Maybe you were intending to respond to me on a another thread- not sure.
There are 2 funamental differences of opinion among Christians:
1. Fight the good fight
2. The battle is already won
It seems some people believe Jesus did all the work and all someone needs to do is respond to an altar call once in their life for about 3 minutes and they are instantly saved for eternity. To them this means they can kick back and enjoy life, even enjoy sin, because grace, right?
That is a fundamental different perspective than one who reads the verses about running the race, keeping the armor of God on, watching out for the devil as a lion on the prowl waiting to devour you, living not of the world, being a light, realizing you're persecuted for your beliefs and trying to stand strong in the face of evil. Realizing that all the parables (warnings) Jesus gave about most people not making it to heaven is real, and realizing that He was even warning His own followers (Christians). If Jesus already paid the debt and won then why did Jesus preach at all? And why did Paul? Was that a waste of time? Should we fear God who can send us to hell as it says in the Bible?
Here's a page of verses related to running the race, etc. But if the battle is already won then why would any of this be written in the Bible and why would it be needed? Link
Is it conceivable that a lot of people will be surprised they aren't allowed into heaven? Even Christians who thought they were 'good people'? Who cried out Lord, Lord... and begged and rationalized. I think the reality is one group sometimes can rest in God's grace more, but the other group should be afraid of going to hell, should get their act together, should obey Jesus, should not follow the world of sin anymore. Jesus said to avoid sin, not enjoy sin. Satan is giving people fake news and people are believing it. Matthew 7:21
2 Corinthians 5:10 - all will have to face judgment, including Christians who assume they're saved, before salvation is actually given.
We will always need to wait for judgment day to be saved, not here on earth. We were set up to fail, and must die to be made whole.
Finding a personal relationship with Jesus does not make anyone impervious to sin. Being "saved" can be a vehicle to proper behavior, a way to self reflect on how weak the flesh is.
You can only be born-again through resurrection.
God bless the one hundred forty four thousand first fruits.
Brother Simon, may CHRIST IN US grace us with His wisdom and His understanding.
I agree, we can only be born again BY RESURRECTION.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in THE FIRST RESURRECTION: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be Priests of God and Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This happens before the second judgement in Revelation 20:11-13
Luke 20:36 Neither can they die anymore...
Christ is telling the Sadducees; who did not believe in resurrection, that the ones APPOINTED TO DIE with him on his cross would never die again.
Psalms 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people which SHALL BE CREATED shall praise the Lord.
Psalms 102:20 ...to loose those APPOINTED TO DEATH
Luke 20:36 ....being the children of the resurrection.
1 Peter 4:17 For the TIME IS COME that JUDGEMENT must begin at the HOUSE OF GOD.....
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose HOUSE WE ARE...
John 5:22 For the father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgement unto the Son.
2 Corinthians 5:10 We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ....
We were RESURRECTED with Christ and Christ is dwelling IN US; therefore, Christ's THRONE is IN US and were are BEFORE the THRONE being JUDGED NOW by Christ (the word of God).
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed (flesh), but by incorruptible, by THE WORD (SPIRIT) of God, which LIVETH and ABIDETH forever. (you will never die again after you died ONCE with Christ).
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is APPOINTED unto man ONCE TO DIE (with Christ on the cross or later at the second death), but after this then the JUDGEMENT.
Hebrews 9:28 .....and unto them that look for him shall he appear a SECOND TIME (the first time was in the flesh; the second time in SPIRIT, you don't see him he is like a thief in the night) WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION.
A Biblical study on the 2 resurrections provides a generous amount of insights, rather than point blank omissions.
The first resurrection is only of the house of Israel; no where is Judah mentioned. It's the lost sheep whom Jesus first set out after, the house of Israel buries the bones of Gog for seven months. ( Ezekiel 39:12) The tribes of Levi, Benjamen, and Judah, 12,000 each have converted to the Lord Jesus Christ. They are the remnant of Israel.
Some like to imagine being part of the first resurrection, but the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. The only ones ever mentioned as "first fruits" are the one hundred forty four thousand, elect.
The second resurrection: ( Ezekiel 37:1-14) solidifies the order and nature of the resurrections. Here we see dry bones from the house of Israel and Judah stand up together as the whole house of Israel. The house of Judah was never part of the first resurrection, as those from the house of Israel were. This represent the second resurrection allegory of Israel.
The second resurrection begs the need for a new earth and new heavens for billions of people entering...souls.
You can disagree with anything I've said. If you have better insight, please share.
Jesus came to this earth to provide mankind a savior. Prior to Jesus we did not have a personal savior to intercede with God on our behalf. Not only must we believe in him, we must try to be like him. We must repent from our sins, and strive to be sin free. That is ACTION....we must take ACTION!
It is not enough to just believe in Jesus and you will be now and forever saved. There is no such thing a a get out of hell free card because you believe.
Yes, we must fight the good fight. We are in a battle here on this earth against Satan and evil.
Some seem to think that with Jesus death we can just believe and carry on our normal lives and we will be saved by his Grace. If this was true why would Jesus speak like this in the following two scritures.
John 5:14
"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
John 8:11
"She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Jesus said: SIN NO MORE! Lest worse things will come to us that sin.......
Jesus DID NOT say to those two sinners 'just believe in me and and my grace will take care of you!'
In summary: Jesus is telling all of us to TAKE ACTION!
we don't have to wait for judgement day to be born again (saved).
ephesians 1:4 according as he hath chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
romans 5:8 but god commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were sinners he died for us.
psalms 106:8 nonetheless he saved them for his name sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.
isaiah 43:25 i, even i, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake....
jeremiah 14:7 o lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name ....
ezekiel 20:44 and ye shall know that i am the lord, when i have wrought with you for my name .....
there is dozens of scriptures that say, god does everything for his name; we are the beneficiaries of his works; for his name.
we are graced!
Maybe you were intending to respond to me on a another thread- not sure.
There are 2 funamental differences of opinion among Christians:
1. Fight the good fight
2. The battle is already won
It seems some people believe Jesus did all the work and all someone needs to do is respond to an altar call once in their life for about 3 minutes and they are instantly saved for eternity. To them this means they can kick back and enjoy life, even enjoy sin, because grace, right?
That is a fundamental different perspective than one who reads the verses about running the race, keeping the armor of God on, watching out for the devil as a lion on the prowl waiting to devour you, living not of the world, being a light, realizing you're persecuted for your beliefs and trying to stand strong in the face of evil. Realizing that all the parables (warnings) Jesus gave about most people not making it to heaven is real, and realizing that He was even warning His own followers (Christians). If Jesus already paid the debt and won then why did Jesus preach at all? And why did Paul? Was that a waste of time? Should we fear God who can send us to hell as it says in the Bible?
Here's a page of verses related to running the race, etc. But if the battle is already won then why would any of this be written in the Bible and why would it be needed? Link
Is it conceivable that a lot of people will be surprised they aren't allowed into heaven? Even Christians who thought they were 'good people'? Who cried out Lord, Lord... and begged and rationalized. I think the reality is one group sometimes can rest in God's grace more, but the other group should be afraid of going to hell, should get their act together, should obey Jesus, should not follow the world of sin anymore. Jesus said to avoid sin, not enjoy sin. Satan is giving people fake news and people are believing it. Matthew 7:21
2 Corinthians 5:10 - all will have to face judgment, including Christians who assume they're saved, before salvation is actually given.
You say there is two fundamental opinions among believers:
1 Fight the good fight
or
2 The battle is already won
To anyone who understands the scriptures, this is not two opinions; but, ONE TRUTH. We fight the good fight; BECAUSE, the battle IS WON!
We will always need to wait for judgment day to be saved, not here on earth. We were set up to fail, and must die to be made whole.
Finding a personal relationship with Jesus does not make anyone impervious to sin. Being "saved" can be a vehicle to proper behavior, a way to self reflect on how weak the flesh is.
You can only be born-again through resurrection.
God bless the one hundred forty four thousand first fruits.
I agree, we can only be born again BY RESURRECTION.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in THE FIRST RESURRECTION: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be Priests of God and Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This happens before the second judgement in Revelation 20:11-13
Luke 20:36 Neither can they die anymore...
Christ is telling the Sadducees; who did not believe in resurrection, that the ones APPOINTED TO DIE with him on his cross would never die again.
Psalms 102:18 This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people which SHALL BE CREATED shall praise the Lord.
Psalms 102:20 ...to loose those APPOINTED TO DEATH
Luke 20:36 ....being the children of the resurrection.
1 Peter 4:17 For the TIME IS COME that JUDGEMENT must begin at the HOUSE OF GOD.....
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose HOUSE WE ARE...
John 5:22 For the father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgement unto the Son.
2 Corinthians 5:10 We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ....
We were RESURRECTED with Christ and Christ is dwelling IN US; therefore, Christ's THRONE is IN US and were are BEFORE the THRONE being JUDGED NOW by Christ (the word of God).
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed (flesh), but by incorruptible, by THE WORD (SPIRIT) of God, which LIVETH and ABIDETH forever. (you will never die again after you died ONCE with Christ).
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is APPOINTED unto man ONCE TO DIE (with Christ on the cross or later at the second death), but after this then the JUDGEMENT.
Hebrews 9:28 .....and unto them that look for him shall he appear a SECOND TIME (the first time was in the flesh; the second time in SPIRIT, you don't see him he is like a thief in the night) WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION.
A Biblical study on the 2 resurrections provides a generous amount of insights, rather than point blank omissions.
The first resurrection is only of the house of Israel; no where is Judah mentioned. It's the lost sheep whom Jesus first set out after, the house of Israel buries the bones of Gog for seven months. ( Ezekiel 39:12) The tribes of Levi, Benjamen, and Judah, 12,000 each have converted to the Lord Jesus Christ. They are the remnant of Israel.
Some like to imagine being part of the first resurrection, but the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. The only ones ever mentioned as "first fruits" are the one hundred forty four thousand, elect.
The second resurrection: ( Ezekiel 37:1-14) solidifies the order and nature of the resurrections. Here we see dry bones from the house of Israel and Judah stand up together as the whole house of Israel. The house of Judah was never part of the first resurrection, as those from the house of Israel were. This represent the second resurrection allegory of Israel.
The second resurrection begs the need for a new earth and new heavens for billions of people entering...souls.
You can disagree with anything I've said. If you have better insight, please share.
It is not enough to just believe in Jesus and you will be now and forever saved. There is no such thing a a get out of hell free card because you believe.
Yes, we must fight the good fight. We are in a battle here on this earth against Satan and evil.
Some seem to think that with Jesus death we can just believe and carry on our normal lives and we will be saved by his Grace. If this was true why would Jesus speak like this in the following two scritures.
John 5:14
"Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
John 8:11
"She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Jesus said: SIN NO MORE! Lest worse things will come to us that sin.......
Jesus DID NOT say to those two sinners 'just believe in me and and my grace will take care of you!'
In summary: Jesus is telling all of us to TAKE ACTION!
God Bless
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