You ask a good question which sounds like the question Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people, especially believers?
Everyone has things to be thankful for while also being aware of our challenges. This was true in the Bible times and people even made assumptions, like when things are bad assuming its because of sin or that they're being targeted, instead of considering that it is a fallen world and that everyone has bad things happen to them.
Just today I read that there was a shooting in a Christian school. I bet the grieving of lost loved ones are asking the same question. I think Paul asked the same question because he was constantly in fear of death and was tortured and had many problems. Jesus was unfairly treated and even murdered. Today in nearly every city in the world are homeless people who will spend tonight in the cold and some are Christians, veterans, servants and they might ask why.
There is another assumption in society that God will make us happy, healthy, and wealthy if we follow Jesus. I hear that on TV, but that's not exactly in the Bible. It says we will face many trials in James 1 and be happy when we suffer for doing what is right. Romans 5:3-4. This is probably not what you want to hear but as a brother in Christ I want to share the truth. And yes, I'm suffering with something massively too that is a big burden, but different category than you. I think everyone does. I feel bad that you are suffering but keep praying because God does lighten our burdens sometimes. Hang in there, sister in Christ.
Hello David, Thank you for your reply! The thoughts that are written about carnal Christians and spiritual Christians do not doubt that regeneration at one time occurred as Christ suffered one time death and hell and shed His blood freely by the Righteousness of the Father for the children whom believe.
I would have to respectfully disagree with idea of a "carnal Christian" as expressed in your comment. And also in the quotations in Mr. Spencer's comments on the subject.
I would encourage you to read again very carefully Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 5, and 1 John, as well as many other passages throughout the Old and New Testaments where God discusses the nature of salvation.
I believe that a careful comparison of scripture throughout the Bible, teaches that when God applies salvation to the life of an individual, it means they have received a new resurrected soul. And in that new soul, they have been raised from death onto life. This is what God terms being "born again" and the "First Resurrection".
So that in their new resurrected soul, the true believer will, almost immediately, have a new and increasing hatred for sin in their life. Because they have at that moment become a "new creation" in Christ.
All of this is 100% the action of God alone. And not because of any decision we have made or faith that we have exercised.
Our salvation is, of course, not totally complete at that point. Because we still have a body that lusts after sin. So throughout the remainder of the true believer's life, there will be a struggle and a turning away from sin in their life. And there will be a continual "growing in grace". But this will look vastly different than an unsaved person that is merely seeking to live a moral life.
God, of course, will rectify this situation at the Last Day when every true believer will receive their resurrected body, and then become a complete personality in which we will never sin again, as we live eternally in the new heaven and new earth with the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
What a wonderful Savior we have!
And it is still the day of salvation so that anyone concerned about their salvation, can cry out to God for his mercy in the very real hope that God might save them. Just like the Ninevites in Jonah.
Why would God let you work your whole life, while helping others along the way, just so someone can come take it all away. I am older and disabled now, not able to start over. I worked hard to have things when I retired, now after putting my money in the family home, which is where I was to live till death, I was told to leave. Not being able to work I have to live in an income based apartment for which I am thankful to have a roof over my head. I only have room for the necessities so everything has to go. Why would God allow this? I have always tried to be there for everyone I can't understand how a person who didn't work for anything should take what is not theirs.
It makes me question the way I lived, it seems like when you do right you suffer. I think now helping others was wrong, they only take advantage of you. I always thought as long as I tried to live right God would take care of me, now I have to question that'
Good evening! That I may add a thought to the discussion of a carnal Christian. A quote from an anabaptist preacher. "The believers who are carnal respond to the influence of the flesh within them, and those who are spiritual respond to the influence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ."
Romans 8:5-6 reminds us to be carnally minded is death as the carnal mind wars with God and does not want to subject itself to the will of God. The minister quotes "Carnality is a manifestation of the flesh within. Every Christian's walk will manifest the mind of the flesh within or the mind of the Spirit within."
He also says "Both the carnal Christian and the carnal Christian are possessors of the same Spirit, but the carnal Christian is quenching and grieving the Spirit or does not understand the voice of the Spirit." Paul's reproof in Romans and to the Corinthians is they were not yielded to the Spirit. The yielded spirit to the Spirit will make unity within the Church.
"The spiritual Christian has his will lost in the will of God. He feels himself poor and needy, and he relies entirely on the will of God. He has crucified his flesh with the lust thereof, and the sinful nature does not influence his life. The fruit of the Spirit is evidenced in him. Galatians 5:22-24
His thought being we should not promote the flesh allowing for the easy turning by the Spirit towards his will.
Good Will to men came in the babe in the manger within.
1 Corinthians 7:1 - Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
There are various commentaries that will tell you the different views about what the word touch means. It doesn't mean just to come in contact with somebody. In fact, the Greek word is the word HAPTO, and it means to cling or to be attached. As a reference, we can look at John 20:17, after Jesus rose from the dead and He said to Mary, "don't touch me." She was clinging to His ankles, and she wasn't going to let Him go.
He's saying that you have to stop clinging to me because I have not yet ascended up to my Father. So, it doesn't mean don't touch. It means don't fasten yourself onto something and not let go
1 Corinthians 7:3 - Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
He says let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence. In the Greek, it's that which is owing to her. So that which is owing to her, and likewise also the wife what is owing to the husband.
1 Corinthians 7:4 - The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
The wife has not power, and that's literally the word authority. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does: and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
Hitting at the very source, probably the biggest problem in a marriage relationship is when people play games with the physical side of the relationship. Paul says that is not to be because your body belongs to the partner for what satisfies him or her. And this so that a person can avoid fornication. If he or she is happy, they won't go looking around elsewhere. So, God has made that provision within the marriage relationship.
1 Corinthians 6:4 - If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
This Greek word EXOUTHENEO has to do with the same word that we see in Romans 14:1 about let the older brother not despise the younger or make light of. This is a person that people don't take too seriously. It's interesting that Paul is saying this on purpose because it's not a matter of picking out people in your midst who have all the education and experience, and to judge these matters because obviously they can't do it impartially. Take the person that God can use!
He says to take the person that's least esteemed in the church. Of course, that might not glorify you if someone comes up to you and says, "that's you!"
1 Corinthians 6:9 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
This word "effeminate" literally means "boy abusers."
"Abusers of themselves with mankind" is one Greek word that is the word homosexual.
1 Corinthians 6:10 - Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers (and that's the word insult), nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. These are nouns, not verbs. In other words, that's their whole character all of the time. So, these nouns describe kinds of people to where their whole lifestyle is characterized by these things. They shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
What he's saying is you are bringing your complaint against your fellow Christian to the non-believer and they're not even going to inherit the kingdom of God. They are so corrupt, and you are asking them to judge between you and another brother.
1 Corinthians 4:13 - Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Being defamed, and that's the word blasphemed. Being blasphemed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. The filth would be the garbage in a garbage can. The offscouring would be everything that's stuck to the inside that you scrape out or wash out that didn't come out when you emptied it. We're the garbage, and we're the leftover garbage that is stuck to the side of the pail of all things unto this day.
You don't hear too many Christians' presenting this as a resume for ones walk with the Lord. It's usually "Oh man, I've got all the gifts here. I can do whatever because God's made me great!" It's like God gets credit for everything, but it's making me great. But Paul is ministering here the contrast between himself and the reigningest kings.
1 Corinthians 4:16 - Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
It's important to understand the word followers. It's not the same word that Jesus used when He said follow after me. That's AKOLOUTHEO. This is the word MIMETAI. It's where we get our word mimic or mime from in English. Back in the days of Paul, a person coming out to perform a mime would be someone who would have a costume on. It might even be a one-person act where they would just go back and change different masks. But the person would come out and they would act out a message or a story without words.
When Paul is using it in this way, what he's saying is that without the human, as you see the expression of Christ in me, let this be the expression of Christ in you. It doesn't mean let me take you as a human being and you come and follow me and just do whatever I do. There are people that have seminars and camps that do that. Paul purposely used MIMETAI to say I don't mean follow "me," but follow the expression through me.
1 Corinthians 3:19 - For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness. That's the word MORIA. It's where we get our word Moron from. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. So, he quotes from Job 5:13, that the person of the world who thinks he's so wise, and God lets him get caught in his own trap.
1 Corinthians 4:1 - Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and that's a very special Greek word. It's not the word DULOS for slave. It's the word for under-rower, the lowest of all slaves. By under-rower, I mean these are the ones that are down below in the bottom of the ships, and they're rowing the large boats across the water. He's not using the word DULOS. He says we are under-rowers. We are the slave of slaves. In essence, don't think of us as anything in the human as important.
But we are ministers of Christ, and stewards. This is where we get our word economy from, and it has to do with administration. We are under-rowers of Christ, and we are administrators of the mysteries of God. That's the position of somebody that is called to ministry. In the human, he or she is not important other than the only importance being what Christ does in and through them.
1 Corinthians 4:9 - For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
The word spectacle in the Greek is THEATRON and is where we get our word theater from. He says we're like the world's just watching us like they're watching a movie down at the movie theater. We're a spectacle.
1 Corinthians 3:3 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
The word carnal in this verse is different than what we see in Verse 1. This is SARKIKOS which is abnormal.
1 Corinthians 3:5 - Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
The word ministers is the word DIAKANOS. We get our English word deacon from this word.
1 Corinthians 3:6 - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
This word increase is actually the word growth. It is the Greek word AUXANO. I point this out because there are preachers that use this to motivate people for the increase of the church in numbers. But it has to do with growth. Paul says, "I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the growth."
1 Corinthians 3:11 - For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Literally in the Greek text, it says "For other foundation can no man lay alongside of that. The word "than" means alongside of. You can't lay another foundation alongside of Christ. He's the only one!
1 Corinthians 3:13 - Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
And the fire shall test every man's work of what sort it is. The word "try" is the work DOKIMADZO where you pass the metals through the fire, and it burns off the dross. And so, every man's work is going to be tested.
Thank you for sharing this from Nancy Missler. So much truth to be found in what she had to say. I did not know she had passed. It's been quite some time that I have listened to Chuck Missler. I remember listening to him every day on my way to work. What a great ministry!
Thanks again, and I hope your wife is doing better. Blessings!
But, thanks be to God, He did not leave me like that. Like every believer, He takes us from being a vessel of wrath to being a vessel of His mercy and spends the rest of our lives transforming us to become more and more like our Savior by His mercy and grace. We will never cease to need His mercy and grace in our lives for all eternity. It is our "lifeline" to His Presence, to experience His glory, and to our glorification in the resurrection. Without the mercy and grace of God we could not have faith to believe, nor the desire to seek God or turn to Him. We can always be grateful for His wonderful gift of salvation in our Lord, Jesus Christ!
These thoughts encourage me when I fail to live up to what God expects of us. These truths remind me that I am securely found in Christ and being "in Him" is the only position that keeps us from falling away.
This was a good read. I think that Paul in Romans 7 describes all of us. We are all both "carnal" and "spiritual" Christians at the same time. Therefore, our struggle against carnality is constant. We never arrive at being fully "spiritual" (Christ-like) in this life, but, because the Spirit dwells in us, we will not be overcome with by the sinful nature. He is our guarantee that we will progress in sanctification, from faith to faith and grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Knowing that it is God Himself who works in us to work and do according to His good pleasure, we can be both encouraged when we fail Him and empowered to walk by the Spirit by His faithful work within us and His care for us and His covering over us.
Carnality manifests itself differently in each believer, but in all of us, it is contrary to Christ's character and actions. The Holy Spirit will convict us of our carnality and help us to repent and turn us back to serving God rightly in the area He has shown us needs to be confessed, repented of and fought against in the power of God who lives in us. Praise the Lord He does all of this for us who believe the gospel and place our faith in Jesus our Lord, Savior, and Mighty God! Thankfully, He has gained the victory for us in all things that stand against Him and His glory. He will uphold us and keep us in His hand. Though our sinful nature will constantly work to draw us out of His hand, we are secure in His grip and can continue to grow as we walk according to His Spirit, making a new start every time we fail, knowing that He has brought us forgiveness from sin, His righteousness that gives us right standing before the Father, and eternal life that outlives our carnal sinful nature into the life to come!
When I think of the kind of person I was when I was a teenager and in my early adulthood, I was immature and looked to the world for pleasure all too often. But God did not leave me like that. see part 2
Sorry, I did not know I did that, it was never my intention to bring contention in the body of Chirst. Discussion should never be continuous, it should inspire study. If we are not open to study another understanding with open ears to the Holy Spirit we may never be shown the truth.
18 The angel of the Lord told Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19 David went up according to the directive from Gad, which he had spoken in the name of the Lord.
20 While Ornan was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel. Ornan and his four sons hid themselves.
David Builds an Altar
21 As David approached Ornan, Ornan looked up and saw David. He went out from the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face to the ground. 22 David said to Ornan, "Give me the site of the threshing floor. I will build an altar to the Lord on it. You will give it to me for full price, and the plague will be averted from the people."
The Jebusites were one of the peoples Israel was to wipe out according to Deuteronomy 20:17. Nonetheless; God's will was for David to build an altar to the Lord at the site that this individual resided. We note in the verses immediately after this passage Ornon's willingness to give David the land and animals needed for sacrifice but David knew better and insisted it should cost him something.
There is another incident in 2 Samuel where Uriah the Hittite was sinned against because of David's adultery with his wife; and subsequent "self fulfilling prophecy" of his demise on the battle field essentially being a planned murder. Only God's grace could cover over these sins; and it would leave scars on David's life as was the other aforementioned incident in Chronicles when David insisted on a census rather than trusting God for victory and not in numbers. Once again in this example the Hittites were to be wiped out as enemies of God but this man was clearly loyal to the king and at least followed Godly principles above and beyond the norm. We also as with many other verses see how the marriage covenant is honored among pagans; making actions such as Henry the eighth to absolve himself through divorce and murder of his wives vile sins.
May we be ever faithful in praying for the lost. Let us continue to press the claim of the LORD JESUS CHRIST in our relationship with others through prayers and declaring HIM SAVIOR in our speech and attitude with humility and grace.
Merry Christmas to every one! GOD to shine HIS face you and bless you gloriously and your family.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 14:8-9
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
These and other verses make it crystal clear that there is one God. And that one God is the Father', the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, IS eternal God himself. The Father IS eternal God himself. The Holy Ghost IS eternal God himself.
There is only ONE God.
Our finite minds cannot grasp the full nature of God Himself. We read what God chooses to reveal about himself in the Bible. And we must accept that as it stands.
If the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, were not eternal God himself, he could not be our savior. He could not have born every dirty rotten sin that has or will be committed by everyone whom he came to save. Nor could he have fully paid the full penalty required by the law of God, for those sins, which is eternal death, and then have risen again.
So again, when we go down a path of trying to work all this all out in our finite minds, we get into a Gordian knot that we cannot untangle.
We are the creature, and God is the creator. And we must accept what the Bible declares about the nature of God, and leave it there.
We've had others that use to come on the site with various names and toss those two scriptures out " Acts 8:37 and Acts 9:20" along with various other verses as battle invitations for a battling debate on the deity of Christ which brings contention in the body of Christ.
Here's what's important.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
COGIC WORSHIP 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:Jesus Christ is God,.A God of faith.I worship a God that gives you freedom to eat correctly. A God of Power and authority over physical laws also. A God that is loving,forgiveness and Savior.
The simplicity that is in Jesus, 2 Corinthians 11:3.
John also confirmed this, he said there were many things Jesus said and did that were not written down, but John wrote this, John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
GOD'S WORK ALONE. NOT OF OUR WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.
Ephesians 2
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,(BY GRACE ye are saved;)
8 For BY GRACE are ye saved through{Christ's}faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT OF GOD:
9 NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.
Ezekiel 36:24-31
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.
Romans 8:5-9 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. NOW IF ANY MAN HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST HE IS NONE OF HIS
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved,we have a building of God, an house not made with hands,eternal in the heavens.For in this we groan,earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.For we that are in this tabernacle do groan,being burdened:not for that we would be unclothed,but clothed upon,that mortality might be swallowed up of life.Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God,who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that,whilst we are at home in the body,we are absent from the Lord:(For we walk by faith,not by sight:) We are confident,I say,and willing rather to be absent from the body,and to be present with the Lord.
Wherefore we labour,that,whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;that every one may receive the things done in his body,according to that he hath done,whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord,we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God;and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
For we commend not ourselves again unto you,but give you occasion to glory on our behalf,that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves,it is to God:or whether we be sober,it is for your cause.For the love of Christ constraineth us;because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them,and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:yea,though we have known Christ after the flesh,yet now henceforth know we him no more.Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold,all things are become new.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
The importance of "reflecting Christ's image" and not our own.
Part 5.
This description is easy. Take a look at Galatians 5:22 for the characteristics that God sets down for these Christians. Paul says that one walking by the Spirit is filled with all "the fruit of the Spirit"-Love (Agape), joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."
This description is then amplified in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 where Paul says, "Agape suffereth long, and is kind; [His Love] envieth not; [His Love] vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not [its] own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [God's Love] never fails."
When I think of a spiritual Christian, there is one person in our ministry who always comes to mind. She is one who is willing to be a total servant to others. Nothing is too hard for her or beneath her. As I look around the Christian body, it's amazing to me how very few of these "servant heart" people there really are; Christians who are willing to scrub the toilet if necessary, work in the kitchen if needed or bebehind the scenes.
Humility, again, is the word that best describes a spiritual Christian. Most Christians, unfortunately, want to be up in front where they can be seen as "spiritual." They want the visible jobs! A Christian with a servant's heart is one who is only interested in what God thinks. And thus, they are willing to do whatever job is required. The Bible tells us that God's eyes are toward the humble, the unpretentious and the one who is free from pride.
Everyone has things to be thankful for while also being aware of our challenges. This was true in the Bible times and people even made assumptions, like when things are bad assuming its because of sin or that they're being targeted, instead of considering that it is a fallen world and that everyone has bad things happen to them.
Just today I read that there was a shooting in a Christian school. I bet the grieving of lost loved ones are asking the same question. I think Paul asked the same question because he was constantly in fear of death and was tortured and had many problems. Jesus was unfairly treated and even murdered. Today in nearly every city in the world are homeless people who will spend tonight in the cold and some are Christians, veterans, servants and they might ask why.
There is another assumption in society that God will make us happy, healthy, and wealthy if we follow Jesus. I hear that on TV, but that's not exactly in the Bible. It says we will face many trials in James 1 and be happy when we suffer for doing what is right. Romans 5:3-4. This is probably not what you want to hear but as a brother in Christ I want to share the truth. And yes, I'm suffering with something massively too that is a big burden, but different category than you. I think everyone does. I feel bad that you are suffering but keep praying because God does lighten our burdens sometimes. Hang in there, sister in Christ.
Hello Carleton,
I would have to respectfully disagree with idea of a "carnal Christian" as expressed in your comment. And also in the quotations in Mr. Spencer's comments on the subject.
I would encourage you to read again very carefully Romans 8, 2 Corinthians 5, and 1 John, as well as many other passages throughout the Old and New Testaments where God discusses the nature of salvation.
I believe that a careful comparison of scripture throughout the Bible, teaches that when God applies salvation to the life of an individual, it means they have received a new resurrected soul. And in that new soul, they have been raised from death onto life. This is what God terms being "born again" and the "First Resurrection".
So that in their new resurrected soul, the true believer will, almost immediately, have a new and increasing hatred for sin in their life. Because they have at that moment become a "new creation" in Christ.
All of this is 100% the action of God alone. And not because of any decision we have made or faith that we have exercised.
Our salvation is, of course, not totally complete at that point. Because we still have a body that lusts after sin. So throughout the remainder of the true believer's life, there will be a struggle and a turning away from sin in their life. And there will be a continual "growing in grace". But this will look vastly different than an unsaved person that is merely seeking to live a moral life.
God, of course, will rectify this situation at the Last Day when every true believer will receive their resurrected body, and then become a complete personality in which we will never sin again, as we live eternally in the new heaven and new earth with the Lord Jesus Christ himself.
What a wonderful Savior we have!
And it is still the day of salvation so that anyone concerned about their salvation, can cry out to God for his mercy in the very real hope that God might save them. Just like the Ninevites in Jonah.
It makes me question the way I lived, it seems like when you do right you suffer. I think now helping others was wrong, they only take advantage of you. I always thought as long as I tried to live right God would take care of me, now I have to question that'
Someone please help me understand why
I wasn't addressing that toward you.
I said we've had others that use to come on the site "WITH VARIOUS NAMES" and toss those two scriptures out " Acts 8:37 and Acts 9:20" ect.
Some of us believe these various names is one person.
I believe sometimes these verses is used as clickbait to debate a topic.
However Ronald it seems you have went for it a few times.
Personally I pay attention to the delivery of the post and if it just comes out of nowhere with intensity I leave it alone even if I agree with them.
This person seems to be rolling their sleeves up.
I don't hold the view that we have to be open to everything however we should be willing to agree to disagree and move on.
I'm open to listen when one has brought something new to a past debate!
I'm not open to debate the same topic with the same verses over and over again.
I was just pointing out somethings that seems to be a bit repetitive.
Blessings
It's a journey! The minute we think we're doing great here comes that old man!
Thank God for his spirit!
Blessings
Yes Nancy Missler passed away in 2015 and Chuck followed her in 2018.
Both were very active in the ministry and both authored several books.
Blessings
Romans 8:5-6 reminds us to be carnally minded is death as the carnal mind wars with God and does not want to subject itself to the will of God. The minister quotes "Carnality is a manifestation of the flesh within. Every Christian's walk will manifest the mind of the flesh within or the mind of the Spirit within."
He also says "Both the carnal Christian and the carnal Christian are possessors of the same Spirit, but the carnal Christian is quenching and grieving the Spirit or does not understand the voice of the Spirit." Paul's reproof in Romans and to the Corinthians is they were not yielded to the Spirit. The yielded spirit to the Spirit will make unity within the Church.
"The spiritual Christian has his will lost in the will of God. He feels himself poor and needy, and he relies entirely on the will of God. He has crucified his flesh with the lust thereof, and the sinful nature does not influence his life. The fruit of the Spirit is evidenced in him. Galatians 5:22-24
His thought being we should not promote the flesh allowing for the easy turning by the Spirit towards his will.
Good Will to men came in the babe in the manger within.
:)
1 Corinthians 7:1 - Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
There are various commentaries that will tell you the different views about what the word touch means. It doesn't mean just to come in contact with somebody. In fact, the Greek word is the word HAPTO, and it means to cling or to be attached. As a reference, we can look at John 20:17, after Jesus rose from the dead and He said to Mary, "don't touch me." She was clinging to His ankles, and she wasn't going to let Him go.
He's saying that you have to stop clinging to me because I have not yet ascended up to my Father. So, it doesn't mean don't touch. It means don't fasten yourself onto something and not let go
1 Corinthians 7:3 - Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
He says let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence. In the Greek, it's that which is owing to her. So that which is owing to her, and likewise also the wife what is owing to the husband.
1 Corinthians 7:4 - The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
The wife has not power, and that's literally the word authority. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does: and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
Hitting at the very source, probably the biggest problem in a marriage relationship is when people play games with the physical side of the relationship. Paul says that is not to be because your body belongs to the partner for what satisfies him or her. And this so that a person can avoid fornication. If he or she is happy, they won't go looking around elsewhere. So, God has made that provision within the marriage relationship.
1 Corinthians 6:4 - If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
This Greek word EXOUTHENEO has to do with the same word that we see in Romans 14:1 about let the older brother not despise the younger or make light of. This is a person that people don't take too seriously. It's interesting that Paul is saying this on purpose because it's not a matter of picking out people in your midst who have all the education and experience, and to judge these matters because obviously they can't do it impartially. Take the person that God can use!
He says to take the person that's least esteemed in the church. Of course, that might not glorify you if someone comes up to you and says, "that's you!"
1 Corinthians 6:9 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
This word "effeminate" literally means "boy abusers."
"Abusers of themselves with mankind" is one Greek word that is the word homosexual.
1 Corinthians 6:10 - Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers (and that's the word insult), nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. These are nouns, not verbs. In other words, that's their whole character all of the time. So, these nouns describe kinds of people to where their whole lifestyle is characterized by these things. They shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
What he's saying is you are bringing your complaint against your fellow Christian to the non-believer and they're not even going to inherit the kingdom of God. They are so corrupt, and you are asking them to judge between you and another brother.
1 Corinthians 4:13 - Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Being defamed, and that's the word blasphemed. Being blasphemed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. The filth would be the garbage in a garbage can. The offscouring would be everything that's stuck to the inside that you scrape out or wash out that didn't come out when you emptied it. We're the garbage, and we're the leftover garbage that is stuck to the side of the pail of all things unto this day.
You don't hear too many Christians' presenting this as a resume for ones walk with the Lord. It's usually "Oh man, I've got all the gifts here. I can do whatever because God's made me great!" It's like God gets credit for everything, but it's making me great. But Paul is ministering here the contrast between himself and the reigningest kings.
1 Corinthians 4:16 - Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
It's important to understand the word followers. It's not the same word that Jesus used when He said follow after me. That's AKOLOUTHEO. This is the word MIMETAI. It's where we get our word mimic or mime from in English. Back in the days of Paul, a person coming out to perform a mime would be someone who would have a costume on. It might even be a one-person act where they would just go back and change different masks. But the person would come out and they would act out a message or a story without words.
When Paul is using it in this way, what he's saying is that without the human, as you see the expression of Christ in me, let this be the expression of Christ in you. It doesn't mean let me take you as a human being and you come and follow me and just do whatever I do. There are people that have seminars and camps that do that. Paul purposely used MIMETAI to say I don't mean follow "me," but follow the expression through me.
1 Corinthians 3:19 - For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness. That's the word MORIA. It's where we get our word Moron from. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. So, he quotes from Job 5:13, that the person of the world who thinks he's so wise, and God lets him get caught in his own trap.
1 Corinthians 4:1 - Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and that's a very special Greek word. It's not the word DULOS for slave. It's the word for under-rower, the lowest of all slaves. By under-rower, I mean these are the ones that are down below in the bottom of the ships, and they're rowing the large boats across the water. He's not using the word DULOS. He says we are under-rowers. We are the slave of slaves. In essence, don't think of us as anything in the human as important.
But we are ministers of Christ, and stewards. This is where we get our word economy from, and it has to do with administration. We are under-rowers of Christ, and we are administrators of the mysteries of God. That's the position of somebody that is called to ministry. In the human, he or she is not important other than the only importance being what Christ does in and through them.
1 Corinthians 4:9 - For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
The word spectacle in the Greek is THEATRON and is where we get our word theater from. He says we're like the world's just watching us like they're watching a movie down at the movie theater. We're a spectacle.
1 Corinthians 3:3 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
The word carnal in this verse is different than what we see in Verse 1. This is SARKIKOS which is abnormal.
1 Corinthians 3:5 - Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
The word ministers is the word DIAKANOS. We get our English word deacon from this word.
1 Corinthians 3:6 - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
This word increase is actually the word growth. It is the Greek word AUXANO. I point this out because there are preachers that use this to motivate people for the increase of the church in numbers. But it has to do with growth. Paul says, "I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the growth."
1 Corinthians 3:11 - For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Literally in the Greek text, it says "For other foundation can no man lay alongside of that. The word "than" means alongside of. You can't lay another foundation alongside of Christ. He's the only one!
1 Corinthians 3:13 - Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
And the fire shall test every man's work of what sort it is. The word "try" is the work DOKIMADZO where you pass the metals through the fire, and it burns off the dross. And so, every man's work is going to be tested.
Thank you for sharing this from Nancy Missler. So much truth to be found in what she had to say. I did not know she had passed. It's been quite some time that I have listened to Chuck Missler. I remember listening to him every day on my way to work. What a great ministry!
Thanks again, and I hope your wife is doing better. Blessings!
Pt. 2
But, thanks be to God, He did not leave me like that. Like every believer, He takes us from being a vessel of wrath to being a vessel of His mercy and spends the rest of our lives transforming us to become more and more like our Savior by His mercy and grace. We will never cease to need His mercy and grace in our lives for all eternity. It is our "lifeline" to His Presence, to experience His glory, and to our glorification in the resurrection. Without the mercy and grace of God we could not have faith to believe, nor the desire to seek God or turn to Him. We can always be grateful for His wonderful gift of salvation in our Lord, Jesus Christ!
These thoughts encourage me when I fail to live up to what God expects of us. These truths remind me that I am securely found in Christ and being "in Him" is the only position that keeps us from falling away.
This was a good read. I think that Paul in Romans 7 describes all of us. We are all both "carnal" and "spiritual" Christians at the same time. Therefore, our struggle against carnality is constant. We never arrive at being fully "spiritual" (Christ-like) in this life, but, because the Spirit dwells in us, we will not be overcome with by the sinful nature. He is our guarantee that we will progress in sanctification, from faith to faith and grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Knowing that it is God Himself who works in us to work and do according to His good pleasure, we can be both encouraged when we fail Him and empowered to walk by the Spirit by His faithful work within us and His care for us and His covering over us.
Carnality manifests itself differently in each believer, but in all of us, it is contrary to Christ's character and actions. The Holy Spirit will convict us of our carnality and help us to repent and turn us back to serving God rightly in the area He has shown us needs to be confessed, repented of and fought against in the power of God who lives in us. Praise the Lord He does all of this for us who believe the gospel and place our faith in Jesus our Lord, Savior, and Mighty God! Thankfully, He has gained the victory for us in all things that stand against Him and His glory. He will uphold us and keep us in His hand. Though our sinful nature will constantly work to draw us out of His hand, we are secure in His grip and can continue to grow as we walk according to His Spirit, making a new start every time we fail, knowing that He has brought us forgiveness from sin, His righteousness that gives us right standing before the Father, and eternal life that outlives our carnal sinful nature into the life to come!
When I think of the kind of person I was when I was a teenager and in my early adulthood, I was immature and looked to the world for pleasure all too often. But God did not leave me like that. see part 2
Sorry, I did not know I did that, it was never my intention to bring contention in the body of Chirst. Discussion should never be continuous, it should inspire study. If we are not open to study another understanding with open ears to the Holy Spirit we may never be shown the truth.
God bless,
RLW
18 The angel of the Lord told Gad to tell David to go and set up an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. 19 David went up according to the directive from Gad, which he had spoken in the name of the Lord.
20 While Ornan was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel. Ornan and his four sons hid themselves.
David Builds an Altar
21 As David approached Ornan, Ornan looked up and saw David. He went out from the threshing floor and bowed to David with his face to the ground. 22 David said to Ornan, "Give me the site of the threshing floor. I will build an altar to the Lord on it. You will give it to me for full price, and the plague will be averted from the people."
The Jebusites were one of the peoples Israel was to wipe out according to Deuteronomy 20:17. Nonetheless; God's will was for David to build an altar to the Lord at the site that this individual resided. We note in the verses immediately after this passage Ornon's willingness to give David the land and animals needed for sacrifice but David knew better and insisted it should cost him something.
There is another incident in 2 Samuel where Uriah the Hittite was sinned against because of David's adultery with his wife; and subsequent "self fulfilling prophecy" of his demise on the battle field essentially being a planned murder. Only God's grace could cover over these sins; and it would leave scars on David's life as was the other aforementioned incident in Chronicles when David insisted on a census rather than trusting God for victory and not in numbers. Once again in this example the Hittites were to be wiped out as enemies of God but this man was clearly loyal to the king and at least followed Godly principles above and beyond the norm. We also as with many other verses see how the marriage covenant is honored among pagans; making actions such as Henry the eighth to absolve himself through divorce and murder of his wives vile sins.
Merry Christmas to every one! GOD to shine HIS face you and bless you gloriously and your family.
December 15, 2024
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
John1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 14:8-9
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
These and other verses make it crystal clear that there is one God. And that one God is the Father', the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, IS eternal God himself. The Father IS eternal God himself. The Holy Ghost IS eternal God himself.
There is only ONE God.
Our finite minds cannot grasp the full nature of God Himself. We read what God chooses to reveal about himself in the Bible. And we must accept that as it stands.
If the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, were not eternal God himself, he could not be our savior. He could not have born every dirty rotten sin that has or will be committed by everyone whom he came to save. Nor could he have fully paid the full penalty required by the law of God, for those sins, which is eternal death, and then have risen again.
So again, when we go down a path of trying to work all this all out in our finite minds, we get into a Gordian knot that we cannot untangle.
We are the creature, and God is the creator. And we must accept what the Bible declares about the nature of God, and leave it there.
Jesus is titled the "Son of God!
We've had others that use to come on the site with various names and toss those two scriptures out " Acts 8:37 and Acts 9:20" along with various other verses as battle invitations for a battling debate on the deity of Christ which brings contention in the body of Christ.
Here's what's important.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Blessings.
COGIC WORSHIP 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:Jesus Christ is God,.A God of faith.I worship a God that gives you freedom to eat correctly. A God of Power and authority over physical laws also. A God that is loving,forgiveness and Savior.
Good choice of scripture.
The late Nancy Missler, Wife of the late Chuck Missler.
Blessings to you David0921.
The simplicity that is in Jesus, 2 Corinthians 11:3.
John also confirmed this, he said there were many things Jesus said and did that were not written down, but John wrote this, John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
God bless,
RLW
Ephesians 2
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,(BY GRACE ye are saved;)
8 For BY GRACE are ye saved through{Christ's}faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT OF GOD:
9 NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.
Ezekiel 36:24-31
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.
Romans 8:5-9 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. NOW IF ANY MAN HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST HE IS NONE OF HIS
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
(Caps are mine)
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved,we have a building of God, an house not made with hands,eternal in the heavens.For in this we groan,earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.For we that are in this tabernacle do groan,being burdened:not for that we would be unclothed,but clothed upon,that mortality might be swallowed up of life.Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God,who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that,whilst we are at home in the body,we are absent from the Lord:(For we walk by faith,not by sight:) We are confident,I say,and willing rather to be absent from the body,and to be present with the Lord.
Wherefore we labour,that,whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ;that every one may receive the things done in his body,according to that he hath done,whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord,we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God;and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
For we commend not ourselves again unto you,but give you occasion to glory on our behalf,that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves,it is to God:or whether we be sober,it is for your cause.For the love of Christ constraineth us;because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them,and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh:yea,though we have known Christ after the flesh,yet now henceforth know we him no more.Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold,all things are become new.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Part 5.
This description is easy. Take a look at Galatians 5:22 for the characteristics that God sets down for these Christians. Paul says that one walking by the Spirit is filled with all "the fruit of the Spirit"-Love (Agape), joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance."
This description is then amplified in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 where Paul says, "Agape suffereth long, and is kind; [His Love] envieth not; [His Love] vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not [its] own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [God's Love] never fails."
When I think of a spiritual Christian, there is one person in our ministry who always comes to mind. She is one who is willing to be a total servant to others. Nothing is too hard for her or beneath her. As I look around the Christian body, it's amazing to me how very few of these "servant heart" people there really are; Christians who are willing to scrub the toilet if necessary, work in the kitchen if needed or bebehind the scenes.
Humility, again, is the word that best describes a spiritual Christian. Most Christians, unfortunately, want to be up in front where they can be seen as "spiritual." They want the visible jobs! A Christian with a servant's heart is one who is only interested in what God thinks. And thus, they are willing to do whatever job is required. The Bible tells us that God's eyes are toward the humble, the unpretentious and the one who is free from pride.
By Nancy Missler.
Rip.