Romans 10:2-5: "For I bear them record that they (Israel) have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
Again, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth". To all who put their trust in Jesus, Christ's coming ended the Law that should have brought righteousness but failed. Nothing wrong with the Law - the problem was with man. The Law failed to achieve it - but faith in Christ & a new birth did, ending the demands of the Law that only brought death.
And there can't be any syncretism, coming under both the Law & under God's Grace. We cannot be justified by the Law - even keeping or trying to keep one Law & still claim Grace. Galatians 5:4; Romans 4:13,14. And the keeping of the Sabbath is just one of the ten Laws. Whoever wants to keep the Law is bound to keep them perfectly (all ten of them) James 2:10 - and there remains no avenue to claim Grace when under the Law.
May we walk in the Spirit, obeying the Spirit, that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us ( Romans 8:4) and not bound to the letter ( Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6). The Sabbath Rest is not found in a day set aside for physical rest, but in a Person Whom we have sanctified in our hearts & lives. Blessings.
Hi Barbara. You can find a couple of them mentioned in Galatians 5:20 and Revelation 18:23. In both references, 'pharmacy', or 'pharmakeia' (in Greek), refer to witchcraft & sorcery. Those practising these abominable acts, often used medicine or drugs to induce an altered state of mind or body. However, with the progression of medicine, from earliest times till now, certain elements found in plants, animals, etc. could be extracted that had a positive outcome for a person's healing. These 'medicines or drugs' fall under the heading of 'pharmaceutics'. That is why we must always be aware of what we are taking, its real effects, & any conflicts with other medicines or existing health problems.
I wouldn't agree to that statement, Teresa. Sin, in all its forms, intensities & sneaky ways, somehow manages to affect each one of us so furnished with the sin nature. Even when we think that we might have overcome all sin, we will soon be disappointed to find that we have slipped up somewhere. Anything not of God, not found within His Holiness & Perfection, has the potential to become sin to us when allowed to manifest itself. Many ascetics, monks, & such like have tried to achieve perfection or even a 'nirvana', but have to admit that they have 'slipped up' along the way & perfection is not achievable in this life.
That is why the Apostle Paul, in his letters, teaches & encourages all to crucify the flesh (to put to death sin that comes from our sinful nature with our "affections & lusts") & to live & walk in the Spirit ( Galatians 5:24,25). Sin is always near our 'door', ready to trip us & entrap us - if we're walking in the Spirit, we will be sensitive to sin & its approach, but being human means that we will also fail at times. Our walk will always be one of warfare - of being ever-conscious of sin's insidious ways to attack us. We have been given the Holy Spirit to make us alert to it & also His Armor to combat the enemy ( Ephesians 6:11-18), but all that is of no use, if we want to give in to sin & partake of its temptations. Yet, in all this, God is ready to forgive us when we slip up & He will restore us when we confess our error & seek to live for Him ( 1 John 1:9).
So even by reading the Bible all day & following the commands of the Lord, we still need to be on the alert because sin is ever ready to rear its ugly head. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" ( 1 Corinthians 10:12), is an ever-present reminder never to think that we've made it to perfection, but to "take heed" - to be careful in every aspect of our lives before God.
You would not believe that the Wisdom of Solomon is revealed to His saints as it is written:
THERE IS POWER IN THE WORD OF GOD!!!!!
I prayed for wisdom and for those who truly have pure heart, will receive that wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I say that because when I read the Wisdom of Solomon, most of them are already imputed in my heart without knowing it. See Colossians verses below:
Trust, believe and have faith in what Jesus did on the cross. For the blood Jesus Christ shed is just like the OT Lamb without blemish sacrifices. Now He is that Lamb without sin and He already died for us ALL. Jesus Christ already won the Devil. He gave us a free gift: the gift of grace; the righteousness of faith; the grace of God.
Apostle Paul is the last Apostle God revealed what we Gentiles need to do ( the Book of Romans to Philemon).
Those who understand the mysteries of Christ/ God will walk in the Spirit of God.
Romans 8:9
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.
You will know these people through the fruit of their spirit:
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance
Ephesians 5:9
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Also make no mistake 1 Corinthians 13:2 ; Read verses 3-8; 13:
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Colossians 2:3
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Donovan, Chris and Mishael have given you some good suggestions. I sense that you are fairly young?
When I was 19 (many years ago) I decided not to go to movies much anymore because so many of them depicted behaviors that were contrary to God's heart. Since I wanted to have a heart like His, I chose to not intake much of this type of entertainment either in the theaters or on TV. Now, 46 years later, I could probably count the number of movies I have seen on my fingers and toes. (most of which were children's movies with my kids). My husband and I have found other entertainment genres over the years. Oftentimes,we have to bow out of conversations about recent movies because we did not see them and so cannot contribute to the conversation.
I say this not to encourage you to follow what I have done. I was led by the Holy Spirit to make that choice when I was young. I felt that if I viewed movies that contained content that offended God I would soon be so de-sensitized that I would no longer find that content offensive, and I did not want to be like that. But the apostle Paul speaks about our liberty in Christ, so we do not need to have a long list of do's and don'ts, but we also are not to use our liberty to satisfy the desires of the sinful nature in each of us that we spend a lifetime fighting to eradicate. ( Galatians 5:13-26; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
So, I suggest that you pray over the activities you now engage in and ask God to prompt you as to which ones are healthy for you continue to engage in and which ones are corrupting of your character and spiritual walk. I trust that the Lord will guide you in this as He did for me when I was young and over the past decades.
Please get back to us and let us know how the Lord prompts you.
Thank you Ty for sharing these thoughts. I am encouraged that the Lord continues to lead you to 'higher ground', seeing His Glory & Greatness, & your (& our) own unworthiness before His Majesty.
Continue to enjoy His Presence & His Life given to you to grow & to radiate to others. We are His witnesses - His mouthpiece to "shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" ( 1 Peter 2:9). Keep walking in the Spirit, "and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" ( Galatians 5:16). Every blessing in your special holy journey.
John 13:35, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
True Christians can not persecute true Christians; only false converts can encourage true Believers in Christ to suffer severe persecution for His names' sake. How will all men know without a shadow of a doubt, who are the real Christ followers verses the false professing ones?
The answer is stated in Matthew 7:16, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
Matthew 7:18, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
Love is one of the fruits that is mentioned first in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
1John 4:20, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
True Love, God's Agape love does not persecute another child of God for doing what God says to do in His Holy Word. A person will know who is who by the fruit on a person's tree. That is how an Believer will be able to discern a true Christ followers from an affected (phony) one.
That is why in John 16:2 it says, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
When Saul before he became Paul before he had a road to Damascus experience: he was on a mission to slaughter all the Christians in certain territories, when Christ, thank God, interrupted his plans. Paul considered himself the least of the apostles because of his past persecutions against the church of God.
1Corinthians 15:9, "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
But now that Saul was transformed by the Holy Spirit, he is now a new creature.
Very true. We all need to be exercised, no longer focussed on the body, but more importantly, the spirit.
Galatians 5:24,25: "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." And 'walking in the Spirit' doesn't mean we also hold hands with the world, still praising the Lord.
Please God removed the anxiety and procrastination from Tshegofatso and fill him with perseverance, patience and faithfulness that He will be a better steward of what You given him. Please Holy Spirit guide him spiritual virtues to give Christ Jesus the glory in life I pray in the name of Jesus Christ!
Please consider reflecting on these scriptures: Galatians 5: 22-23, 2 Timothy 1:7, Matthew 6:33-34.
The Tree (Jesus) is known by its Fruit_RIGHTEOUSNESS - In Reply on 1 Kings 4 - 2 years ago
1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1 Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
1 Thessalonians 4:4 - That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Romans 13:10 - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Ephesians 4:1-3 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Read More...)
1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Colossians 3:14 - And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Ephesians 5:9 - (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Matthew 7:15-20 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Read More...)
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 Corinthians 13:1-5 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (LOVE) I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal__
I'm sorry if you think that I've responded to you in an unacceptable way. This is a general discussion section, where comments of various types are presented, so one should be prepared to defend their beliefs, if they wish to do so. Personally, I love questions: they make me think, pray, search the Scriptures for the answer, as well as for the knowledge I can build up on.
Just to answer the one question you posed: "Just tell me the book, chapter and verse where God changed his mind and took away the day he gave his children." The Law, including the Sabbath, still holds true for Israel, from the first day it was given till now - therefore there can never be a verse to rescind that Law for THEM, i.e. they will be judged by the Law ( Romans 2:12). But for those of us not under the Law (both saved Jew & Gentile) & have found redemption in Christ Jesus, that Law that only brought condemnation & death to those under it ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-17) was entirely done away with (verses 11-13) & has no application or power to the one IN Christ. If the believer should say that I'm in Christ & also want to keep the Law to be right with God, he has fallen from grace ( Galatians 5:4).
I'll stop here - just wanted to answer your question. You may not care for the answer, & that's fine, but when we take in the whole Word of God & not a single verse, the proper understanding of a matter can be appreciated.
Sorry for my delayed answer but amongst other things there is a time difference between Greece and USA. When here is daytime there you have night and vise versa.
Lets go to faith. In Greek PISTIS. the verb is PISTEUO pronounced PEEH-STEH-VO stressed in the middle syllable, although the ancients may have pronounced it in a different way.
Persuation is PEITHO, the verb is the same, but stessed in the first syllable, whereas the noun is stressed in the last syllable. It is pronounced PEEH-tho.
Now, what do I call faith? I think there are different "types" of faith.
1) Faith to Jesus That is beleiving that God excists and sent Jesus to earth to save people. This type of faith may come from hearing the Word of God.( Romans 10:17. "So then FAITH cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"). Also by seeing an activity of God, such as a miracle. Remember that apostle Paul didn't believe in God until he saw Jesus. Also in the Acts Sergius Paulus didn't believe in Paul's words until he saw Elymas getting blind.
2) Faith to God's Word, that is trusting God that He does what He promises. A definition of that is in Hebrews 11:1, "Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"
3) Faith is a fruit given by the Holly Spirit. Galatians 5:22. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH,..."
4) Faith is also included in the spiritual gifts that God gives to His children. 1 Corinthians 12:9.
"V7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
V8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
V9. To another FAITH by the same Spirit; ..."
I don't claim to know God's word or try to be a teacher. Who can actually claim that? I may be wrong, all of us are learning , from our churches, from the communication we have between us ...
Hello Mac. Btw, I'm not the same Chris who wrote to you much earlier; and also, I think you should have written in your first paragraph, "Saturday is the only day God blessed", in keeping with your belief.
Those, like yourself, who believe that the Sabbath is the "day God blessed & sanctified", need to also consider some other questions on this matter.
Questions such as: to whom was this Law (& indeed all Laws), given? What was the purpose of these Laws?
What is the meaning & requirements of the Sabbath? Was it any more than a rest day, a cessation of all work?
Is the Church that is formed under the New Covenant, obliged to come under those Laws (this Church which now comprised both saved Jews & Gentiles)?
When there was an instance in Acts 15:1-31, where the demand for Gentiles to be first circumcised & to keep the Law of Moses to be saved had to be dealt with, what was the response & apostolic decision? I'm sure you know the passage well. Did the apostles ever require the Gentiles, or any new believer, to come under the Mosaic Law?
If the Old Law only brought condemnation ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-17) & had to be done away with through Christ's Death, how is the Christian now able to know & fulfil the Laws of God?
If a believer now believes that he needs to keep the Laws & Sabbath in particular, can he condemn another who doesn't & who has understood the liberty Jesus gained for him to obey, to live, to worship God, as the Holy Spirit directs ( Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 5:1-4,18,25)?
Just a few questions to consider - not expecting answers, but hopefully to direct your mind to the full meaning of the full redemption we now have in Christ Jesus: redemption from sin's penalty & redemption from the Law's curse. We now obey many more Laws of God, more than what was given to the Jews to obey, & we do so from the continual ministry & power of God's Spirit.
Hello, welcome to the Discussion & Questions section of this website.
Many of us here volunteer here because we love GOD & love HIS people, whom HE created.
Like Adam said be careful about listening to opinion. This is such a difficult topic, emotionally, spiritually, morally etc. This issue effects society, families, individuals.
1st let's address the effects = Loss to their family, loved ones, friends, community & even the World. Loss of what that person would have accomplished, & what that would have attributed to each mentioned. 1Corinthians 12, Psalms 139,
2nd, What that leaves behind = confusion, sadness, undue feelings of guilt, grief, helpless feelings to those dear & close to the person & then effecting all around them, even extended to people that looked at that person as an example, children nearby, jobs, everyone & everything left, all effected 2Corinthians 3:2, 1Timothy 4:12,
3rd root causes = pain, abuse, sometimes just selfishness, etc. But we are not without hope, Romans 8, (whole chapter)
You said grow spiritual by keeping the law? We can't.
Galatians 3:2-3.
Galatians 3:5-7.
Galatians 3:8-9.
Galatians 3:10-11.
Galatians 3:12-14.
Also read Galatians 4. and
Galatians 5.
Jesus didn't do away with the Law.
Jesus took on the penalty of the law that brought death.
Colossians 2:14-17.
In fact it's called the ministry of Death.
Here's a few passages from Paul. at one time he felt the same way you do and set out to kill anyone that followed Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:6-11.
Romans 7:10-11. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Romans 5:20. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Philippians 3:2-10. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
If you have been born of God's Spirit, you have all the faith you need. There is no such thing as a born-again believer not having enough faith. I say this because faith (spiritual faith) is not something we can produce. Faith is a fruit of God's Spirit ( Galatians 5:22).
It is God's Spirit in a believer's life that produces spiritual faith. We cannot produce spiritual faith no matter how hard we try. We sometimes try, and then we get frustrated, when in reality, all we can produce is flesh.
Something else to keep in mind is that there are two types of faith, human faith (Which everybody has), and the faith that the bible speaks of, which is spiritual faith. In our human effort, we can do things to increase our human faith, but we cannot increase spiritual faith. It takes God's Spirit to do that. Not everyone has spiritual faith because not everyone has God's Spirit. Again, we cannot produce spiritual faith, only God's Spirit can. When God gives us His Spirit, He gives us 100% of His Spirit. His Spirit in us produces faith, so we are never lacking in that type of faith because His Spirit is never lacking.
One other thing we need to know is that the word faith (PEITHO) literally means persuasion. That's what faith is. It isn't something we have to muster up ourselves because we can't do it. It is when God's Spirit in us persuades us to do His will. But it's His Spirit producing the faith (persuasion), because without the presence of His Spirit in our lives, we would have no spiritual faith at all.
So to answer the question "How do I gain faith?" The best answer I can give is to receive Christ, be born of His Spirit, and submit yourself to the persuasion of His Spirit in your life. What is He persuading you to do? Whatever it is, that is the answer. But there's no such thing as a believer (In Christ Jesus) not having enough faith. If you have Christ, you have all the faith you need. You have His faith. That's why the bible calls it the faith (of) Christ.
Hello Roberta. Not knowing the exact nature of the matter or conflict between you & your granddaughter, I can only share some verses for you to look up & take to heart. I hope that they will minister to you both at your points of need. You can hover over the Scriptures with your mouse/pointing device or look them up in the Bible (also given here on this KJBO Site).
James 4:10; Ephesians 4:31,32; John 15:12; Romans 12:9,10; Philippians 2:3,4; Colossians 3:12-16; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 4:2,3; Galatians 5:22-26; John 13:34,35 (given to re-emphasize John 15:12).
If the Spirit speaks to one to keep Sabbath as a rest day, then to that person they should abide - but to another, the Sabbath was not given to Gentiles & any day can be for rest & also for worship ( Romans 14:5,6 & the whole chapter).
Gentile? If you have no Jewish heritage, then you fall under the Gentile category. If the Gentile has not received the Law, he is a law unto himself ( Romans 2:14,15). Of course, all peoples are under governmental law, unless they're hidden away from society. But for both the Jewish Christian & Gentile Christian, the old Law has no more application or binding, for we are now subject to the Law of the Spirit. I don't believe that anyone with the Holy Spirit within them would ever be led to murder, commit fornication, & other sins. If a believer does sin, then he's going against the Spirit's ministry & appealing to his flesh (& this is why Paul spoke of crucifying the flesh ( Galatians 5:24,25)).
Jew? When I wrote, 'Jewish convert', I meant that such a person still retains his Jewish heritage/bloodline, but has relinquished all that kept him bound to his faith (Judaism), finding forgiveness of sins, new life & liberty through the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Jews today still await the Messiah, but Jesus came, but they refused Him & crucified Him ( John 1:10-14). But the day will come when they will acknowledge Jesus ( Zechariah 12:10,11; Revelation 1:7,8). People have in the past become Jewish proselytes, embracing Judaism, its Laws & Practises ( Exodus 12:48,49; Acts 2:10; Acts 6:5; Acts 13:43). I hope that I've covered all your questions; if you have other questions feel free to start a new thread. Blessings.
(One believes in something that cannot be seen or produced - the other is working at something that is tangible - they cannot be mixed together). The Apostle Paul also wrote of this in Romans 11:6 (speaking of the "election of grace"): "if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." God's Grace if freely given as a Gift, as is Faith to believe ( Ephesians 2:8,9). If works are added then it's no longer Grace (& Faith), but all of works. So James is saying that true Faith produces good works - NOT Faith plus Good Works produces true Faith.
You write of obeying the commandments. This is another long subject, but I'll be brief. If a believer is relying of Christ's Sacrifice & obedience to the Law to attain salvation, then again, the Sacrifice is made of no effect. Galatians 5:3,4, "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
Here we have those who were "entangling themselves with the yoke of bondage" by wanting the liberty that Christ obtained for them & also placing themselves under the Law (which brought bondage & death). It's one thing to consider the Law (the 10 Commandments) in noting God's Rules to Israel for their relationship to God & to others, but if we determine that we must obey them, to be saved or acceptable to God, then we've "fallen from grace". So Sabbath for example, which is a Day of Rest to Israel, not a worship day per se, becomes critical to some Christians to observe, if not, then we would need to take a long look at this matter of Law & Grace. But God has given us His Spirit, whereby we obey all Christ's Commandments from the heart & not by the letter; see Romans 8:1-4. (cont'd)
Dear Free I do not understand what you mean. If you mean that the armour of God is. a gift from God, yes i agree, but the armour of God is for ALL christians not for some. Generally speaking virtually everything in the world a gift from God. But when we talk about spiritual gifts we usually mean the ones described in 1 Corinthians 12. Those are gifts that work within the congregation of the church members. Of course there are other gifts, natural talents, which we can use to serve our brothers and sisters.
The Holly Spirit does many functions. One of them is to give you His fruit. And as i know it, this happens when one is baptised in the Spirit and then is filled with the Spirit while praying That fruit love, joy, peace ... described in Galatians 5: 22-23 is not a fruit we aquire due our effords to be like that but is something that is given from God's Spirit. Well as i am not sure we are talking about the same thing I won't go any further. God bless you.
The greek word CHARIS which is often translated in Engklish as Grace means gift. The word CHARISMA (plural CHARISMATA) means gift. DIDo not DIDOMI is a verb, it means I GIVE. DORO (plural DORA) another word in the greek text means PRESENT.
When in greek we say that we get saved by God's grace we mean that salvation is a gift/present, not a wage for good works.When we say that God's grace sustains us we mean that God give us His power to keep going though difficult situations in life. When we say that a person has grace (charis) we mean that that person has a gifted talent since birth, believers say from God, atheists say from nature.
Of course we find the word GIFT in the greek prototype, hundred of times i.e. Now there are diversities of gifts (CHARISMATA), but the same Spirit. (1 Corinhtians 12:4) and so on.
So salvation is a gift from GOD. That is completely different from the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to God's children for use in church's service See 1 Corinthians 12:1-13. Those gifts (spiritual not natural) work or SHOULD work in church. There is also a difference between Spirit's gifts and Spirit's fruit which is mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Those are also gifts but they are something different from the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1-13.
The Word of God is simple. I wouldn't suggest that we all learn Greek or Hebrew to study the Bible. Just take as it is.
I don't intend to insult you but some things must put in order
The Greek word "PANTOTE" that is translated in English as alway/always here has the meaning "at any time, at all circumstances".
Of course you don't feel happy when you are ill or hurt or when you loose a person you love.It is impossible to rejoice 24 hours a day, 30 days a month, 12 months a year and so on. The verse doesn't have this meaning As i see it it has the meaning to always trust God snd have faith in Him that no matter what problems come into your life He will never let you down. And even if He decides for His own good reasons to not move away a problem you must still trust Him because His purpose is to get us into His kingdom in Heavens. His grace is on us and sustains us when we face difficult situations.
And His Spirit gives us joy. The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace... Galatians 5:22. So it is a necessity for God's childrey to ask for and get baptised in the Spirit of God. And get filled with the Holly Spirit when praying so to have God's power available when needed.
John 3:1+10 (verse 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)
Luke 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? (3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
I humbly request your prayers for my family as we gather tomorrow to mourn the passing of my dear cousin, Paul. He touched the lives of others, often in unspoken ways. He acted selflessly in almost all he did, always putting others before himself.
[ Galatians 5:14 - For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thyself.]
He will be dearly missed, and I pray that his friends and family will find peace in "celebrating" his life and KNOWING that he's up there smiling down at us from Heaven.
I specifically request your prayers to go out to Melissa (his daughter), her spouse, and 10 dependents, as she is the only surviving family member, and the burden of making all arrangements for the Service, reception, etc. has fallen upon her.
This is my first crack at sending out a prayer request of any kind. I pray that this is enough information to initiate "The Power of Prayer".
Romans 10:2-5: "For I bear them record that they (Israel) have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."
Again, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth". To all who put their trust in Jesus, Christ's coming ended the Law that should have brought righteousness but failed. Nothing wrong with the Law - the problem was with man. The Law failed to achieve it - but faith in Christ & a new birth did, ending the demands of the Law that only brought death.
And there can't be any syncretism, coming under both the Law & under God's Grace. We cannot be justified by the Law - even keeping or trying to keep one Law & still claim Grace. Galatians 5:4; Romans 4:13,14. And the keeping of the Sabbath is just one of the ten Laws. Whoever wants to keep the Law is bound to keep them perfectly (all ten of them) James 2:10 - and there remains no avenue to claim Grace when under the Law.
May we walk in the Spirit, obeying the Spirit, that the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us ( Romans 8:4) and not bound to the letter ( Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6). The Sabbath Rest is not found in a day set aside for physical rest, but in a Person Whom we have sanctified in our hearts & lives. Blessings.
That is why the Apostle Paul, in his letters, teaches & encourages all to crucify the flesh (to put to death sin that comes from our sinful nature with our "affections & lusts") & to live & walk in the Spirit ( Galatians 5:24,25). Sin is always near our 'door', ready to trip us & entrap us - if we're walking in the Spirit, we will be sensitive to sin & its approach, but being human means that we will also fail at times. Our walk will always be one of warfare - of being ever-conscious of sin's insidious ways to attack us. We have been given the Holy Spirit to make us alert to it & also His Armor to combat the enemy ( Ephesians 6:11-18), but all that is of no use, if we want to give in to sin & partake of its temptations. Yet, in all this, God is ready to forgive us when we slip up & He will restore us when we confess our error & seek to live for Him ( 1 John 1:9).
So even by reading the Bible all day & following the commands of the Lord, we still need to be on the alert because sin is ever ready to rear its ugly head. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" ( 1 Corinthians 10:12), is an ever-present reminder never to think that we've made it to perfection, but to "take heed" - to be careful in every aspect of our lives before God.
You would not believe that the Wisdom of Solomon is revealed to His saints as it is written:
THERE IS POWER IN THE WORD OF GOD!!!!!
I prayed for wisdom and for those who truly have pure heart, will receive that wisdom, knowledge and understanding. I say that because when I read the Wisdom of Solomon, most of them are already imputed in my heart without knowing it. See Colossians verses below:
Trust, believe and have faith in what Jesus did on the cross. For the blood Jesus Christ shed is just like the OT Lamb without blemish sacrifices. Now He is that Lamb without sin and He already died for us ALL. Jesus Christ already won the Devil. He gave us a free gift: the gift of grace; the righteousness of faith; the grace of God.
Apostle Paul is the last Apostle God revealed what we Gentiles need to do ( the Book of Romans to Philemon).
Those who understand the mysteries of Christ/ God will walk in the Spirit of God.
Romans 8:9
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.
You will know these people through the fruit of their spirit:
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance
Ephesians 5:9
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Also make no mistake 1 Corinthians 13:2 ; Read verses 3-8; 13:
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Colossians 2:3
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Be saved: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
When I was 19 (many years ago) I decided not to go to movies much anymore because so many of them depicted behaviors that were contrary to God's heart. Since I wanted to have a heart like His, I chose to not intake much of this type of entertainment either in the theaters or on TV. Now, 46 years later, I could probably count the number of movies I have seen on my fingers and toes. (most of which were children's movies with my kids). My husband and I have found other entertainment genres over the years. Oftentimes,we have to bow out of conversations about recent movies because we did not see them and so cannot contribute to the conversation.
I say this not to encourage you to follow what I have done. I was led by the Holy Spirit to make that choice when I was young. I felt that if I viewed movies that contained content that offended God I would soon be so de-sensitized that I would no longer find that content offensive, and I did not want to be like that. But the apostle Paul speaks about our liberty in Christ, so we do not need to have a long list of do's and don'ts, but we also are not to use our liberty to satisfy the desires of the sinful nature in each of us that we spend a lifetime fighting to eradicate. ( Galatians 5:13-26; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
So, I suggest that you pray over the activities you now engage in and ask God to prompt you as to which ones are healthy for you continue to engage in and which ones are corrupting of your character and spiritual walk. I trust that the Lord will guide you in this as He did for me when I was young and over the past decades.
Please get back to us and let us know how the Lord prompts you.
Continue to enjoy His Presence & His Life given to you to grow & to radiate to others. We are His witnesses - His mouthpiece to "shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" ( 1 Peter 2:9). Keep walking in the Spirit, "and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" ( Galatians 5:16). Every blessing in your special holy journey.
True Christians can not persecute true Christians; only false converts can encourage true Believers in Christ to suffer severe persecution for His names' sake. How will all men know without a shadow of a doubt, who are the real Christ followers verses the false professing ones?
The answer is stated in Matthew 7:16, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
Matthew 7:18, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
Love is one of the fruits that is mentioned first in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
1John 4:20, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
True Love, God's Agape love does not persecute another child of God for doing what God says to do in His Holy Word. A person will know who is who by the fruit on a person's tree. That is how an Believer will be able to discern a true Christ followers from an affected (phony) one.
That is why in John 16:2 it says, "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service."
When Saul before he became Paul before he had a road to Damascus experience: he was on a mission to slaughter all the Christians in certain territories, when Christ, thank God, interrupted his plans. Paul considered himself the least of the apostles because of his past persecutions against the church of God.
1Corinthians 15:9, "For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
But now that Saul was transformed by the Holy Spirit, he is now a new creature.
Galatians 5:24,25: "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." And 'walking in the Spirit' doesn't mean we also hold hands with the world, still praising the Lord.
Galatians 5:22-23 may help
"22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 - Meekness, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law"
GBU
"22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 - Meekness, TEMPERANCE, against such there is no law."
Please consider reflecting on these scriptures: Galatians 5: 22-23, 2 Timothy 1:7, Matthew 6:33-34.
Galatians 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,"
God Bless.
1 Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
1 Thessalonians 4:4 - That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Romans 13:10 - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Ephesians 4:1-3 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Read More...)
1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
Colossians 3:14 - And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Ephesians 5:9 - (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Matthew 7:15-20 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Read More...)
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 Corinthians 13:1-5 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (LOVE) I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal__
Exodus 1:15-17 kjv, Daniel 3 kjv, Daniel 6 kjv,
Matthew 7:13-15 kjv, Titus 2:13 kjv, Rev 13:15 kjv,
Proverbs 29:25 kjv:
Just to answer the one question you posed: "Just tell me the book, chapter and verse where God changed his mind and took away the day he gave his children." The Law, including the Sabbath, still holds true for Israel, from the first day it was given till now - therefore there can never be a verse to rescind that Law for THEM, i.e. they will be judged by the Law ( Romans 2:12). But for those of us not under the Law (both saved Jew & Gentile) & have found redemption in Christ Jesus, that Law that only brought condemnation & death to those under it ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-17) was entirely done away with (verses 11-13) & has no application or power to the one IN Christ. If the believer should say that I'm in Christ & also want to keep the Law to be right with God, he has fallen from grace ( Galatians 5:4).
I'll stop here - just wanted to answer your question. You may not care for the answer, & that's fine, but when we take in the whole Word of God & not a single verse, the proper understanding of a matter can be appreciated.
Sorry for my delayed answer but amongst other things there is a time difference between Greece and USA. When here is daytime there you have night and vise versa.
Lets go to faith. In Greek PISTIS. the verb is PISTEUO pronounced PEEH-STEH-VO stressed in the middle syllable, although the ancients may have pronounced it in a different way.
Persuation is PEITHO, the verb is the same, but stessed in the first syllable, whereas the noun is stressed in the last syllable. It is pronounced PEEH-tho.
Now, what do I call faith? I think there are different "types" of faith.
1) Faith to Jesus That is beleiving that God excists and sent Jesus to earth to save people. This type of faith may come from hearing the Word of God.( Romans 10:17. "So then FAITH cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"). Also by seeing an activity of God, such as a miracle. Remember that apostle Paul didn't believe in God until he saw Jesus. Also in the Acts Sergius Paulus didn't believe in Paul's words until he saw Elymas getting blind.
2) Faith to God's Word, that is trusting God that He does what He promises. A definition of that is in Hebrews 11:1, "Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"
3) Faith is a fruit given by the Holly Spirit. Galatians 5:22. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH,..."
4) Faith is also included in the spiritual gifts that God gives to His children. 1 Corinthians 12:9.
"V7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
V8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
V9. To another FAITH by the same Spirit; ..."
I don't claim to know God's word or try to be a teacher. Who can actually claim that? I may be wrong, all of us are learning , from our churches, from the communication we have between us ...
to be continued..
Those, like yourself, who believe that the Sabbath is the "day God blessed & sanctified", need to also consider some other questions on this matter.
Questions such as: to whom was this Law (& indeed all Laws), given? What was the purpose of these Laws?
What is the meaning & requirements of the Sabbath? Was it any more than a rest day, a cessation of all work?
Is the Church that is formed under the New Covenant, obliged to come under those Laws (this Church which now comprised both saved Jews & Gentiles)?
When there was an instance in Acts 15:1-31, where the demand for Gentiles to be first circumcised & to keep the Law of Moses to be saved had to be dealt with, what was the response & apostolic decision? I'm sure you know the passage well. Did the apostles ever require the Gentiles, or any new believer, to come under the Mosaic Law?
If the Old Law only brought condemnation ( 2 Corinthians 3:6-17) & had to be done away with through Christ's Death, how is the Christian now able to know & fulfil the Laws of God?
If a believer now believes that he needs to keep the Laws & Sabbath in particular, can he condemn another who doesn't & who has understood the liberty Jesus gained for him to obey, to live, to worship God, as the Holy Spirit directs ( Romans 8:1-4; Galatians 5:1-4,18,25)?
Just a few questions to consider - not expecting answers, but hopefully to direct your mind to the full meaning of the full redemption we now have in Christ Jesus: redemption from sin's penalty & redemption from the Law's curse. We now obey many more Laws of God, more than what was given to the Jews to obey, & we do so from the continual ministry & power of God's Spirit.
Hello, welcome to the Discussion & Questions section of this website.
Many of us here volunteer here because we love GOD & love HIS people, whom HE created.
Like Adam said be careful about listening to opinion. This is such a difficult topic, emotionally, spiritually, morally etc. This issue effects society, families, individuals.
1st let's address the effects = Loss to their family, loved ones, friends, community & even the World. Loss of what that person would have accomplished, & what that would have attributed to each mentioned. 1Corinthians 12, Psalms 139,
2nd, What that leaves behind = confusion, sadness, undue feelings of guilt, grief, helpless feelings to those dear & close to the person & then effecting all around them, even extended to people that looked at that person as an example, children nearby, jobs, everyone & everything left, all effected 2Corinthians 3:2, 1Timothy 4:12,
3rd root causes = pain, abuse, sometimes just selfishness, etc. But we are not without hope, Romans 8, (whole chapter)
Hope = Hebrews 4:8-16, Romans 5:1-21, Romans 15:4,13, Galatians 5:5, Colossians 1:23,
Strength to endure = James 5:10, Romans 12:12,
Comfort = 2Corinthians 1:2-4,
Purpose = Ephesians 1:17-19,
People that went through feelings of that but made it through = 2Corinthians 1, Job 7:15, Jonah 4:9, Matthew 26:38,
Direction = Proverbs 2, Proverbs 8, Proverbs 10:2, Proverbs 24:10-12, Hebrews 4:15-16,
Disobedience to GOD = Psalms 68:20, Ezekiel 18:32, Ezekiel 33:11, Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17,
Hopefully these are helpful
You said grow spiritual by keeping the law? We can't.
Galatians 3:2-3.
Galatians 3:5-7.
Galatians 3:8-9.
Galatians 3:10-11.
Galatians 3:12-14.
Also read Galatians 4. and
Galatians 5.
Jesus didn't do away with the Law.
Jesus took on the penalty of the law that brought death.
Colossians 2:14-17.
In fact it's called the ministry of Death.
Here's a few passages from Paul. at one time he felt the same way you do and set out to kill anyone that followed Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:6-11.
Romans 7:10-11. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Romans 5:20. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Philippians 3:2-10. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Galatians 5:11-12.
God bless.
If you have been born of God's Spirit, you have all the faith you need. There is no such thing as a born-again believer not having enough faith. I say this because faith (spiritual faith) is not something we can produce. Faith is a fruit of God's Spirit ( Galatians 5:22).
It is God's Spirit in a believer's life that produces spiritual faith. We cannot produce spiritual faith no matter how hard we try. We sometimes try, and then we get frustrated, when in reality, all we can produce is flesh.
Something else to keep in mind is that there are two types of faith, human faith (Which everybody has), and the faith that the bible speaks of, which is spiritual faith. In our human effort, we can do things to increase our human faith, but we cannot increase spiritual faith. It takes God's Spirit to do that. Not everyone has spiritual faith because not everyone has God's Spirit. Again, we cannot produce spiritual faith, only God's Spirit can. When God gives us His Spirit, He gives us 100% of His Spirit. His Spirit in us produces faith, so we are never lacking in that type of faith because His Spirit is never lacking.
One other thing we need to know is that the word faith (PEITHO) literally means persuasion. That's what faith is. It isn't something we have to muster up ourselves because we can't do it. It is when God's Spirit in us persuades us to do His will. But it's His Spirit producing the faith (persuasion), because without the presence of His Spirit in our lives, we would have no spiritual faith at all.
So to answer the question "How do I gain faith?" The best answer I can give is to receive Christ, be born of His Spirit, and submit yourself to the persuasion of His Spirit in your life. What is He persuading you to do? Whatever it is, that is the answer. But there's no such thing as a believer (In Christ Jesus) not having enough faith. If you have Christ, you have all the faith you need. You have His faith. That's why the bible calls it the faith (of) Christ.
James 4:10; Ephesians 4:31,32; John 15:12; Romans 12:9,10; Philippians 2:3,4; Colossians 3:12-16; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 4:2,3; Galatians 5:22-26; John 13:34,35 (given to re-emphasize John 15:12).
If the Spirit speaks to one to keep Sabbath as a rest day, then to that person they should abide - but to another, the Sabbath was not given to Gentiles & any day can be for rest & also for worship ( Romans 14:5,6 & the whole chapter).
Gentile? If you have no Jewish heritage, then you fall under the Gentile category. If the Gentile has not received the Law, he is a law unto himself ( Romans 2:14,15). Of course, all peoples are under governmental law, unless they're hidden away from society. But for both the Jewish Christian & Gentile Christian, the old Law has no more application or binding, for we are now subject to the Law of the Spirit. I don't believe that anyone with the Holy Spirit within them would ever be led to murder, commit fornication, & other sins. If a believer does sin, then he's going against the Spirit's ministry & appealing to his flesh (& this is why Paul spoke of crucifying the flesh ( Galatians 5:24,25)).
Jew? When I wrote, 'Jewish convert', I meant that such a person still retains his Jewish heritage/bloodline, but has relinquished all that kept him bound to his faith (Judaism), finding forgiveness of sins, new life & liberty through the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Jews today still await the Messiah, but Jesus came, but they refused Him & crucified Him ( John 1:10-14). But the day will come when they will acknowledge Jesus ( Zechariah 12:10,11; Revelation 1:7,8). People have in the past become Jewish proselytes, embracing Judaism, its Laws & Practises ( Exodus 12:48,49; Acts 2:10; Acts 6:5; Acts 13:43). I hope that I've covered all your questions; if you have other questions feel free to start a new thread. Blessings.
(One believes in something that cannot be seen or produced - the other is working at something that is tangible - they cannot be mixed together). The Apostle Paul also wrote of this in Romans 11:6 (speaking of the "election of grace"): "if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." God's Grace if freely given as a Gift, as is Faith to believe ( Ephesians 2:8,9). If works are added then it's no longer Grace (& Faith), but all of works. So James is saying that true Faith produces good works - NOT Faith plus Good Works produces true Faith.
You write of obeying the commandments. This is another long subject, but I'll be brief. If a believer is relying of Christ's Sacrifice & obedience to the Law to attain salvation, then again, the Sacrifice is made of no effect. Galatians 5:3,4, "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
Here we have those who were "entangling themselves with the yoke of bondage" by wanting the liberty that Christ obtained for them & also placing themselves under the Law (which brought bondage & death). It's one thing to consider the Law (the 10 Commandments) in noting God's Rules to Israel for their relationship to God & to others, but if we determine that we must obey them, to be saved or acceptable to God, then we've "fallen from grace". So Sabbath for example, which is a Day of Rest to Israel, not a worship day per se, becomes critical to some Christians to observe, if not, then we would need to take a long look at this matter of Law & Grace. But God has given us His Spirit, whereby we obey all Christ's Commandments from the heart & not by the letter; see Romans 8:1-4. (cont'd)
The Holly Spirit does many functions. One of them is to give you His fruit. And as i know it, this happens when one is baptised in the Spirit and then is filled with the Spirit while praying That fruit love, joy, peace ... described in Galatians 5: 22-23 is not a fruit we aquire due our effords to be like that but is something that is given from God's Spirit. Well as i am not sure we are talking about the same thing I won't go any further. God bless you.
The greek word CHARIS which is often translated in Engklish as Grace means gift. The word CHARISMA (plural CHARISMATA) means gift. DIDo not DIDOMI is a verb, it means I GIVE. DORO (plural DORA) another word in the greek text means PRESENT.
When in greek we say that we get saved by God's grace we mean that salvation is a gift/present, not a wage for good works.When we say that God's grace sustains us we mean that God give us His power to keep going though difficult situations in life. When we say that a person has grace (charis) we mean that that person has a gifted talent since birth, believers say from God, atheists say from nature.
Of course we find the word GIFT in the greek prototype, hundred of times i.e. Now there are diversities of gifts (CHARISMATA), but the same Spirit. (1 Corinhtians 12:4) and so on.
So salvation is a gift from GOD. That is completely different from the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to God's children for use in church's service See 1 Corinthians 12:1-13. Those gifts (spiritual not natural) work or SHOULD work in church. There is also a difference between Spirit's gifts and Spirit's fruit which is mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Those are also gifts but they are something different from the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1-13.
The Word of God is simple. I wouldn't suggest that we all learn Greek or Hebrew to study the Bible. Just take as it is.
I don't intend to insult you but some things must put in order
God bless you.
Of course you don't feel happy when you are ill or hurt or when you loose a person you love.It is impossible to rejoice 24 hours a day, 30 days a month, 12 months a year and so on. The verse doesn't have this meaning As i see it it has the meaning to always trust God snd have faith in Him that no matter what problems come into your life He will never let you down. And even if He decides for His own good reasons to not move away a problem you must still trust Him because His purpose is to get us into His kingdom in Heavens. His grace is on us and sustains us when we face difficult situations.
And His Spirit gives us joy. The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace... Galatians 5:22. So it is a necessity for God's childrey to ask for and get baptised in the Spirit of God. And get filled with the Holly Spirit when praying so to have God's power available when needed.
Luke 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? (3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
[ Galatians 5:14 - For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thyself.]
He will be dearly missed, and I pray that his friends and family will find peace in "celebrating" his life and KNOWING that he's up there smiling down at us from Heaven.
I specifically request your prayers to go out to Melissa (his daughter), her spouse, and 10 dependents, as she is the only surviving family member, and the burden of making all arrangements for the Service, reception, etc. has fallen upon her.
This is my first crack at sending out a prayer request of any kind. I pray that this is enough information to initiate "The Power of Prayer".
Thanks to all & God Bless,
D.E.P.