Day 18 January 18,2025 Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV West Angeles Church Consecration Calendar
Me being a member at West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
Proverbs 3:5 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
"Being a man and woman of your word-Direct to best of knowledge or if something changed of rule based procedures and laws. Good news is to trust in the LORD to be identified Christian shown and known to be directed, lead to change uncertainty to certainty of your faith Ephesians 4:6KJV. Where it begun will be completed.
I have proof, evidence of my speaking habits are approved to receive and be services of speaking correctly, holiness actions, speech. Principle of God all religions Always performaning righteousness, holiness in actions "to do it" of God. To have faith, believe Romans 10:9-10 KJV. Myself is an example cordial and sincere. Romans 10:10 KJV (Standard rule and practice).
Ezekiel 36:26 KJV Allows people to see Jesus Christ is God and believe practical understanding of morals. Not if acts "did it" actions,sensorys of wanting not to be a man and woman of your word ."
Proverbs 3:6 KJV
My interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
"Rules of all God's in all paths.By faith first Romans 10:9-10 KJV believe.For greater results and responds standard rules and practices Christian methods serving, reading holy bible, praying, fasting.
Most Quoted Jehohvah which is needed-Jesus Christ is God the Father. Allowing God to give you what you suppose to have and returned guaranteed in truth. That's your mind, body, soul, counsel Psalms 119:24 KJV confirmed did the word of God where it begun and will be completed.In truth I have applied my faith, believing, supporting God,God supporting me, supporting West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral distinction of born man identified Christian, service ,ministry, Christian methods reading holy bible, praying, fasting. "
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.
As we look at what is going on in the world and in the churches and congregations today, what do we see?
We see a world where sin, i.e. disobedience to God's law, is and has been multiplying as never before.
We see churches and congregations exhibiting a love for the world as the worship service has become a place for entertainment. And an abandonment of the Bible, the Word of God, as being the ultimate authority; where the church itself is the authority and not the Bible. We see a gospel being proclaimed where man is in control of their salvation and not God alonea do-it-yourself gospel where Christ has done His part and now it's up to us.
So where are we in God's time table of His plan for the churches and the world?
We are, I believe, living in the period describe in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, the Great Tribulation. A period where God's judgment has fallen upon the churches as we read in 1 Peter 4:17 and 2Thessalonians 2:1-12. And where God is preparing the world for His return on the clouds of glory at the Last Day.
It is also a time where God is reveling truth from His Word, the Bible, that has been hidden in times past as we read in Daniel 9 and Daniel 12.
Daniel 12:9 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
But God, in this time, is saving a "great multitude" as we read in Revelation 7:9. Ezekiel 36:24-38, Jeremiah 29, Jeremiah 30 and many other passages which are pictures of God's salvation during this time.
If there were ever a time where we should be searching the scriptures and praying that God in His mercy might lead us into truth, this is that time.
But we must search the scriptures using the principles that God lays down in His Word. A key principle is that Christ is the author of the entire Bible and that He "spoke in parables, and without a parable spake He not" Matthew 13:34 and Mark 4:34.
May God in His mercy open our spiritual ears as we search the scriptures.
"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.
CAUSE. Means to make or to bring forth.
KEEP. (shamar)
A primitive root; properly to hedge about (as with {thorns}) that {is} guard; generally to {protect} attend {to} etc.: - {beware} be {circumspect} take heed (to {self}) keep ({-er} {self}) {mark} look {narrowly} {observe} {preserve} {regard} {reserve} save ({self}) {sure} (that lay) wait ({for}) watch (-man).
"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."
A quick overview of the entire chapter of Ezekiel 36 shows that the meaning is primarily in the exodus and eventual regathering of God's people. When we get into a couple chapters later we enter the Ezekiel 38 war which continues showing the fate of nations that fight against Israel. This verse also is used to demonstrate the change in each believer's state; as opposed to the condition mentioned in Jeremiah 17:9 on how deceitful and wicked man's unregenerate heart nature is.
The principle involved in the nation of Israel repenting is found in this verse: Romans 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The Lord will therefore use the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7) to put the Jews through the fire; and at that time 2/3 will perish and 1/3 make it through ( Zechariah 13:8) which signifies the refining fire. Naturally this is preceded by the arrival of the false messiah who will be venerated by many until the time mentioned in Isaiah 10:20 which would be at the midpoint of the Tribulation.
The new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31 and the next several verses after also could be applied to that which Christ accomplished for those in the church (or church age). It's final fruition will finally reach Israel who rejected the first coming of their king because they didn't recognize Him as the suffering servant; and or assumed He would immediately overtake their enemies and start an earthly Kingdom.
In general I would state that every age or dispensation has a similar fate; a beginning and end. Israel had several Diasporas and in the last days the church in general will fall away.
The short answer to your question is God did not pay for the sins of everyone.
He paid only for the sins of those whom He chose to save. God calls these the Elect of God.
They are not elect because of any inherent goodness or worthiness within them as we read in Romans 3:10-18 and similar passages. They are not elect because they are more likely to respond to the Gospel than any one else. All mankind is DEAD in trespasses and sins. Eph 2:1.
God works in the Heart of those whom He is saving to CAUSE them to respond. And He gives them a New Heart, a New Resurrected Soul. This is becoming Born Again. It is a true MIRACLE of God. It is all the MERCY of God as He does 100% of the work to save His Elect and they enter into His Rest.
Romans 9:15,16
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Ezekiel 36:24-27
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.
So what must we do to be saved? The answer is: We can do nothing! But we can cry to God for mercy as He commands us to do. Like Publican: " Lord have mercy upon me a sinner", in the very Real Hope that God might save us.
Joel 2:12-14
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
You've given some Scriptures here David0921, to which I will respond.
Romans 9:13-16. From Romans 9:1-23, the apostle is speaking about his kinsmen, the Jews; that God had selected Isaac through whom would come Jacob & all of Israel - as opposed to Esau (who was rejected), even though he was the firstborn. All this Paul rehearses before his readers to show that God's promises will be realized, according to His Word, that "In Isaac shall thy seed be called". God was not being partial to one & not the other, but in God's Knowledge & Plan, one was accepted to the rejection of the other.
Here then is God's selection process - not for salvation (since each person has to demonstrate faith & love to God regardless of which tribe or nation they belong to), but of election & receiving the Promises of God. And so Paul goes on in Romans 9:24-33, to show that those of Israel who have rejected the LORD, & not come by faith ( Romans 9:30-32), have been cut out of the olive tree, with the Gentiles being engrafted in (only if the Gentiles stand in faith, Romans 11:20). Why have I written all this? Only to show that the process of leading to salvation (which we're discussing now) is not revealed here, but of who are God's Elect - that the Gospel would now go to the Gentiles, the Jew having rejected it ( Acts 13:46-48).
Jeremiah 17:9. Fully agree as mentioned previously.
Joel 2:12-14. You might need to give your reason for mentioning this Scripture, as I'm unable to relate it to what we're discussing.
Ezekiel 36:24-28. I understand this passage is still in the future (probably during the Millennial rule of Christ), when Israel finally acknowledges their Messiah, receiving a new heart & new spirit. Btw, I do NOT subscribe to Replacement Theology, inasfar as Israel no longer being a part of prophetic fulfilment and the Church is now the new Israel.
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is NOT OF HIM THE WILLETH, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Jeremiah 17:9 The HEART is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Joel 2:12-14
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with ALL YOUR HEART, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 WHO KNOWETH if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Ezekiel 36:24-28
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.
Eph 2:1,8-10
1 And you hath he quickened, who were DEAD in trespasses and sins;
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Note the emphasis in these verses on "believing in the HEART""
Jeremiah 17:9,10
The HEART is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the HEART, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
And then there is Romans 3:10-18
There in lies the problem.
We cannot and will not "Believe in the heart" until God gives us a NEW HEART, that is a New Resurrected Soul.
Ezekiel 36:26
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.
We must be Born Again as God applies His Salvation to those whom He saves BEFORE we can believe with our whole heart.
That is Salvation. And our Belief, our Faith is the RESULT of God applying salvation to one of His elect. And is not because we have "accepted" an offer of salvation.
Unfortunately what you have stated puts mankind in control of salvation. And if I may paraphrase what you are saying somewhat crassly:
God has done His part and now it's up to us.
And there certainly are verses when taken in isolation that might support that view. (see my responses to Spencer and Adam)
That conclusion, however, flys in the face of many other statements God makes about the Nature of Salvation, the Nature of Mankind, and the Nature of God's Justice and Judgment.
Romans 3:10-18, Romans 9, Ezekiel 36:24-32, Eph 2:1 and many many more.
God did not write the Bible in a way that is easy to come to truth. In fact He wrote it in a way to reveal truth if we follow the principles that God lays down, but also to hide truth. 2 Timothy 3:16 and Matthew 13:10-17.
God also has a time table for revealing truth from the Bible. Romans 16:25,26 and Daniel 12:9. Christ the perfect preacher taught many things about His death and resurrection, yet His disciples did not understand until after the fact.
Most importantly we must be looking to God Himself, praying that He might open our spiritual eyes and ears as we search the Bible comparing Scripture with Scripture. This is not quick or easy business.
I never said that a saved individual does not sin.
1 John 3:7-9
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John3:9 is referring to being Born Again in our soul existence when God miraculously applies salvation to our life.
As is Ezekiel 36:24-27
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.
But that new soul resides in a body that still lusts after sin. And we will never be sinless in our whole personality until we receive our resurrected spiritual body on the Last Day. 1 Corinthians 15
Romans 7:21-25
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Indeed bro Giannis. Leaving aside the matter of the water (whether it means from the Word or the flesh), I too sense the difficulty in understanding John 3:9,10 (..."Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?"). As a teacher of the Scriptures, Nicodemus should have picked up, even a little, on what Jesus was trying to convey to him. My thoughts though turn to Psalm 51:10, Ezekiel 11:19,20 & Ezekiel 36:25-27 as passages that should have alerted Nicodemus' mind to Jesus Who was pointing him to a coming spiritual re-birth. And maybe his questions would have centered around those passages & what Jesus was speaking about. Unfortunately, Nico's mind couldn't recall those prophecies. GBU.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Christ is here teaching Nicodemus and us something about the nature of salvation. The "water" is the Word of God, ie the gospel. As we read in John 7:38 and Rom 10:17.
The "Spirit" is God Himself as He applies salvation to the life of someone whom He is saving by miraculously giving them a New Resurrected Soul in which they have become a "new creature in Christ" and will have an earnest ongoing desire to be obedient to the law of God, ie to not commit sin. John 3:9 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is becoming Born Again, ie becoming "saved".
Thanks David0921 for your comment, to which I fully agree. And welcome back to this Discussion Page. When you quoted Ezekiel 36:24-32 and verse 25 states, "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean...", I thought you intended to address the 'sprinkling of clean water' as reference to the Word, as some understand John 3:5 ('born of water'). However, you made no mention of this, so in respect of your comment, I agree, that salvation is all of God's Work - we contributing absolutely nothing to it, except to receive the Gift in brokenness & faith. GBU.
One of the very best passages that addresses this fundamental and essential principle of salvation is Ezekiel 36:24-32
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. 31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
Noticed that every single action is GOD's. action, not OUR action. Not our acceptance, not our belief, not our repentance, not our confession, not water baptism, no work whatsoever that we do can initiate, nor contribute to, nor assure the salvation that God applies to those whom he has chosen to be saved.
We can only cry to God for mercy in the very real hope that God might save us and that our sins might have been paid for.
Any good works that we do are the RESULT of our salvation. They are NEVER the cause, nor the means by which God saves us. Eph 2:1-10Rom 9:11
In John 4:20 the Samaritan woman at the well said "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
She is referring to centrality of the temple in worship where the ceremonies were performed.
Jesus is saying the day has come where worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth is that worship of God is not to be confined to a single geographical location or necessarily regulated by the of Old Testament law.
Worship became a matter of the heart, not external actions, and directed by truth rather than ceremony.
Our worship of God is directed by our love for Him, Not by Command and rituals.
Ti worship in spirit this way was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:27.
"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.
Ezekiel 36:26 reads, "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"
You said,
"Israel failed with the Law of Moses and the tradition of their fathers. Only in Christ shall they reach that state"
Israel wasn't able to reach that state under the Mosaic law. The Mosaic law wasn't given for that purpose!
Ezekiel and Jeremiah states that God was going to do something NEW!
Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Ezekiel 11:19-20.
Ezekiel 36:26-27.
The Spirit within represents a NEW birth. The Law and the Prophet's taught this
Jesus counseled Nicodemus on this in
John 3:5-10.
Nicodemus was expected to Know this being that he was a Teacher of Israel.
The interpretation of the sticks is in passage. Ezekiel 37:16-21.
The two sticks represent the southern and the Northern Kingdom as mentioned.
Also, they will be gathered from every side and brought back into their own land.
Let's take Ezekiel 36 and Ezekiel 37 and put them in its proper context.
There's mention of a new heart and new spirit.
The dry bones.
The two sticks.
Their gathering.
and their own Land.
Ezekiel is writing during the captivity of Babylon but his writings extends past the captivity on into the latter days as do Daniel and Jeremiah.
Judgment of Israel is of a much broader scope than the Babylonian captivity.
We find that in Deuteronomy 28:37 ,64-68.
It's important to note that this dispersion is global, Not Babylon.
Also the gathering Ezekiel is talking about is global and exceeds Babylon.
This is a second gathering! Isaiah 11:9-12.
Isaiah 43:5-6.
When you read this you'll see that it has never happened.
They still have a heart of stone.
Some look at Israel today and say this must be the Church but "in those days" there is more to consider here than just the New heart concerning this prophecy.
As promised, here is my take on Ezekiel 37 and the two sticks.
I take exactly what Ezekiel penned down in Ezekiel 37:16-21 and let verses 18 and 19 do the explaining.
"16) Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17) And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18) And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19) Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20) And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.
21) And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
This Chapter has to do with the future restoration of Israel which involves their national entity and their spiritual revival which the Lord announced in the previous chapter. Ezekiel 36:24-28.
Notice verse 22 of Ch 37. "And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
Chapter 36 should be studied along with chapter 37 where we have mention of a new heart and new spirit, the dry bones, and the two sticks to get the context.
It is getting late here, I will have to continue later, perhaps during the week.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
These verses at first glance seem to contradict the idea of the Grace of God. A basic argument that holds some water here is that the Spirit of God didn't work at it does today ( John 16:8) with a permanent indwelling as this and other verses promise.
We could also look at such instances as King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:6 who apparently had a righteous life and God heard his prayer to continue 15 more years. One good study is with Saul's foolishness which ended with an early death after he saught wisdom from the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. We see other wicked kings as well have a shortened life; perhaps also Solomon. Of course we all die physically; and some would argue the soul dies also only the spirit goes on to eternity. I would add the solution is in verse 31 of Ezekiel 18 which mentions getting a new heart and spirit. This only comes through the Lord ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). Without this we can superficially ask forgiveness every time an outward sin is found; but this doesn't make us able to do good because of man's sin nature; and ignores sins of omission as well as one's we aren't aware of. It also shows how we shouldn't boast how long we haven't sinned as some foolishly proclaim; ignoring warnings in 1 John about the fact that we are a liar if we claim we have no sin. God's children are corrected even through their sin in the sanctification process.
I was in a very odd situation with a former OPC church I attended where I was granted a sort of "partial" membership without ascribing to their stance on infant baptism. There are a couple other issues which would keep me out of a similar place in the future (that church shut down 6 or 7 years ago due to lack of attendance). I will say that it wasn't required that I believed in their stance on Postmillenialism; although I may have mentioned here in the past when it was brought up how foolish it was to believe in the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast in one of their sermons and I took them up on that they sort of backed down. It wasn't a requirement to adhere to their eschatology, although it was a rather cliquish sort of mentality at that place. I agreed to disagree with them without such banter so I thought it only fair; however of course it was their belief.
In any case; infant baptism has cast a rather nebulous picture in my mind as to explanations; somehow holding what children or infants were commemorated with when they become adults and rebel as if they had some sort of inherent partaking of a covenant; I suppose equivalent to the Israelites who were "baptized" by crossing the Red Sea. ( 1 Cor. 10:2). No one I know actually thinks someone is saved through infant baptism but nonetheless they seem in my mind to have carried on a Catholic tradition through the Reformers in the past. I also had a "rebaptism"; having argued beforehand the sprinkling of water should also be legitimate ( Ezekiel 36:25). In my case I had it done that way along with my wife at the time because she had a balance issue going totally underwater; but I rededicated myself to a commitment as a church member when I had an immersion at the founding of a church I used to attend at its inception almost 10 years ago. Seeing how quickly Philip baptized the eunuch in Acts 8; and the jailor with his family ( Acts 16:33) it should follow salvation quickly.
Matthew 13:24-43 discusses the parable of the wheat and the tares; ending with a private discussion with the Disciples. This necessity of such a condition WITHIN the professing church also must exist along with the general contrast between believers and unbelievers. Therefore; in general we must not only have confession but POSSESSION of the Holy Spirit in order to have genuine salvation (see Ezekiel 36:26). This principle in scripture cannot be overemphasized; if Christ found His greatest resistance from the "religious" leaders among the Jews of that day; we can be certain much of our opposition will come from those calling themselves Christians. Surely judgment begins at the house of God ( 1 Peter 4:17).
If we are honest with history there are errors that can be found with fallible human beings even in the best denominations (sometimes despite truthful doctrines). I call Satan the "equal opportunity destroyer" because he doesn't discriminate as to what means of deception he uses and hence it fits his character hating everyone created in the image of God. He only hates the most those who are a threat to his kingdom; those who can see past the veil over all mankind ( 2 Cor. 4:3-6). His methods are myriad-mind control; fear; temptations; bondage; etc. People are used according to his purpose and we should be aware that his web is everywhere in this current world system. Things can and must get worse; worse than in all human history as Jesus promised for the end times to come for God's plans to come to fruition ( Matt. 24:21). Of course the world wants to hear that peace is coming "peace; peace when there is no peace." ( Jeremiah 6:14). There is no peace; however for the wicked as God states in Isaiah 48:22 and other places in that book and the rest of scripture as well.
Incredibly the world will fall for "the lie" ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12). Whatever utopia is offered (AI or otherwise) God will use to purge the dross
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.
Ezekiel 36:27.
The apostle Paul says that "for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:10). The word "workmanship" means "that which is made, a work of art." It refers to a "masterpiece." What Paul's saying is that all God's children are His masterpieces.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Dead Works.
In the Bible the phrase "dead works" is found in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 6:1-3.
"Repentance from dead works".
Repentance means to change the way we think. We need to change the way we think about dead works.
From the outside looking in we can't tell the difference between dead works and good works. They can look very much the same outwardly. They can be the same works, but they have different motives.
Praying can be a dead or good work.
Attending church can be a dead or good work.
Reading the Bible can be a dead or good work.
Telling others about Jesus can be a dead or good work.
That's why Jesus said what he said in Matthew 7:22-23.
Prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles in the name of Jesus are all outwardly good things. But Jesus will reject "many" who do those things. Why? Because their hearts are wrong. These people have the wrong motivations for the things they do.
Dead works are any attempt to find favor, earn acceptance or be made righteous before God by one's own effort, ability or willpower.
Religion puts the emphasis on doing right. In contrast, Jesus and the apostles put the emphasis on believing right, because when we believe right we will naturally do right as a consequence.
If we can't tell outwardly, then how do we know what a good work is?
Israel was the instrument used by God to introduce himself as the true and living Mighty God that provides to a pagan idol worshipping world.
They also displayed the incompetence of man in his natural state and the need of a savior.
God always keeps his promises and unconditional covenants.
He made Promises to Abraham that has yet to be fulfilled!
He showed his good will toward them in Babylon and in Egypt and he will do it again when he gather them from the four corners of the earth and bring them back into their own land.
May we honor our LORD and SAVIOR by understanding our relationship with HIM. If you are saved, then search the scriptures to find out what it means to be saved. Continue to read and study to know what the mind of CHRIST is with regards to our Christian world view pertaining to different issues confronting and plaguing our society.
Memorize HIS word and walk in HIS Spirit that we not fall to the lust of the flesh.
GOD to shine HIS face on the brethren and gloriously bless us as we worship and praise HIS name.
May we be strong and faithful to be praying for the peace in Jerusalem; and for those in leadership positions.
Philippians 2:12,13: is Paul reminding them, 'you have God's Salvation, now work it out (i.e. don't be slack or negligent in living the new life that Christ has purchased for you), & do so in fear & trembling - living the Christian life is a serious, disciplined matter, under the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Our Faith, Belief, Repentance are WORKS and a RESULT and EVIDENCE of, not REQUIREMENTS for, Salvation." There certainly must be an on-going evidence of Faith, Belief & Repentance in a believer's life, but none of the passages suggest that they cannot be requirements towards Salvation.
Part 5: Ezekiel 36:24-33. Indeed, this passage is all of God's Action: that Israel would be released primarily from Assyrian/Babylonian captivity & then ultimately "from all countries". But what happened? Have they yet received "a new heart & a new spirittaking away the stony heart of flesh? Their Messiah came, gave His Life for them & they yet remain obstinate & stony in heart. I believe this will yet happen ( Romans 11:25-27), when Israel will be saved. How will they be saved? These verses don't divulge this information, except God's Act to take away their sins.
And so we go back to what Jesus had commanded & to which the apostles obeyed, Mark 1:14,15 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel."
Acts 3:19, "REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Israel in the future, will still need to believe & accept that Jesus was indeed their Messiah; maybe all Works in your understanding, but vital if they are to receive "a new heart & a new spirit".
I want to leave this discussion by again quoting Ezekiel 36:24-33, which is one of the clearest statements regarding the Nature of Salvation and that each and every aspect of our Salvation is 100% the WORK of God, including our WORKS of BELIEF and REPENTENCE.
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
Notice, again, that EVERY ACTION IS GOD'S ACTION.
Every True Believer WILL BELIEVE and WILL REPENT and WILL have an earnest ongoing desire to be obedient to the Law of God. And if we don't find this in our life we may still cry to God for Mercy that He might save us. It is still the day of Salvation!
We can find verses, that when isolated, can seem to teach that OUR WORKS of Believing and Repentance are contributory TOWARDS our salvation. But in coming to an understanding of any doctrine in the Bible we must harmonize every verse in Scripture that relates to the question.
When we do this, we must conclude that our GOOD WORKS of any sort are the RESULT of God's gift of salvation which He bestows on each and every one of His elect, not BECAUSE we do these things but as the EVIDENCE and CHARACTER of a New Creation in Christ as we read in the Galatians and Romans passages I quoted earlier and many others.
The passage that, in my view, speaks most clearly regarding the Nature of Salvation is Ezekiel 36:24-34. Note here that every action is God's action, not man's action. And that our Repentance and Belief are the RESULT of God's actions in salvation, never the CAUSE nor the REASON.
I want to be a million miles away from any Gospel that even hints that our works contribute in any way to our Salvation.
By Grace are you saved through faith(Christ's faith not our faith). And that not of ourselves. It is the gift of God in His in comprehensible Mercy. Not of our works lest any man should boast. (forgive me for not quoting chapter and verse for these last statements, but I'm sure you are familiar).
I never want to be that man in Numbers who picked up a few sticks on the Sabbath and was executed for that seemingly incidental sin. A dramatic picture of what happens if we look to any good work that we do or have done to affect our salvation.
Is belief, i.e faith (one is the verb the other the noun but the same word) a WORK? God answers that question in 2 Thes 1:11
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the WORK OF FAITH with power:
God commands us to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". And when we do that we are doing a "good work". But God is very clear that no work that we do can INITIATE nor MAINTAIN nor CONTRIBUTE to our Salvation in any way whatsoever.
God does not save anyone BECAUSE we Believe. But if and when God Saves an individual by His MERCY and GRACE alone, they will Believe. Our BELIEF, our REPENTANCE are good works that we do as a RESULT of our Salvation. And we will find in our life an earnest and ongoing desire to be OBEDIENT to any commandment of God, i.e the LAW of God.
If we are following a gospel where Salvation is the RESULT of any WORK that we do, we are trusting in a false gospel that cannot save.
So what must we do to be saved? THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO? We can only cry to God for His Mercy, like the Ninevites did in the very real hope that God might save us. And wait upon God to do a work of GRACE in our hearts if it is His good pleasure so to do.
Ezekiel 36:24-28 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 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. 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. 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. 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.
You ask: what is the will of our Heavenly Father in your Life?
You don't understand the gospel of the Kingdom of God?
You DIED on the cross of Christ, Christ's BODY arose by the POWER and LIFE of his Father.
We became HEIRS of God, as we also became partakers of Christ BODY at his resurrection: becoming a NEW CREATION, ONE FLESH, ONE BODY, and the LIFE of OUR BODY is the Spirit of our Father.
We are vessels, instruments, in the WORKS of our Father, it's the LIFE of GOD, not our life, we died and became a new creation, the Body of the Spirit of our Father.
What does our Heavenly will for us , his body:
That we walk in the TRUTH of Christ's resurrection.
Ezekiel 36:27 I WILL put my Spirit IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes,and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
Do you understand, by God's words, you DO NOTHING without God CAUSING YOU to DO IT.
You have become ONE with Christ and the Father.
Christ always walked in the TRUTH that it was the Father's words he spoke, and the Father's WORKS he preformed, he is the BODY of the POWER of GOD, we have become JOINT HEIRS with Christ, by taking part in HIS resurrection.
Me being a member at West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
Proverbs 3:5 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
"Being a man and woman of your word-Direct to best of knowledge or if something changed of rule based procedures and laws. Good news is to trust in the LORD to be identified Christian shown and known to be directed, lead to change uncertainty to certainty of your faith Ephesians 4:6KJV. Where it begun will be completed.
I have proof, evidence of my speaking habits are approved to receive and be services of speaking correctly, holiness actions, speech. Principle of God all religions Always performaning righteousness, holiness in actions "to do it" of God. To have faith, believe Romans 10:9-10 KJV. Myself is an example cordial and sincere. Romans 10:10 KJV (Standard rule and practice).
Ezekiel 36:26 KJV Allows people to see Jesus Christ is God and believe practical understanding of morals. Not if acts "did it" actions,sensorys of wanting not to be a man and woman of your word ."
Proverbs 3:6 KJV
My interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
"Rules of all God's in all paths.By faith first Romans 10:9-10 KJV believe.For greater results and responds standard rules and practices Christian methods serving, reading holy bible, praying, fasting.
Most Quoted Jehohvah which is needed-Jesus Christ is God the Father. Allowing God to give you what you suppose to have and returned guaranteed in truth. That's your mind, body, soul, counsel Psalms 119:24 KJV confirmed did the word of God where it begun and will be completed.In truth I have applied my faith, believing, supporting God,God supporting me, supporting West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral distinction of born man identified Christian, service ,ministry, Christian methods reading holy bible, praying, fasting. "
Word Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
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.
As we look at what is going on in the world and in the churches and congregations today, what do we see?
We see a world where sin, i.e. disobedience to God's law, is and has been multiplying as never before.
We see churches and congregations exhibiting a love for the world as the worship service has become a place for entertainment. And an abandonment of the Bible, the Word of God, as being the ultimate authority; where the church itself is the authority and not the Bible. We see a gospel being proclaimed where man is in control of their salvation and not God alonea do-it-yourself gospel where Christ has done His part and now it's up to us.
So where are we in God's time table of His plan for the churches and the world?
We are, I believe, living in the period describe in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, the Great Tribulation. A period where God's judgment has fallen upon the churches as we read in 1 Peter 4:17 and 2Thessalonians 2:1-12. And where God is preparing the world for His return on the clouds of glory at the Last Day.
It is also a time where God is reveling truth from His Word, the Bible, that has been hidden in times past as we read in Daniel 9 and Daniel 12.
Daniel 12:9 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
But God, in this time, is saving a "great multitude" as we read in Revelation 7:9. Ezekiel 36:24-38, Jeremiah 29, Jeremiah 30 and many other passages which are pictures of God's salvation during this time.
If there were ever a time where we should be searching the scriptures and praying that God in His mercy might lead us into truth, this is that time.
But we must search the scriptures using the principles that God lays down in His Word. A key principle is that Christ is the author of the entire Bible and that He "spoke in parables, and without a parable spake He not" Matthew 13:34 and Mark 4:34.
May God in His mercy open our spiritual ears as we search the scriptures.
"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.
CAUSE. Means to make or to bring forth.
KEEP. (shamar)
A primitive root; properly to hedge about (as with {thorns}) that {is} guard; generally to {protect} attend {to} etc.: - {beware} be {circumspect} take heed (to {self}) keep ({-er} {self}) {mark} look {narrowly} {observe} {preserve} {regard} {reserve} save ({self}) {sure} (that lay) wait ({for}) watch (-man).
KJV Usage: keep(283x), observe(46x), heed(35x), keeper(28x), preserve(21x), beware(9x), mark(8x), watchman(8x), wait(7x), watch(7x), regard(5x), save(2x), misc(9x).
Occurs: 468
In verses: 440.
Here we notice "obey" is omitted.
This is directed to the heart of man that LEADS to obedience.
We're not perfect but that what you do obey is persuaded.
John 15:4-5 reads
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Paul describes this battle of this persuasion in these fleshly bodies in Romans 7.
This is what the Holyspirit does!
Jesus carried the Apostles and when he went away he sent them another Comforter. .
They wasn't prepared for ministry until then. .
God bless.
"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."
A quick overview of the entire chapter of Ezekiel 36 shows that the meaning is primarily in the exodus and eventual regathering of God's people. When we get into a couple chapters later we enter the Ezekiel 38 war which continues showing the fate of nations that fight against Israel. This verse also is used to demonstrate the change in each believer's state; as opposed to the condition mentioned in Jeremiah 17:9 on how deceitful and wicked man's unregenerate heart nature is.
The principle involved in the nation of Israel repenting is found in this verse: Romans 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The Lord will therefore use the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7) to put the Jews through the fire; and at that time 2/3 will perish and 1/3 make it through ( Zechariah 13:8) which signifies the refining fire. Naturally this is preceded by the arrival of the false messiah who will be venerated by many until the time mentioned in Isaiah 10:20 which would be at the midpoint of the Tribulation.
The new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31 and the next several verses after also could be applied to that which Christ accomplished for those in the church (or church age). It's final fruition will finally reach Israel who rejected the first coming of their king because they didn't recognize Him as the suffering servant; and or assumed He would immediately overtake their enemies and start an earthly Kingdom.
In general I would state that every age or dispensation has a similar fate; a beginning and end. Israel had several Diasporas and in the last days the church in general will fall away.
The short answer to your question is God did not pay for the sins of everyone.
He paid only for the sins of those whom He chose to save. God calls these the Elect of God.
They are not elect because of any inherent goodness or worthiness within them as we read in Romans 3:10-18 and similar passages. They are not elect because they are more likely to respond to the Gospel than any one else. All mankind is DEAD in trespasses and sins. Eph 2:1.
God works in the Heart of those whom He is saving to CAUSE them to respond. And He gives them a New Heart, a New Resurrected Soul. This is becoming Born Again. It is a true MIRACLE of God. It is all the MERCY of God as He does 100% of the work to save His Elect and they enter into His Rest.
Romans 9:15,16
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Ezekiel 36:24-27
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.
So what must we do to be saved? The answer is: We can do nothing! But we can cry to God for mercy as He commands us to do. Like Publican: " Lord have mercy upon me a sinner", in the very Real Hope that God might save us.
Joel 2:12-14
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
You've given some Scriptures here David0921, to which I will respond.
Romans 9:13-16. From Romans 9:1-23, the apostle is speaking about his kinsmen, the Jews; that God had selected Isaac through whom would come Jacob & all of Israel - as opposed to Esau (who was rejected), even though he was the firstborn. All this Paul rehearses before his readers to show that God's promises will be realized, according to His Word, that "In Isaac shall thy seed be called". God was not being partial to one & not the other, but in God's Knowledge & Plan, one was accepted to the rejection of the other.
Here then is God's selection process - not for salvation (since each person has to demonstrate faith & love to God regardless of which tribe or nation they belong to), but of election & receiving the Promises of God. And so Paul goes on in Romans 9:24-33, to show that those of Israel who have rejected the LORD, & not come by faith ( Romans 9:30-32), have been cut out of the olive tree, with the Gentiles being engrafted in (only if the Gentiles stand in faith, Romans 11:20). Why have I written all this? Only to show that the process of leading to salvation (which we're discussing now) is not revealed here, but of who are God's Elect - that the Gospel would now go to the Gentiles, the Jew having rejected it ( Acts 13:46-48).
Jeremiah 17:9. Fully agree as mentioned previously.
Joel 2:12-14. You might need to give your reason for mentioning this Scripture, as I'm unable to relate it to what we're discussing.
Ezekiel 36:24-28. I understand this passage is still in the future (probably during the Millennial rule of Christ), when Israel finally acknowledges their Messiah, receiving a new heart & new spirit. Btw, I do NOT subscribe to Replacement Theology, inasfar as Israel no longer being a part of prophetic fulfilment and the Church is now the new Israel.
To Page 2.
Romans 9:13-16
13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is NOT OF HIM THE WILLETH, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Jeremiah 17:9 The HEART is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Joel 2:12-14
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with ALL YOUR HEART, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 WHO KNOWETH if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
Ezekiel 36:24-28
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.
Eph 2:1,8-10
1 And you hath he quickened, who were DEAD in trespasses and sins;
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
You quoted Romans 10-8-10.
Note the emphasis in these verses on "believing in the HEART""
Jeremiah 17:9,10
The HEART is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the HEART, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
And then there is Romans 3:10-18
There in lies the problem.
We cannot and will not "Believe in the heart" until God gives us a NEW HEART, that is a New Resurrected Soul.
Ezekiel 36:26
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.
We must be Born Again as God applies His Salvation to those whom He saves BEFORE we can believe with our whole heart.
That is Salvation. And our Belief, our Faith is the RESULT of God applying salvation to one of His elect. And is not because we have "accepted" an offer of salvation.
Unfortunately what you have stated puts mankind in control of salvation. And if I may paraphrase what you are saying somewhat crassly:
God has done His part and now it's up to us.
And there certainly are verses when taken in isolation that might support that view. (see my responses to Spencer and Adam)
That conclusion, however, flys in the face of many other statements God makes about the Nature of Salvation, the Nature of Mankind, and the Nature of God's Justice and Judgment.
Romans 3:10-18, Romans 9, Ezekiel 36:24-32, Eph 2:1 and many many more.
God did not write the Bible in a way that is easy to come to truth. In fact He wrote it in a way to reveal truth if we follow the principles that God lays down, but also to hide truth. 2 Timothy 3:16 and Matthew 13:10-17.
God also has a time table for revealing truth from the Bible. Romans 16:25,26 and Daniel 12:9. Christ the perfect preacher taught many things about His death and resurrection, yet His disciples did not understand until after the fact.
Most importantly we must be looking to God Himself, praying that He might open our spiritual eyes and ears as we search the Bible comparing Scripture with Scripture. This is not quick or easy business.
I never said that a saved individual does not sin.
1 John 3:7-9
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John3:9 is referring to being Born Again in our soul existence when God miraculously applies salvation to our life.
As is Ezekiel 36:24-27
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.
But that new soul resides in a body that still lusts after sin. And we will never be sinless in our whole personality until we receive our resurrected spiritual body on the Last Day. 1 Corinthians 15
Romans 7:21-25
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
But thank you for responding.
John3:3-12
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Christ is here teaching Nicodemus and us something about the nature of salvation. The "water" is the Word of God, ie the gospel. As we read in John 7:38 and Rom 10:17.
The "Spirit" is God Himself as He applies salvation to the life of someone whom He is saving by miraculously giving them a New Resurrected Soul in which they have become a "new creature in Christ" and will have an earnest ongoing desire to be obedient to the law of God, ie to not commit sin. John 3:9 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is becoming Born Again, ie becoming "saved".
This is what God is teaching in Ezekiel 36:24-31
One of the very best passages that addresses this fundamental and essential principle of salvation is Ezekiel 36:24-32
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. 31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.
Noticed that every single action is GOD's. action, not OUR action. Not our acceptance, not our belief, not our repentance, not our confession, not water baptism, no work whatsoever that we do can initiate, nor contribute to, nor assure the salvation that God applies to those whom he has chosen to be saved.
We can only cry to God for mercy in the very real hope that God might save us and that our sins might have been paid for.
Any good works that we do are the RESULT of our salvation. They are NEVER the cause, nor the means by which God saves us. Eph 2:1-10 Rom 9:11
In John 4:20 the Samaritan woman at the well said "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
She is referring to centrality of the temple in worship where the ceremonies were performed.
Jesus is saying the day has come where worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth is that worship of God is not to be confined to a single geographical location or necessarily regulated by the of Old Testament law.
Worship became a matter of the heart, not external actions, and directed by truth rather than ceremony.
Our worship of God is directed by our love for Him, Not by Command and rituals.
Ti worship in spirit this way was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:27.
"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.
This is the work of the Holyspirit.
God bless.
Pt 1
Ezekiel 36:26 reads, "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"
You said,
"Israel failed with the Law of Moses and the tradition of their fathers. Only in Christ shall they reach that state"
Israel wasn't able to reach that state under the Mosaic law. The Mosaic law wasn't given for that purpose!
Ezekiel and Jeremiah states that God was going to do something NEW!
Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Ezekiel 11:19-20.
Ezekiel 36:26-27.
The Spirit within represents a NEW birth. The Law and the Prophet's taught this
Jesus counseled Nicodemus on this in
John 3:5-10.
Nicodemus was expected to Know this being that he was a Teacher of Israel.
The interpretation of the sticks is in passage. Ezekiel 37:16-21.
The two sticks represent the southern and the Northern Kingdom as mentioned.
Also, they will be gathered from every side and brought back into their own land.
Let's take Ezekiel 36 and Ezekiel 37 and put them in its proper context.
There's mention of a new heart and new spirit.
The dry bones.
The two sticks.
Their gathering.
and their own Land.
Ezekiel is writing during the captivity of Babylon but his writings extends past the captivity on into the latter days as do Daniel and Jeremiah.
Judgment of Israel is of a much broader scope than the Babylonian captivity.
We find that in Deuteronomy 28:37 ,64-68.
It's important to note that this dispersion is global, Not Babylon.
Also the gathering Ezekiel is talking about is global and exceeds Babylon.
This is a second gathering! Isaiah 11:9-12.
Isaiah 43:5-6.
When you read this you'll see that it has never happened.
They still have a heart of stone.
Some look at Israel today and say this must be the Church but "in those days" there is more to consider here than just the New heart concerning this prophecy.
look at the previous verses. Isaiah 11:6-9.
See pt 2.
As promised, here is my take on Ezekiel 37 and the two sticks.
I take exactly what Ezekiel penned down in Ezekiel 37:16-21 and let verses 18 and 19 do the explaining.
"16) Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17) And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18) And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19) Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20) And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.
21) And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
This Chapter has to do with the future restoration of Israel which involves their national entity and their spiritual revival which the Lord announced in the previous chapter. Ezekiel 36:24-28.
Notice verse 22 of Ch 37. "And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
Chapter 36 should be studied along with chapter 37 where we have mention of a new heart and new spirit, the dry bones, and the two sticks to get the context.
It is getting late here, I will have to continue later, perhaps during the week.
God bless.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
These verses at first glance seem to contradict the idea of the Grace of God. A basic argument that holds some water here is that the Spirit of God didn't work at it does today ( John 16:8) with a permanent indwelling as this and other verses promise.
We could also look at such instances as King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:6 who apparently had a righteous life and God heard his prayer to continue 15 more years. One good study is with Saul's foolishness which ended with an early death after he saught wisdom from the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. We see other wicked kings as well have a shortened life; perhaps also Solomon. Of course we all die physically; and some would argue the soul dies also only the spirit goes on to eternity. I would add the solution is in verse 31 of Ezekiel 18 which mentions getting a new heart and spirit. This only comes through the Lord ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). Without this we can superficially ask forgiveness every time an outward sin is found; but this doesn't make us able to do good because of man's sin nature; and ignores sins of omission as well as one's we aren't aware of. It also shows how we shouldn't boast how long we haven't sinned as some foolishly proclaim; ignoring warnings in 1 John about the fact that we are a liar if we claim we have no sin. God's children are corrected even through their sin in the sanctification process.
I was in a very odd situation with a former OPC church I attended where I was granted a sort of "partial" membership without ascribing to their stance on infant baptism. There are a couple other issues which would keep me out of a similar place in the future (that church shut down 6 or 7 years ago due to lack of attendance). I will say that it wasn't required that I believed in their stance on Postmillenialism; although I may have mentioned here in the past when it was brought up how foolish it was to believe in the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast in one of their sermons and I took them up on that they sort of backed down. It wasn't a requirement to adhere to their eschatology, although it was a rather cliquish sort of mentality at that place. I agreed to disagree with them without such banter so I thought it only fair; however of course it was their belief.
In any case; infant baptism has cast a rather nebulous picture in my mind as to explanations; somehow holding what children or infants were commemorated with when they become adults and rebel as if they had some sort of inherent partaking of a covenant; I suppose equivalent to the Israelites who were "baptized" by crossing the Red Sea. ( 1 Cor. 10:2). No one I know actually thinks someone is saved through infant baptism but nonetheless they seem in my mind to have carried on a Catholic tradition through the Reformers in the past. I also had a "rebaptism"; having argued beforehand the sprinkling of water should also be legitimate ( Ezekiel 36:25). In my case I had it done that way along with my wife at the time because she had a balance issue going totally underwater; but I rededicated myself to a commitment as a church member when I had an immersion at the founding of a church I used to attend at its inception almost 10 years ago. Seeing how quickly Philip baptized the eunuch in Acts 8; and the jailor with his family ( Acts 16:33) it should follow salvation quickly.
Matthew 13:24-43 discusses the parable of the wheat and the tares; ending with a private discussion with the Disciples. This necessity of such a condition WITHIN the professing church also must exist along with the general contrast between believers and unbelievers. Therefore; in general we must not only have confession but POSSESSION of the Holy Spirit in order to have genuine salvation (see Ezekiel 36:26). This principle in scripture cannot be overemphasized; if Christ found His greatest resistance from the "religious" leaders among the Jews of that day; we can be certain much of our opposition will come from those calling themselves Christians. Surely judgment begins at the house of God ( 1 Peter 4:17).
If we are honest with history there are errors that can be found with fallible human beings even in the best denominations (sometimes despite truthful doctrines). I call Satan the "equal opportunity destroyer" because he doesn't discriminate as to what means of deception he uses and hence it fits his character hating everyone created in the image of God. He only hates the most those who are a threat to his kingdom; those who can see past the veil over all mankind ( 2 Cor. 4:3-6). His methods are myriad-mind control; fear; temptations; bondage; etc. People are used according to his purpose and we should be aware that his web is everywhere in this current world system. Things can and must get worse; worse than in all human history as Jesus promised for the end times to come for God's plans to come to fruition ( Matt. 24:21). Of course the world wants to hear that peace is coming "peace; peace when there is no peace." ( Jeremiah 6:14). There is no peace; however for the wicked as God states in Isaiah 48:22 and other places in that book and the rest of scripture as well.
Incredibly the world will fall for "the lie" ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12). Whatever utopia is offered (AI or otherwise) God will use to purge the dross
Part 1
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.
Ezekiel 36:27.
The apostle Paul says that "for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:10). The word "workmanship" means "that which is made, a work of art." It refers to a "masterpiece." What Paul's saying is that all God's children are His masterpieces.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Dead Works.
In the Bible the phrase "dead works" is found in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 6:1-3.
"Repentance from dead works".
Repentance means to change the way we think. We need to change the way we think about dead works.
From the outside looking in we can't tell the difference between dead works and good works. They can look very much the same outwardly. They can be the same works, but they have different motives.
Praying can be a dead or good work.
Attending church can be a dead or good work.
Reading the Bible can be a dead or good work.
Telling others about Jesus can be a dead or good work.
That's why Jesus said what he said in Matthew 7:22-23.
Prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles in the name of Jesus are all outwardly good things. But Jesus will reject "many" who do those things. Why? Because their hearts are wrong. These people have the wrong motivations for the things they do.
Dead works are any attempt to find favor, earn acceptance or be made righteous before God by one's own effort, ability or willpower.
Religion puts the emphasis on doing right. In contrast, Jesus and the apostles put the emphasis on believing right, because when we believe right we will naturally do right as a consequence.
If we can't tell outwardly, then how do we know what a good work is?
See part 2.
Israel was the instrument used by God to introduce himself as the true and living Mighty God that provides to a pagan idol worshipping world.
They also displayed the incompetence of man in his natural state and the need of a savior.
God always keeps his promises and unconditional covenants.
He made Promises to Abraham that has yet to be fulfilled!
He showed his good will toward them in Babylon and in Egypt and he will do it again when he gather them from the four corners of the earth and bring them back into their own land.
Jeremiah 16:14-15.
Jeremiah 23:5-8.
Ezekiel 36:17-28.
God bless.
Memorize HIS word and walk in HIS Spirit that we not fall to the lust of the flesh.
GOD to shine HIS face on the brethren and gloriously bless us as we worship and praise HIS name.
May we be strong and faithful to be praying for the peace in Jerusalem; and for those in leadership positions.
January 8, 2024
Philippians 2:12,13: is Paul reminding them, 'you have God's Salvation, now work it out (i.e. don't be slack or negligent in living the new life that Christ has purchased for you), & do so in fear & trembling - living the Christian life is a serious, disciplined matter, under the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Our Faith, Belief, Repentance are WORKS and a RESULT and EVIDENCE of, not REQUIREMENTS for, Salvation." There certainly must be an on-going evidence of Faith, Belief & Repentance in a believer's life, but none of the passages suggest that they cannot be requirements towards Salvation.
Part 5: Ezekiel 36:24-33. Indeed, this passage is all of God's Action: that Israel would be released primarily from Assyrian/Babylonian captivity & then ultimately "from all countries". But what happened? Have they yet received "a new heart & a new spirittaking away the stony heart of flesh? Their Messiah came, gave His Life for them & they yet remain obstinate & stony in heart. I believe this will yet happen ( Romans 11:25-27), when Israel will be saved. How will they be saved? These verses don't divulge this information, except God's Act to take away their sins.
And so we go back to what Jesus had commanded & to which the apostles obeyed, Mark 1:14,15 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel."
Acts 3:19, "REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Israel in the future, will still need to believe & accept that Jesus was indeed their Messiah; maybe all Works in your understanding, but vital if they are to receive "a new heart & a new spirit".
I'll get to your new comment now.
I want to leave this discussion by again quoting Ezekiel 36:24-33, which is one of the clearest statements regarding the Nature of Salvation and that each and every aspect of our Salvation is 100% the WORK of God, including our WORKS of BELIEF and REPENTENCE.
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
Notice, again, that EVERY ACTION IS GOD'S ACTION.
Every True Believer WILL BELIEVE and WILL REPENT and WILL have an earnest ongoing desire to be obedient to the Law of God. And if we don't find this in our life we may still cry to God for Mercy that He might save us. It is still the day of Salvation!
We can find verses, that when isolated, can seem to teach that OUR WORKS of Believing and Repentance are contributory TOWARDS our salvation. But in coming to an understanding of any doctrine in the Bible we must harmonize every verse in Scripture that relates to the question.
When we do this, we must conclude that our GOOD WORKS of any sort are the RESULT of God's gift of salvation which He bestows on each and every one of His elect, not BECAUSE we do these things but as the EVIDENCE and CHARACTER of a New Creation in Christ as we read in the Galatians and Romans passages I quoted earlier and many others.
The passage that, in my view, speaks most clearly regarding the Nature of Salvation is Ezekiel 36:24-34. Note here that every action is God's action, not man's action. And that our Repentance and Belief are the RESULT of God's actions in salvation, never the CAUSE nor the REASON.
I want to be a million miles away from any Gospel that even hints that our works contribute in any way to our Salvation.
By Grace are you saved through faith(Christ's faith not our faith). And that not of ourselves. It is the gift of God in His in comprehensible Mercy. Not of our works lest any man should boast. (forgive me for not quoting chapter and verse for these last statements, but I'm sure you are familiar).
I never want to be that man in Numbers who picked up a few sticks on the Sabbath and was executed for that seemingly incidental sin. A dramatic picture of what happens if we look to any good work that we do or have done to affect our salvation.
Is belief, i.e faith (one is the verb the other the noun but the same word) a WORK? God answers that question in 2 Thes 1:11
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the WORK OF FAITH with power:
God commands us to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". And when we do that we are doing a "good work". But God is very clear that no work that we do can INITIATE nor MAINTAIN nor CONTRIBUTE to our Salvation in any way whatsoever.
God does not save anyone BECAUSE we Believe. But if and when God Saves an individual by His MERCY and GRACE alone, they will Believe. Our BELIEF, our REPENTANCE are good works that we do as a RESULT of our Salvation. And we will find in our life an earnest and ongoing desire to be OBEDIENT to any commandment of God, i.e the LAW of God.
If we are following a gospel where Salvation is the RESULT of any WORK that we do, we are trusting in a false gospel that cannot save.
So what must we do to be saved? THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO? We can only cry to God for His Mercy, like the Ninevites did in the very real hope that God might save us. And wait upon God to do a work of GRACE in our hearts if it is His good pleasure so to do.
Ezekiel 36:24-28 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 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. 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. 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. 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.
NO, they were two different men, under the control of the SAME SPIRIT.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
God Bless you
You ask: what is the will of our Heavenly Father in your Life?
You don't understand the gospel of the Kingdom of God?
You DIED on the cross of Christ, Christ's BODY arose by the POWER and LIFE of his Father.
We became HEIRS of God, as we also became partakers of Christ BODY at his resurrection: becoming a NEW CREATION, ONE FLESH, ONE BODY, and the LIFE of OUR BODY is the Spirit of our Father.
We are vessels, instruments, in the WORKS of our Father, it's the LIFE of GOD, not our life, we died and became a new creation, the Body of the Spirit of our Father.
What does our Heavenly will for us , his body:
That we walk in the TRUTH of Christ's resurrection.
Ezekiel 36:27 I WILL put my Spirit IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes,and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
Do you understand, by God's words, you DO NOTHING without God CAUSING YOU to DO IT.
You have become ONE with Christ and the Father.
Christ always walked in the TRUTH that it was the Father's words he spoke, and the Father's WORKS he preformed, he is the BODY of the POWER of GOD, we have become JOINT HEIRS with Christ, by taking part in HIS resurrection.
The gospel is NOT PREACHED today.
God Bless YOU!!