Discuss Romans 8 Page 35

Even at the end of time, Jesus will still be there for them and us. I see Jesus' promise there in verse 20, as a description or an expression of the extent of His Love & Presence with them: even though the heavens & earth pass away, His devotion to His Church will never fail. Nothing can separate us from His Love. Romans 8:38,39.

Hi Cris, here is my reply

Answer to your questions, back up with biblical proofs:

Colossians 1:16 - 17 16For by him (JESUS) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him (JESUS), and for him (JESUS): 17And he (JESUS) is before all things, and by him (JESUS) all things consist.

1 John 1:3 Context 1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life (JESUS); 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Mark 16:19 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Luke 22:69 68And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. 69Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

Acts 7:56 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Romans 8:34 34Who 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.

Hebrews 10:12 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

1 Peter 3:22 22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Perspective Helps Us Understand God

Old Testament = God is a Spirit, invisible to the naked eye. Attributes are: Omnipotent - all powerful, can do anything nothing is impossible; omnipresent - is everywhere;

So I think I understand you: that God was alone in Heaven in eternity & it was Him & the cherubim that were involved in the creative work. And then when it came time for Jesus' appearance, you said "God manifested as a man name Jesus in New Testament; God as the Holy Spirit in Resurrection - all of these titles only belongs to Jesus."

So to the first point & to my first response to you on this matter: how do you understand Colossians 1:16,17 & John 1:1-3 & following verses?

To your second point: if God is now manifested as Jesus, & I assume you say that there is presently no God in Heaven except Jesus Who now God, then what do you make of Mark 16:19, Luke 22:69, Acts 7:56, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 10:12, 1 Peter 3:22, & others. I'm confused.

I suppose the Trinity issue doesn't come up until these points are dealt with first. Thank you.

I want Romans 9:18-22

Page 1.

I think Rob, a dictionary wouldn't be very useful in this matter. So your answer is: "The Holy Spirit is of God". Well, that's correct but to expand on that a little, if I may amplify your thoughts. In great care, I would suggest that you also believe that the Holy Spirit is a Person, i.e. He comes from within the Godhead, sent into the World of sinners to convict & to indwell those who have been born again that they might lead new lives with a new Power within.

That He must be a Person, as shown in many examples: Intelligence ( 1 Corinthians 2:10,11); has feelings ( Ephesians 4:30); has a Will ( 1 Corinthians 12:11); has a Mind ( Romans 8:27); teaches ( John 14:26); guides ( Romans 8:14, John 16:13); commissions ( Acts 13:4); commands ( Acts 8:29); restrains ( Genesis 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:7); intercedes ( Romans 8:26); speaks ( John 15:26). Though He may be a spirit as from God, out of God's Being, He is the very Expression & Person of God Himself. I hope you agree to that, or am I putting words in your mind or mouth?

Then we come to God's Word. As seen with the Spirit, the Word of God is unseen, the very Articulation of God in creating, giving commands & direction whether to heavenly hosts, to His people on Earth or through His prophets & in other utterances that we're unaware of. Now there may be other aspects of God's Being that we're not told of, but of the Word & the Spirit, there's no dispute. The difficulty now for some remains with the 'Word'.

If then, God sends out His Spirit to accomplish His Purposes, why is it so hard to comprehend that He sends out His Word to do likewise? Or is that because the Spirit has no flesh, therefore it must hold true that God's Word can only be spirit without flesh? What if God chose to give His Spirit flesh maybe that would make it easier to understand the 'Word' easier.

Hello Raymond,

I believe we are all going to have to give account of what we have done in our lives whether good or bad.

As in 2 Corinthians 5:10

One thing that some people denote is that there are two different "judgement" seats. As in English we cannot see this. One word they use for "judgement" is "krisis" transliterated from Greek. As it is used for "accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment" in the Bible. The other word is "bema", also used for "judgement' in English, as the usage in the Bible is " judgment-seat set [foot] on throne." Some people say this is more for handing out rewards rather than condemning.

As there are two verses I know of in the Bible that says a "believer" shall not come into "krisis" or condemnation. One is John 5:24. The other is Romans 8:1 that states there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ.

As 2 Peter 3:7 states "krisis" judgement is kept for the ungodly people.

Hope that helps some. God Bless.

The Book you referred to is considered a part of the Deuterocanonical or Apocryphal Books that were rejected by those who formed the Canon of Scripture (i.e. the books we have now in the Bible). Those Books were rejected for several reasons, some of which were their authorship, hence authority, some glaring errors found within, references that were historically inaccurate, etc. However, the Roman Catholic Church has included most of them within their Scriptures & use them equally with the rest of the Bible. But by doing this, we then see their justification to pray to the dead, having Mary intercede for them, worshipping angels, alms-giving as also atoning for sins, etc. So, even though there could be much we could learn from those books, I believe with such errors found within, I have nothing to do with them, rather seeking understanding from the Scriptures I have now & if some answers are not learned, then to admit the Bible's silence & my ignorance.

After that quick outline of the Apocrypha, The Wisdom of Solomon likewise has shown some discrepancies. For example, in Wisdom 7:26, "For she (Wisdom) is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness." This verse alone elevates Wisdom to such a high level that even the Son of God might falter at it. Compare Hebrews 1:3 concerning Christ.

Wisdom 9:18, "For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom." Whereas the Bible says that salvation comes by faith, a gift of God to those whom He calls, justifies, and sanctifies ( Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 8:30).

It is understood that Solomon didn't write this book, but was a writing from the 1st or 2nd Century BC. The early Church (& the RCC) accepted this from the declaration in the Muratorian fragment, which states that it was the 'friends of Solomon' who wrote this in his (Solomon's) honour.

Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 8:1

Hebrews 10:11-13

Hebrews 12:2

Luke 16:19

Mark 14:62

Romans 8:34

Ephesians 1:21

1 Peter 3:22

Acts 7:55

Colossians 3:1

These verses should be sufficient to show that the risen Jesus Christ is now at the Father's right Hand.

Chad, may the Spirit grace you with his (spiritual) understanding and his (spiritual) wisdom.

Romans 8:20 For the creature (creation) was made subject to vanity, not willing, but by reason of him (the creator) who hath subjected the same (creation), in hope.

Eve sinned because she was created subject to vanity.

All flesh sins because we were created subject to vanity; but we were also created in hope.

Romans 8:21 Because the creature (creation) itself shall be delivered (by the creator) from the bondage of corruption into the glorious LIBERTY of the children of God.

Job 15:14 What is man (flesh), that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

Job 25:4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman (flesh)?

G

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ( Romans 8:28) when seeking answers -sometimes its hard to find Gods will or purpose for my life- through all the agendas of others -deceiving us through lies and false messages ,and even my own short comings in prayers and interpretations --I second guess things -now -where as before I was more confident in what the Lord was telling me -- i turned to the Lord-for all advice and prayed , read the bible -I get the answers and things were progressing --now looking back-my husband was the wrong choice the inability to have financial stability and a Christian home-says all my efforts were a waste - meaning it started well then I guess somewhere it was stressful and my agendas to relieve it going to god for answers well well It was a failure big time but we are alive --so was it to conclude now i come to the lord with his purpose --so now again I come to the Lord with a decision--tell me suggestions on my approach --seeking Gods will and purpose

For ALL have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. The commandments to Love our Lord with all and to Love one another, on these hand ALL Laws and ALL PROPHETS!

May the truth find you and set you free

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus

when we are born again, WE ARE ADOPTED INTO OUR LORD!

Romans 8:15

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

We are one in CHRIST JESUS

HALLELUJAH

Hi Paul, If you have trusted in redemption plan, "The Gospel according to Paul" 1st Corinthians 15:1-4, How Christ died for our sins, was buried, and he rose again on the 3rd day, and Ephesians 2:8, " For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God, What you do outwardly doesn't ad to you salvation, you cant contribute to what's a "free gift for those who believe and trust in the blood of Christ". We are to bare fruit by being connected to Christ. That is a byproduct of salvations, It is an INWARD transformation that reflects OUTWARDLY. 1st John chapters 2 in whole tells us, we can KNOW that he is in us and we in him... is when we Love the Brethren. this is the spirit of Love toward one another that's given to us. Our salvation depends Gods faithfulness and his promise, not on us. we can get out his will and he chasten us but never forsake us. When feeling down read 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, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of Christ Jesus our Lord. that's including ourselves!! This is the peace and the rest he gives us.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV)

"[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Yes, we do face sufferings in this life, but we have to know that

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."

Philippians 4:6-7

"The Lord is at hand. [6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Even if we die in this world we will go to the next world which is eternal. There are two destinations that everyone will go to one day after death, either [heaven mainly because they trusted what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross for there sin's and on the third day ROSE again] or [hell mainly because they rejected what the Lord Jesus Christ did for them on the cross and ROSE again the third day]. For those that trust in the Lord Jesus Christ ( to that bright world to which we go) may God bless.

Reply to Robynn John 3

Good day

Romans 8:35-39 who shall seperate us from the Love of God. God is Love. Most people love with conditions, where God's love on unconditional. We even treat God that way ,if we don't get what we ask from God,He becomes none existant.

Grace is love,Ephesians 2v8 we are saved by Grace through faith. We don't deserve this Grace,but gave it because of His incredible Love for us.

To know that your experience of re-birth by God's Spirit is real, is found in the testimony from God's Word & by the witness of His Spirit to your heart.

There are many Scriptures that tell us, what God has done in a truly repentant, confessing sinner, is a declaration by God. And if God has said it (through His Word), then He cannot lie & He is faithful to perform it in your life. Look at: John 3:16; 1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 2:38; Luke 15:10; 1 John 5:4; 1 John 2:29 are just a few.

Not only from God's Word that He wants all to repent & turn to Him, but also His Spirit witnesses to our hearts:

Romans 8:16; Galatians 5:17,22; 1 Corinthians 12:7 ff; 1 Corinthians 2:14 are some for you to consider.

So these verses declare God's ministry to us to assure our hearts that we belong to Him, i.e. we have been born again by His Spirit. But for each of us, the Spirit's ministry can be specific & special. One may see God doing mighty things through him that blesses many. Others, can have a quiet confidence in the promises of God & willing & able to share with others what God has done in him. But in all cases, the indwelling Spirit is there to assure you, comfort you, direct you, teach you & give you a hope for the future, which an unbeliever simply cannot have & enjoy.

Sometimes, the initial reception of the Spirit can be quite dramatic, whether in outward manifestations or an inward contrition & resulting joy in salvation. If you've had that experience, be assured of His Presence in you. If you've been baptized in water, here is another great testimony of an inward response to God's Work in you. But if you're feeling empty & no different from when you were unsaved, then you need to examine yourself whether you have come to God in the way that God has prescribed or to check whether you are harbouring any sin that stops His Spirit from fully working in you. I can't know all about you from where I am - you will have to search your heart & life & be honest with God.

I believe the way to understand this passage, particularly, "every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn", is that all who would stand against Israel accusing her will not prevail, as her heritage in God & performing the Will of God, will be a witness of condemnation to their false witness. This should have been Israel's experience & joy, yet as we know, they failed miserably, often departing from serving God to the worship of idols.

And for the Christian, we have a similar Scripture in the NT: Romans 8:31-34, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 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."

Man may raise many accusations against us, but we are not to retaliate in anger or judgement, because it is Almighty God Who is on our side, & Who fights our battles for us. It doesn't matter what man sees or thinks of us - what matters is how God looks at us - & He always sees us through the Gift of His Son & His Sacrifice. We are children of the King: what can man ever think or do to us without God's Knowledge or intervention?

My understanding on this matter is that, according to Matthew 1:20, "for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost", the seed or embryo placed in Mary's womb was entirely of the Lord. That is, the Word of God was sent in seed form to be placed in a human so that the child to be born was fully from God, as God, being born into the world in fleshly form. I don't believe that Mary contributed anything to the Holy Seed but was used by God to be the means for His Son to come into the world, in fulfilment of His Plan & the prophecies made about Him.

So when Jesus faced Satan at that time of rigorous temptation ( Matthew 4:1-11), it was Satan's goal to cause the sin nature to come into Jesus by Jesus succumbing to him, as Jesus wasn't born with such a nature. Unlike Jesus, we are the products of human seed (not Divine seed) fusing & developing, thereby we have no choice other than inheriting the sin nature of our parents. So when we are tempted to sin, Satan already has a prepared fertile ground on which to make his appeal, & so we give in easily. But with Jesus, Satan had to try desperately to cause a sin nature to develop in Him, thereby rendering His coming & being a worthy Sacrifice, a total failure, leaving mankind wallowing in his sin & eventual judgement by God for it.

Praise be to God that Jesus resisted Satan's thrusts, proving His Divine Power over evil & being the one & only acceptable & worthy Sacrifice for our sins. What we could never do, Christ fully did for us. So the seed from which we came into the World was already clothed with a sin nature, yet when we are born again, our spirits are made new by the Spirit of God so that it cannot sin ( 1 John 3:9). What then causes us to fall again & again? Well, we're still in that body of flesh (from the original seed) so the battle against sin rages, until the redemption of the body ( Romans 8:23) into a complete change into purity & sinlessness.

Disappointment comes to all of us as we remain in hope that something we've planned for or what has been told us, fails to materialize. It is an unnerving experience that can render some people quite helpless, but God is there for times such as these.

Romans 12:2 says it this way: "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." Even though we generally understand this verse warning the believer not to behave as the unsaved world does & adopt a new way of thinking, it also has implications to the believer not to conform to the world that sets its hope on the finite & material aspects of it, rather than putting faith in the God Who knows & does all things well.

The believer does at times suffer disappointments, but ought to immediately look heavenward & commit himself & those matters to the Lord Who will bring it to pass in His Time, & generally in a manner above what we could have expected or planned for.

Some other Scriptures to reflect upon: Philippians 4:6,7; Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 73:23-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Psalm 42:11; Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:5,6; 1 Peter 5:6,7; John 14:27; Hebrews 13:5. And many more, to show us there is comfort & help as we wait upon the Lord with our concerns & disappointments in this life.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 is such an encouragement when we would despair because of all that is broken and hurting in our nation and world. The righteous Branch, from the lineage of David, the coming King who will reign and prosper, foresees Christ's second return. He will execute judgment and justice (just in Israel?) no..."in the earth," the whole earth. The whole creation groans and travails together in pain until now ( Romans 8:22) and only Christ's return will relieve it. My challenge is not to be overburdened by worry and fear for what is happening, but to endure and wait patiently for Him. He will be called THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, for we have no righteousness of ourselves.

In my understanding, the examples of 'God' in Genesis 2:2, is in the Hebrew, 'Elohim'. This word has a number of meanings & applications, as referring to the true God, or gods, or judges, rulers, etc. Here in Genesis & elsewhere where it's clearly in reference to the God of Heaven, then the word means that God is defined as Almighty, Everlasting & Unchangeable One.

When we look at verse 4, 'LORD God', the Hebrew is 'Yahweh', which defines Him as a Personal, self existent God, the Author of all things, gives expression & effect to His Plans & maintains a relationship with His creatures. So, in using the 'LORD God', or 'Yahweh Elohim', we learn of the fullest expression of Almighty God. Now why the writer has deemed it necessary to use the different Name of God in this context, I cannot tell as there seems to our understanding some inconsistency in their use throughout Scripture.

As far as John chapter 1 & the 'Word of God', here we see that this God ('Theos', a general word for God) has expressed Himself by His Word ('logos', a speech, a Divine utterance) & also by His Spirit (as in Matthew 3:16). So God has always existed & never changed throughout eternity. But at the appointed time ( Romans 5:6), God sent out His Word, giving His Word a body of flesh, for the purpose of bringing God's Message directly to His people (just as the prophets of old did), but this time to do what the Law couldn't do ( Romans 8:3). And that was the giving of the ultimate Gift to man: that God in the flesh (Jesus) would Himself lay down His Life for His people's (& our) redemption.

Just to be theological & maybe, a little pedantic, though we often read of Christ being in us ( Colossians 1:27), the reality is that Christ, as God Who is also Man, is presently seated at the right hand of the Father ( Luke 22:69, Colossians 3:1). So when it is said that Christ is in us, we actually mean that He is there by His Spirit ( Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16). While it's not wrong to say that Christ lives in us, the correct understanding of this is that Christ is there by His Spirit in all who have been born again by Him.

GOOD AFTERNOON Matt. I agree with you 100% we cant replicate the level of service and love which was in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the cornerstone of the foundation which our faith is built on, we who are in him is only given an earnest of the spirit. Now the spirit helps us human beings in our infirmities, we who are saved have the mind of Christ, Romans 8:9. "However" some are carnal and need growth. Now Philippians 2:5 "let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus, is not telling us to "match" Jesus in his service, love, understanding, perceptive abilities upon all needs of his Disciples. Like you said to put that verse in context its talking about egalitarian service towards one another, verses 2 through 4 tells us what Paul is talking about, Listen to him; Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same Love, "being of one accord" one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowness of mind let each esteem other better than them themselves. look not every man on his own things but every man on the things of others... As the church did in acts 2:44-46; And all that believed were together, and had "all things in common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men ,as every man has need. And "continue daily with one accord" in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and "singleness" of heart. YES we should have the" mind" of Christ. In Philippians the word mind is fron-eh,-o in the Greek, it means "attitude", we are to have the same attitude. , 1st Corinthians 2:16 says For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. the word mind here in the Greek is nooce, it means understanding. So to put that verse into action its not just what you do to your brothern or for you brothern, its also what you dont do to your brothern as well such as devour one another, that's fulfilled with Love. Gal 5:13-26.

My understanding: the Sabbath was created as a day of rest for Israel ( Exodus 31:12-17), just as the Lord rested from His creative Work. This fourth commandment was blessed by God & sanctified (made holy) long before He gave it as a direct commandment to the children of Israel. It was a day of complete rest (cessation from the activity that occupied the other six days) & a day devoted to God. The other important sign given to Israel to set them apart from all other nations, was the act of circumcision. Both were for Israel only.

From the time of Israel's exodus out of Egypt, they learned which day was the actual Sabbath: Exodus 16:25-27, when they found no manna on the ground on that day. Ever since then, the count was on: 6 days work - 1 day rest, right up to the time of Jesus when He observed the same Sabbath, indeed He did 'work' in it, saying that the Sabbath was created for man & not the other way around.

So the Sabbath was a specific day of rest for the Jews. And it could fall on that day as well, or any other day, for non-Jews. The important point was that man took the day off to cease from his labours for both physical & spiritual recuperation. Where this observance becomes a problem for Christians, is the compulsion by some that we too are bound to a Jewish Saturday Sabbath, & by extension, full obedience to the Law, which none could keep. This Law was not a sign to Christians but to the Jew who was under the Law. Hear what Paul says pertaining to the Law & the Christian: Romans 3:19-22; Galatians 3:21-25; Galatians 4:21-26; Galatians 5:16-18.

If the Christian then sets aside Sunday, the Lord's Day ( Revelation 1:10) as a day of rest & worship, he fulfils the need for both. If he chooses any other day as a rest day, does it matter to the Lord? Colossians 2:16,17. If one believes that the keeping of the Sabbath does matter to the Lord, then he shows a misunderstanding of the Law engraven in stones & the Law of the Life-giving Spirit ( Romans 8:2).

Thanks for your reply. The law is for sinners. Christ fulfilled ALL the requirements of the Law for believers by His death on the Cross. Believers are justified by GRACE thru Faith in Christ alone. Believers are under a new law: the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.( Romans 8:2). Those who continue to SIN, without repenting, ("workers of iniquity") lose out with God, fall from Grace, and bring themselves back under the authority of the Law of SIN and death. Hope that clears up what I meant in the 1st post.

I can't think of any verses that specifically conform to what you want, but you could take a look at the following:

Psalm 139.

Jeremiah 1:5.

Romans 8:29.

Ephesians 1:4,5.

Make sure he knows the gospel weather he believes it or not it is always good to remind or selves and others.

Check

Philippians 4:4-7

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

"[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: "

Remember

Yes, we do suffer in this present evil world, but when we either get raptured by Jesus Christ to the eternal side or when we die in this world, we are automatically present with the The Lord Jesus Christ. ( To that bright world to which we go ) =-)

Romans 8:15-21

"[15] 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. [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. [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. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, peace be with and your father through Christ Jesus and his words which is in the bible, May God Bless =-)

I agree, Sin is a good subject to discuss. You state: "What are we saved from? We can be saved from sin." If you stand on that premise, then certainly, Christ's Salvation saves us from sinning again. But if one believes that His Salvation doesn't do that, rather saves us from the penalty of sin, then this becomes very different.

There are three aspects in the Work of Salvation: 1. a legal requirement by God (i.e. a complete & lasting payment was required for our sin so that God could forgive us on that basis): Romans 8:1,2. There was no other option in God's Mind to consider another possibility to redeem sinful man to Himself. So we say that we are Justified before God (i.e. just-as-if-I'd never sinned).

2. a purifying requirement (i.e. a sinner who has been saved is expected to deal with sin, with temptations & slip ups). He cannot continue in a sinful lifestyle as the Spirit of God abides in him ( 2 Corinthians 1:21,22) to convict him & give him power to live in holiness, putting on the whole armour of God ( Ephesians 6). We are Sanctified, set apart & the work of sanctification is an on-going work to bring us into the likeness of Jesus.

3. a glorifying requirement (i.e. this is the end result for those who have been justified & sanctified). Our future glorification can only be the result of God's Work in us ( Romans 8:17), accepting us, not because we claim to be sinless, but rather we are sinners saved by His Grace alone, justified, sanctified & having our hope resting only on the Lord Jesus, having fought the battle well.

It would be a nice thought to believe that we can never sin in this life. All believers have struggled with sin, even the great Apostle Paul ( Romans 7), & we will continue to do so until our spirits return to God. Any who claim that they don't sin, either have an incorrect understanding of what sin is or are deluded into believing their present state is sinless.

Job was perfect before God ( Job 1:8) yet he sinned (9:20). He was accepted.

Thank you Gary for that great & accurate declaration of a believer's condition & standing before God.

Galatians 5:16-18: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 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. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."

The war continually rages between our renewed (born again) spirits & the appeal of carnal flesh. Many just give up & submit to the flesh & continue to do so, erroneously believing that "my salvation & eternity are secure through this great transaction".

Romans 8:8-10: "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."

The Word is clear: as those born again from above, we live according to direction & power of the Holy Spirit & not inclined towards the appeal of the flesh. Though our bodies are corrupt & decaying because of the effects of sin, one day they too will be renewed in that great Translation Day, in which both spirit & the incorruptible body will be taken away to enjoy eternity with the LORD & His Christ.

Yes, Paul struggled with the pull by the spirit & the flesh, & he called it "a war" between his members (Romans chapter 7). If you were referring to the same brother as I'm thinking of, he also said that Paul's struggle happened when he was still bound in his old nature (as an unregenerate Jew), not having Christ's Spirit. But that chapter doesn't suggest that at all, showing the struggle that exists, indeed must be real & constant, in every believer who is still on this Earth & having the Spirit of Christ in him. Saved sinners are not exempt.

When ministering to the little ones, to say that God lives in our hearts can be a little more understandable than to relate it theologically: that it is His Spirit that comes to reside in the Christian. God's Throne is in Heaven with His resurrected Son at His right Hand: that is seen Scripture. But God's Spirit (that indivisible part of the Godhead), is sent out into the world for a variety of purposes: John 16:7,8; John 14:16-18 & others.

Both Paul ( Romans 8:9) & Peter ( 1 Peter 1:11), speak of Christ's Spirit. Again, the Deity is fully seen as the selfsame Spirit that is in the World & in believers, and He is the Spirit of God & His Christ. So the Deity cannot reside in anything evil, rather God's Spirit is present to bring God's Light & Truth to those whose hearts are prepared to hunger for it & receive it.

This can be a difficult question to answer depending on how you understand certain Scriptures.

For those who deem that Heaven & Paradise are the same location, they will cite 2 Corinthians 12:4 & Revelation 2:7, where in each of these references, Paul & John indicated that Heaven, the abode of God, is intended.

For those who believe that Paradise is a separate place, they will appeal to the location of departed souls pre-Cross, as in Luke chapter 16. Here we see the rich man being tormented in hell, & beyond the separating gulf, there was Lazarus, the beggar, who enjoyed relative comfort. And in Luke 23:43, Jesus tells the thief on the Cross that he would also go to Paradise with Him. We assume that this wasn't Heaven, as Jesus said that He had not ascended to the Father ( John 20:17). We understand that while Jesus' Body was in the sepulchre for the three days, Jesus, as also the thief, went down into Paradise. But at Jesus' bodily resurrection, those bodies in the graves also arose ( Matthew 27:53) with Him & we might assume that their souls once held in Paradise were now released to enter Heaven.

Some compartmentalize Hades with a section of suffering & another section of comfort. At Christ's death & resurrection, the souls who were in comfort (being noted for their faith & love for God), were released from there & taken into Heaven, the abode of God. However, the wicked still remain in Hades awaiting their final judgement & casting into the Lake of Fire (in the future).

So in answer to your question, both Heaven & Paradise can now be correctly considered as one & the same. But there was a distinction made pre-Cross, as those held in that Paradise (a place of comfort) awaited the great event of Christ's Sacrifice that provided the payment for their sins based on their faith & removed their condemnation. Romans 8:1.