So you think that he was born again three days before his sins were washed away? How silly of you. That doesn't make any sense whatsoever.
CALVINISM: The height of Spiritual depravity
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Rella ~ I am a woman
Well-Known Member
I am jumping in here primarily so I will easily be able to follow.
The following from RitaJanice certainly states it correctly.
You use Nicodemus from John 3: 1-8, yet did not carry forward to John 3:9-10 which says
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
What do you think Jesus was referencing to Nicodemus that he should have known?
Try:
Ezekiel 36: 25-27
25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
You go on to John 1:13
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
No argument with this one.
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Some explanation on what seed can be, 'seed' is found in Matthew 13, The Tares vs the Wheat
37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
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I always got a laugh from this part of the parable!!
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
The Parable of the Tares Explained
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one.
39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
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I always got a laugh from this part of the parable!!
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
I just love that parable of the Tares (weeds) vs the Wheat.
It explains so much including Calvinist thinking
It explains so much including Calvinist thinking
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Jesus explains to Nicodemus how we are Born Again in this scripture I post...you don’t need the follow on verses because Jesus has already explained how we are Born Again.to Nicodemus...you are welcome to believe as in your opinion of what Jesus was saying as I have done the same and voiced my opinion.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his
John 3:1-8
New International Version
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit
He was explaining to Nicodemus that the Holy Spirit is like the wind, you never know when he will turn up and make a huge impact on a persons life and make them Born of the Spirit..
Just like the wind can show up at any time and have devastating consequences, like blowing up a storm, the Holy Spirit can turn up and make a person Born of the Spirit, which is the “ Living” rebirth...you never know where the Holy Spirit is coming from and you never know where he is going to next, like the wind the Holy Spirit is everywhere.
We are Born Again whenever God via his Holy Spirit chooses us to make us Born Again...believing is not enough, you must be Born of the Spirit....that is an act of God if he so chooses..you do not choose to be Born of the Spirit....
Flesh gives birth to flesh...human birth.
Spirit gives birth to spirit...supernatural rebirth/ regenerated/ Born of the Spirit/ the testifying with our spirit that we are Gods children.
Romans 8
King James Version
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 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.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
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.
19 For 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.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 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?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
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.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 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.
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Greetings Rita~I have a few things to say to clarify myself, so that there will be no misunderstanding~by experience I have learned that it doesn't take very much to get folks misunderstanding what has been said and what folks meant when they said what they did.
Let it be clearly understood I fully understand the new birth is totally of God's Spirit ~ I may even go to John 3 in the morning to prove exactly what I understand the scriptures teach us concerning this birth.
Though this is true that the new birth is totally of God's Spirit, this is not what is being taught in 1st Peter 1:23-25~the first step in teaching heresy is take a true doctrine and try to force that doctrine into verses that it is not teaching what we know to be true in other scriptures.
This is your error here, not that we are born of the Spirit of God, that is true, no argument from me, but more so God will support that doctrine in other scriptures, and may even support it here in 1st Peter 1:23-25 indirectly by the very fact as I said above, that the scriptures give testimony, witness concerning how we are born again~and that witness is salvation from sin and condemnation is totally of God apart from all works of the flesh, since our flesh is at enmity against God~per Romans 8, etc.
Rita, the flow of Peter's words clearly attest that God's written word is only what Peter had in mind when he said....Being born again......by the word of God and then he proceeded to add assurance to us that God's word is not like the words of the of men who are like the flowers of grass, that's here today and gone tomorrow, but God's word ( his testimony to us...his witness to us ) endureth for ever. Then he proceeded to say this....And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you!
Again, God's testimony in his word is like he is~incorruptible, every word spoken is true and that word spoken will endure as long as God is God! Selah, praise be to his holy name.
The salvation experience, being saved by God is incorruptible, it is an eternal salvation that God guarantees by His word cannot be lost. Satan cannot corrupt the New Creation in Christ; he cannot touch the spirit of the child of God. This NC is entirely dependent on the mercy and compassion of God for a particular person, making it a perfect covenant as it is all on Him to fulfil the covenant.
Even the covenant God established with Abraham, God puts Abraham into a deep sleep and only HE walks the flaming torches between the animal carcasses signifying He was the guarantor of the covenant, Abraham was not required to perform anything.
Salvation is of faith that it might be according to grace to make the promise sure to all the seed. A faith not of ourselves.
Ephesians 2
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Our NC is good, a great salvation, and perfect. and it perfects those God is sanctifying.
Our faith is gifted to us by God and therefore it is according to grace that you are saved
OC vs NC, many verses talk of the greatness of our NC.
Hebrews 12
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the [j]general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Romans 4
16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be [d]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Even the covenant God established with Abraham, God puts Abraham into a deep sleep and only HE walks the flaming torches between the animal carcasses signifying He was the guarantor of the covenant, Abraham was not required to perform anything.
Salvation is of faith that it might be according to grace to make the promise sure to all the seed. A faith not of ourselves.
Ephesians 2
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Our NC is good, a great salvation, and perfect. and it perfects those God is sanctifying.
Our faith is gifted to us by God and therefore it is according to grace that you are saved
OC vs NC, many verses talk of the greatness of our NC.
Hebrews 12
The Glorious Company
18 For you have not come [g]to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and [h]darkness and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. 20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned [i]or shot with an arrow.” 21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the [j]general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.
Romans 4
The Promise Granted Through Faith
13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be [d]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Too many warnings in God's Word telling us eternal security is not true. Scriptures telling us that some will depart from the faith such as 1 Timothy 4:1,2 and 2 Timothy 4:3,4 and Jude 1:17-21
No, satan cannot take salvation away from us... but if WE turn away from the Lord then salvation is lost because WE walked away from the Lord.
Jesus tells us in Mark 4:13-20 that the Word can actually be choked out of one's life causing them to not bare fruit... because WE can allow things in the choke the Word. The problem is not with the Word, it's with people continuing their walk with the Lord which as always been the problem ever since Adam and Eve's debacle.
Jesus tell us in John 15 that those that do not abide in Him baring fruit, the Father takes them away and they are cut off.
So salvation is not God forcing people to stay with Him... WE have to endure until the end in order to be saved and of course the Lord empowers us to do that if WE submit ourselves to the Lord..
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
A proof that the gift referred to must include and is faith.
A person would know that God's grace is a gift from Him, not something a person earns. Grace is coming from God, not from man's works.
Salvation also is a work of God not something that you earned by your works.
Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.”
But a person might be tempted to think their faith is something they gained and grew inside themselves on their own without God granting that to them.
God has granted to you to believe in Christ.
Philippians 1
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but [f]to you of salvation, and that from God.
29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
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A proof that the gift referred to must include and is faith.
A person would know that God's grace is a gift from Him, not something a person earns. Grace is coming from God, not from man's works.
Salvation also is a work of God not something that you earned by your works.
Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.”
But a person might be tempted to think their faith is something they gained and grew inside themselves on their own without God granting that to them.
God has granted to you to believe in Christ.
Philippians 1
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but [f]to you of salvation, and that from God.
29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
.
And... faith is action!
Jesus also said thru the Apostle James to "be ye DOERS OF THE WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22)
The Lord expects His people to DO some stuff after getting born again... in fact, getting born again requires some good work on our part which of course the Lord empowers us to do... but we have to make the decision to either submit to Him or not to submit to him.
Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
If it were by faith alone and no action is required on our part... then Jesus would not have said “let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” in Luke 9:23.
Only living faith saves, since faith without works is dead... faith alone is not saving faith because there's no good fruit being produced by that faith because it is dead as in the person is not acting like their faith is true and real. Folks that believe this are deceived according to James 1:22 which tells us to “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”.
God does not accept dead faith as that faith is no better than the devil’s faith! (James 2:19)
1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Philippians 4:13 tells us "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" so this agrees with John 15 that the Lord is the One bearing good fruit thru us IF we are co laborers with the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us (Romans 8:14) and IF we allow the Holy Spirit to live in us (Romans 8:9)
Matthew 7:18,19
A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Reckon Jesus didn't get the memo from the so called reformers that salvation is by faith only??? (see James 2:14-26)
The Lord says the following thru the Apostle James:
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 1:21,22
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness (walking after the flesh – see Gal 6:7,8), and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Apparently one is justified by faith AND by works.... and the man that believes justification is by faith only is a "vain" man.
Sounds like either Jesus is wrong or the so called reformers are wrong since they teach an partial truth and leave the part out about works leaving the door open to sinful living (license to sin).
Martin Luther was a known drunk so I can see how he would want to leave the part about works out so he could continue drinking his beloved booze which is living in sin! (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-13)
Quite the quandary here... who shall we say is in error the Lord or the reformers??? That tis the question!
Jesus also said thru the Apostle James to "be ye DOERS OF THE WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22)
The Lord expects His people to DO some stuff after getting born again... in fact, getting born again requires some good work on our part which of course the Lord empowers us to do... but we have to make the decision to either submit to Him or not to submit to him.
Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
If it were by faith alone and no action is required on our part... then Jesus would not have said “let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” in Luke 9:23.
Only living faith saves, since faith without works is dead... faith alone is not saving faith because there's no good fruit being produced by that faith because it is dead as in the person is not acting like their faith is true and real. Folks that believe this are deceived according to James 1:22 which tells us to “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”.
God does not accept dead faith as that faith is no better than the devil’s faith! (James 2:19)
1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Philippians 4:13 tells us "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" so this agrees with John 15 that the Lord is the One bearing good fruit thru us IF we are co laborers with the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us (Romans 8:14) and IF we allow the Holy Spirit to live in us (Romans 8:9)
Matthew 7:18,19
A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Reckon Jesus didn't get the memo from the so called reformers that salvation is by faith only??? (see James 2:14-26)
The Lord says the following thru the Apostle James:
James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:24
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 1:21,22
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness (walking after the flesh – see Gal 6:7,8), and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Apparently one is justified by faith AND by works.... and the man that believes justification is by faith only is a "vain" man.
Sounds like either Jesus is wrong or the so called reformers are wrong since they teach an partial truth and leave the part out about works leaving the door open to sinful living (license to sin).
Martin Luther was a known drunk so I can see how he would want to leave the part about works out so he could continue drinking his beloved booze which is living in sin! (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-13)
Quite the quandary here... who shall we say is in error the Lord or the reformers??? That tis the question!
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Again your opinion.. your words make no sense, as for you trying to explain what God’s word is saying...is full of confusion.....therefore I rebuke your words...
The Holy Spirit gives testimony.....who is Alive in Spirit?
This is where “ you” err?
Only the Holy Spirit can testify with our spirit that we are children of God, the Holy Spirit is like the wind, he is everywhere and no one needs to read the Bible to become Born Again/ regenerated....this is where you are in error....your understanding of Spiritual matters is very limited imo....
You aren’t understanding that being Born Again is a Living Spiritual rebirth?
It’s not something that you read in your human intellect?
Being Born Again is of the Spirit....you have no idea how God makes us Born Again....because he is like the wind, you can’t see him, you don’t know where he is going and you don’t know when he will regenerate us.....there is a process to becoming a child of God...as in , God draws us to Jesus, he brings us to repentance/ Godly sorrow/ he brings us to believe in Jesus, he gives us the gift of Faith which is a manifestation of the Spirit?.God is the initiator....you are not.
Being Born of the Spirit which is the Living rebirth...is a miraculous act of God and you will never be able to fathom out how he did it..
Once again that is your own understanding..you do not know how God miraculously makes us Born Again...that is by his Living power via his Spirit...
Gods Spirit is Alive it’s not dead..
1 Corinthians 2
King James Version
2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
The word of God is his Living Spirit ...”you” cannot teach “ me” only the Holy Spirit can....you speak as though you are quoting scripture, there is no life in your words or understanding ...intellectual knowledge of the Bible saves no one..
In other words there is no “ life” in what you say....there is life in Gods word..because his word is Alive in Spirit...your word isn’t and that’s why I rebuke it.
You don’t understand what God’s “ Living “ word means I’m afraid...only God can help you on that one, I can’t .
By the way “ you” can’t help anyone as you say...who leads you through scripture to understand God’s word?...I hope you answer this question, because it’s a very important one?
Again from what I read of all of your posts...you don’t understand what the “ Living “ word of God means.
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Ritajanice
Born-Again
Who leads you through scripture?
How are you able to understand God’s word?
Very important question, I hope you answer it?
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Ritajanice
Born-Again
Is that your answer?
You must be Born Again...you can believe in your “ own” heart....that is not the same as Being Born Again of imperishable seed...that is the miracle rebirth?
Only God can regenerate us ..that is the “ Living “ rebirth.....a miracle act of God , you can’t explain how God makes us Born Again, that can only be testified with our spirit via the Spirit of God.....then we are his children and he ..... .. ....... .. ....... .......... I will let you fill in the dots...if I do that, it will give you the answer to the question I asked you above?
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Faith is a gift from God, a manifestation of the Spirit?
How can you have faith without God regenerated our spirit?
What is faith in action?
Please explain. then maybe we may get a better understanding of where you are coming from?
Only a Born Again has God given faith....?...
What does God mean when he says. Faith is a gift a manifestation of the Spirit?
Where does God given faith manifest itself?
THE Teacher that Jesus Christ sent to teach God's Word.... the Holy Ghost!
He told me straight up... "calvinism is false doctrine, so stay away from it.... it's not of Me saith the Lord"
So you get your stuff by contacting the ghost of John Calvin right?
Ritajanice
Born-Again
You haven’t answered my other questions?
This is false doctrine what you say here....calvinism is false doctrine, so stay away from it.... it's not of Me saith the Lord"........God never said any of what you wrote.....you said it...therefore will be rebuked in the Name of Jesus.
What does this mean, Faith is a manifestation of the Spirit?
Also do you understand this scripture?
Romans 8
King James Version
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 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.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
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.
19 For 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.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 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?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
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.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 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.
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