J Vernon Mcgee. (Paul vs. James in the Use of Words)
Examining the context.
Therefore, the confusion rests in a misunderstanding of their use of the three words: justify, faith, and works. If we understand what each means in his use of these three words, we shall find out that Paul and James are not in conflict.
Paul and James View Justification.
In the interest of clarity, let us find out what Paul and James really meant when they used these three terms.
The first term to come before us is justified or justification. When Paul uses this term it always means justified in God's sight. He speaks of how the sinner down here is made right with God. He is never justified by works before God, but he is justified by faith in Jesus Christ. That is the only thing that God accepts. In fact, Paul makes it very clear:
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath something of which to glory, but not before God. ( Romans 4:2)
So we see that when Paul uses the word justification he is thinking of the sinner's position in connection with and before God.
Now when James uses the term justification he is not thinking of it as being before God at all. Rather, he is thinking of justification before men - how a Christian is justified before men - and he makes that clear:
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. ( James 2:18)
In other words, James says, "I am talking here about justification for people who don't believe it until they see it. I am talking about justification before men." Then he makes that perfectly clear again, for a little later he writes,
Ye see [not God sees, but ye see], then, that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. ( James 2:24)
See Part 5. J Vernon Mcgee. (Paul and James View Justification.)
God's apparent contradictions: Examining Psalm 107 compared to Proverbs 1:26-28 and like passages
We see in the first example God's patience when people were about to head to destruction; either physical or spiritual death or both how throughout several earlier Biblical events God's people were delivered and rescued when at wits end and they called upon His name. The second passage and others such as we find in Jeremiah and Micah to name just two show where God will not hear; and in the case of this section of Proverbs mocks them in their calamity.
One can generalize of how God chastises all those He loves such as we see in Proverbs 3:12 (just a couple chapters later) and Hebrews 12:6. These techniques were primarily for the nation of Israel in the Old Testament and His church today. Exceptions exist; however such as those who offered profane fire before the Lord in Numbers 16 who deliberately rebelled against God's chosen prophet (Moses) and suffered immediate judgment. Moses surely wasn't the only one either who was saved but couldn't enter the Promised Land (only Caleb and Joshua could from the original generation along with their children).
In the case of Pagan nations; such as in Psalm 2 and examples of wholesale slaughter in the Old Testament of the nations around Israel were a result of their vile abominations; with child sacrifice being a top thing causing wrath no doubt. Psalm 2 is a parallel to Revelation 19 where those having taken the Mark of the Beast are led by the 3 frog like spirits coming out of Satan's evil "trinity" to be led to Armageddon to fight Christ (although there may be some trickery at first to convince them that they are fighting the last battle for control over the earth by destroying the armies coming against Antichrist.)
This gives us assurance that those who are His elect will be saved; even if chastisement shortens their earthly existence ( 1 Cor. 11:30). This is the difference between those He hears or not.
Vs 14-18. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh, as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD; for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son; That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Was Abraham justified by works? Yes.
Scripture says that he was justified by works. ( James 2:21-24)
Do we have here a contradiction to the apostle Paul? Did not Paul say that Abraham was justified by faith - not by works? Paul makes a very specific statement in Romans:
"For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath something of which to glory, but not before God. ( Romans 4:2)
Then over in Galatians 3:6 we read, "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Is Paul and James writings in conflict on this point? NO!
Here is an article by J Vernon Mcgee explaining this Paradox.
Paul vs. James in the Use of Words.
May I hasten to state that Paul and James do not conflict at all. They are in entire agreement. As someone has said, "Paul and James do not stand face to face, fighting against each other, but they stand back to back fighting opposite foes." The whole problem lies in the fact that they use the same words, but with a different meaning altogether. They are discussing the same subject from different viewpoints. This you will find upon examining the context.
See Part 4.
J Vernon Mcgee. (Paul vs. James in the Use of Words)
I thanks fully of your prayers in the name of the Lord JESUS
You know that the Lord's Church is living in perilous times- 1Timothy 4:1-2- , I also pray to the Lord asking Him to help us and keep us under His powerful hands- Acts 11:21- , and He bless His people in whole Earth; giving them victories in struggles, in difficulties, and supplying the needs of each one, and healing illnesses and warding off the evils and the sickness in the among His people. And above all in giving Wisdom and understanding of His Word to all, lifting up the fallen, strengthening the weak and downcast by the Power of His Word. Amen. Matthew 28:18.
Our Lord JESUS promised: Unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance... Matthew 25:29. Amen.
May our Lord GOD bless us, and keep us, and give us His protection
I would like a prayer for my kids Brian, Brandon, Carmelo, and Khole. A prayer for my boyfriend Lavante, A prayer for my family. A prayer for me. It's been a long journey for us being homeless and now just getting our own place after 2 long years. It's a blessing. I just would like a prayer for us for God to continue to bless and watch over us as I know he does each day. Thank You!
Hi everyone, please pray for my current situation at home. My wife refuses to treat me with respect and she has been in a bad relationship in the past and saw a toxic marriage growing up.. I am very tired. She is constantly accusing me of cheating and refuses to allow me to just relax.. it triggers her "ocd" as well. She seems to have "ocd" about what others do but hardly about what she does. I work a lot and when I am home I'm unable to rest.
I work with the Word of GOD, and I have already answered your questions several times.
I work with the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD Himself, don't you understand? Two thousand years ago the Word Himself was made flesh by the NAME of JESUS, yes, by the NAME of JESUS, as He promised to His people through the prophets- Hebrews 1:1-3, as I have said in answering your questions. But you are masked by a pretense, and you pretend have not seen, your lack of interest in the Word of GOD reveals who really dominates your life.
I reapeat. I work with the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD Himself, don't you understand? Why do you not understand my speech? It's because you are unable to hear the true and pure Word of Truth. Your lack of interest in the Word of GOD reveals who dominates you your life.
I repeat. I work with the Word of GOD, and I have already answered your questions several times, but not according your evil and disguised spirit, for the Word of GOD -the Word is GOD Himself- recommends saying: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him-Prov.26:4. And the Word states that "when the fool speaks pleasantly, believe him not / don't trust him: for there are SEVEN abominations in his heart. And my Lord JESUS clearly revealed, saying: Luke 11:23-24 and 26:
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him SEVEN other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Furthemore, my Lord JESUS left very clear, saying: John 12:47-48:
If any man hear my words, and believe not, I Judge him not: for I came not to Judge the world, but to save the world. But already hath one that Judgeth him:...
Before we examine the middle section of this discourse, we have had the sheepfold covering both worlds of the Spirit and of the body.It was set as a parable.'This parable spake Jesus unto them'(v.6)
Here we have Jesus as "I am the life" and he presents life abundant, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." In the previous post "Not by the door" the conflict of the shepherd with the thieves robbers owe to the war in heaven so St Paul warns,"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light../Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Co.11:14-15)Gnosticism was already at work along with Judaizers in the early church and the message to the church of Philadelphia carried warnings. "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Re.3:10). According to Min-Max mode of narrating the Spirit sets the hour of temptation, coming from Imperial Rome.It also overarches to the great tribulation of latter days. When Jesus was taken in he told his captors, "but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." ( Luke 22:53)
It is to this hour we are coming. The wolves were about. "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."(10:12) Historically the open door that Jesus set for the church did not drew the sheep to Jesus Christ but to embrace the pagan Rome entirely. The hireling come under many labels, let the sheep scatter. So when Constantine I called the council of Nicea he organized the Council along the lines of the Roman Senate. His foremost concern was to keep his empire from splitting than the correct doctrine.
Pride of Satan will not allow him to be one among many." I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." He would usurp the place of the Son himself. God made angels spirit so technically a son of God. The angelic revolt in heaven to create an alternate narrative to the Salvation Plan as we may surmise from this verse, "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."(Ge.6:2) Without the simplicity of obedience how ludicrous was their plan to create a 'holy' family?. This also throws some light on the separation of light from the darkness. (Ge.1:4)
"Shall go in and out" When Jesus Christ is the door sheep may go in and out. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Going in and out can be understood at two levels. God gave the revelation of his Son "and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.". The angel belongs to the sheepfold in the world of the Spirit. Similarly "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel."(1 Chr.21:1) Hence this warning from St Paul,(Gal.1:8)
Our struggle is with spiritual wickedness in high places, refers to the world of the Spirit, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Full armor of God refers the one sheepfold in which we have rested from our own labors and are hid in Christ. So our battles are fought in the world of the Spirit. This also explains why Jesus instructed his disciples, "and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one".( Luke 22:36). "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" speaks for one world. The sword is badge of an overcomer in the world of the Spirit.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."
Jesus emphasizes here and he refers to the devil explicitly. How did he beguile Eve but through subtility and through the serpent? 2 Co.11:3. In the passage Jesus refers to the sheepfold which has only one door. This discourse is with reference to the world of the Spirit so a natural pastoral setting is also giving its spiritual underpinning. So God has called whosoever shall be adopted into the fellowship of God with Man, and collectively they make up one sheepfold which can be called witnesses. Cloud of witnesses and sheepfold in short refers to the divine Will of God. So Jesus as the Word become flesh refers to them as the sheep entrusted them with him. "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.:(10:29)
From Re.12:4 the red dragon, "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." . So when Jesus says "Many are called, but few are chosen we may get an idea as to how subtle the devil is in upsetting the Salvation Plan of God. (Matt.22:14) St Paul's fear was for the saints who were called and given an example in the Son,"so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ," is in particular about the doctrinal purity the church is able to uphold. In their failure it has serious effect upon the world of the Spirit. This is how we ought to view Christian Living.
Conversely we have an event, building of the tower of Babel, which for instance is the replay of the angelic revolt in heaven. "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:"(Is.14:13-15) Purity or simplicity that is in Christ said,"Lo I come to do thy will," On the other hand Satan challenges,"I will."
Patricia, That was such a short time between her diagnosis and her passing. How sad for all of you. Thankful Monique knows Jesus and that you will meet up with her once again and it will last forever. Praise the Lord for the gift of salvation to Monique, you, me and all who have been called by His grace. Hope you have a restful night and wake up refreshed and lifted up by the Lord, who is always with you.
Dear David,hi i am back visiting and saw your request.I prayed for you and i will pray more tomorrow Brother.I hope you and your daughter will weather any problems that come up.I know for me that i have seen so much suffering of people.I pray the Good Lord will show you and your family Favor.Lord bless you and keep you!
Hello Brethren, it is me Bibleman back after not visiting awhile.I am in need of some prayer again.I am dealing with a injured Knee at present.I went to my family md but he referred me to an orthopedist.I need prayer that it will be able to be remedied. I care for my mom and i really pray this wont significantly impair me from caring for my mom.I dont have any family in my town who will help me out.I have some other health issues as well that i am having to deal with.But my knee is really top of my list to pray about if you will please.I am not the best Christian by any means.But i have a lot of compassion for the less fortunate ,and have a huge heart,i pray the Lord will see me through this .
Brother Jerrel,i am very very sorry my Brother.I was once married and it did not last.I was very deeply deeply hurt and ate my way through my grief.Please go to your Church brother and get some divorce care counseling.ASAP.I made very bad choices after my divorce brother and i am now paying for it with my health.I did not get the help i needed and it forever changed my life .I will pray for you Jerrel.I hope you will reach out to someone you trust like a Stephen Minister if your Church has that.God bless you my Brother. I have been were you are currently.never forget you are Gods precious Child,he will see you through this.
Prayers for my husband Peter who has congestive heart failure that the doctors be given wisdom in solving his heart problems and that all the serious side effects of the medicines shall do him no harm but only help him. That I be givin the wisdom too to help him find healing in Jesus name!
Heavenly Father, I pray for Noel. That Your child's faith never waiver. Give Your child peace and assurance that You are there. God bless you Noel. Amen
Heavenly Father, You know Christopher's needs. I ask that You fill them all. That he may feel Your presence. In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Blessed be Your holy name, O Lord God Almighty. Amen
Force of the everlasting covenant is the Law of the Spirit so everlasting gospel to destroy the works of the devil who sins from the beginning. Everlasting gospel is to be understood as part of the works Jesus is entrusted to finish. In John 4:34-38 we have two groups one who soweth and the other reapeth. "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." (4:38) Who is the Sower? In the Parable of the Tares we have the answer.
"He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;/The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;/The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."(Matt.13:37-39) We cannot handle the word of God arbitrarily but give equal weight to them as essential for Christian Living. We are in the presence of enemies, from both worlds.
We can equally speak of our witnesses in the World of the Spirit to which Jesus referred, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?"(Matt.26:53) They mirror in tandem with events on earth. Jacob at Mahanaim is a clear example. Angels met him before God would bless him."And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." (Ge.32:24) As the heir of promise came to a fateful encounter with his estranged brother it was God's way of bucking him. "And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host."Similarly God reveals his power and glory to the heirs of promise. It is same what we read in Re.3:20. " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death"
'Yea' or Amen we speak while the Good Shepherd leads us in the paths of righteousness and it requires some explanation. These paths cover both heaven and the earth."Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."(Ps.73:25-26) 'My portion for ever' speaks of our inheritance in Jesus Christ, who promises,"I go to prepare a place for you"( John 14:2). The valley speaks of the only way which is set before us. So when Jesus tell the seven churches we are shown a door connecting another. Re.3:20 In the following chapter, we read,"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven."(Re.4:1). Our heart is a spiritual space and we under the shadow of the Almighty whether we knew it or not. But the Word of God stands sure,"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."(Ps.91:1)
On this basis what death are we referring to? "The slain Lamb before the foundation of the world" is the emblem to declare the everlasting covenant so what we see in the Abstract set down in' seven days' gives us how we have been blessed in the Son. In the divine Will we have been called and blessed and from His standpoint the cloud of witnesses belong to the world of the Spirit. For God is a Spirit. Thus God wills a separation in Ge.1:3-4 and it was so. "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." This separation must be explained in the light of the covenant, is it not?
'There was war in heaven' and consequences spill over to the earth as well.(Re.12:7-8)
Before we take up v.5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" we need a little room to discuss the two contrary laws which have given rise to the presence of 'mine enemies'.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You tonight in the name of Jesus, whose we are. We ask of You that Chris' need will be met by You quickly. you know him thorough and through and his needs, even those he does know are what he really needs in certain circumstances. You are so great and loving and we can trust You to hear our prayers and answer int he best ways. Help Chris to live for You and live by faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May Chris grow in his knowledge of You and Jesus through study of Your holy words of revelation to all believers. May he fill up his heart with Scripture, gaining right understanding, soundness of doctrine, and the power to live in obedience to You. Thank you, Father, for the way You care for each of us and that You have chosen us to be Your own children and a people for the praise of Your glory, majesty, and power. Amen.
I was not meaning that you have sinned in the ways I mentioned.
I do not think of myself as one who is defeated by sin and the sinful nature that still exists in me. I know that the Holy Spirit in me helps me to say no to sin when it tempts me. But I cannot say that I am 100% sinless as you seem to think that you are. This does not mean that I take sin lightly or give in readily. I don't to either of these. I believe we are being sanctified in an ongoing way, yet, like Paul does say, that we are in a fight against the sinful nature in us. (He calls it the "flesh"). Romans 7 shows us how Paul, as a believer, fights against the grip of sin-in his heart and soul, he desires to obey God, yet in his sinful nature (the "flesh")- not speaking of our actual cellular, material flesh, but the sin nature-causes him to do what he ought not do. And in 1 Corinthians 9 he speaks of fighting on so that he may not be cast away in the end.
I know we differ in this doctrine, You believe in complete sanctification (holiness, sinlessness) as taught by Wesley and holiness groups. I do not believe we reach this state in this life. The more obedient we are to God and the more we desire to live for Him in godly ways, the more aware we are of how we miss the mark of complete holiness that Jesus had in His human nature. For me, to say that one has reached complete sinless perfection is to say that one is completely holy like Jesus. That is a pretty audacious way to view oneself. I can honestly say that I do not always love as I ought to in every aspects of my life and relationships. I cannot speak for you. It is between you and the God we serve whether we are perfect as God is perfect in this life. We do have the righteousness of Christ imputed to us that justifies us before God, but from what I read in the Word, we still need Jesus to mediate between us and the Father as long as we are alive in this life.
I'm so so sorry to hear about your loss. I'm praying this verse from Isaiah 66:13 for you: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;" What a comfort to know your daughter is with Jesus right now though but of course the pain must still be excruciating for you I'm sure. I will keep you in my prayers. You know what Patricia, I firmly believe we will soon join your daughter and I do believe it will be much sooner than most people realize. I believe the Lord's return is extremely close.
I'm so so sorry to hear about your loss. I'm praying this verse from Isaiah 66:13 for you: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;" What a comfort to know your daughter is with Jesus right now though but of course the pain must still be excruciating for you I'm sure. I will keep you in my prayers. You know what Patricia, I firmly believe we will soon join your daughter and I do believe it will be much sooner than most people realize. I believe the Lord's return is extremely close.
Part 4.
J Vernon Mcgee. (Paul vs. James in the Use of Words)
Examining the context.
Therefore, the confusion rests in a misunderstanding of their use of the three words: justify, faith, and works. If we understand what each means in his use of these three words, we shall find out that Paul and James are not in conflict.
Paul and James View Justification.
In the interest of clarity, let us find out what Paul and James really meant when they used these three terms.
The first term to come before us is justified or justification. When Paul uses this term it always means justified in God's sight. He speaks of how the sinner down here is made right with God. He is never justified by works before God, but he is justified by faith in Jesus Christ. That is the only thing that God accepts. In fact, Paul makes it very clear:
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath something of which to glory, but not before God. ( Romans 4:2)
So we see that when Paul uses the word justification he is thinking of the sinner's position in connection with and before God.
Now when James uses the term justification he is not thinking of it as being before God at all. Rather, he is thinking of justification before men - how a Christian is justified before men - and he makes that clear:
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. ( James 2:18)
In other words, James says, "I am talking here about justification for people who don't believe it until they see it. I am talking about justification before men." Then he makes that perfectly clear again, for a little later he writes,
Ye see [not God sees, but ye see], then, that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. ( James 2:24)
See Part 5. J Vernon Mcgee. (Paul and James View Justification.)
We see in the first example God's patience when people were about to head to destruction; either physical or spiritual death or both how throughout several earlier Biblical events God's people were delivered and rescued when at wits end and they called upon His name. The second passage and others such as we find in Jeremiah and Micah to name just two show where God will not hear; and in the case of this section of Proverbs mocks them in their calamity.
One can generalize of how God chastises all those He loves such as we see in Proverbs 3:12 (just a couple chapters later) and Hebrews 12:6. These techniques were primarily for the nation of Israel in the Old Testament and His church today. Exceptions exist; however such as those who offered profane fire before the Lord in Numbers 16 who deliberately rebelled against God's chosen prophet (Moses) and suffered immediate judgment. Moses surely wasn't the only one either who was saved but couldn't enter the Promised Land (only Caleb and Joshua could from the original generation along with their children).
In the case of Pagan nations; such as in Psalm 2 and examples of wholesale slaughter in the Old Testament of the nations around Israel were a result of their vile abominations; with child sacrifice being a top thing causing wrath no doubt. Psalm 2 is a parallel to Revelation 19 where those having taken the Mark of the Beast are led by the 3 frog like spirits coming out of Satan's evil "trinity" to be led to Armageddon to fight Christ (although there may be some trickery at first to convince them that they are fighting the last battle for control over the earth by destroying the armies coming against Antichrist.)
This gives us assurance that those who are His elect will be saved; even if chastisement shortens their earthly existence ( 1 Cor. 11:30). This is the difference between those He hears or not.
Part 3
ABRAHAM.
Genesis 22:1-18.
Vs 14-18. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh, as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD; for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son; That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Was Abraham justified by works? Yes.
Scripture says that he was justified by works. ( James 2:21-24)
Do we have here a contradiction to the apostle Paul? Did not Paul say that Abraham was justified by faith - not by works? Paul makes a very specific statement in Romans:
"For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath something of which to glory, but not before God. ( Romans 4:2)
Then over in Galatians 3:6 we read, "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Is Paul and James writings in conflict on this point? NO!
Here is an article by J Vernon Mcgee explaining this Paradox.
Paul vs. James in the Use of Words.
May I hasten to state that Paul and James do not conflict at all. They are in entire agreement. As someone has said, "Paul and James do not stand face to face, fighting against each other, but they stand back to back fighting opposite foes." The whole problem lies in the fact that they use the same words, but with a different meaning altogether. They are discussing the same subject from different viewpoints. This you will find upon examining the context.
See Part 4.
J Vernon Mcgee. (Paul vs. James in the Use of Words)
GiGi
I thanks fully of your prayers in the name of the Lord JESUS
You know that the Lord's Church is living in perilous times- 1Timothy 4:1-2- , I also pray to the Lord asking Him to help us and keep us under His powerful hands- Acts 11:21- , and He bless His people in whole Earth; giving them victories in struggles, in difficulties, and supplying the needs of each one, and healing illnesses and warding off the evils and the sickness in the among His people. And above all in giving Wisdom and understanding of His Word to all, lifting up the fallen, strengthening the weak and downcast by the Power of His Word. Amen. Matthew 28:18.
Our Lord JESUS promised: Unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance... Matthew 25:29. Amen.
May our Lord GOD bless us, and keep us, and give us His protection
Amen
I work with the Word of GOD, and I have already answered your questions several times.
I work with the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD Himself, don't you understand? Two thousand years ago the Word Himself was made flesh by the NAME of JESUS, yes, by the NAME of JESUS, as He promised to His people through the prophets- Hebrews 1:1-3, as I have said in answering your questions. But you are masked by a pretense, and you pretend have not seen, your lack of interest in the Word of GOD reveals who really dominates your life.
I reapeat. I work with the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD Himself, don't you understand? Why do you not understand my speech? It's because you are unable to hear the true and pure Word of Truth. Your lack of interest in the Word of GOD reveals who dominates you your life.
I repeat. I work with the Word of GOD, and I have already answered your questions several times, but not according your evil and disguised spirit, for the Word of GOD -the Word is GOD Himself- recommends saying: Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like unto him-Prov.26:4. And the Word states that "when the fool speaks pleasantly, believe him not / don't trust him: for there are SEVEN abominations in his heart. And my Lord JESUS clearly revealed, saying: Luke 11:23-24 and 26:
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him SEVEN other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Furthemore, my Lord JESUS left very clear, saying: John 12:47-48:
If any man hear my words, and believe not, I Judge him not: for I came not to Judge the world, but to save the world. But already hath one that Judgeth him:...
Get ready
Before we examine the middle section of this discourse, we have had the sheepfold covering both worlds of the Spirit and of the body.It was set as a parable.'This parable spake Jesus unto them'(v.6)
Here we have Jesus as "I am the life" and he presents life abundant, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." In the previous post "Not by the door" the conflict of the shepherd with the thieves robbers owe to the war in heaven so St Paul warns,"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light../Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Co.11:14-15)Gnosticism was already at work along with Judaizers in the early church and the message to the church of Philadelphia carried warnings. "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (Re.3:10). According to Min-Max mode of narrating the Spirit sets the hour of temptation, coming from Imperial Rome.It also overarches to the great tribulation of latter days. When Jesus was taken in he told his captors, "but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." ( Luke 22:53)
It is to this hour we are coming. The wolves were about. "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep."(10:12) Historically the open door that Jesus set for the church did not drew the sheep to Jesus Christ but to embrace the pagan Rome entirely. The hireling come under many labels, let the sheep scatter. So when Constantine I called the council of Nicea he organized the Council along the lines of the Roman Senate. His foremost concern was to keep his empire from splitting than the correct doctrine.
Pride of Satan will not allow him to be one among many." I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." He would usurp the place of the Son himself. God made angels spirit so technically a son of God. The angelic revolt in heaven to create an alternate narrative to the Salvation Plan as we may surmise from this verse, "That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."(Ge.6:2) Without the simplicity of obedience how ludicrous was their plan to create a 'holy' family?. This also throws some light on the separation of light from the darkness. (Ge.1:4)
"Shall go in and out" When Jesus Christ is the door sheep may go in and out. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Going in and out can be understood at two levels. God gave the revelation of his Son "and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John.". The angel belongs to the sheepfold in the world of the Spirit. Similarly "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel."(1 Chr.21:1) Hence this warning from St Paul,(Gal.1:8)
Our struggle is with spiritual wickedness in high places, refers to the world of the Spirit, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Full armor of God refers the one sheepfold in which we have rested from our own labors and are hid in Christ. So our battles are fought in the world of the Spirit. This also explains why Jesus instructed his disciples, "and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one".( Luke 22:36). "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" speaks for one world. The sword is badge of an overcomer in the world of the Spirit.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."
Jesus emphasizes here and he refers to the devil explicitly. How did he beguile Eve but through subtility and through the serpent? 2 Co.11:3. In the passage Jesus refers to the sheepfold which has only one door. This discourse is with reference to the world of the Spirit so a natural pastoral setting is also giving its spiritual underpinning. So God has called whosoever shall be adopted into the fellowship of God with Man, and collectively they make up one sheepfold which can be called witnesses. Cloud of witnesses and sheepfold in short refers to the divine Will of God. So Jesus as the Word become flesh refers to them as the sheep entrusted them with him. "My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.:(10:29)
From Re.12:4 the red dragon, "And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth." . So when Jesus says "Many are called, but few are chosen we may get an idea as to how subtle the devil is in upsetting the Salvation Plan of God. (Matt.22:14) St Paul's fear was for the saints who were called and given an example in the Son,"so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ," is in particular about the doctrinal purity the church is able to uphold. In their failure it has serious effect upon the world of the Spirit. This is how we ought to view Christian Living.
Conversely we have an event, building of the tower of Babel, which for instance is the replay of the angelic revolt in heaven. "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:"(Is.14:13-15) Purity or simplicity that is in Christ said,"Lo I come to do thy will," On the other hand Satan challenges,"I will."
Glad to see you back here. I will be so happy to pray for your knee and well-being. Thanks for letting us know your prayer need.
Thx you
Jesus did tell us to be watchful and ready for Him. That is my aim-to be ready to be with Him forever.
I have kept you in my prayers lately, as you have been laid on my heart to do so. May you be encouraged.
Monique was diagnosed in September 26, 2023, as having colon cancer that spread to her liver and lungs. She also had 11 lesions in her brain.
She had been healthy her entire life, no drugs, no drinking, no smokingso how did she get cancer? We don't know. I don't think anyone does.
Yes, I agree, Jesus is coming real, real soon. I am ready.
God bless you too my brother in Christ.
Force of the everlasting covenant is the Law of the Spirit so everlasting gospel to destroy the works of the devil who sins from the beginning. Everlasting gospel is to be understood as part of the works Jesus is entrusted to finish. In John 4:34-38 we have two groups one who soweth and the other reapeth. "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." (4:38) Who is the Sower? In the Parable of the Tares we have the answer.
"He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;/The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;/The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."(Matt.13:37-39) We cannot handle the word of God arbitrarily but give equal weight to them as essential for Christian Living. We are in the presence of enemies, from both worlds.
We can equally speak of our witnesses in the World of the Spirit to which Jesus referred, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?"(Matt.26:53) They mirror in tandem with events on earth. Jacob at Mahanaim is a clear example. Angels met him before God would bless him."And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." (Ge.32:24) As the heir of promise came to a fateful encounter with his estranged brother it was God's way of bucking him. "And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host."Similarly God reveals his power and glory to the heirs of promise. It is same what we read in Re.3:20. " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death"
'Yea' or Amen we speak while the Good Shepherd leads us in the paths of righteousness and it requires some explanation. These paths cover both heaven and the earth."Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."(Ps.73:25-26) 'My portion for ever' speaks of our inheritance in Jesus Christ, who promises,"I go to prepare a place for you"( John 14:2). The valley speaks of the only way which is set before us. So when Jesus tell the seven churches we are shown a door connecting another. Re.3:20 In the following chapter, we read,"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven."(Re.4:1). Our heart is a spiritual space and we under the shadow of the Almighty whether we knew it or not. But the Word of God stands sure,"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."(Ps.91:1)
On this basis what death are we referring to? "The slain Lamb before the foundation of the world" is the emblem to declare the everlasting covenant so what we see in the Abstract set down in' seven days' gives us how we have been blessed in the Son. In the divine Will we have been called and blessed and from His standpoint the cloud of witnesses belong to the world of the Spirit. For God is a Spirit. Thus God wills a separation in Ge.1:3-4 and it was so. "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." This separation must be explained in the light of the covenant, is it not?
'There was war in heaven' and consequences spill over to the earth as well.(Re.12:7-8)
Before we take up v.5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" we need a little room to discuss the two contrary laws which have given rise to the presence of 'mine enemies'.
I will pray for Chris tonight.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to You tonight in the name of Jesus, whose we are. We ask of You that Chris' need will be met by You quickly. you know him thorough and through and his needs, even those he does know are what he really needs in certain circumstances. You are so great and loving and we can trust You to hear our prayers and answer int he best ways. Help Chris to live for You and live by faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. May Chris grow in his knowledge of You and Jesus through study of Your holy words of revelation to all believers. May he fill up his heart with Scripture, gaining right understanding, soundness of doctrine, and the power to live in obedience to You. Thank you, Father, for the way You care for each of us and that You have chosen us to be Your own children and a people for the praise of Your glory, majesty, and power. Amen.
february 11-2024 is the 1136th day of the last decade of the devil's world.
the begining of the last week - daniel 9:27 - is within of this current last decade.
be careful and get ready
I was not meaning that you have sinned in the ways I mentioned.
I do not think of myself as one who is defeated by sin and the sinful nature that still exists in me. I know that the Holy Spirit in me helps me to say no to sin when it tempts me. But I cannot say that I am 100% sinless as you seem to think that you are. This does not mean that I take sin lightly or give in readily. I don't to either of these. I believe we are being sanctified in an ongoing way, yet, like Paul does say, that we are in a fight against the sinful nature in us. (He calls it the "flesh"). Romans 7 shows us how Paul, as a believer, fights against the grip of sin-in his heart and soul, he desires to obey God, yet in his sinful nature (the "flesh")- not speaking of our actual cellular, material flesh, but the sin nature-causes him to do what he ought not do. And in 1 Corinthians 9 he speaks of fighting on so that he may not be cast away in the end.
I know we differ in this doctrine, You believe in complete sanctification (holiness, sinlessness) as taught by Wesley and holiness groups. I do not believe we reach this state in this life. The more obedient we are to God and the more we desire to live for Him in godly ways, the more aware we are of how we miss the mark of complete holiness that Jesus had in His human nature. For me, to say that one has reached complete sinless perfection is to say that one is completely holy like Jesus. That is a pretty audacious way to view oneself. I can honestly say that I do not always love as I ought to in every aspects of my life and relationships. I cannot speak for you. It is between you and the God we serve whether we are perfect as God is perfect in this life. We do have the righteousness of Christ imputed to us that justifies us before God, but from what I read in the Word, we still need Jesus to mediate between us and the Father as long as we are alive in this life.
Thank You Jesus.
I'm so so sorry to hear about your loss. I'm praying this verse from Isaiah 66:13 for you: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;" What a comfort to know your daughter is with Jesus right now though but of course the pain must still be excruciating for you I'm sure. I will keep you in my prayers. You know what Patricia, I firmly believe we will soon join your daughter and I do believe it will be much sooner than most people realize. I believe the Lord's return is extremely close.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
And Amen to your prayer.
I'm so so sorry to hear about your loss. I'm praying this verse from Isaiah 66:13 for you: "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;" What a comfort to know your daughter is with Jesus right now though but of course the pain must still be excruciating for you I'm sure. I will keep you in my prayers. You know what Patricia, I firmly believe we will soon join your daughter and I do believe it will be much sooner than most people realize. I believe the Lord's return is extremely close.
May the Lord bless and keep you.
And Amen to your prayer.