which continues to groan up until today ( Romans 8:19-22). It would seem that the last evil Satan is going to bring to pass after the mass appeal of alternate sexual lifestyles is a merging with AI. This guarantees damnation as Revelation promises.
Yet, with Colossians 1:15, "the firstborn of every creature" (or, creation), doesn't seem to imply that believers are the object; though you (or, your Church) feels it does: "that first born of all creation means that Jesus was the first child of God among all other born(again) children (us, God's children)". It's interesting that 'creation' is used here, which doesn't seem to easily bring Christ's Church into its meaning.
That was interesting about the usage of 'arche', that it could be applied to rulers, principalities, etc. I checked your reference Revelation 3:14, and though the application of 'arche' is defined as "that by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause", your other references ( Colossians 1:16 & Ephesians 3:10) certainly apply to 'principalities/rulers'. And other references are given in support of this: Luke 12:11, Titus 3:1, Ephesians 1:21, Colossians 2:10, & others. So thank you for giving us more to consider in this matter.
Many of these themes are interchangeable with the verses quoted. The terminology isn't the greatest; as people can indeed grieve the Spirit as scripture indicates. I believe limited atonement is also the hardest thing to prove; I would say that "Effectual grace" is a much better term.
I wrote what I did in the first posting on purpose as many tend to have a sort of pride about which Reformer is their favorite or obsess on the subject making a doctrine be above the author and finisher of our faith Christ Himself. We can't fit our theological premise neatly with all scriptures in human understanding. I take; for example the politically incorrect stance that free will doesn't intimidate God with His predestination plans. There are distinct advantages to understanding these doctrines however.
1. It explains why those in our families and others we are close to and hear the Gospel for years never become believers.
2. It shows how God draws His elect from before a confession of faith (preserves our lives until coming to salvation) for believers.
3. It allows us to "test ourselves to see if we are in the faith" ( 2 Cor. 13:5) so that we can indeed claim His promises as something we actually possess because of a saving faith rather than "decisional regeneration" a term where people make a confession but their hearts are not in it.
I mentioned on an old posting how a small group split because God grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25; etal). Some didn't want to preach the need to repent; although God grants the desire we must bear fruit and change our ways
Part 2
A good work is when we do the will of God as a response to his love, mercy and our new identity of righteousness in Jesus Christ. In our New Covenant with God, grace is the ruling factor.
Grace and truth have come to us through Jesus. ( John 1:17) Truth is the law. And the problem with the law is our flesh, our fallen nature.
Grace - Godly ability, the divine influence which works in the heart of man making him able. It is God's perfect provision for man's every need.
It takes both truth and grace for good works. We need truth to know what the action of good works are. And we also need grace in order to have the proper motivation for good works.
The term "fallen from grace" doesn't mean that someone has fallen from sin. Rather it means they no longer have access to God's ability in them. They have left grace and are fixated on truth alone, and are trying to do good works in their own ability.
But what they get in that case is nothing but dead works instead.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Romans 8:14
God bless.
We have all come another day closer to the return of Christ. Isaiah 51:6 and other verses in Psalms refer to the earth waxing old like a garment; but as Job said there will be a resurrection and we shall see Him in our own flesh ( Job 19:26 and surrounding verses). The suffering of the saints which is part of God's purging process in our own lives will come to an end; certainly if Paul with the immense suffering promised him in Acts 9:16 could state that sufferings now are no comparison to what is to come ( Romans 8:18) heaven is too wonderful for words.
Whatever is left will be restored during the Millennium so that people can live fulfilled long lives in a peaceful existence. The earth will produce its fruit in abundance and Satan will be restrained. Only this will bring about the end of war ( Isaiah 2:4).
I will be the first to admit; and I doubt that I'm the only one that it seems almost a cruel joke to hold on to such hope; especially in regard to the Rapture which was rather obsessed over in the 1970s and 1980s and today hardly discussed in traditional church settings. We have come to a point where it is not discussed in church; but there are numerous online sites which are pretty much obsessed with the topic and endless dreams and visions that individuals are supposed to have had on the issue. It is hard to imagine just how great it will be not to have Satan and his emissaries like a spider with tentacles removed from what is now a chokehold on almost everything in the world today. Nonetheless we have a cloud of witnesses ( Heb. 12:1) which are of every saint who has died since the time of Christ and in fact some are the "first of the firstfruits" as it were of the O.T. saints resurrected in Matthew 27:52 and 53.
To imagine society without the violence and lawlessness of today is a stretch. When Christ comes to rule with a rod of iron He will also be just (see Isaiah 11:3 and other verses). Today may He reign in our hearts.
This was the Apostle Paul who received this powerful, yet comforting Word from His Lord. As Adam wrote here, Paul was a prime example of much suffering, not just in the physical realm, but also spiritual & emotional. His life was marked by daily suffering & anguish of heart & spirit, yet he persevered in the Gospel, knowing that his sufferings were but momentary compared to 'the glory which is yet to be revealed (to us &) in us'. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." ( Romans 8:18). See also 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
If these great men of faith, even our sinless Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, were not immune from suffering, we know that while we are in the flesh, the workings of sin & corruption within, will always manifest itself in one form or another. My wife & I have been thus far blessed not to have any debilitating illness or injury come upon us (only the minor interruptions to sound health, because of age), yet we know that we can never take this for granted & are resting in our Father's Arms each day for whatever the day might bring forth.
Psalm 27 has always been precious to us. Sure, it was King David calling upon God as his enemies troubled him from every side, but can we not also consider that it's not just the anger of men we might face, but just living in corrupt bodies in a corrupt world that continually works against our joy & perfection in Christ? Please read this Psalm of praise & trust by David & particularly v14, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Romans 8:38-39 says:
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It would seem that we are coming to the fulfillment of both Psalm 83 and one of Isaiah 17:1 very soon as well. At some point a false peace will take over at the first seal of Revelation and it could appear to head that way immediately before then; followed by the Rapture. We probably have years ahead; if He tarries of unprecedented persecution and sad to say martyrdom. We are said to be hated of ALL nations; then the end will come ( Matthew 24:9). This could have a final fulfillment during the Tribulation but also could be speaking of today.
Prayer of course is paramount. I know someone who has recently moved to Israel in the ministry (I will leave out his name and position for security sake). He and his wife see firsthand the displacement of hundreds of thousands from the border areas being attacked on multiple fronts. There are those behind the scenes funding and staging the mass demonstrations in several cities today who no doubt will not stop until they are forced to and have no less goal than overthrowing our government and making this into a Muslim country with Sharia law. No doubt we should continue to pray for individuals the Lord puts into our lives. Some things are better avoided; but we all need to search our hearts to trust God if we need to defend the life of another in these situations of mass looting and no doubt increasing violence. We all need to prepare for martial law at the very least. The end is near and now it is vital that we preach it and trust God iving obediently
I thank the brethren on this forum for their faithfulness and love for the word and the fellow saints. Stand and be encouraged for as GOD reminds us, this too will pass. These verses have helped me... Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 10:13; probably one of the hardest for me - Romans 8:28. And many more- I'm sure veteran saints on this forum can add others too.
It is difficult, but we are called to be a blessing to as many as possible without expecting any type of return - horizontally. Our blessing will come vertically, from above,
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Sorry Brethren! didn't mean to be preachy.
GOD to shine HIS blessed face on you and your family during this wonderful time of praising of our SAVIOR.
Merry Christmas and have a prosperous New Year!
December 20, 2023
I would like to second Brother Jesse and others interpretation of ( Matt 12:49-50)
It's those who are led by the Spirit of God to do the will of God is those who are in the family of God.
Romans 8:14-16 states "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"
When we are baptized by the Spirit of God we function as a body
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This is the Brotherhood that is mentioned here.
God bless
So, I'm well aware of the cost of so great Salvation & also the cost of living the life that is hidden in Christ. The Holy Spirit within does do great & mighty things in the one in Christ, & we have barely experienced what He can do when one comes face-to-face with Satan's cohorts.
Some could say that I had just back-slid, but my own sense was that I was never saved, but simply had the marks of a Christian. Until I knew the depth of sin, my sin, I was just playing with God, not unlike those who believe in a watered-down Gospel (i.e. Christ has saved me forever, so I can sin giving little regard to it). I realize that those who don't believe in the eternal security of the believer, believe that we who do believe in it, no longer pay attention to sin but that untrue, because nowhere in the Word do I find that a true child of God can ever resort to a life of sin & still believe he is saved - that's deception. The Spirit of God simply won't permit such a thing happening because He has taken up residence within & our lives "are hid with Christ in God". I simply can't make mockery of God's great salvation. And for your own testimony, only you can discern that the love you once had for the Lord (before you turned back to Him) was a life governed by His Spirit or devoid of Him. No one else can judge that. For me though, there has to be a point of a deep conviction of our sinful state, acknowledgement of it, & a turning to the Savior for salvation. When that happens & the Holy Spirit is given, we are the Lord's right into eternity ( Romans 8:9). Blessings to you too, & if you have further enquiries on what I've shared or on why the foundations of our belief are so important, I would welcome them.
When John came preaching the Kingdom of God, as the forerunner of Christ, all that was available to understand the Kingdom of God was Moses and the Prophets.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth HIS SECRETS to his servants the Prophets.
Moses and the Prophets is the REVEALING of the Kingdom of God, a kingdom here on earth.
Nowhere in Moses and the Prophets does it say the reward of the righteous is Heaven, nor nowhere does it say the reward of the wicked is HELL.
What it does say is the wicked shall be JUDGED by the righteous.
The wages of sin is DEATH.
Christ came and he and all creation was crucified for the sins of the world.
Christ died for us in the sense we did not have to suffer the wrath of God poured out on him.
But we died just as he die.
Only Christ arose and we as joint heirs with Christ, SAVED from ever dying again.
But there are two kinds of people in this world, believers and unbelievers, symbolised by the two malefactors crucified with Christ, one believed, one did not believe, one went to the presence of God, the other went to the grave to await the second resurrection.
The Believers WERE SAVED at the first resurrection: believing they were resurrected as ONE FLESH with Christ.
The unbelievers will DIE and go to the GRAVE, and await the second resurrection, and will be judged and ruled over by the BELIEVERS of God's word.
The reference in Moses and the Prophets is they will be the wood choppers and water haulers, and they will bow the knee.
Revelation 3:9 Behold, I WILL MAKE THEM of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews (circumcised in the heart) and are not, but do lie, behold, I WILL MAKE THEM come and worship before thy feet, and TO KNOW that I have love thee
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of CREATION WAITETH (in the grave) for the MANIFESTATION of the Sons of God,
Romans 8:21 For creation itself ALSO SHALL BE DELIVERED from the bongage of corruption ......
Jesus took on the sins of the whole world. (THAT MEANS MADE AVAILABLE)
When we are born again "BORN OF GOD'S SPIRIT" We are saved!
We can no longer be charged with sin. 1 John 3:9.
The Holyspirit quicken these mortal bodies so we no longer "SERVE" sin. Romans 8:9-14.
There is no way for a child of Adam to be saved apart from being born from above. He was born with an inherited sin nature.
Unlike Jesus, we have to be born "Again" JESUS NEVER HAD TO DO THAT!
He was conceived of the Holyspirit. Matthew 1:20.
The penalty of sin was Judged/condemned/sentenced in the flesh. (In other words it was sin that was on trial, Not Jesus!
I believe that's what that phrase means. (Condemned sin in the flesh)
The meaning is separate from Jesus taking our judgment on the cross.
There is one event but two trials taken place here.
1) Our sins being Judged.
2) The penalty of sin, which is Death.
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:49-57.
God bless.
I have a question - what is your definition of sin in this doctrine? Are you talking about real sin of disobedience to God or just faults and weaknesses we all face when we first get saved? God shows us these faults and weaknesses and as we pray and trust Him, He will help us overcome them and they will eventually go away. But sin puts enmity between us and God so how can we grow in Him if we are bringing enmity between ourselves and God? Romans 8:7 "and that he might reconcile both unto Him in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." Those who believe in this doctrine, when I say I don't sin every day, are appalled and believe I'm being prideful. No pride, just peace in knowing I am living a godly life, without sin, because of being emersed in the blood of Jesus and under the power of the Holy Ghost. These doctrine diminishes the blood of Jesus and presents a weakened Holy Ghost.
What does that mean and can anyone born of Adam do it?
If it means to judge against it or to sentence it. What is required to achieve this? Christ!
THE FACT THAT JESUS CAME IN THE FLESH AND LIVED A PERFECT LIFE APART FROM SIN DOESN'T DIRECTLY MEAN "CONDEMNED SIN IN THE FLESH"
It's the fact that he in doing so, he destroyed the power and penalty of sin is where and how he condemned sin.
(For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.) Romans 8:2,
Adam was a living soul.
There are those born of Adam. "At one time we all were"
Jesus "A quickening spirit" ( God manifested in the flesh,) Born from above! "God/Christ spirit".
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
GOD MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH.
This life giving spirit of God in the flesh could not sin.
Christ didn't become a life giving spirit at Calvary.
Christ was a perfect Lamb "led" to slaughter. He didn't "become" perfect at Calvary!
An unblemished Lamb chosen for sacrifice is perfect before you sacrifice him.
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Hebrews 2:14.
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.
Christ done what the law could not do. Condemn sin in the weak flesh.
This is the sin in our members that Paul speaks of in Romans 7:23.
God bless.
Daniel 9:18-20 show how Daniel asked the Lord to remember the state of Jerusalem being in desolation and His promises (as seen in the book of Jeremiah) of reoccupation and return of the Jews after 70 years of exile (see Jeremiah 29:10). The sins of the people in question were something Daniel took on as a burden to himself in his prayers; fasting and supplications.
In terms of blessings of a general sort there is that of those who find a wife ( Prov. 18:22). There is also the offspring; or fruit of the womb that is specifically stated to be a blessing ( Deut. 7:13; and several passages in Psalms). Deuteronomy lists blessings for those who obey God's statutes and cursings for those who don't in extensive passages in Deuteronomy 28. As we look at God's chosen people in Exodus; clearly the Lord showed favor in physically delivering the Jews from Egypt; but as Romans 9:6 states not everyone benefitted from it. In fact only Joshua and Caleb survived from the first generation; even Moses was unable to enter the land but saw it from afar due to an isolated sin on his part ( Deut. 3:23 and following verses).
What we can count on in our sanctification and ultimate glorification ( Romans 8:30). All the prophetic scriptures will be fulfilled to the letter. This includes Israel being restored; the earth being renewed; Christ ruling in the Millennium; wars ending throughout the world; extended lifespans; etc.
The blessings of financial matters is promised for those who are living by faith (we see the example of Abraham in Genesis 13:2 as the first demonstration of this in scripture although technically the text of Job may be older as an example of God's financial blessings (see Job 1:16 and subsequent verses). Satan was well aware of God's provisions and favor and therefore we can be certain that he will attempt to thwart OR substitute God's blessings with his own which end up being dead ends and illusions.
( 1 Peter 5:8).
I realize that it's difficult to let go of the Decalogue, as many of us have learned to recite it, as with the Lord's Prayer, from our early years. But I've come to realize that when we truly examine the purposes of certain Truths given to us in the Bible, we must be pliable enough to let go of that which no longer serves any purpose for those in Christ. Just think how hard it would have been for Paul to let go of the Law which was ingrained into his belief system & practise for so long. But then he could say what he did in Romans 8:2.
Maybe, you could share your understanding of this: why Paul could say that "the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" ( Romans 7:12), and then proclaim his 'freedom from the Law that only revealed sin & led to his death'. Seems contradictory. Blessings.
Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days hath spoken to by his Son, WHOM he hath appointed HEIR of ALL THINGS ...
Being an heir of God, what does Christ possess?
Romans 8:17 And if children, then HEIRS of God, and joint heir with Christ ...
If Christ was made HEIR of ALL THINGS, would not you also, being and heir of God and joint heir with Christ? posses the same things?
Don't let your carnal mind LIMIT what God says he has done by the death and resurrection of his SON.
God Bless YOU!
What I'm leading to here, is the very limited list of commands given by God to Israel, which certainly doesn't cover the range of sins that man commits (e.g. pride, anger, lust, hypocrisy, deceit, etc). Israel failed in just obeying these few commandments (especially the first two), & we're reminded in James 2:10-12 that "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all..."; such was the outcome of disobedience to it.
Therefore, given that the Decalogue was limited in content & purpose & also the bringing forth of the Everlasting Covenant given through Jesus' Blood, (WITH the Holy Spirit's Ministry in the child of God), I remain wondering as to why the Decalogue must have such great importance to a child of God, when the Spirit adds not only the FULL range of God's Commands, but also gives the believer the power to live them out unto God - something that Israel could not do.
The Decalogue was never designed for this purpose; and Paul reminds us in Romans 8:3,4, that the Law failed in its ability to bring about righteousness, but to be right with God, we walk not after the flesh but by the Spirit. And this new walk by the Spirit is according to the Law of the Spirit ( Romans 8:2) - and His Law(s) have set us free from the Law of sin which brought death (all the Laws under the Old Covenant). How would you reconcile these Scriptures of the Spirit's Work in a believer's life with your position of following the Old Covenant of Laws? Blessings.
Thanks for the reply, we do agree on much and I also enjoy our discussions. The Greek definition of the soul and death is where I cannot find that in the Scriptures and that is where our understanding parts and I feel the eternal punishment of the lost comes from the soul is immortal.
I believe God and Jesus dwell in us by the Holy Spirit and we have been sealed, the down payment has been given, 2 Cor. 1:22. We are sealed unto redemption day, Ephesians 4:30, and my understanding is that is when we are resurrected.
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us and quickens our mortal bodies, Romans 8:11, and that is when we receive immortality and our glorified bodies 1 Corinthians 15:53-54. God and Jesus do not still dwell in us after we die/sleep there is no communication, Psalms 6:5. We have the down payment/earnest, the promise, our hope.
Thanks again brother, have a great day.
God bless.
RLW
Can man (the believer who is truly saved, having experienced all of the above), then undo what God has done, drawing himself away into perdition through an unholy desire, & without the immediate intervention of the Spirit within him who has loved Him, sealed him & secured him into the family of God? I know some do believe that we can of our own volition do such a thing & they've even given proof, but the Word clearly shows us that God makes no mistakes, yet we do err when we fail to understand that we simply cannot judge another's salvation or how the Spirit is at work in that wayward one's life to draw him back.
We can never correctly discern a person's salvation before God - we must accept & love all who claim faith in Christ alone, building them up in the faith, & watching out for signs of weakness or departure, but salvation is only of the Lord & He knows His sheep & by their name - not one of his own can stray away for very long. But can even that one sheep decide that he no longer wishes to be under the watchful Eye & Care of the Shepherd or to live amongst that special flock? I believe that God's indwelling & continual ministry of His Spirit in his children will keep them true to Him, even under the greatest pressure, testing or persecution. But "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" ( Romans 8:8), should affirm our hearts & keep us confident that not one of His Own shall be lost or even have any desire to depart into the world & sin.
I appreciate what you have said here.
I also believe that the Word teaches that the Holy Spirit is the one who regenerates us through the washing of the word.
( Titus 3:5)
He sanctifies us ( John 17:5) ( Romans 15:16) He gives us life (6:63)
The Spirit puts to death the works of sin in us ( Romans 8:13)
He baptizes us into Christ ( 1 Cor. 12:13)
The Spirit gives us access to the Father ( Eph. 2:18)
He teaches us. ( John 14:26)
There are many more things that Scriptures say about what the Spirit does in and for us.
Galations 3:24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
[25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
[26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
2nd Cor 3:3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
Amen, the law of sin and death Moses' law, Jesus gave us new laws, the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus which sets us free from the law of sin and death Romans 8:1-2. Jesus' words are spirit and life John 6:63. What are Jesus' laws Matthew the beatitudes and simultudes. Sin no more, be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, be holy, love one another. 100% conditional commandments.
Romans 8:1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
[2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
[3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
[4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Hebrews 7:19] For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
1st John 2:3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Acts 13:[46] Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
2nd Cor 13:5] Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
1st Cor 11:31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
When you can't judge yourself, how do you expect to judge angels.
1st Cor 6:3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
[4] If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
The person you wake up to each day is the one who will be judging you. God will not judge you, neither does Jesus. You judge yourself.
Romans 8:6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
[7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
[10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:[5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
[7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
[10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Galations 5:17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
[18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
2nd Cor 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
old things are passed away, Sabbath day old thing.
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Jesus had to be born again as he died and was burred. What came out of the grave was not the same thing that went into the grave. Jesus was now a dead man walking full of holes and no blood. Can you live with no blood? Nope, Jesus was eating and talking because of the sprit of God his Father in him a new creature.
Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
The bible says flesh and blood can not enter the kingdom of heaven 1st Cor 15:50. Jesus was now a new creation eating, talking and breathing and yet he had no blood. A born again Jesus this time of the spirit and no longer of Mary.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
[11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ...