One of the very best passages that addresses this fundamental and essential principle of salvation is Ezekiel 36:24-32
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then 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. 26 A 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. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. 31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
Noticed that every single action is GOD's. action, not OUR action. Not our acceptance, not our belief, not our repentance, not our confession, not water baptism, no work whatsoever that we do can initiate, nor contribute to, nor assure the salvation that God applies to those whom he has chosen to be saved.
We can only cry to God for mercy in the very real hope that God might save us and that our sins might have been paid for.
Any good works that we do are the RESULT of our salvation. They are NEVER the cause, nor the means by which God saves us. Eph 2:1-10Rom 9:11
Dear Brother what an excellent message , thank you for it . I wholeheartedly agree with everything that you said except the very last bit , we must not stop trying to do those things that we know are acceptable to God and to avoid doing those things that we know are not pleasing to Him , remember the unprofitable servant of Luke chapter 17 verses 7 through to 10 . We are at best unprofitable servants and that is the best we can hope to achieve but , it is something that we can aim for . I used to enjoy gambling and I would still be doing it if I didn't know that God does not want me to . Many times in our lives we will be faced with temptations and when we succeed in resisting the evil choice and choosing the right thing in God's sight , then we are being unprofitable servants , only doing that which was our duty to do . That's how we must always see ourselves , not as masters of our own desires but as unprofitable servants doing only what is our duty , because we know it's what God wants us to do or not to do as the case may be . We cannot overcome our sinful nature any other way other than by the way God has prepared for us , obedience . Children only know how to do the right thing because their parents tell them it's the right thing . Their desire is to eat sweets all day and it seems like a good idea to them , only because we tell them that it's not good for them do they know that it's not the right thing to do , they don't overcome their own desires , they listen to their parents guidance trusting that their parent knows best . That's how we should be . I know that I could win money if I gamble , I've done so in the past , and I could use that money for all kinds of good things , so I think . God knows better . I must trust Him and not my own understanding , Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5 to 8 . God bless you Brother .
As you know,in the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth.(heaven/singular as if it was only one heaven is wrong, GOD created the 1st,2nd and 3rd heavens,and the heaven of the heavens).In the other hand,in Genesis 1:1 the NAME of JESUS,the beginning,still was in occult because could not still be revealed,the revelation of the NAME of JESUS would be only in the fourth Day,around 4000 years after Adam,i.e.only in the turn from the fourth to the fifth GOD's Day,NEVER before.By the way,without JESUS was not any thing made that was made.When the Word was made flesh-the Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing-,JESUS said to the Jews:My Father works hitherto,and I work- John 5:17.It still was the beginning of the fifth Day or around 30AD.
John 1:1
1In the beginning(in JESUS) was the Word...and the Word was GOD.
3All things were made by Him;without JESUS was not any thing made that was made.
4In Him was life;and the life was the light of men.
10He was in the world,and the world was made by Him,and the world knew Him not.
11He came unto His own,and His own received Him not.
12But as many as received Him,to them gave He power to become the sons of GOD,even to them that believe on His NAME:
Exodus 3:13-15
13Moses said unto GOD(unto the beginning-JESUS),Behold,when I come unto the children of Israel,and say unto them,The GOD of your fathers hath sent me unto you;and they shall say to me,What is His name?what shall I say unto them?
14And GOD(JESUS)said unto Moses,I Am That I Am:Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel,I Am hath sent me unto you.
15...Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel:The Lord GOD of your fathers,
the GOD of Abraham,GOD of Isaac,GOD of Jacob,
hath sent me unto you:this is my NAME FOR EVER...
Exodus 6:3-I appeared unto Abraham,Isaac and unto Jacob,by the name of GOD Almighty( Revelation 1:8),but by my NAME Lord GOD-JESUS-was I not known to them.(NOT by esoteric and kabbalist Jehovah,not by the demonic tetragrammaton YHWH)
Bro S. Spencer, thanks for your thoughts here. It was bro Giannis who shared 1 Peter 1:23-25, though my reference to Ephesians 5:26 wasn't intended to lend support to the belief that Jesus' Words to Nicodemus meant that 'Unless a man be born by (from) the Word and of (from) the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God'. I'm not sure that by telling Nicodemus that a man must be "born of water (really, the Word)" would have given him any satisfaction that his question was answered. To him, Jesus would have still been talking in riddles. Jesus could have stated that 'a man must be born again by hearing & receiving the Word of God and also His Spirit' which seems to make more sense in answering his question. But Jesus' use of being 'born of water', when Nicodemus is given no explanation that actually water represents 'washing by the Word', doesn't seem helpful.
But I agree, that John 3:5 has nothing to do with water baptism, since water baptism doesn't generate a new birth, rather a declaration of one's identification with Christ's Sacrifice & Resurrection after the new birth, as an act of personal & public witness. Unlike today in Western countries, such a baptism being undertaken in other countries holding to anti-Christian faiths, most likely meant rejection, or incarceration, or even death to the new believer. Blessings.
There is so much more that can be said here, but I am going to end with this:
In 1 John 2:1, it literally reads: "My children, these things I write to you, in order that you should not sin; and if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;" John states that he is writing so that they "should not sin." The verb tense here is an Aorist Subjunctive. This means that John is referring to an act of sin, not a lifestyle of sin. John is speaking to new believers. John doesn't tell them that they are now without sin, or they will no longer commit sin. In fact, gives them advice on what to do if and when they do sin. He says that "if anyone should sin," and he's using an Aorist Subjunctive which is expressing a single act of sin. If anyone should commit an act of sin, we have an advocate (defense lawyer) in Jesus Christ who will intercede for us.
Will we as believers ever reach a state of sinless perfection? Yes, we will, but not until we receive our glorified bodies. As long as we are on this earth living in this body of flesh, we will never be sinless, we will never reach sinlessness, nor will we ever be perfect. But someday, at God's appointed time, He will make us perfect, and He will make us sinless ( 1 Corinthians 15:53-55). We can't reach this state on our own, so we need to quit trying!
Is there anyone here that can honestly say that everything you do 24/7 is by faith (under the persuasion of God's Spirit)? What about hobbies? What if you decide you want to go to the movies? What if you want to go play basketball or any other activity you like doing? Do you ever choose to go do something that God's Spirit is not persuading you to do? Remember, that which is not of faith is sin. You see, sin is very deep. We might be doing something that seems perfectly fine, but anything we do that is not under the direction or persuasion of God's Spirit, that is sin.
We have to be able to differentiate between the flesh and the spirit. God's Spirit fills and seals our spirit the moment we receive Christ, but our flesh will never submit to God. In fact, the apostle Paul talks about his own personal struggles in his walk with the Lord. At no time does Paul claim that he or anyone else is able to reach a state if sinless perfection.
Every believer will sin on occasion. However, a Christian can no longer live a lifestyle of habitual sin as they did before salvation because they now have God's Spirit in them to convict them when they do sin. It is inevitable that every believer will commit an act of sin at some point in their life. Why? Because we are still in this corruptible body of flesh and we still have the capacity to commit sin. Life is full of choices, and there is a constant battle going on between our flesh and the Spirit of Christ that dwell in us and God allows us to choose. But if we have Christ in us, we can no longer sin habitually. It is impossible for a believer to live a lifestyle of habitual sin because God's Spirit is there to bring conviction and discipline.
With the recent discussions going on, I would like to share some of my personal thoughts about "sinless perfection." These are just my thoughts, so you take it or leave it as the Lord leads.
(Part 1):
First off, I want to make a point-blank statement. I have been born of God's Spirit, but I am still considered a sinner. I am a sinner saved by God's mercy and grace! I believe this goes for every born-again believer. Some might disagree and say they are not a sinner.
To those who say they are not a sinner, I would point out 1 John 1:8-10. Is it possible to be a Christian believer and also a sinner? I believe the answer to that is yes! I say yes because in the flesh, we still have the capacity and capability to sin. God does not remove that when He saved me. Does anyone believe that their flesh has been made perfect? Does God save the flesh? Or does God save our spirit?
There is no place in scripture that tells me that I can reach a state of sinless perfection while I am in this body of flesh. A believer who has been born of God's Spirit has the sinless and perfect one dwelling inside them, but the person themselves are not without sin. Put another way, God's Spirit in me is perfect and sinless, but I myself am neither perfect nor sinless. Does this mean that I am constantly living a sinful lifestyle? Absolutely not!
But sin goes deeper that we can imagine. As someone here has recently said, we sometimes sin without even realizing we've sinned. That is a factual statement. The bible says that which is not of faith is sin. Wow! If I understand correctly what faith is, it puts things into perspective. The word faith comes from a Greek word that literally means persuasion. It's when God's Spirit persuades me to do something or believe something. That's what faith is.
Sin is in the camp: Duty of elders AND laypersons.
The story in Joshua 7 where Achan's sin caused defeat and death for Israel in invading the territory of Ai shows us how the cursed thing that was taken from Jericho which was destroyed with God's help in Joshua 6 suddenly affected the Lord granting victory.
1 Corinthians 5 also discusses heinous sin in the midst of the church with a man with his father's wife. The fact that something that extreme could be tolerated is shocking in the early church; but shows us how we ARE to judge things in the house of God.
This is where the gift of discernment comes in. I can only speak for myself experientially; but when I sense something is wrong; specifically an evil spirit affecting someone then usually God reveals the sin to corroborate things; at that point someone is duty bound to warn a brother or sister to repent. I cannot think of any time that I have tried to uncover things; if the Lord doesn't show me something sometimes the person themselves says something or someone else may mention it. As with the Corinthians passage it is usually sexual sin of some sort. What many don't realize is in the spiritual realm things CAN affect other people; at the very least the spirit is quenched because of influences a person has that they may or may not realize that is driving them to sin. For Paul in this case to deliberately be removed so that Satan can be allowed to decimate him yet his spirit saved in the end; this man apparently in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 that man did repent.
My current church contains a number of people who faithfully visit; transport and minister to elderly members as well as those confined at home (mainly older demographics). These are all people in their fifties and sixties; probably a few younger folks getting more involved would be good. I suppose some have the gift of compassion or mercy. As important as it is to know your gifts; we all should bear good fruit and practice what we preach.
I am of the firm belief that a church SHOULD basically involve a scriptural framework with a Pastor associated with elders; and at least one or two deacons. Also; of course I believe that many churches tend to be one sided and while correctly taking care for the flock that no outsiders introduce false doctrine and that spiritual maturity is demonstrated by those who do teach they seem to ignore the fact that the church needs people with other gifts to sustain it.
One of the practical things which we could consider is others who have a teaching ability; whether specialized in youth ministry; women teaching younger women; or someone qualified to teach Sunday school. This coming Sunday; for example the person who normally plays piano will also teach Sunday school; since he's a teacher in a Christian school the Pastor had no problem asking him to fill in when out of town; also our Deacon will preach as he occasionally is given that role. Again; I have heard some issues that occured with a Pastor that at the time wouldn't have others under him; now he has my friend as a Deacon there after my other friend had spent some time doing some sermons as an understudy; maybe he helped to convince him that having others could be helpful. Being a Pastor doesn't guarantee teaching on an individual level is best mastered; hence for Discipling small group leaders are helpful.
In allowing people to head up other activities; some supervision is needed because at times certain mind games involving people obsessed with running the show can get in the way. This is why delegating responsibility should be something that isn't avoided but done with caution; nonetheless. It seems those gifted with wisdom who the Lord has given natural abilities that could be paid adequately to get a job done right rather than always doing the cheapest work possible or volunteer work with unskilled workmen is a choice too often made.
Oh and don't leave you are making people think and reread the Bible which I think Jesus want us all to do.
As for the different bibles versions I think you are 100% correct, yet you don't go far enough, and if I get band from here so be it, In the other so called bibles you mention they deny the deity of Jesus. There are may other examples one can find. They also change LORD to god in places. To diminish his authority as the one true GOD.
If one uses the bibles that deny the deity are they not denying Jesus and in turn loosing there salvation by breaking the commandment thou shall take no other god before me.
When you remove entire sentences and change words or remove words them meaning gets changed,
When the KJV was translated as in any translation one has to use words in that language that means the same thing as the original. The KJV is the most widely use version in the world, where ever you go in the world there is English. Jesus said go and spread my message "word" to the world, so Jesus, Holy Sprit must have know then, (GOD being the beginning and the end) that the English language would spread to every part of the world, therefore they were inspired by the Holy Spirt to wright the KJV 1611. You can find in the Bible that the Bible is pointing or leading you to this Bible.
Sorry I had to add this my characters ended on 666 so maybe you should not have read this or I shouldn't have written? Is this a sin to think like this?
To put it concisely; God's grace and His restraining influence is what is keeping the Tribulation from beginning with all its associated horrors; for as far as I can tell it doesn't have to get any worse as far as the condition of men in general in this dark hour to warrant judgment. I thought of the verse that God is patient with the wicked but is "longsuffering" not wishing anyone to perish but repent (roughly translated verse 2 Peter 3:9). My first search found Nahum 1:3 about God being slow to anger but not leaving the "guilty unpunished." Without getting tangled in Predestination; I will just remind the audience that we were all enemies of God ( Romans 5:10). In some sense whether it is our choice or response to God's calling He determines when the last person comes to Christ before the Rapture.
In some sense; with church being counterculture at this point for anywhere still adhering to the TRUE Gospel a new convert is something even more exciting than the past. Since there is nothing or almost nothing to gain from being accepted in society for becoming a believer today it takes more gumption. I have observed that many who are not involved much with formal church attendance have much discernment especially into the spiritual dimension; and often seem to love the Lord. It could be their fault but often there just isn't either a church teaching truth; or no real active DISCIPLESHIP opportunities either for them to grow OR HELP OTHERS grow. I put that in capital letters because it seems to be such an issue today. Of course for megachurches for the young; thin and attractive delivering shallow messages is no substitute for challenging study; or retreats where one can put their nose to the grindstone and iron can sharpen iron. Just as we can't accept everyone's offer of assistance; we can't dismiss those the Lord brings with their particular gifts who are eager and ready to serve. Yes, even leaders need input!
Asking for the Lord to lead us out of our "Egypt" and overcome the tyranny of our "Pharaoh". Decades of prayer, fasting, others praying, deliverance ministry and still so much spiritual bondage, besetting sins, fruitlessness, stagnation. Father grant true repentance and liberation in all the areas that bind us, where there are strongholds and heal soul and heart wounds. Remove generational curses. Glorify your Son in our lives. Fight our battles and protect us. Save those who are not saved. Asking all these things for us and for all those who are struggling in a similar manner.
Father I join Joyce in asking for the salvation of her family, my family and all others who are not saved (standing on 1 Timothy 2:4). Thank you Father. In Jesus name. Amen.
Father I join in asking these things for them and as they pertain also for us and all others in need. Thank you and praise you. In your holy name I pray Lord Jesus. Amen.
I didn't mean to offend or confuse, I read the rapture as 144,000 total and 12,000 from each church that's a very small number when there are billions of people on earth alive and almost everyone thinks they are going in the rapture. I was not thinking of the rapture that you think of when I said I pray you don't know death in this life. I believe I read that Christians are persecuted during the tribulation time which means not all are raptured. which is a different discussion. but if you could show me the verses that prove the rapture you believe I would greatly appreciate it.(maybe the Holy Sprit guided me to answer you to get me here so you could show me what you see and I don't.)
I am only reading the KJV 1611, and if its hard to understand I go to the KJV standard.
So about u-tube I am not asking strangers for advice there, I travel for my work so I have found a church that broadcast there sermons, This is a Christian minster whom went to a seminary and also has lectured at them, and is the main preacher at this church. You do not have local tv that broadcasts church services? The way he is doing it reaches far more people and I am sure the Holy Sprit inspired the man to do what he is doing.
I didn't say Jesus replace the Moral or Civil Laws or the 10 commandments (Moral Laws) just the Ceremonial
So to your question.
If you go by just the 10 commandants which I think you are implying. on 6/9 one in some peoples mind and none in my mind and if I read Paul correctly none. Romans 14:5-8
I believe every day is GODs Holy day and Thank Jesus everyday since I repented and ask his forgiveness. GOD says keep his Sabbath Day. Enter my rest (his Sabbath Day) Hebrews 4:10 but if you like start from 4:1.
Yes,certainly,as you said,GOD HIMSELF manifested himself to the Hebrews through the OT;which was written by the twenty-four elders,starting with Moses,understand?By the way,JESUS said GOD is Spirit- John 4:24-,what is the name of the invisible Spirit of GOD?Well,GOD had said in the beginning- Genesis 1:26(the beginning is JESUS,who is the LITERAL IMAGE of GOD,He is GOD)-, yes, GOD had said:"Let us make man in OUR image,after OUR likeness", then, both are One, and as we can see, since ancient times, since Genesis, GOD revealed He would be made flesh.
By the prophet Isaiah,who is one of the 24 elders,GOD again revealed He would be made flesh, and around 2000 years ago He LITERALLY fulfilled His promise- John 1:14-and what is the NAME that GOD chose for He Himself? The NAME that GOD chose for He Himself was/is JESUS - JOSHUA-. Luke 1:26-the angel GABRIEL was sent FROM GOD(the Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing) unto a city of Galilee,named Nazareth,and said to Mary:behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a SON, and shalt call his NAME JESUS. He shall be great, and called the Son of the Highest: the Lord GOD(the Word is GOD, GOD Himself, self-executing) shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.
Remember: The Jews said to JESUS: John 8:41-we have one Father, even God. And JESUS said to the Devil, father of the Jews-Yahweh:It is written,Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the MOUTH OF GOD-Mat.4:4.
Psalms 110:1combined with Hebrews 1:8(plus Matthew 25:11, James 2:1, Isaiah 49:14, Luke 20:42, 1 Corinthians 9:1) -
GOD said to the Lord JESUS:Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy Kingdom.
KJV Psalms 83:18, Isaiah 12:2, Exodus 6:3, Isaiah 26:4 LORD=JEHOVAH; ->JEHOVAH is another esoteric and kabbalistic and spiritist nickname of the father of the Jews.
Luke 16:5 lord=a King or one of authority,yes, see John 18:37.
I'm departing from that thread being that it's focus is not on the sin nature.
The sin nature is that aspect in man that makes him rebellious against God.
When we speak of the sin nature, we refer to the fact that we have a natural inclination to sin,
Not obeying that inclination doesn't mean we got rid of the inclination.
It is so abundantly there, that if you cannot detect it, you are deceived."
With the Holyspirit we can defeat the nature but that doesn't rid us of it.
Even amongst the Brothern there is always an urge to get praise and Glory and that is a sin.
What about partiality, Haughtiness, Selfishness, Greed, puffing one another up with feel good messages when it's not sincere.
You can be spot on with a message but refuse to be at the table with your Brothern.
What about refusing to show mercy.
What about refusing to forgive.
When you can't stomach the Brothern to where you alienate yourself that's a sign that you have conflicting Spirit's or atleast a very carnal driven Christian.
God Spirit is what baptizes us, and performs a union unexplained!
All of these desires or works of the flesh "or by the flesh", Not the fruit of the Spirit.
These are the laws of God that should be written in our hearts.
These are the laws of God that our laws in our flesh rejects.
You and I never had the discussion on ridding the sin nature.
You never asked me anything on the topic.
I was making mention of you being in the debate with someone else.
Then several joined!
That topic branched over into several topics.
This is why I said I am aware of your stance on this and I didn't want to re-visit it.
Besides that, my post has nothing to do with whether one can loose his or her sin "NATURE"
Momsage
When we're talking about sin we're talking about "transgression of the law of God.and this is not JUST breaking any of the commands of God,
IT'S NOT ONLY SPEAKING OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS.
However you described Justification as I do.
Justification is freely given to us through faith in Christ, therefore we have an atonement. Sanctification Is also a work of God! Philippians 1:6
Nowhere in scripture it says Justification or Sanctification rids us of our FLESH/SIN NATURE.
They do rid us the penalty of our sins! Past, Present, and future.
And Sanctification rids ys of the love of sin.
Anything we do that is not of the spirit is sin!
Now we're perfectly justified we have the Holy Spirit that prompts us to do God's will but we have a nature that combats God's will and that nature never leaves us.
God is Holy and perfect. He doesn't has to resist any evil.
We're imperfect. We have emotional sin that we resist everyday because we have a nature in this body of sin that the Holyspirit deals with daily.
When we're talking about "SIN NATURE" this can be anything that our flesh prompts us to do something that the Spirit has not.
Winning the battle over our sin nature doesn't mean we got rid of it.
We can do something that appears to be a good deed on the outside but on the inside it's for praise, that's also caused by our sin nature.
God shares his praise and Glory with no man.
You can tell me how wonderful I am to be kind towards me, but if you don't truly feel that way then it's a lie.
determine what they are designed to develop in the human body, such as eye, hair, and skin color, body shape, the development of body systems during fetal growth, and a myriad of other things in every body that are determined by the DNA in chromosomes.
Every human has these same genes but the way they are specifically and individually expressed is determined by God according to the way He designed hereditary traits to be transmitted to offspring.
It is evident that the DNA of Adam and Eve possessed all the genetic potential for all these variations in genetics to transmit to offspring. Therefore, Noah, his wife, sons, ad daughter in laws also possessed the genetic potential for diverse genetic expression.
That said, God was in control of the genetic expression of the genes in all of the descendants of Noah. When God scattered people at Babel and they migrated outward to inhabit all parts of the world, God caused the genetic expressions of people groups to be adapted to their environment. those with pale skin inhabited the northern hemisphere from the Eurasian steppe to Europe. Those with darker skin (due to having higher melanin in their skin) inhabited the Far East and those even darker skinned inhabited sub equatorial Africa, Australia, etc.
It was God who determined the gene expressions that formed the "races" but all are similarly human and related through the sons of Noah. When people migrated to certain areas where they were more isolated from other tribes of people, they intermarried and so the gene expressions became more similar among them by God's design. For example, the red haired gene among the Celtic people of Ireland and Scotland. The blond, blue eyed people of Scandinavia, the darker skinned people of India, the distinctive features of the different tribes of North and South American native people, the very dark skinned people of Africa, some of whom were quite short and others quite tall depending on tribe. The Semitic tribes of the Middle East including the Hebrews, and the Polynesian peoples who settled the multitude of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
So we can attribute genetic expression that shows us that people are of a certain "race" to God's wise design as people migrated away from Babel in Mesopotamia after the flood. Every person of every race have the same number of chromosomes that make up the DNA that determines a multitude of genes which consistently determine, cont
Lord Heavenly Father, we are Your servants, please use us for Your Glory and Honor.
One of the very best passages that addresses this fundamental and essential principle of salvation is Ezekiel 36:24-32
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then 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. 26 A 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. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. 31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
Noticed that every single action is GOD's. action, not OUR action. Not our acceptance, not our belief, not our repentance, not our confession, not water baptism, no work whatsoever that we do can initiate, nor contribute to, nor assure the salvation that God applies to those whom he has chosen to be saved.
We can only cry to God for mercy in the very real hope that God might save us and that our sins might have been paid for.
Any good works that we do are the RESULT of our salvation. They are NEVER the cause, nor the means by which God saves us. Eph 2:1-10 Rom 9:11
As you know,in the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth.(heaven/singular as if it was only one heaven is wrong, GOD created the 1st,2nd and 3rd heavens,and the heaven of the heavens).In the other hand,in Genesis 1:1 the NAME of JESUS,the beginning,still was in occult because could not still be revealed,the revelation of the NAME of JESUS would be only in the fourth Day,around 4000 years after Adam,i.e.only in the turn from the fourth to the fifth GOD's Day,NEVER before.By the way,without JESUS was not any thing made that was made.When the Word was made flesh-the Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing-,JESUS said to the Jews:My Father works hitherto,and I work- John 5:17.It still was the beginning of the fifth Day or around 30AD.
John 1:1
1In the beginning(in JESUS) was the Word...and the Word was GOD.
3All things were made by Him;without JESUS was not any thing made that was made.
4In Him was life;and the life was the light of men.
10He was in the world,and the world was made by Him,and the world knew Him not.
11He came unto His own,and His own received Him not.
12But as many as received Him,to them gave He power to become the sons of GOD,even to them that believe on His NAME:
Exodus 3:13-15
13Moses said unto GOD(unto the beginning-JESUS),Behold,when I come unto the children of Israel,and say unto them,The GOD of your fathers hath sent me unto you;and they shall say to me,What is His name?what shall I say unto them?
14And GOD(JESUS)said unto Moses,I Am That I Am:Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel,I Am hath sent me unto you.
15...Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel:The Lord GOD of your fathers,
the GOD of Abraham,GOD of Isaac,GOD of Jacob,
hath sent me unto you:this is my NAME FOR EVER...
Exodus 6:3-I appeared unto Abraham,Isaac and unto Jacob,by the name of GOD Almighty( Revelation 1:8),but by my NAME Lord GOD-JESUS-was I not known to them.(NOT by esoteric and kabbalist Jehovah,not by the demonic tetragrammaton YHWH)
But I agree, that John 3:5 has nothing to do with water baptism, since water baptism doesn't generate a new birth, rather a declaration of one's identification with Christ's Sacrifice & Resurrection after the new birth, as an act of personal & public witness. Unlike today in Western countries, such a baptism being undertaken in other countries holding to anti-Christian faiths, most likely meant rejection, or incarceration, or even death to the new believer. Blessings.
There is so much more that can be said here, but I am going to end with this:
In 1 John 2:1, it literally reads: "My children, these things I write to you, in order that you should not sin; and if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;" John states that he is writing so that they "should not sin." The verb tense here is an Aorist Subjunctive. This means that John is referring to an act of sin, not a lifestyle of sin. John is speaking to new believers. John doesn't tell them that they are now without sin, or they will no longer commit sin. In fact, gives them advice on what to do if and when they do sin. He says that "if anyone should sin," and he's using an Aorist Subjunctive which is expressing a single act of sin. If anyone should commit an act of sin, we have an advocate (defense lawyer) in Jesus Christ who will intercede for us.
Will we as believers ever reach a state of sinless perfection? Yes, we will, but not until we receive our glorified bodies. As long as we are on this earth living in this body of flesh, we will never be sinless, we will never reach sinlessness, nor will we ever be perfect. But someday, at God's appointed time, He will make us perfect, and He will make us sinless ( 1 Corinthians 15:53-55). We can't reach this state on our own, so we need to quit trying!
Is there anyone here that can honestly say that everything you do 24/7 is by faith (under the persuasion of God's Spirit)? What about hobbies? What if you decide you want to go to the movies? What if you want to go play basketball or any other activity you like doing? Do you ever choose to go do something that God's Spirit is not persuading you to do? Remember, that which is not of faith is sin. You see, sin is very deep. We might be doing something that seems perfectly fine, but anything we do that is not under the direction or persuasion of God's Spirit, that is sin.
We have to be able to differentiate between the flesh and the spirit. God's Spirit fills and seals our spirit the moment we receive Christ, but our flesh will never submit to God. In fact, the apostle Paul talks about his own personal struggles in his walk with the Lord. At no time does Paul claim that he or anyone else is able to reach a state if sinless perfection.
Every believer will sin on occasion. However, a Christian can no longer live a lifestyle of habitual sin as they did before salvation because they now have God's Spirit in them to convict them when they do sin. It is inevitable that every believer will commit an act of sin at some point in their life. Why? Because we are still in this corruptible body of flesh and we still have the capacity to commit sin. Life is full of choices, and there is a constant battle going on between our flesh and the Spirit of Christ that dwell in us and God allows us to choose. But if we have Christ in us, we can no longer sin habitually. It is impossible for a believer to live a lifestyle of habitual sin because God's Spirit is there to bring conviction and discipline.
(Part 1):
First off, I want to make a point-blank statement. I have been born of God's Spirit, but I am still considered a sinner. I am a sinner saved by God's mercy and grace! I believe this goes for every born-again believer. Some might disagree and say they are not a sinner.
To those who say they are not a sinner, I would point out 1 John 1:8-10. Is it possible to be a Christian believer and also a sinner? I believe the answer to that is yes! I say yes because in the flesh, we still have the capacity and capability to sin. God does not remove that when He saved me. Does anyone believe that their flesh has been made perfect? Does God save the flesh? Or does God save our spirit?
There is no place in scripture that tells me that I can reach a state of sinless perfection while I am in this body of flesh. A believer who has been born of God's Spirit has the sinless and perfect one dwelling inside them, but the person themselves are not without sin. Put another way, God's Spirit in me is perfect and sinless, but I myself am neither perfect nor sinless. Does this mean that I am constantly living a sinful lifestyle? Absolutely not!
But sin goes deeper that we can imagine. As someone here has recently said, we sometimes sin without even realizing we've sinned. That is a factual statement. The bible says that which is not of faith is sin. Wow! If I understand correctly what faith is, it puts things into perspective. The word faith comes from a Greek word that literally means persuasion. It's when God's Spirit persuades me to do something or believe something. That's what faith is.
The story in Joshua 7 where Achan's sin caused defeat and death for Israel in invading the territory of Ai shows us how the cursed thing that was taken from Jericho which was destroyed with God's help in Joshua 6 suddenly affected the Lord granting victory.
1 Corinthians 5 also discusses heinous sin in the midst of the church with a man with his father's wife. The fact that something that extreme could be tolerated is shocking in the early church; but shows us how we ARE to judge things in the house of God.
This is where the gift of discernment comes in. I can only speak for myself experientially; but when I sense something is wrong; specifically an evil spirit affecting someone then usually God reveals the sin to corroborate things; at that point someone is duty bound to warn a brother or sister to repent. I cannot think of any time that I have tried to uncover things; if the Lord doesn't show me something sometimes the person themselves says something or someone else may mention it. As with the Corinthians passage it is usually sexual sin of some sort. What many don't realize is in the spiritual realm things CAN affect other people; at the very least the spirit is quenched because of influences a person has that they may or may not realize that is driving them to sin. For Paul in this case to deliberately be removed so that Satan can be allowed to decimate him yet his spirit saved in the end; this man apparently in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 that man did repent.
My current church contains a number of people who faithfully visit; transport and minister to elderly members as well as those confined at home (mainly older demographics). These are all people in their fifties and sixties; probably a few younger folks getting more involved would be good. I suppose some have the gift of compassion or mercy. As important as it is to know your gifts; we all should bear good fruit and practice what we preach.
I have heard and studied both views on John 3:5 with the water mentioned being either the word of God or the physical birth.
Your in good company either way it goes.
I lean over to the water mentioned in John 3:5 is the word of God because of the verses you both sited
1 Peter 1:23-25.
Ephesians 5:26.
However, I don't see how it relates to water baptism.
I don't believe water baptism represents a washing.
I believe it testifies in one's belief in the death of Christ and the resurrection.
I believe the washing by the word has to be taken place prior to water baptism.
John 15:3.
God bless.
I am of the firm belief that a church SHOULD basically involve a scriptural framework with a Pastor associated with elders; and at least one or two deacons. Also; of course I believe that many churches tend to be one sided and while correctly taking care for the flock that no outsiders introduce false doctrine and that spiritual maturity is demonstrated by those who do teach they seem to ignore the fact that the church needs people with other gifts to sustain it.
One of the practical things which we could consider is others who have a teaching ability; whether specialized in youth ministry; women teaching younger women; or someone qualified to teach Sunday school. This coming Sunday; for example the person who normally plays piano will also teach Sunday school; since he's a teacher in a Christian school the Pastor had no problem asking him to fill in when out of town; also our Deacon will preach as he occasionally is given that role. Again; I have heard some issues that occured with a Pastor that at the time wouldn't have others under him; now he has my friend as a Deacon there after my other friend had spent some time doing some sermons as an understudy; maybe he helped to convince him that having others could be helpful. Being a Pastor doesn't guarantee teaching on an individual level is best mastered; hence for Discipling small group leaders are helpful.
In allowing people to head up other activities; some supervision is needed because at times certain mind games involving people obsessed with running the show can get in the way. This is why delegating responsibility should be something that isn't avoided but done with caution; nonetheless. It seems those gifted with wisdom who the Lord has given natural abilities that could be paid adequately to get a job done right rather than always doing the cheapest work possible or volunteer work with unskilled workmen is a choice too often made.
as to your part 2
Oh and don't leave you are making people think and reread the Bible which I think Jesus want us all to do.
As for the different bibles versions I think you are 100% correct, yet you don't go far enough, and if I get band from here so be it, In the other so called bibles you mention they deny the deity of Jesus. There are may other examples one can find. They also change LORD to god in places. To diminish his authority as the one true GOD.
If one uses the bibles that deny the deity are they not denying Jesus and in turn loosing there salvation by breaking the commandment thou shall take no other god before me.
When you remove entire sentences and change words or remove words them meaning gets changed,
When the KJV was translated as in any translation one has to use words in that language that means the same thing as the original. The KJV is the most widely use version in the world, where ever you go in the world there is English. Jesus said go and spread my message "word" to the world, so Jesus, Holy Sprit must have know then, (GOD being the beginning and the end) that the English language would spread to every part of the world, therefore they were inspired by the Holy Spirt to wright the KJV 1611. You can find in the Bible that the Bible is pointing or leading you to this Bible.
Sorry I had to add this my characters ended on 666 so maybe you should not have read this or I shouldn't have written? Is this a sin to think like this?
To put it concisely; God's grace and His restraining influence is what is keeping the Tribulation from beginning with all its associated horrors; for as far as I can tell it doesn't have to get any worse as far as the condition of men in general in this dark hour to warrant judgment. I thought of the verse that God is patient with the wicked but is "longsuffering" not wishing anyone to perish but repent (roughly translated verse 2 Peter 3:9). My first search found Nahum 1:3 about God being slow to anger but not leaving the "guilty unpunished." Without getting tangled in Predestination; I will just remind the audience that we were all enemies of God ( Romans 5:10). In some sense whether it is our choice or response to God's calling He determines when the last person comes to Christ before the Rapture.
In some sense; with church being counterculture at this point for anywhere still adhering to the TRUE Gospel a new convert is something even more exciting than the past. Since there is nothing or almost nothing to gain from being accepted in society for becoming a believer today it takes more gumption. I have observed that many who are not involved much with formal church attendance have much discernment especially into the spiritual dimension; and often seem to love the Lord. It could be their fault but often there just isn't either a church teaching truth; or no real active DISCIPLESHIP opportunities either for them to grow OR HELP OTHERS grow. I put that in capital letters because it seems to be such an issue today. Of course for megachurches for the young; thin and attractive delivering shallow messages is no substitute for challenging study; or retreats where one can put their nose to the grindstone and iron can sharpen iron. Just as we can't accept everyone's offer of assistance; we can't dismiss those the Lord brings with their particular gifts who are eager and ready to serve. Yes, even leaders need input!
I would like to bring a little more clarity to my last post so I would call this Part 2.
In Genesis 1:28 it reads, "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth...,
Now we know God put the earth upon its axis created the sun and the moon precisely the way he intended it.
So in Genesis 1:28 when he said fill the earth the results he would get out of it was also in the making in day 1.
blessings
What we know now by science is "some" results in the make up of man.
And, what little we gather from science, and limited scripture all we truly know is how God scattered man and the results afterwards. .
When man was scattered and evolved into what he is today was a work performed on that 6th day.
Everything else is a result of that day in terms of creation.
And the God rested!
Nothing takes God by surprise and nothing exists by way of plan B.
God's creation shows his Glory because it's unexplained.
We can see and perhaps somewhat understand the results.
However, the how is done by God's omnipotence.
God can do anything he wants and is not subject to physical limitations.
The Bible describes God as omnipotent, term for this is omnipotence.
Psalm 115:3: God does whatever he is pleased to do
Isaiah 55:11: God's word is never void of power, so when he speaks, everything in creation obeys him
Genesis 18:14: Nothing is too hard for him.
God spoke and created everything out of nothing!
He shouldn't have a problem doing anything else after Genesis 1:1
God bless.
I didn't mean to offend or confuse, I read the rapture as 144,000 total and 12,000 from each church that's a very small number when there are billions of people on earth alive and almost everyone thinks they are going in the rapture. I was not thinking of the rapture that you think of when I said I pray you don't know death in this life. I believe I read that Christians are persecuted during the tribulation time which means not all are raptured. which is a different discussion. but if you could show me the verses that prove the rapture you believe I would greatly appreciate it.(maybe the Holy Sprit guided me to answer you to get me here so you could show me what you see and I don't.)
I am only reading the KJV 1611, and if its hard to understand I go to the KJV standard.
So about u-tube I am not asking strangers for advice there, I travel for my work so I have found a church that broadcast there sermons, This is a Christian minster whom went to a seminary and also has lectured at them, and is the main preacher at this church. You do not have local tv that broadcasts church services? The way he is doing it reaches far more people and I am sure the Holy Sprit inspired the man to do what he is doing.
I didn't say Jesus replace the Moral or Civil Laws or the 10 commandments (Moral Laws) just the Ceremonial
So to your question.
If you go by just the 10 commandants which I think you are implying. on 6/9 one in some peoples mind and none in my mind and if I read Paul correctly none. Romans 14:5-8
I believe every day is GODs Holy day and Thank Jesus everyday since I repented and ask his forgiveness. GOD says keep his Sabbath Day. Enter my rest (his Sabbath Day) Hebrews 4:10 but if you like start from 4:1.
Yes,certainly,as you said,GOD HIMSELF manifested himself to the Hebrews through the OT;which was written by the twenty-four elders,starting with Moses,understand?By the way,JESUS said GOD is Spirit- John 4:24-,what is the name of the invisible Spirit of GOD?Well,GOD had said in the beginning- Genesis 1:26(the beginning is JESUS,who is the LITERAL IMAGE of GOD,He is GOD)-, yes, GOD had said:"Let us make man in OUR image,after OUR likeness", then, both are One, and as we can see, since ancient times, since Genesis, GOD revealed He would be made flesh.
By the prophet Isaiah,who is one of the 24 elders,GOD again revealed He would be made flesh, and around 2000 years ago He LITERALLY fulfilled His promise- John 1:14-and what is the NAME that GOD chose for He Himself? The NAME that GOD chose for He Himself was/is JESUS - JOSHUA-. Luke 1:26-the angel GABRIEL was sent FROM GOD(the Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing) unto a city of Galilee,named Nazareth,and said to Mary:behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a SON, and shalt call his NAME JESUS. He shall be great, and called the Son of the Highest: the Lord GOD(the Word is GOD, GOD Himself, self-executing) shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.
Remember: The Jews said to JESUS: John 8:41-we have one Father, even God. And JESUS said to the Devil, father of the Jews-Yahweh:It is written,Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the MOUTH OF GOD-Mat.4:4.
Psalms 110:1combined with Hebrews 1:8(plus Matthew 25:11, James 2:1, Isaiah 49:14, Luke 20:42, 1 Corinthians 9:1) -
GOD said to the Lord JESUS:Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy Kingdom.
KJV Psalms 83:18, Isaiah 12:2, Exodus 6:3, Isaiah 26:4 LORD=JEHOVAH; ->JEHOVAH is another esoteric and kabbalistic and spiritist nickname of the father of the Jews.
Luke 16:5 lord=a King or one of authority,yes, see John 18:37.
Part 2.
I'm departing from that thread being that it's focus is not on the sin nature.
The sin nature is that aspect in man that makes him rebellious against God.
When we speak of the sin nature, we refer to the fact that we have a natural inclination to sin,
Not obeying that inclination doesn't mean we got rid of the inclination.
It is so abundantly there, that if you cannot detect it, you are deceived."
With the Holyspirit we can defeat the nature but that doesn't rid us of it.
Even amongst the Brothern there is always an urge to get praise and Glory and that is a sin.
What about partiality, Haughtiness, Selfishness, Greed, puffing one another up with feel good messages when it's not sincere.
You can be spot on with a message but refuse to be at the table with your Brothern.
What about refusing to show mercy.
What about refusing to forgive.
When you can't stomach the Brothern to where you alienate yourself that's a sign that you have conflicting Spirit's or atleast a very carnal driven Christian.
God Spirit is what baptizes us, and performs a union unexplained!
All of these desires or works of the flesh "or by the flesh", Not the fruit of the Spirit.
These are the laws of God that should be written in our hearts.
These are the laws of God that our laws in our flesh rejects.
This is what Paul is saying in Romans 7:20-23.
God bless.
Part 1
You and I never had the discussion on ridding the sin nature.
You never asked me anything on the topic.
I was making mention of you being in the debate with someone else.
Then several joined!
That topic branched over into several topics.
This is why I said I am aware of your stance on this and I didn't want to re-visit it.
Besides that, my post has nothing to do with whether one can loose his or her sin "NATURE"
Momsage
When we're talking about sin we're talking about "transgression of the law of God.and this is not JUST breaking any of the commands of God,
IT'S NOT ONLY SPEAKING OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS.
However you described Justification as I do.
Justification is freely given to us through faith in Christ, therefore we have an atonement. Sanctification Is also a work of God! Philippians 1:6
Nowhere in scripture it says Justification or Sanctification rids us of our FLESH/SIN NATURE.
They do rid us the penalty of our sins! Past, Present, and future.
And Sanctification rids ys of the love of sin.
Anything we do that is not of the spirit is sin!
Now we're perfectly justified we have the Holy Spirit that prompts us to do God's will but we have a nature that combats God's will and that nature never leaves us.
God is Holy and perfect. He doesn't has to resist any evil.
We're imperfect. We have emotional sin that we resist everyday because we have a nature in this body of sin that the Holyspirit deals with daily.
When we're talking about "SIN NATURE" this can be anything that our flesh prompts us to do something that the Spirit has not.
Winning the battle over our sin nature doesn't mean we got rid of it.
We can do something that appears to be a good deed on the outside but on the inside it's for praise, that's also caused by our sin nature.
God shares his praise and Glory with no man.
You can tell me how wonderful I am to be kind towards me, but if you don't truly feel that way then it's a lie.
See part 2.
cont.
determine what they are designed to develop in the human body, such as eye, hair, and skin color, body shape, the development of body systems during fetal growth, and a myriad of other things in every body that are determined by the DNA in chromosomes.
Every human has these same genes but the way they are specifically and individually expressed is determined by God according to the way He designed hereditary traits to be transmitted to offspring.
It is evident that the DNA of Adam and Eve possessed all the genetic potential for all these variations in genetics to transmit to offspring. Therefore, Noah, his wife, sons, ad daughter in laws also possessed the genetic potential for diverse genetic expression.
That said, God was in control of the genetic expression of the genes in all of the descendants of Noah. When God scattered people at Babel and they migrated outward to inhabit all parts of the world, God caused the genetic expressions of people groups to be adapted to their environment. those with pale skin inhabited the northern hemisphere from the Eurasian steppe to Europe. Those with darker skin (due to having higher melanin in their skin) inhabited the Far East and those even darker skinned inhabited sub equatorial Africa, Australia, etc.
It was God who determined the gene expressions that formed the "races" but all are similarly human and related through the sons of Noah. When people migrated to certain areas where they were more isolated from other tribes of people, they intermarried and so the gene expressions became more similar among them by God's design. For example, the red haired gene among the Celtic people of Ireland and Scotland. The blond, blue eyed people of Scandinavia, the darker skinned people of India, the distinctive features of the different tribes of North and South American native people, the very dark skinned people of Africa, some of whom were quite short and others quite tall depending on tribe. The Semitic tribes of the Middle East including the Hebrews, and the Polynesian peoples who settled the multitude of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
So we can attribute genetic expression that shows us that people are of a certain "race" to God's wise design as people migrated away from Babel in Mesopotamia after the flood. Every person of every race have the same number of chromosomes that make up the DNA that determines a multitude of genes which consistently determine, cont