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You and all of christendom have not analyzed that chapter for yourselves, but regurgitate that verse without any thinking or studying, because the so-called church has shoved it down everybody's throats, incorrectly... what I just taught you...
No need to be belittling, NM. I would exhort you ~ as I exhort myself ~ as John exhorts us all, as I said above ~ to love one another. :) Sinners though we are, we can all do a better job of that... ;)We're still waiting to hear from the one who thinks he is perfect, robert derrick.
LOL! :) Ah, well, I'm glad that you believe the majority of us identify with the tax collector... But, well... LOL!
I appreciate your opinions, NM, but John is not telling us that it's on any of us to cast out the fear he is talking about in our Christian brethren. He certainly does tell us to love one another (1 John 3:11-24), but John's whole context in 1 John 4 (specifically from v.7 through the end of the chapter) is that God is love, and that He loves us perfectly, and that what this means for us is that because of His love, we have no more fear of His eternal judgment. And this is in the same light as John 3:18 (the Gospel of John), where Jesus says:
"Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."
Now back in 1 John, the "no fear in love" declaration from John does not rule out the presence and constructive effect of "the fear of the Lord" that is "the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). John is speaking of fear of final judgment, which he says specifically in v.17 (which leads into v.18, of course) ~ "so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment," which Christ will execute upon His return.
Jesus is speaking in a slightly different but very much related context in Matthew 10:26-31. There is no lasting consequence of the judgment of men, but God's final Judgment is a much different story.
Both passages are about God and His absolute sovereignty over all the affairs of men. But the difference is that, where Jesus is telling us to fear the judgment of God rather than the judgment of men, John is telling us that, too, but John is, in 1 John 4, saying that if we are in Christ, we have no more fear of the judgment of God... our fear is cast out ~ which is the assurance of our faith. This is really John's whole intent in writing the letter, as we see in full in 1 John 5:
"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13).
Having said all this, I certainly agree that there is no inconsistency or contradiction. But again, John's context is slightly different than Jesus's in Matthew. John says if we are in Christ, there is no more fear of His Judgment, and that God Himself casts out this fear, whereas Christ Jesus says don't fear man's judgment, but rather God's. Like I said, very much related, but slightly different in context.
Grace and peace to you.
No, just mocking the claim that YOU are living a life free of all sin when Scripture tells us that it is not so. (1 John 1:5-9)Mocking living for Jesus according to God's standard of righteousness.
(bolds mine)1 John 4:19 We love, because he first loved us.
1 John 4:20 If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1 John 4:21 And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also.
And it does not happen automatically, Pinseeker. You have to actually LABOR over people and demonstrate love so that their fears subside and they can "open up" to you. It's work. A lot of work. It's love.
In your opinion. Sure.You just choose to continue believing what you were taught, which is easy and also not true.
Well this is not true at all. We are called to help bear one another's burdens, for sure, and build each other up in the Lord. And for me, personally, mercy is my most dominant spiritual gift. But it's not in the same realm as what John is saying in his epistle.Since you feel no need to help cast fear out for your brother and sister in the Lord, there's nothing else I can say.
Well that's not what I think ~ that "the onus is on the one who fears to alleviate his/her own fear" ~ at all. That's quite antithetical to what I said. I invite you to go back and reread.And I already explained how that verse makes no sense if you think the one with fear has the burden, the onus to eliminate his/her own fear.
Well, I'm not sure how much that means if the only ones who are "good company" to you are those who agree with your every word.You, my friend, would not be good company.
Like I said, my most dominant spiritual gift is mercy. Even so, though, we've never talked about your fears, have we? The only thing I get from you is arrogance.I would never be able to confess anything to you because you make no effort to alleviate my fears.
That He does, NewMusic. That He does.The Lord sees.
Truly is amazing. Don't even bother to refute the teaching of Scripture, but simply reject the results of living without sins out of hand, because it is not how someone wants to live, and covers it up with the lie that it can't be lived:No, just mocking the claim that YOU are living a life free of all sin when Scripture tells us that it is not so. (1 John 1:5-9)
We are preserved by the grace of God through our advocate, so any claim to persevere without His grace is nonsense.
No, they don't. I mean, that would be the ultimate result, or fate (destruction, in the sense of ruination) for unbelievers, for sure. But both 2 John 2:19 and Jeremiah 17:9 have immediately in view the state of human beings in this world, in their mortal lives, not in the age to come (eternity).
Certainly. Thank you. And the very same to you.
Absolutely they are, in this life. Absolutely. But in this "OSAS kingdom" they ~ we ~ are aware of and cognizant of the fact that their ~ our ~ hearts are deceitful and desperately sick and in desperate need of God's mercy and compassion... and a Savior and His righteousness.
Well no, the heart of the "OSAS" daily cries Abba Father ~ because it has received the Spirit of adoption as sons (Romans 8:15) ~ prompting him/her to continually cry to God, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" But in this "OSAS kingdom," if they truly have faith ~ which is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8) ~ then they have assurance from God Himself. This is the Biblical definition of faith (Hebrews 10:19-23, 11:1).
So my question to you, Robert (and all those who reject "OSAS," how many times have you been saved, Robert? You know, since a Christian apparently has to be saved over and over and over again? That is, of course, a rhetorical question since having to be saved by God more than once is a wholly unscriptural idea.
And one more thing:
About this oft-repeated "unconditionally saved" thing: Nobody is claiming unconditional salvation. Nobody. Salvation is absolutely conditional, but on one thing and one thing only: the will of God the Father. This is exactly what Paul says, that "(God) says... 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion'... (s)o then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
The scriptural concept, rightly championed by Augustine and Calvin and many others since (because of the wrongful assertions of Pelagius and Arminius and many others since), is unconditional election, meaning that who God elects unto salvation is not conditional on anything that person may or may not do ~ not on the basis of works, so that no one may boast ~ which is exactly what Paul says in Ephesians 2.
Whether intentional or unintentional, the conflation of concepts to come up with "unconditional salvation" should be stopped.
Grace and peace to you.
I was actually waiting to see the OSAS definition of the fear of the Lord.AH!!! I love this statement! Well, not... really... because it's very misguided... :)... but I love that it brings up the fear of the living God. I absolutely agree that we are to fear God; that is certainly a Scriptural mandate. But a question, if you will:
What, in your (I hope not "puffed up") opinion, does it mean to fear God? And before you answer, remember 1 John 4:18, where John tells us that "(t)here is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear... (f)or fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
See, it's possible, that you understand correctly what Godly fear is, and if so, that's great, but your statement that "OSAS" (again, a clumsy and misleading way of characterizing the Calvinistic understanding of the God's great salvation, but okay) does not produce the required fear of God seems to belie that. I would argue that the true doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, as set forth by Augustine and all the reformers (Martin Luther, John Calvin, and many others even up to today) that championed (champion) it, only produces more Godly fear and more fervent worship of God. So again, what does it really mean to fear God?
Regardless of that, again I will point out, in support of the doctrine of the sure perseverance of the saints, the inspired word of God:
* "...those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified."
[Romans 8:30]
* "In (Christ) you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
[Ephesians 1:13-14]
* "To all the saints in Christ Jesus... I am sure of this, that He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
[Philippians 1:1-6]
* "To those who are elect... (b)lessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
[1 Peter 1:1-5]
I am assuming you think we most identify with the tax collector. If so, then...
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Grace and peace to you!
I didn't see your question, being gone elsewhere for a while. Which is why I didn't know I was so afraid at some pharisaical gotcha question.Come on, Robert. We're all waiting! Don't be afraid.
Which of these 2 characters in Jesus' example do you identify with?
Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'
Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Second, apostasy is not the same thing as what you think it is. It has a clear definition (which I provided). I'll save this debate for another time.First, I know OSAS is a lie. And the fruit of teaching that doctrine has been horrible and evil. It does not produce the fear of God in people which is absolutely required as a follower of Christ.
Second, apostasy is not the same thing as what you think it is. It has a clear definition (which I provided). I'll save this debate for another time.
But let me ask you one question, Robert, which will help all of us to understand your personal faith better. When you teach what you do and believe what you do, answering this question will help everyone to know your position better so it will further your ministry better.:
Which of these 2 characters in Jesus' example do you most identify with?
Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.'
Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
?
Lucifer saw GOD , how could he try and overthrow something or someone HE did not beleive in . HE KNEW .Lucifer saw GOD , how could he try and overthrow something or someone HE did not beleive in . HE KNEW .
Adam talked with GOD , so he KNEW TOO . Even the devils believe and do tremble .
But wilt thou know o man , that faith without works is dead .
This is a claim made by no one. Nobody advocates “saved” as living free to disobey without repentance. Only those that HATE the Doctrines of Grace make the claim that others believe this.OSAS is for them that disobey freely, and yet lie to themselves about being forgiven freely without repentance of sins.
we still retain the "old man," as Paul refers to the sinful nature, and exhorts us to "put off the old man and put on the new" ~ sin no more. We are no different (or better) in our condition in this life than those who are not saved ~ except that we are redeemed by the blood of Christ.Hmmm, interesting. So you don't believe Jesus? If so, that's unfortunate. If that is true, then I would question why you're even in a discussion fo.
It sure is if you are claiming someone said something then you quote them or else do not use them as its just hearsay at that point and is completely and utterly meaningless. Most rumors are just that, no substance or facts.It’s not my job to document every fact I’ve ever heard, read, or seen for forty years, so I can prove everything demanded by people like you.
This is a claim made by no one. Nobody advocates “saved” as living free to disobey without repentance. Only those that HATE the Doctrines of Grace make the claim that others believe this.
You are mistaken about what those who believe “salvation cannot be lost” claim about the need for repentance and right living.