Discuss Romans 8 Page 28

JB,

Thanks for sharing Romans 8:38-39. Paul 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."

In other words, nothing can separate us from Christ, not even our own flesh!

Ray, If you've accepted Jesus as your saviour, then you have not committed the unpardonable sin.

Rejecting Jesus is the unpardonable sin

Luke 12:9

But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Speaking out against God isn't unpardonable, denying him is.

Luke 12:10

And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

And if you are in Christ Jesus, you are not condemned to anything.

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.

If you confess your sins to him, he will forgive you.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And if by any chance you're scared God might take your wife or kids away, remember these:

Matthew 19:6

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

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.

Just confess your sins and ask for forgiveness and don't worry about them any more; God will forget them.

Psalm 103:11-12

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. [12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

But don't use that as an excuse to continue in sin..

God will chastise you.

Romans 6:1-2

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Hebrews 12:6

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

If you are ever tempted to sin again, read 1 Corinthians 10:13

Hi Mr E.

Romans 8:22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

The Whole world was falling when we thought it was Great.

No one is saved by the works they do.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

And you are saved the moment you believe Jesus died for your sins.

Romans 10:9-10

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.

What James 2 is talking about is that saving faith produces good works. If you get saved, but there is no change in your life, you're not saved.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

James 2:17

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Once saved always saved is true. If one of Jesus's sheep goes astray, he will go after it.

Matthew 18:12

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] 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.

Of course we are not free to sin

Romans 6:1-2

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

if you continue in the sin and you don't repent or care, then it's willful sin.

But if you do repent

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

CAN SALVATION BE LOST?

May CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did FOREKNOW...

Very few will disagree that God creates every man; since, he created the reproductive process of man; therefore, he FOREKNOWS everyone.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did FOREKNOW, he did ALSO PREDESTINATE to be conformed to the IMAGE of his SON, that he might be the FIRSTBORN among many BRETHERN.

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did PREDESTINATE, them he also CALLED (presently God is ONLY CALLING those that will be PRIEST in HIS KINGDOM) (the servants in the kingdom will be called at the second resurrection), and whom he CALLED, them HE JUSTIFIED: and whom he JUSTIFIED, them he also GLORIFIED.

Ezekiel 5:3 Thou shall also take thereof a FEW in number ....

Ezekiel 5:4 Then take of them again, and cast them into the midst of the FIRE (IN CHRIST; Hebrews 12:29), and burn (purify; Malachi 3:2-3) them in the FIRE (IN Christ); for thereof (the Priest) shall a FIRE (the saints judging the world; Revelation 21:8) come forth to the house of Israel.

NO ONE is going to alter GOD's PLAN; whatever God PREDESTINED that you are going to do in his kingdom, YOU WILL DO.

All is the works of God; he uses man to do the labour.

1 Peter 1:2

Ephesians 1:5

Romans 9:13

John 5:70

Ephesians 1:4

Gregory,

I write this from my heart. As I can only imagine the loss of your wife, stay strong and just try to be patient. I truly have the same feelings of just wanting to go Home and be done with all the evil, wrong, and pain in this world. Keep your faith in Jesus Christ because He hears you and knows everything you are going through. Pour your heart out to Him in tears. Just let it all out and tell Him that you need Him. Lay everything at His feet. He is real my brother and He loves you very much.

There is a reason for everything that we may not understand now but one day it will all be shown to us and every question we have shall be answered.

Romans 8:18 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.

Keep your faith and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. Keep praying. Try to stay strong and be patient in these tough times.

Many Blessings to you brother. May our Father allow you to be in peace.

(Part 3)

Temeko,

The most powerful Scriptures of God's keeping power are found in Romans 8:38-39. It says, "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor any thing which has come, nor things coming, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The only way a person can be saved is by a spiritual birth from God, and the only way a person can keep his salvation is through the keeping power of God.

This is what the Bible teaches about salvation. Salvation is permanent. It is man who has changed the emphasis from salvation by God to salvation by man, and it is part of the apostasy of the last days. People today are being told that they are saved because of some followed formula, but Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that believers would be known by their fruits, not by their human works.

If a person believes they can lose their salvation based on something they do, then it is a works-based salvation and has nothing to do with the Spirit of God and God's power to keep us saved.

I place my trust in God and His power to keep me saved until the day he comes to redeem me. He says He is the one who is Keeping me and I believe and trust in His promise. It is Christ who lives in me. He has promised to NEVER leave me nor forsake me. And as long as He lives in me (Which He says He will never leave), I will be saved. And that is why I believe in the permanency of salvation.

My salvation is not based on what I do or don't do. It is strictly based on what God has done for me. God called me, and I responded to the call and received Christ. He saved me, and it is through His power alone that I remain saved. I cannot trust in my flesh to remain saved because my flesh will never submit to the things of the Lord. I have to trust in the one who saved me, the one who has given me His Spirit, and the one who is keeping me saved!

Temeko,

Salvation is the most important issue here and I need more than one post to give you an answer to your question, so please bear with me.

(Part 1)

There are those who believe that salvation can be lost and then there are others who believe in the permanency of salvation. I personally believe that salvation is permanent and here's why:

First of all, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is based solely on God's Spirit coming into the spirit of a human being; and in so doing, causing that person to become a new creation in Christ. A person's experience of regeneration by the Holy Spirit is an act of God, not of man.

According to the Bible, the salvation process begins with God the Father. Jesus said, in John 6:44, "No one is able to come to me unless the Father who has sent me should draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day."

In the early Church, the requirement for salvation was the presence of God's Spirit dwelling within a person. Paul said in Romans 8:9, "Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of Him." Salvation happens only when God's Spirit enters and remains (Permanently) in a person's spirit, thereby causing spiritual birth.

God is the sole source of salvation. The Bible also teaches that every saved person is KEPT by the power of God. 1 Peter 1:5 says that believers are "The ones who are BEING KEPT in the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Paul says in Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are opposing to one another; in order that you should not do what you want."

These scriptures show that believers cannot be taken away from Christ by the flesh, because the Spirit of God is dwelling within to prevent that from happening.

More to follow:

Hi Mishael. It can't be argued in what you have just shared, as obedience to the Lord, a deep love for Him & to all people must be our focus & to where our energies are directed.

But in these threads you refer to lies a problem with correct biblical hermeneutics. Ordinarily, we can agree to differ on our understanding of the Scriptures without too much of a catastrophe (e.g. Christ's second coming, did Jesus actually spend three days in the grave, etc, etc.). But what we have here is about the applicability of the Decalogue to the believer in Christ, & in particular the 4th Commandment (which somehow takes a degree of precedence over the other nine), should be of concern to each of us. The apostles had to wrestle over this as it was important to keep the believers' new life in Christ distinct from the old life (if they were Jews) under the Law which revealed their sin, their incapability to keep the Law & which only brought death ( Romans 7:5,6). So it was never a case of whether we should obey God's commandments - we all must obey. It's a case of whether our appeal to obey is to what was the "ministration of death, written & engraven in stones" rather than to the "ministration of the Spirit" which is of greater glory ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-8) & for which Jesus died & ushered in the New Covenant with God. If righteousness (a believer's right standing before God) could be achieved by the Law, then indeed Christ has died in vain ( Galatians 2:21).

In other words, & with all concern, can a believer stand before God & claim obedience to the Ten Commandments & especially the 4th Commandment, & not expect rebuke? He might believe that he can stand with head held high, being sealed with the 4th, & then sees the Lamb that was slain Who put aside forever any cause for condemnation which came by the Law ( Romans 8:1-4). It's not about the beauty of God's Laws - it's about it's applicability & the Spirit's Work to reveal all of God's Laws to us & give us power to perform them.

Brother Dan, rather than go through all those points again, making this thread repetitious, Romans 8:1-4 shows us where the wonder of the New Covenant lies. And this "isn't a free ticket to sin" as you suggest. And I agree with you, "The scripture is about the Spirits Law - is the Holy Spirit residing in our heart that helps us to avoid sin."

In verse 2, we have a comparison: the Law given by God's Spirit or the Law given at Sinai that revealed sin & brought death. And Paul says that this New Law has freed him from the Old. So the question must be asked, "what is this new Law & how can it replace the old?" You've said that it "helps us to avoid sin". That's certainly the case...and more. The Holy Spirit Who has come to indwell us has only done so as a result of the New Covenant. No Covenant - No indwelling. The Spirit does much in a believer's life: apart from His baptism into God's family & sealing us to never be lost, He teaches us the holy requirements of our Father & convicts us when we err from the Truth & may need to discipline us when we're stubborn.

So does the Spirit's Law differ much from the Decalogue? Jesus gave us a hint in Matthew chapter 5. He spoke to His disciples of the "righteousness of the Scribes & Pharisees". And we know how 'righteous' they were: ensuring every Law was obeyed & their addition of the 'extras' making the Law burdensome to all. But with all that, the commandment was "Thou shalt not kill & Thou shalt not commit adultery". And the religious leaders were careful with that & ensured that all complied or else be punished. Jesus then spoke of the evil & intent that lay in the heart & that's where the commandments were broken.

Now to those with God's Spirit, we can no longer appeal to the Law of Sin & Death, for that will continue to enslave us & give us our due punishment. But through the Spirit, He gives to our hearts & minds the fullness of God's Laws which far surpass the Old. How can we then make any appeal to the Old?

Hebrews 10:24-29. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

For if we sin WILFULLY after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Our position in Christ oppose to those in the flesh/unsaved-

- Romans 8:6-13. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Because 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.

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.

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

""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.""

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.

The 1st Adam a living soul. "flesh

The 2nd Adam a life giving spirit.

All the Glory to God, We obey from the heart the Laws of God by command.

written in our fleshly hearts.

God bless.

Another from Chris.

Thank you Michael for that clear & concise response. If the foundations of biblical teaching or doctrine are not properly laid, the building cracks will develop & bring destruction. I find that many Christians, whether because of Church teaching or from their own surmisings, look at Scriptures such as John 14:15 & immediately apply the obedience to the Law for all people, that which was given only to Israel.

To do so, several things have to be overlooked or rejected: to whom was God speaking in the OT & to whom was Jesus speaking prior to His crucifixion? Only to Israel, none else. Gentiles weren't even in the picture pertaining to the Law & never have been. What was the reason for giving the Law? God's code of conduct (spiritual, moral & social) for His people, His Mark of separation from the heathen - Leviticus 26:46, (as also with circumcision: Genesis 17:10), & to demonstrate to Israel a godly standard that as sinners they could never fully obey ( Galatians 3:21-26).

But then we get verses such as Matthew 5:17-19 which are often used to support the eternal nature & applicability of the Law to all people. To those under the Law, indeed, the Law is current & will be used against them. To those who have escaped the curse of the Law & have found new life in Christ, have learned that Christ has indeed fulfilled all the Law, forever abrogating it & thru His Death ushered in a new & better Covenant ( Hebrews 8:6-13).

What then do we do with Scriptures (e.g. 1 John 5:2,3) that say we must obey God's commandments? Are John & others pointing the believer back to the letter of the Law that kills or rather to the Spirit Who gives life ( 2 Corinthians 3:6)? It is the Spirit's Law in our hearts that frees us from the Law of sin & death ( Romans 8:2). To give consent to both, that which is opposed to each other, weakens (even negates) the power of the New Covenant through Christ's Blood & the keeping of the Sabbath ever stands as a centrepiece to

Brother Chris,

You are ignoring tons of scripture regarding God's Commandments.....

I will comment on a few of your comments.

You ask - What then do we do with Scriptures (e.g. 1 John 5:2,3) that say we must obey God's commandments? That is a good question! If we believe what you are saying, then we need to ignore this scripture. In addition, there is a multitude of scripture including scripture from Jesus that asks us to follow God's commandments, are we to ignore all of this scripture too?

Yes, we must obey God's commandments. When we fail and sin, which all will, we can now be forgiven though Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ's death does NOT cancel God's commandments. God's commandments guide us and provides moral direction. Yes, apostle John and others followed Gods commandments and based on their scripture we should be doing the same.

You ask - Are John & others pointing the believer back to the letter of the Law that kills or rather to the Spirit Who gives life ( 2 Corinthians 3:6)? Yes, John and others are pointing back to the Law/10 Commandments. There is no easy way to get to heaven. If we ignore the commandments and live in sin....we perish!

You quote this scripture: It is the Spirit's Law in our hearts that frees us from the Law of sin & death ( Romans 8:2). This scripture from Paul sounds great but it does NOT provide us with a free ticket to sin. The scripture is about the Spirts Law - is the Holy Spirit residing in our heart that helps us to avoid sin.

You state: To give consent to both, that which is opposed to each other, weakens (even negates) the power of the New Covenant through Christ's Blood & the keeping of the Sabbath ever stands as a centrepiece to cause both error & division.

Ok, so we can believe in the new modern popular doctrine pointing to minimizing or eliminating the need to observe God's commandments or we can be (old fashioned) and believe in the bible and the 10 Commandments. I choose the latter.

God Bless

Thank you Michael for that clear & concise response. If the foundations of biblical teaching or doctrine are not properly laid, the building cracks will develop & bring destruction. I find that many Christians, whether because of Church teaching or from their own surmisings, look at Scriptures such as John 14:15 & immediately apply the obedience to the Law for all people, that which was given only to Israel.

To do so, several things have to be overlooked or rejected: to whom was God speaking in the OT & to whom was Jesus speaking prior to His crucifixion? Only to Israel, none else. Gentiles weren't even in the picture pertaining to the Law & never have been. What was the reason for giving the Law? God's code of conduct (spiritual, moral & social) for His people, His Mark of separation from the heathen - Leviticus 26:46, (as also with circumcision: Genesis 17:10), & to demonstrate to Israel a godly standard that as sinners they could never fully obey ( Galatians 3:21-26).

But then we get verses such as Matthew 5:17-19 which are often used to support the eternal nature & applicability of the Law to all people. To those under the Law, indeed, the Law is current & will be used against them. To those who have escaped the curse of the Law & have found new life in Christ, have learned that Christ has indeed fulfilled all the Law, forever abrogating it & thru His Death ushered in a new & better Covenant ( Hebrews 8:6-13).

What then do we do with Scriptures (e.g. 1 John 5:2,3) that say we must obey God's commandments? Are John & others pointing the believer back to the letter of the Law that kills or rather to the Spirit Who gives life ( 2 Corinthians 3:6)? It is the Spirit's Law in our hearts that frees us from the Law of sin & death ( Romans 8:2). To give consent to both, that which is opposed to each other, weakens (even negates) the power of the New Covenant through Christ's Blood & the keeping of the Sabbath ever stands as a centrepiece to cause both error & division.

Hi Rob,

I don't think anyone here has ever said Jesus Christ is God the Father. He is the only begotten Son of God. Like you stated flesh from being born of Mary. Though no virgin can give birth to a person. They must be conceived. The Holy Ghost is what conceived Mary. The Holy Ghost is of God. Jesus Christ was not just a human like you or me. He was part human part God.

I was wondering if it was the same Rob I have had conversations before about the divinity of Christ. In your question about "God not being flesh". Which I believe we all know. Also has nothing to do with Jesus Christ being God the Son.

He is on the right hand of God. Nothing is above Him and everything is below Him. Just as God the Father as they are ONE. Also the He existed before the world was.

As I might as well bring this up as well as I know some believe this view. That Jesus Christ received the Holy Ghost at His baptism in the Jordan. Maybe because of the vision John saw of the Spirit descending upon Him. Which to me was just for a testimony. Also as God spoke from Heaven. John the baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mothers womb as in Luke 1:15. I don't understand how anyone could think the Holy Ghost/Spirit of God was not with Jesus Christ from His mothers womb also. Also in that John was born of two human parents. Not as Christ in that God is His real Father. Even showing Jesus knew he was the Son of God in Luke 2:49. As we who are born again, knowing God is our Father, receiving the the Holy Spirit of adoption as in Romans 8:15-16. Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and ONE with God the Father. Along with the Holy Ghost. 1 John 5:7.

No one said anyone gave anything to God the Father.

God Bless.

There's 128 verses with flesh, in the New Testament KJV

1 Corinthians 15:39

All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

Revelation 19:18

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Romans 8:3

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:

Romans 8:12

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

2 Corinthians

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

Philippians 3:4

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

Ephesians 2:11

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Mark 10:8

And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

2 Corinthians 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.

Ephesians 2:3

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;

Jerry

i don't see anywhere in this tread where someone said the the sabbath was moved to Sunday, in fact we Adam said made it clear "Sounds like gathering on the first day ( Acts 20:7) of the week to worship is being confused with observing the Sabbath." in other words we're not saying that.

We're saying they gathered on the 1st day of the week.

following Christ is a 24/7 lifestyle that the Holyspirit moves you to do, not the 10 commandments, so yes Saturday is a Holy Day and so is the other 6 days. I also don't see where I or anyone said the 10 commandments was abolished, but I gave you Colossians 2:14-17 (KJV) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

What Paul is saying here is what he said in Romans 7:9.For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And Romans 8:3. 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:

And where did we judge you?

Romans 14:4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

GOD BLESS

Linda, May CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

I AGREE AND BELIEVE everything Jesse said in his comment to you. I will expand MY BELIEF a little more.

I BELIEVE that Christ; with the elect, are and will judge the world (Satan's kingdom that Christ took back at HIS resurrection). ( Matthew 4:8-9) ( Revelation 11:15) ( 1 Corinthians 6:2) ( 1 Peter 4:17)

I BELIEVE the parable of the workers; those called to work in God's vineyard, are the elect. Those called in the first hour are the apostles and others that took part in Pentecost. Since that first hour other workers have been called; till the present hour. Ourselves now being judged by the word of God; by our brothers before us, they being ONE IN CHRIST; have also become THE WORD, the BOOKS. ( Revelation 20:12) ( Revelation 20:4)

Matthew 19:28

Romans 11:31-32

Romans 8:19 For the earnest EXPECTATION of the creature WAITETH for the MANIFESTATION of the Son of God.

Romans 8:21 Because the creature ITSELF ALSO shall be DELIVERED from the bondage of corruption unto the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Revelation 10:10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

Revelation 10:11 And he said unto me. thou must PROPHECY AGAIN before many peoples, and nations,and tongues,and kings.

I BELIEVE at the departure of this body we will be given THE FULLNESS OF GOD; which also will be HIS BODY, OMNIPRESENT able to judge others as he now judges us.

Amen. In Christianity I hear a lot about how God is a friend, like a buddy you can talk to or just hang out with, or like a psychologist who just listens to you all day, or like a genie in a lamp who is there to bless your life, to fix all your problems, and serve you. I personally don't believe it. I think if that were true Jesus would have said so, but instead we have Jesus warning his followers (Christians) over and over to obey His commandments and to fear God. Matthew 10:28

Fear is the opposite of love as the Bible says and we shall not be in bondage with fear ( Romans 8:15), but it definitely says to fear God, which I think includes a very high level of respect to Him. I think a portion of Christians don't respect God or fear Him like the Bible says and instead I actually hear them use God's name in vain, and just say petty things to God, act demanding, and throw a tantrum when they doen't get their way. But God doesn't exist to serve them, but the opposite.

Link

To Deborah Kuradal on Romans 8: God is perfect in masculinity. Jesus called Him His Father. Jesus even said, "Who is my mother, or by brother, or my sister...but they who do the will of My Father. God is not a man that He should lie. He is our Creator and God. Thank you Heavenly Father! Holy to the LORD!

Walt, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

Man didn't start with eve; man started with Christ. Adam was just a shadow of the TRUE FIRST MAN CREATED.

Revelation 3:14 .... the faithful and true witness, THE BEGINNING OF THE CREATION OF GOD...

The true witness is Christ.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness....

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the BEGINNING and the ENDING....

Jesus was the first man created; and when HIS WORKS are finished, He will be the LAST MAN created.

Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, and THEY ARE CREATED; and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Psalms 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which SHALL BE CREATED shall praise the Lord.

Romans 8:29 For whom he (GOD) did foreknow (ALL CREATION), he also did predestinate to be CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, that he (THE SON) might be the firstborn (FIRST MAN OF CREATION) among many brethren (LAST MAN OF CREATION).

Daniel, may the Spirit grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

You ask why Jacob is bad mouthed so much in the church (most have worldly wisdom)?

Why is Judas bad mouthed so much in the church? Was not he one of the chosen? Did he not perform the job he was chosen for, just as Pharaoh, also Esau and Jacob as well as us today; we being used also by God to do HIS WORKS.

Romans 9

You would not have a saviour if you didn't have a Judas. Do you not think Our LORD is not doing these same kind of WORKS today? In all of history God uses man to do HIS WORKS, just and unjust.

Isaiah 10

But God has already provided for their return to the kingdom.

Romans 8:19-21 For the earnest EXPECTATION of the CREATURE WAITETH for the MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD.

(vs 20) For the creature was made SUBJECT TO VANITY, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

(vs 21) BECAUSE THE CREATURE ITSELF ALSO SHALL BE DELIVERED from the bondage of corruption (death) UNTO THE LIBERTY OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD.

Obadiah 1:21 And saviours shall come upon Mt. Zion to judge the Mt. of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lords.

MOST WILL NOT BELIEVE THIS.

Yes, the bible is based on race from Genesis to Revelation. I know this from studying the bible with the Strong's Concordance. It is written to Adamkind only.

Romans 8:34

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the RIGHT HAND OF GOD, who also maketh intercession for us.

Romans 8:27

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he (Jesus) makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

He is in heaven where the above scriptures say what He is doing. When this age closes, the Father will tell the Bridegroom to go get His Bride.

The Holy Spirit is on earth now performing His ministry. Jesus went to the Cross to give believers the Holy Spirit who indwells each believer with the spirit of Christ.

He comforts, teaches, baptizes, speaks, strives with sinners, creates, renews, convicts, anoints, guides, empowers, sanctifies, gives gifts, illuminates, reveals truth of God, and much more.

After the "caught up in the clouds", of the Church, His ministry will be diminished.

I would say I have a close relationship with Him. I pray, talk with, worship Jesus, read huge chunks of the Bible daily, sit still until He teaches me what I just read; He sharpens my spiritual discernment, corrects me often. I cannot express the inner JOY it is, to covet being in His presence. He speaks to me at home, in the car, taking a walk. He gives words of knowledge and words of wisdom; verses to go look up.

If you are daily crucifying your flesh so you may walk in the spirit, you too will experience this joy. I like to get in my closet, sit under the clothes and practice intense listening.

Get to know Him! He's a real Person who happens to be invisible to our eyes; but visible in the spirit; to hearts and to our spirit inside, ears. The Bible says God is a consuming fire. The fire of His love for us burns steady. How is yours?

Turn off the noise of the world for a little while, and get to know the ways of the Holy Spirit.

Sarah, may the Spirit grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, that no man can find out the WORK THAT GOD MAKETH from the beginning to the end.

Isaiah 28:21 .....that he may do HIS WORK, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

The tree of (the) knowledge of GOOD and EVIL. One tree, two fruits within themselves. You can't eat one without eating the other.

Children are born without knowledge; the FATHER tells them DO NOT touch the stove, it's hot. HOW CAN THEY BELIEVE, they don't know what hot is. So the FATHER has to teach knowledge through the experience of extremes found in the world. GOOD AND EVIL; but also HOPE.

Romans 8:20 For the creature (creation) was made SUBJECT TO VANITY, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in HOPE.

In God's strange act he is choosing a FEW to become Sons of God; that they with him will deliver the rest of creation from corruption.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest EXPECTATION of the creature waiteth for the MANIFESTATION of the SONS OF GOD.

Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself shall ALSO BE DELIVERED from the bondage of corruption (death) into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Jeanette, may the Spirit grace you with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, SOLD under sin.

We were naturally born flesh and blood; but a body of flesh and blood cannot obtain the spiritual world (the likeness of Christ). Christ came in the likeness of us (sinful flesh) to REDEEM (exchange our body of flesh for his body of GLORY or a glorified body).

Romans 8:6 To be carnally minded (unbelief) is DEATH; but to be spiritually minded (believing) is life (you never die you just change bodies; you are glorified with Christ, you are REDEEMED.

John 17:21-22

All this was made possible by HIS WORK ON THE CROSS AND HIS RESURRECTION. He was made like you so that you and him could die together and you and him could be resurrected together; now in THE LIKENESS OF CHRIST to live a life without sin (love God above all and your brothers and enemies as yourself)

Romans 8:29

Msconnie, may the Spirit (truth) grace you with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

Very FEW understand the kingdom or heaven or HEAVEN or THE GOSPEL or the good news.

WHERE DOES GOD DWELL?

Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for behold, the kingdom of God IS WITHIN YOU.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God DWELLETH in you?

1 Kings 8:27 But will God indeed DWELL ON THE EARTH? behold the HEAVEN and HEAVEN OF HEAVENS cannot contain THEE; how much less this HOUSE (TEMPLE) that I have builded?

Hebrews 3:6 For Christ is a Son over his own HOUSE; whose HOUSE WE ARE....

Hebrews 9:1-2 .....WE have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the THRONE ( Isaiah 66:1) of the majesty in the HEAVENS; (YOU)

(vs 2) A minister of the sanctuary, and TRUE TABERNACLE, which the Lord pitched and not man.

Psalms 148:4 Praise him, YE HEAVEN OF HEAVENS...

Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in HEAVEN....

Hebrews 12:23

Romans 8:29

Colossians 1:27 .....CHRIST IN YOU

You never die if ye are born of the SPIRIT you just change bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Thank you brother Carleton, for sharing that very deep, thought-provoking message; I had to read it several times to properly comprehend it.

The 'heart' of course is such an immaterial concept, so we who live in a see/touch dimension find it difficult to understand & identify. I can best equate it to the residence of our spirit and to which place, the Holy Spirit is also found in all those who believe. And even though the Spirit continues to affect our spirits in many ways to the end of forming "Christ in us", sadly our minds tend to run riot at times, entertaining fleshly pursuits, affecting our spirit. And so the continual urging to "be renewed in the spirit of your mind" ( Ephesians 4:23) & Romans 12:2: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" must be our constant pursuit.

And if being "carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" ( Romans 8:6), our minds must be specially affected by the Holy Spirit - and for that to happen, we put away sins in the mind & invite the Spirit to replace them with all that is pure & holy. And even in our struggles in the flesh, we know that "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" ( Philippians 2:13) & that work will never cease for it is God's Will & for His Joy for our holiness & bearing His Son's Image.

I am so sorry to hear about your situation, it is very sad. But keep on praying. You have the right approach to not fight yourself, but let God do the fighting for you.

Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

God bless.

Karen, may the SPIRIT grace you with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

The BIG QUESTION? If you don't accept Christ in your physical life time are you cut off forever? Or go to hell?

Most BELIEVE in this assumption.

If the scriptures are studied as a whole and verses are not picked and apply in direct opposition to other verses we see a different truth than the above.

The scriptures assert that THE WORKS OF GOD are divided into different ages or generations.

So what's taking place in the age we are presently living in.

Scripture says that God through Christ is CHOOSING a few to rule and judge in HIS KINGDOM and they with HIM will bring all creation INTO CHRIST.

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensations of the fullness of TIMES he might gather together in one ALL THINGS in CHRIST........

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature WAITETH for the manifestation of THE SONS OF GOD.

Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself ALSO SHALL BE DELIVERED (by Christ and his elect).......

Romans 11:30-31 For as ye in times past HAVE NOT BELIEVED GOD, yet have obtained mercy through THEIR UNBELIEF:

(vs 31) Even so have these also NOT NOW believed, that through YOUR MERCY they also MAY OBTAIN MERCY.

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when ALL THINGS shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.

Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great; but the labourers (OF GOD'S WORKS) are FEW.....

Matthew 20:16 many are called, FEW are chosen....

Why are they called and not chosen; because they didn't BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAID.

Yes they are saved; but want be a judge in the kingdom.