Leaders That Don't Support Good Works or Overcoming Sin

[Wynona]

When Paul uses the term "in Christ", does he mean our identity as Jesus's people (similar to our identification with our country as Americans), or is there a very real metaphysical union with Christ? Both? Something else?

What does being "in Christ" mean to you?

In Christ to me means you have your mind made up to obey Christ at all times without a break to "do your own thing". Your tongue belongs to Jesus, so you use it to edify. Your time isn't yours---every day is worship Jesus day. Your mind isn't yours---you fill it with Bible and cut out wordly nonense. Your money isn't yours--- you give when others ask as you are able to meet their needs for survival. Your views aren't yours---let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts.

Jesus controls everything. He's the boss. Obeying His commandments is what means to be in Christ.

1 John 2:3
King James Version


3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

 

[Behold]

Do we need an active imagination to be Christian

To become a CHRISTian, is to have given God our Faith in Christ, whereby He accepts it, to then give the believer "forgiveness of all sin" and then the "" New Birth""" , that is solely based on the Merit's of Christ's Sacrifice on The Cross.

Now,...... being born again,........... as a CHRISTian,........... we are to learn how to exist as a "new Creation" in Christ.... And to do that, we go to Paul's Epistles as our Teacher, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the revelation that is found in all the words that Paul teaches.

Paul teaches....."be a follower of me as i follow Christ".... does not mean to bow the knee to this "Apostle to the Gentiles""', but it means to seek diligently the revelation that Jesus gave Him, that He gives to the body of Christ in his 13 Epistles.

= Paul's Doctrine

And the born again believer is to study Paul's "Christianity"..., as described in the NT, and use this as our walk of Faith.

Paul says. "I die daily".. and He is describing the complete "letting go" of any type of self effort to try to be righteous, or accepted by God.

Now... Reader.....
Here is the result, the ultimate goal, that is perfected discipleship.., as : REAL FAITH .

A.) Philippians 3:9 """"" and be found in Christ, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law or self effort, but that which is only through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God, on the basis of faith."""

"""""And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.""""

"""" And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith""".


And that understanding of real Salvation, through Christ, that is taught by Paul..... is what Hebrews 13:9 says that a Christian has to develop as their Heart of Faith, as otherwise a "doctrine of devils" will capture your mind and keep you there.... Reader.

 

[Lambano]

In Christ to me means you have your mind made up to obey Christ at all times without a break to "do your own thing". Your tongue belongs to Jesus, so you use it to edify. Your time isn't yours---every day is worship Jesus day. Your mind isn't yours---you fill it with Bible and cut out wordly nonense. Your money isn't yours--- you give when others ask as you are able to meet their needs for survival. Your views aren't yours---let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts.

That reminds me of an old traditional Wesleyan covenant ceremony:

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt,
Rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering
Let me be employed by thee,
Or laid aside for thee
Or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things
Let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
To thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant
Which I have made on earth,
Let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

 

[Wynona]

That reminds me of an old traditional covenant ceremony:

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt,
Rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering
Let me be employed by thee,
Or laid aside for thee
Or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things
Let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
To thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant
Which I have made on earth,
Let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

Praise God. That's wonderful

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Calvinistic thinking is bad and it has no power. Why bother trying to do Anything if everything is already predestined

The word speaks about free will and doing good work through faith

If everything is predestined then faith is meaningless

 

[Hepzibah]

THE great dispute here would be resolved if the two parties would acknowledge that they are not using the term born again, for the same event.

It is true that the scriptures attribute all of the benefits of higher walk, if you wish, to that term.

John is saying no, scripture does not mean that. Born again is a sample of what should follow. No again.

The thing cannot be resolved in these two entrenched positions and the argument goes on, and on, and on.

I propose the solution to be that the event of becoming a disciple, of encountering Christ, of saying yes to God, of coming to Him for forgiveness, is not what scripture describe as as born again. Yes it is huge and life changing, if at that point, both sides will agree, that one has not achieved everything that He wishes to do with us. Maturity. A man after His own image. Not a babe.

So that term is not scriptural. For the disciples, already following Christ, it happened later at Pentecost, and all things in scripture are to give us examples and guidlelines.

Both sides are mistaken.For one side though, it is a matter of finding a better term. The other side must change their theology. That happened in a flash for me when God granted enlightenment.

 

[Behold]

Calvinistic thinking is bad and it has no power. Why bother trying to do Anything if everything is already predestined

The word speaks about free will and doing good work through faith

If everything is predestined then faith is meaningless

Sure.
IN fact, God does not need to have any Pastors preaching, or Missionaries trying to reach the lost, as Calvin-TULIP has concluded that God is going to make some believe anyway, and some not.... so... Having Ministers that try to reach the lost, as Preachers preaching the Gospel, is really just a waste of time......if Calvin is not LYING...

However, just in case Calvin is a Lying Devil, and He is,.... then lets all just keep on praying and witnessing and trying to lead people to Jesus.

I'll cast my line , right into those waters of lost souls.

And you do that as well, reader.

Paul did, Peter did, all the apostle did, so, we might as well... (Just in case Calvinism + TULIP) is a "doctrine of devils'" thats trying to keep us from leading People to CHRIST.

 

[MatthewG]

It’s most certainly, affective only “in Christ,” which there is understanding that, only heavenly things which are done opposed to our inherit nature. In which any “goods works are done.”

There are something’s you may never stop doing, which may concern “sin” itself. Only in Christ is, sin avoided.

We are not always in Christ, sometimes we are in ourselves instead.

And there are two distinctions that should always be provided by anyone who is dealing in teaching the word.

“Many people dismiss Paul and his plight to the Lord.”

They are foolish to think they are somehow better than him or anyone else, as though, oh yeah Paul couldn’t overcome this, so-so, but “I did!”

Wrong attitude cause we don’t know what his issue was, but his issue kept him humble before God.

 

[amadeus]

I could use Scripture instead of generalizing, I just feel like people disengage if I use too much.

I do think we need effort to overcome sin. But it's not just about willing yourself to stop sinning. It's about staying in the Bible till you know it and it sets you free. It's about love---a practical love that meets needs. If we do these things, we can reach a point where we never stumble.

Mr 10:27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

We need to then always be with God!

 

[amadeus]

It’s most certainly, affective only “in Christ,” which there is understanding that, only heavenly things which are done opposed to our inherit nature. In which any “goods works are done.”

There are something’s you may never stop doing, which may concern “sin” itself. Only in Christ is, sin avoided.

We are not always in Christ, sometimes we are in ourselves instead.

And there are two distinctions that should always be provided by anyone who is dealing in teaching the word.

“Many people dismiss Paul and his plight to the Lord.”

They are foolish to think they are somehow better than him or anyone else, as though, oh yeah Paul couldn’t overcome this, so-so, but “I did!”

Wrong attitude cause we don’t know what his issue was, but his issue kept him humble before God.

Good to see you here, old friend. I have missed you! Give God the glory!

 

[Behold]

We are not always in Christ, sometimes we are in ourselves instead.

The CHRISTian is "born again" into Christ .
This is what it means to be "IN Christ".
Its a spiritual birth.
No CHRISTian, can stop being "born again", so, as this puts the CHRISTian, into CHRIST, there is no way to stop being "in Christ".

You can't stop being "the temple of the Holy Spirit".

Spiritual Birth, is Eternal, not temporary.

 

[PS95]

The CHRISTian is "born again" into Christ .
This is what it means to be "IN Christ".
Its a spiritual birth.
No CHRISTian, can stop being "born again", so, as this puts the CHRISTian, into CHRIST, there is no way to stop being "in Christ".

You can't stop being "the temple of the Holy Spirit".

Spiritual Birth, is Eternal, not temporary.

I'm gonna take a leap here and say that what @MatthewG meant by, "in Christ or in oursleves" is simply his description of walking in the spirit vs. the flesh. He was not saying he had stopped being born again.

I hope that you understand the difference btwn flesh vs spirit because ONLY CHRISTIANS can truly understand that. Agree?

I honestly don't know if understand some of the comments on here. I do know that we can never save ourselves, it is a work of God.
Once He saves us and his Spirit speaks to ours- we know we are saved. ( salvation begins here & is not of ourselves!!)
But it does not end there.
Afterwards, at some point He begins working inwardly on us-- more so than the original conviction of "oh, boy ,I am a sinner and I need a savior- thank you Lord Jesus
This inward process results in changes in us! As more and more sins are dealt with & overcome- ones that may be small to us, but sin nonetheless, love for others grows, humility matures, fruits grow, good works appear)
By this time a believer has learned the difference btwn walking in the flesh VS spirit because the Lord has shown him during the process of how to overcome, how to wait, to how to suffer etc..

I know you say you don't sin anymore ever, and I am a liar because I admit that I still CAN sin. But scriptures prove that we still can sin over and over. We DO NOT PRACTICE SINNING. We are no longer slaves to sin! But we can sin.

At least that's been my experience so far. I learned later that it is called, sanctification and it is a process that doesn't really end.

Does any of the sanctification mean i stopped being born again? OF COURSE NOT. On the contrary. It shows I am.
All the glory goes to HIM!!

 

[MatthewG]

Good to see you here, old friend. I have missed you! Give God the glory!

Though life is challenging, and the carnival (carnal) activites are still hard to get over, there have been some changes nearing this halfway mark of the year. There are certain things that are weary and as usal come to no avail other than just sickness. Dogs tend to eat their own sickness, not realizing it makes them that way and they possibly go and throw up again. Other than that, Morris (a friend of my mom), is hoping to be able to pressure on his leg again after having an accident about 2 months ago and having surgery. His daughter, ended up finally having a healthy baby boy, who is doing well too. Both my nephews are still in Jail, hoping for one to get out in a few more months on good time, and will be able to leave on good time served and spent. Hope he will decide for himself to also participate in healthy constructive material that helps him learn, and not stunt growth. It's amazing that normally we tend to back to God after bad things come about, like Jonah. However instead of getting mad at Jonah, for God changing his mind on not destroying those people - Instead of staying in the cool shade of the tree, branching out and going to see their status - as remaining faithful (though they may have all turned again at some point with some maybe not even so went on to speak about the things God had done like the men who were pagans who called out to Jonahs God, in the narrative.

Hope the best for you and your family, and all here on this board, the competitive (which is a coarse joke), and leisurely alike, John! Just do not give up faith, or lose your hope even when doubt enters in and you are like "Where are you God." He is there friend, and hope your family too you stick with are happy, and content while going through this world through reconciled to God, now with sin "paid" for, and "done" - Far away, from west to east. It seems its all about the life decisions we make now. To improve the stability of the lives of others with Christ in us, and asking our Father for help by the holy spirit like Yeshua, taught his diciples in to doing, though it was a few days later after resurrection this would be made possible once the holy spirit had been given which now was able to reside within people - because "sin" -- was paid for... (not that God didnt look out for some of the people of the Pagan lands), with "sin" and the law being paid in full by the blood of Christ - that was a given to all. And everyone should know that why they may struggle with certain areas of life and perhaps can seek help for those things.

Not everyone is going to have just some perfect, holy, lived life which is just completely filled in complete perfection (without ever having sinned) - Only one person whom came from the mouth of Yahweh, was then born in flesh, by the spirit of God remaining on him, this retained the fleshly desires of Yeshua, because living in peace and having contentment through in woes of life sadness, and pain. Peace and contentment is where he desired while going in and through that pain, and the same is for us today! While in the old testament the holy spirit didnt always stay with a person, today within us, it does stick with us.


As long as one is faithful, and continues to seek, and abide in Christ, for then "we" "believers" are able to "do" something "good" - which are "good works" that Yahava writes on our mind and hearts to do by the spirit he has given that in faith we believe lives with in us, despite what the "world" may suggest.

Love to you, John.

I'm gonna take a leap here and say that what @MatthewG meant by, "in Christ or in oursleves" is simply his description of walking in the spirit vs. the flesh. He was not saying he had stopped being born again.

I hope that you understand the difference btwn flesh vs spirit because ONLY CHRISTIANS can truly understand that. Agree?

I honestly don't know if understand some of the comments on here. I do know that we can never save ourselves, it is a work of God.
Once He saves us and his Spirit speaks to ours- we know we are saved. ( salvation begins here & is not of ourselves!!)
But it does not end there.
Afterwards, at some point He begins working inwardly on us-- more so than the original conviction of "oh, boy ,I am a sinner and I need a savior- thank you Lord Jesus
This inward process results in changes in us! As more and more sins are dealt with & overcome- ones that may be small to us, but sin nonetheless, love for others grows, humility matures, fruits grow, good works appear)
By this time a believer has learned the difference btwn walking in the flesh VS spirit because the Lord has shown him during the process of how to overcome, how to wait, to how to suffer etc..

I know you say you don't sin anymore ever, and I am a liar because I admit that I still CAN sin. But scriptures prove that we still can sin over and over. We DO NOT PRACTICE SINNING. We are no longer slaves to sin! But we can sin.

At least that's been my experience so far. I learned later that it is called, sanctification and it is a process that doesn't really end.

Does any of the sanctification mean i stopped being born again? OF COURSE NOT. On the contrary. It shows I am.
All the glory goes to HIM!!

Hello @PS95, I believe you have a well-written article here. It seems you understand what the message is saying and portraying.

I did something for someone, two or three days ago. When we got done with everything, and we were just sitting here at my house. I told him, "I never wanted to really go do any of those things for you at all period." He was like "I dont want you to be that way towards me." I told him, "It was all Christ in which you see anything good which comes from him, and not me, so thank him, and stop thanking me about it." Now some may see this as disingenuous - but telling someone the faithful reality of what you do believe in and where the merit of credit comes from, will in my opinion whether or not you ever see that person again, has an effect on them, especially if you are someone who knows these things concerning the two kinds of wisdom. "Heavenly, and Earthly."

There are as an extra bit of info, some people on this webside that are on my ignore. Perhaps its pretentious to mention but you have to decide whether your passion is worth giving into, or is passing up, and allowing Yahava to deal with people a more beneficial route or not, it's most certainly and easier choice, or could be harder especially if its a person who near and dear to you. "Prodigal Son."

 

[Behold]

I'm gonna take a leap here and say that what @MatthewG meant by, "in Christ or in oursleves"

Paul teaches us, regarding becoming a "New Creation" "In Christ"..

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


1.) ""Therefore if any man (person) be IN CHRIST"......

To be "IN Christ", is to be spiritually born again, by the Holy Spirit of God, as a "'new Creation"
This is the born again Spirit.
Where is it?
= '"in Christ".

This is the Son-Daughter of God........and that is not your mind or your body.

The reason the CHRISTian gets a new body, is because the Born again Spirit, is not made for the one it's in right now.


2.) "old things are passed away".

1.) "The old man of sin, is crucified with Christ".

2.) "Christ has redeemed us from the CURSE of the LAW"... (The law is an old thing, that never again has any bearing or dominion over a CHRISTIAN.. because the CHRISTian, is """"not under the Law, but under Grace'""

Reader..
The LAW, demanded righteousness, and we had none.(sinners dont have any righteousness)..... so, it the Law was able to empower our sinning, and define us as a sinner.

"The power of SIN.. .is the LAW"... "The LAW, is the power of SIN".

That is a CURSE, that is on every human being, until JESUS redeems us from "the curse of the law".

A.) "Christ has redeemed us from the Curse of the Law"..

I know you say you don't sin anymore ever,

I dont say that at all.
i never think about sin. The only time i refer to it on the Forum, is if someone is talking about it., or trying to prove they have sin.

I simply explain what has happened to ALL the sin of the Born again, and who they have become in Christ., as Paul teaches us.

What i say is that i dont confess sin, because "Jesus is the one time Eternal Sacrifice for sin"..

Whose?

A.) All the Born again.

So, if a CHRISTian, is ""not under the Law::,.... and Christ has become your sin bearer... .as "" God Hath Made Jesus to BE SIN.....for us"

"US", = The born again, who are "MADE Righteous"... having received : "The Gift of Righteousness".

So, because ALL that is TRUE, then i am "made free from Sin"., as are all the Born again CHRISTians.

Another way to understand it is this..

Q.) Is there any SIN... "in Christ"

Q.) Is there any SIN.. "in GOD"

Q.) Is there any SIN.. "in Heaven"?

A.) NO..

Now notice, reader......the born again are "in Christ"""... "one with God".. and "seated in Heavenly Places".

NO SIN FOUND.

and I am a liar because I admit that I still CAN sin.

Reader,

If you are born again, then you are become "The righteousness of God, in Christ"., for Eternity, because the Salvation you have received is Eternal.
Eternal Life is not Temporary.
Being born again, proves you have Eternal Life, as Christ who is Eternal Life, is IN YOU..

Now, if you are just water baptized and very religious... and some cult told you....>>"look at that water, there go your sins, the water washed them all away"... .so, in that Case, its unlikely anyone who is that one, is born again, because their TRUST is in WATER... and in what some Liar told them about water.

Listen...
God requires faith in Christ.......not in water.

So, if the Reader is Born again... then there is no sin found "in Christ".. "in God", and "in Heaven"..

And the Born again Christian, is

"IN Christ'
"One with God".
"Seated in Heavenly Places".

 

[Episkopos]

Paul teaches us, regarding becoming a "New Creation" "In Christ"..

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


1.) ""Therefore if any man (person) be IN CHRIST"......

To be "IN Christ", is to be spiritually born again, by the Holy Spirit of God, as a "'new Creation"
This is the born again Spirit.
Where is it?
= '"in Christ".

This is the Son-Daughter of God........and that is not your mind or your body.

The reason the CHRISTian gets a new body, is because the Born again Spirit, is not made for the one it's in right now.


2.) "old things are passed away".

1.) "The old man of sin, is crucified with Christ".

2.) "Christ has redeemed us from the CURSE of the LAW"... (The law is an old thing, that never again has any bearing or dominion over a CHRISTIAN.. because the CHRISTian, is """"not under the Law, but under Grace'""

Reader..
The LAW, demanded righteousness, and we had none.(sinners dont have any righteousness)..... so, it the Law was able to empower our sinning, and define us as a sinner.

"The power of SIN.. .is the LAW"... "The LAW, is the power of SIN".

That is a CURSE, that is on every human being, until JESUS redeems us from "the curse of the law".

A.) "Christ has redeemed us from the Curse of the Law"..




I dont say that at all.
i never think about sin. The only time i refer to it on the Forum, is if someone is talking about it., or trying to prove they have sin.

I simply explain what has happened to ALL the sin of the Born again, and who they have become in Christ., as Paul teaches us.

What i say is that i dont confess sin, because "Jesus is the one time Eternal Sacrifice for sin"..

Whose?

A.) All the Born again.

So, if a CHRISTian, is ""not under the Law::,.... and Christ has become your sin bearer... .as "" God Hath Made Jesus to BE SIN.....for us"

"US", = The born again, who are "MADE Righteous"... having received : "The Gift of Righteousness".

So, because ALL that is TRUE, then i am "made free from Sin"., as are all the Born again CHRISTians.

Another way to understand it is this..

Q.) Is there any SIN... "in Christ"

Q.) Is there any SIN.. "in GOD"

Q.) Is there any SIN.. "in Heaven"?

A.) NO..

Now notice, reader......the born again are "in Christ"""... "one with God".. and "seated in Heavenly Places".

NO SIN FOUND.



Reader,

If you are born again, then you are become "The righteousness of God, in Christ"., for Eternity, because the Salvation you have received is Eternal.
Eternal Life is not Temporary.
Being born again, prove you have Eternal Life, as Christ who is Eternal Life, is IN YOU..

Now, if you are just water baptized and very religious... and some cult told you....>>"look at that water, there go your sins, the water washed them all away"... .so, in that Case, its unlikely anyone who is that one, is born again, because their TRUST is in WATER... and in what some Liar told them.

Listen...
God requires faith in Christ.......not in water.

So, if the Reader is Born again... then there is no sin found "in Christ".. "in God", and "in Heaven"..

And the Born again Christian, is

"IN Christ'
"One with God".
"Seated in Heavenly Places".

Basically, this poster is relying on an active religious imagination. No power except to cover up sin, obfuscate and deny.

 

[Behold]

Basically, this poster is relying on an active religious imagination. No power except to cover up sin, obfuscate and deny.

You deny that ""God provides Righteous""", and Paul teaches that God gives every Believer, "the Gift of Righteousness"

You posted over 10x that "The Cross is Not ABOUT Forgiveness"... However the Holy Bible teaches...

A.) ""For thou, LORD, art good, and ready to FORGIVE; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon you".

So, @Episkopos, because you dont understand what Jesus has accomplished on the Cross, you therefore deny it.

And you'll do it again, because your ministry is to do that....

= "Cross Denying".

And Reader.. (Mods)

"Cross denying" does not mean that the person is denying that Jesus died on the Cross...
They are denying what He Accomplished.........

So, @Episkopos ... DO.. continue to let me use you to show these readers to teach more of Paul's actual Doctrine.

 

[Episkopos]

You deny that ""God provides Righteous""", and Paul teaches that God gives every Believer, "the Gift of Righteousness"

You posted over 10x that "The Cross is Not ABOUT Forgiveness"... However the Holy Bible teaches...

A.) ""For thou, LORD, art good, and ready to FORGIVE; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon you".

That's God's character...merciful. Jesus didn't have to come to die to accomplish God's mercy. But people were not able to be holy...so Jesus died to give people a way into holiness through Him.

So, @Episkopos, because you dont understand what Jesus has accomplished on the Cross, you therefore deny it.

And you'll do it again, because your ministry is to do that....

= "Cross Denying".

And Reader.. (Mods)

"Cross denying" does not mean that the person is denying that Jesus died on the Cross...
They are denying what He Accomplished.........

So, @Episkopos ... DO.. continue to let me use you to show these readers to teach more of Paul's actual Doctrine.

You think of Paul as a mediator...replacing Jesus who you say is only for the Jews. You have fully missed the gospel.

 

[amadeus]

Though life is challenging, and the carnival (carnal) activites are still hard to get over, there have been some changes nearing this halfway mark of the year. There are certain things that are weary and as usal come to no avail other than just sickness. Dogs tend to eat their own sickness, not realizing it makes them that way and they possibly go and throw up again. Other than that, Morris (a friend of my mom), is hoping to be able to pressure on his leg again after having an accident about 2 months ago and having surgery. His daughter, ended up finally having a healthy baby boy, who is doing well too. Both my nephews are still in Jail, hoping for one to get out in a few more months on good time, and will be able to leave on good time served and spent. Hope he will decide for himself to also participate in healthy constructive material that helps him learn, and not stunt growth. It's amazing that normally we tend to back to God after bad things come about, like Jonah. However instead of getting mad at Jonah, for God changing his mind on not destroying those people - Instead of staying in the cool shade of the tree, branching out and going to see their status - as remaining faithful (though they may have all turned again at some point with some maybe not even so went on to speak about the things God had done like the men who were pagans who called out to Jonahs God, in the narrative.

Hope the best for you and your family, and all here on this board, the competitive (which is a coarse joke), and leisurely alike, John! Just do not give up faith, or lose your hope even when doubt enters in and you are like "Where are you God." He is there friend, and hope your family too you stick with are happy, and content while going through this world through reconciled to God, now with sin "paid" for, and "done" - Far away, from west to east. It seems its all about the life decisions we make now. To improve the stability of the lives of others with Christ in us, and asking our Father for help by the holy spirit like Yeshua, taught his diciples in to doing, though it was a few days later after resurrection this would be made possible once the holy spirit had been given which now was able to reside within people - because "sin" -- was paid for... (not that God didnt look out for some of the people of the Pagan lands), with "sin" and the law being paid in full by the blood of Christ - that was a given to all. And everyone should know that why they may struggle with certain areas of life and perhaps can seek help for those things.

Not everyone is going to have just some perfect, holy, lived life which is just completely filled in complete perfection (without ever having sinned) - Only one person whom came from the mouth of Yahweh, was then born in flesh, by the spirit of God remaining on him, this retained the fleshly desires of Yeshua, because living in peace and having contentment through in woes of life sadness, and pain. Peace and contentment is where he desired while going in and through that pain, and the same is for us today! While in the old testament the holy spirit didnt always stay with a person, today within us, it does stick with us.


As long as one is faithful, and continues to seek, and abide in Christ, for then "we" "believers" are able to "do" something "good" - which are "good works" that Yahava writes on our mind and hearts to do by the spirit he has given that in faith we believe lives with in us, despite what the "world" may suggest.

Love to you, John.

As bad as the world of carnal men has gotten and as bad as is even the part so often felt by those who have been and are serving God... through it all... the abundant Life His Son brought to us remains.

Praise His holy name!

 

[PS95]

As a teenage Christian, I couldn't always buy books. So I looked up the authors online. I found sermons by the late Dr. Tim Keller on line. His apologetics were very helpful to me as a new Christian.

The calvinist flavor of his theology made sense to me too. I began to listen to more "New Calvinist" preachers like Mark Driscoll, Steve Brown, and John Piper.

They often said great things Id agree with today. But they also taught me the idea that Christianity was better if I stopped trying so hard. Stopped being religious. "Rested in God's grace and the finished work of the cross."

Christianity was not about works in any way, I concluded. It was about our being accepted by faith in Christ.

In my heart I wanted to live a life that pleased the Lord. But I often struggled with vanity, pride, and lust, not seeming to be able to shake them. Id listen to Steve Brown for comfort and Paul Washer for conviction.

I began repeating phrases from Brown like" the only way we stop sinning is if we realize that if we never stop sinning, God will still love us."

It comforted me. I knew I would never be able to shake the sin and bouts of anger in my life.

Then, I joined a Christian forum (not this one) and it was a war zone. One camp shouted the virtues of eternal security. The other warned of a loss of salvation from disobedience. I tired of being on the fence so I did something crazy....

I reread the Bible cover to cover with no assumptions about what it would teach. I was shocked to see so many verses aimed at believers about obedience, shipwrecked faith, and becoming dead indeed to sin. I was horrified that no church had ever mentioned hardly any of those verses.

My trust in sermon media, churches, devotionals, and Christian culture never recovered.

They could have told me we are supposed to overcome sin and how to do it. Instead they catered to my flesh instead of equipping me to crucify it. They could have told me that the fear of the Lord was a good thing. They could have said a lot of things that would have led me to the God pleasing ways and clear conscience I craved.

I only trust Scripture now. I saw a good church an hour away. But right now---my husband and I stay in Scripture daily, discussing it, praying it, practicing to obey Jesus. Yes, obey Jesus, not just believe.

We don't need popular sayings about the faith. We need Scripture in context. We need to hear it in our ears. Put the microwave devotional down. Pick up the Bible. Read it out loud, play it on audio. Preferably not a new translation.

Here's a better Steve Brown quote: "Trust in God's sovereignty like Spurgeon. 'Move it' like Wesley." John Wesley exhorted his congregations to strive against sin, and taught that it was possible with God's working in the believer's life to completely overcome sin in this life, though he never claimed that he had reached that point himself.

I don't know much about Driscoll; I hear he's weird and cusses a lot. From what I've read of Piper's work, I'm pretty sure he'd take the Calvinist party line that a believer whose life is characterized by persistent sin has no reason to be confident that he's one of the Elect. (That's a pretty close paraphrase of a John MacArthur quote, another "New Calvinist" preacher.)

MacArthur An Introduction to Lordship Salvation I dont agree with him on everything, but he does not ignore this topic at all. It's frequent for him.

 

[PS95]

Paul teaches us, regarding becoming a "New Creation" "In Christ"..

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


1.) ""Therefore if any man (person) be IN CHRIST"......

To be "IN Christ", is to be spiritually born again, by the Holy Spirit of God, as a "'new Creation"
This is the born again Spirit.
Where is it?
= '"in Christ".

This is the Son-Daughter of God........and that is not your mind or your body.

The reason the CHRISTian gets a new body, is because the Born again Spirit, is not made for the one it's in right now.


2.) "old things are passed away".

1.) "The old man of sin, is crucified with Christ".

2.) "Christ has redeemed us from the CURSE of the LAW"... (The law is an old thing, that never again has any bearing or dominion over a CHRISTIAN.. because the CHRISTian, is """"not under the Law, but under Grace'""

Reader..
The LAW, demanded righteousness, and we had none.(sinners dont have any righteousness)..... so, it the Law was able to empower our sinning, and define us as a sinner.

"The power of SIN.. .is the LAW"... "The LAW, is the power of SIN".

That is a CURSE, that is on every human being, until JESUS redeems us from "the curse of the law".

A.) "Christ has redeemed us from the Curse of the Law"..




I dont say that at all.
i never think about sin. The only time i refer to it on the Forum, is if someone is talking about it., or trying to prove they have sin.

I simply explain what has happened to ALL the sin of the Born again, and who they have become in Christ., as Paul teaches us.

What i say is that i dont confess sin, because "Jesus is the one time Eternal Sacrifice for sin"..

Whose?

A.) All the Born again.

So, if a CHRISTian, is ""not under the Law::,.... and Christ has become your sin bearer... .as "" God Hath Made Jesus to BE SIN.....for us"

"US", = The born again, who are "MADE Righteous"... having received : "The Gift of Righteousness".

So, because ALL that is TRUE, then i am "made free from Sin"., as are all the Born again CHRISTians.

Another way to understand it is this..

Q.) Is there any SIN... "in Christ"

Q.) Is there any SIN.. "in GOD"

Q.) Is there any SIN.. "in Heaven"?

A.) NO..

Now notice, reader......the born again are "in Christ"""... "one with God".. and "seated in Heavenly Places".

NO SIN FOUND.



Reader,

If you are born again, then you are become "The righteousness of God, in Christ"., for Eternity, because the Salvation you have received is Eternal.
Eternal Life is not Temporary.
Being born again, proves you have Eternal Life, as Christ who is Eternal Life, is IN YOU..

Now, if you are just water baptized and very religious... and some cult told you....>>"look at that water, there go your sins, the water washed them all away"... .so, in that Case, its unlikely anyone who is that one, is born again, because their TRUST is in WATER... and in what some Liar told them about water.

Listen...
God requires faith in Christ.......not in water.

So, if the Reader is Born again... then there is no sin found "in Christ".. "in God", and "in Heaven"..

And the Born again Christian, is

"IN Christ'
"One with God".
"Seated in Heavenly Places".

Though life is challenging, and the carnival (carnal) activites are still hard to get over, there have been some changes nearing this halfway mark of the year. There are certain things that are weary and as usal come to no avail other than just sickness. Dogs tend to eat their own sickness, not realizing it makes them that way and they possibly go and throw up again. Other than that, Morris (a friend of my mom), is hoping to be able to pressure on his leg again after having an accident about 2 months ago and having surgery. His daughter, ended up finally having a healthy baby boy, who is doing well too. Both my nephews are still in Jail, hoping for one to get out in a few more months on good time, and will be able to leave on good time served and spent. Hope he will decide for himself to also participate in healthy constructive material that helps him learn, and not stunt growth. It's amazing that normally we tend to back to God after bad things come about, like Jonah. However instead of getting mad at Jonah, for God changing his mind on not destroying those people - Instead of staying in the cool shade of the tree, branching out and going to see their status - as remaining faithful (though they may have all turned again at some point with some maybe not even so went on to speak about the things God had done like the men who were pagans who called out to Jonahs God, in the narrative.

Hope the best for you and your family, and all here on this board, the competitive (which is a coarse joke), and leisurely alike, John! Just do not give up faith, or lose your hope even when doubt enters in and you are like "Where are you God." He is there friend, and hope your family too you stick with are happy, and content while going through this world through reconciled to God, now with sin "paid" for, and "done" - Far away, from west to east. It seems its all about the life decisions we make now. To improve the stability of the lives of others with Christ in us, and asking our Father for help by the holy spirit like Yeshua, taught his diciples in to doing, though it was a few days later after resurrection this would be made possible once the holy spirit had been given which now was able to reside within people - because "sin" -- was paid for... (not that God didnt look out for some of the people of the Pagan lands), with "sin" and the law being paid in full by the blood of Christ - that was a given to all. And everyone should know that why they may struggle with certain areas of life and perhaps can seek help for those things.

Not everyone is going to have just some perfect, holy, lived life which is just completely filled in complete perfection (without ever having sinned) - Only one person whom came from the mouth of Yahweh, was then born in flesh, by the spirit of God remaining on him, this retained the fleshly desires of Yeshua, because living in peace and having contentment through in woes of life sadness, and pain. Peace and contentment is where he desired while going in and through that pain, and the same is for us today! While in the old testament the holy spirit didnt always stay with a person, today within us, it does stick with us.


As long as one is faithful, and continues to seek, and abide in Christ, for then "we" "believers" are able to "do" something "good" - which are "good works" that Yahava writes on our mind and hearts to do by the spirit he has given that in faith we believe lives with in us, despite what the "world" may suggest.

Love to you, John.

Hello @PS95, I believe you have a well-written article here. It seems you understand what the message is saying and portraying.

I did something for someone, two or three days ago. When we got done with everything, and we were just sitting here at my house. I told him, "I never wanted to really go do any of those things for you at all period." He was like "I dont want you to be that way towards me." I told him, "It was all Christ in which you see anything good which comes from him, and not me, so thank him, and stop thanking me about it." Now some may see this as disingenuous - but telling someone the faithful reality of what you do believe in and where the merit of credit comes from, will in my opinion whether or not you ever see that person again, has an effect on them, especially if you are someone who knows these things concerning the two kinds of wisdom. "Heavenly, and Earthly."

There are as an extra bit of info, some people on this webside that are on my ignore. Perhaps its pretentious to mention but you have to decide whether your passion is worth giving into, or is passing up, and allowing Yahava to deal with people a more beneficial route or not, it's most certainly and easier choice, or could be harder especially if its a person who near and dear to you. "Prodigal Son."

Gotcha & thank you. I agree. Nice to meet you. God bless.