Sister GiGI, you are correct, doctrines are TEACHINGS, that man accepts as TRUE, but are those teachings TRUE. Man has TEACHING that CONTRADICT GOD'S WORD, thus those TEACHINGS are not TRUE. ( Revelation 12:9)
Man believes salvation is his choice and not God's choice, contradicting scriptures. Man TEACHES this.
John 15:16 You have not chosen me but I have chosen you, and ordained you ..... Man does not TEACH this.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that God sent the Son to be Saviour of the world. Man TEACHES the SON is going to fail saving the world because it's man's choice and not God's Choice. Man TEACHES this. ( Revelation 2:24)
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN (even those that don't believe in this AGE ( Romans 9:18-21), specially those that believe (in the AGE).
1 Timothy 4:11 These things (saviour of all men) COMMAND AND TEACH. Many are called (to teach this) FEW are chosen.
Man TEACHES that those who don't CHOOSE Christ are going to HELL. Man TEACHES this. These TEACHINGS contradict all the above scriptures. ( Revelation 12:9).
Thy KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE.
Psalms 22:27 ALL the ENDS of the WORLD shall remember and TURN unto the LORD: and ALL the kindreds of the nation shall WORSHIP before thee.
Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that setteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Man not only does man NOT teach this, they don't BELIEVE this is TRUE. ( Revelation 12:9)
1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things have been subdued unto him. then shall the son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be ALL IN ALL.
Man does not TEACH this nor even believe it ( Revelation 12:9).
Sister Sacha, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
God CHOOSE you before the foundations of the world: You CANNOT lose your salvation since you were CHOSEN, because you salvation is not up to you; but GOD.
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath CHOSEN US in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Ephesians 1:11 In whom (in Christ) we have obtained an INHERITANCE (to become a Son of God), being predestinated according to the purpose of him who woreketh ALL THINGS after the counsel of HIS WILL.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he that began a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT until the day of Jesus Christ.
John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ordained you (to be priest) ........
1 Peter 2:9 For you are a CHOSEN generation, a royal PRIESTHOOD .....
Exodus 40:15 ....for their ANOINTING shall surely be an everlasting PRIESTHOOD, throughout their generation.
May the SPIRIT reveal his TRUTHS to us, God bless you.
Brother Rick, may CHRIST IN US grace us with his wisdom and his understanding.
You said: what's interesting when it came to rescuing Lot and his daughters is they were basically grabbed by the angels and dragged out (of Sodom and Gomorrah) ......
Christ is the ANGEL OF THE LORD, so all other angels would be in his image, both body and mind ( 1 Corinthians 15:49).
This same thing happens today:
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up (on the cross) from the earth, I will draw (drag) ALL MEN to me.
We go about life; but at God's appointed time we are stopped in our tracks, and God drags us out of BABYLON.
John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I have CHOSEN YOU.
Paul was going about his daily life, killing Christians, God stopped him and dragged him out (Paul did't choose, God chose).
ALL MEN; a few, in this age, and the rest after this age and the next age, WILL BE DRAGGED out of Babylon TO CHRIST.
1 Timothy 4:10 ....who is the saviour of ALL MEN (even the ones that don't believe in this age), SPECIALLY those that BELIEVE (in this age).
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.
John 3:3
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Matthew 3:11
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 3:6
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:14-17
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:36
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 3:21
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Proverbs 30:5
I am the Lord; that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isaiah 42:8
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Brother Chris, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
Ephesians 4:4 There is ONE BODY and ONE SPIRIT .....
Christ, (which is, and which was, and which is to come Revelation 1:8); IS, the ONLY ONE BODY. The VESSEL of the ONLY ONE SPIRIT. We (the firstfruits of SPIRIT)( 1 Corinthians 15:23)( Romans 8:23) become the BODY OF CHRIST ( 1 Timothy 6:16)( 1 Corinthians 15:52-55).
The SPIRIT (the source of POWER) provides ALL, the BODY does all the LABOUR. Christ has everything needed at his disposal at all times; but the SPIRIT ONLY releases it (the power)to THE BODY at the given moment it is required. I am not saying that Christ IS NOT GOD, because HE IS; it takes both (faith and labour)( James 2:17) to be GOD, SPIRIT (the SOURCE) and THE BODY (the LABOUR).
Everything is done by SPIRIT (the WORKS of the FATHER) THROUGH (the labour) of the SON.
Christ emptied HIMSELF of the Father's glory ( John 17:5) that he had with him since the beginning, and became sinful flesh, to be destroyed.
He does't know in advance the second coming, because he is given what is required, as it is required ( John 5:19)( John 5:30), just as we are ( John 15:5). We are being created like him A VESSEL OF THE SPIRIT ( Revelation 10:11).
1 Corinthians 15:28 When ALL THINGS shall be SUBJECTED to him, then shall the Son ALSO HIMSELF be SUBJECT to him (the source of power) that put all things under him that GOD (Spirit, Truth, Life) may be ALL IN ALL.
Hebrews 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put ALL in subjection under him, he left nothing that IS NOT PUT under him, But we see NOT YET (but we will see; at the resurrection of the dead) ALL THINGS put under him.
Obadiah 1:21 And SAVIOURS ( John 17:21) shall come upon mount Zion to JUDGE the mount of Esau (the world); and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.
Isaiah 26:9 ....when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Hi Dan, thanks for your comments. Please know that my response is given in love with my only intention to glorify the Lord.
I understand what you are saying about not turning down service providers based on if they are believers or not, I certainly would not turn down bypass surgery or roof repair because the provider was not a believer; however, those services are quite different than "spiritual" or "mind" service providers. Heart surgery or roof repair is not doctrine or the word of God and has nothing to do with salvation or living a Godly life or solving behavioral (heart) problems ( Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:20-23).
When it comes to obeying the Lord and following His word, psychology just seems to be a secular (and ungodly) look at behavior. It is an attempt to explain why we do things and what the solution is without referring to God and His word. Psychology is an invention from worldly men who denied Jesus Christ (people like Freud, Wundt, Jung, Skinner, etc). Some psychologists even merge the word of God and secular theory which seems unbiblical to me (we are to be set apart from this world - John 15:19, Romans 12:1-3, 1 John 2:15-17).
I guess what I am really asking is - to put it how you were phrasing it - if someone was 'sick' (spiritually) why would they go to a secular physician (psychologist) and not a spiritual physician (Jesus)? We even have a behavioral manual (the Word). The bible seems to continually say that the Lord and His word are sufficient, exactly what we need and that we should avoid the wisdom of men ( 2 Timothy 2:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:25, Hebrews 4:14-16, Isaiah 55:7-9). 1 Corinthians 2:11-16. When we become a Christian, we have the mind of Christ, which is spiritual - not worldly. Jesus is our counselor ( Isaiah 9:6) and he knows us ( John 2:25).
It seems that as a Christian we either believe that the word of God is sufficient for all spiritual problems or we don't.
BTW - this is not for me, it involves a family member.
Brother Leonard, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ordained you ...
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is GIVEN in the behalf of Christ, not ONLY TO BELIEVE on him, but also to suffer (in the flesh) for his (name) sake.
Ephesians 2:10 For we (the pot) are his (the potter's) workmanship, CREATED in Christ JESUS....
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD (SPIRIT) that WORKETH IN US both TO WILL (his will becomes our will, only truth reveals this; otherwise, we incorrectly believe it is OUR FREE WILL) and TO DO his good pleasure.
Ephesians 1:11 In whom we also have obtained an INHERITANCE, being predestinated according to the PURPOSE of him who WORKETH ALL THINGS after the council of HIS WILL.
Psalms 92:4 For thou, LORD, has made me glad through THY WORK: I will triumph in the WORKS of THY HANDS.
Psalms 92:5 O LORD, how great are THY WORKS! and thy thoughts are very deep.
Psalms 92:6 A brutish man (beast) knoweth not; neither doth a FOOL understand this.
We are ONLY the pot, pots are made to HOLD something. We were made to hold GOD (SPIRIT).
The SPIRIT does ALL THE WORK.
Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery.... CHRIST IN US (the pot) .....
Great question, I believe the only way to Live like Christ is to be led by Christ, and that is the Holyspirit. We can't do that by effort, As Paul said in Romans 7:18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
We are his disciples, ( which means to follow someones teachings) We don't follow Him with observation, We follow him because we HEAR HIS VOICE!! This is with our inner ear and spiritually opened eyes. This is the NEW CREATURE WE HAVE BECOME IN CHRIST.
That is the difference between being under the law and being filled with the Spirit. Israel did not bare fruit under the law because the law could not produce fruit. This is why they was called a degenerate vine in Jeremiah 2:21.
This is why Jesus said I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:1.
And also: John 15:5. 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.)
This is why Jesus told his disciples to tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
" Little children,ye are on this world but not of this world." Who are they? Those who refused to received the mark of the beast.( revelation 13:17).,They are unique..in almighty god's side.( exodus 33:16, john 15:19, john 17:14-16.)If someone says that he/she is one among them but a disciple of any religious,political,or commercial organization which he/she devotes his/her time,strenght,talent and money for the benefits and interest of his/her organization,how come he/she is no part of this world? Religious (church)Political( nation),and Commercial(cartel) are the 3 systems that forcibly introduced or marked in heart and mind of the majority of people around the world and only those who are no part of this world refuses to be a disciple of any religious,political or commercial organization that patronizes(buy)and campaigning to patronizes(sell) ,traditions,customs,occassions laws,wars,economy,arts,science and technology and at this our time of global pandemic,only those who are no part of this world refuses to go into covid 19 vaccination sites.( 2 chronicles 16:12) i wish you are one of them.(romans11:4)
With ALL due respect, We are talking about our souls spending an ETERNITY somewhere. I'm going to be serious. We as Christians are commissioned to spread the Gospel, the Good News, (or as Jesus put it in Matt. 28:19 commanded). I will be held accountable "to whom much is given, much is required...." ( Luke 12:48) I believe Jesus said it and I don't want to lead ANYONE astray. So I am going to find, study, search out, ask, PRAY, what the Bible says. Yeah, I'm serious. With much Love in Christ, God Bless. P.S. Matt. 28:19 says: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;(all prepositional phrases describing the name), there was only one name that the Spirit begottened, there was only one name that hung on the cross, there was only one name that resurrected, there was only one name that was going to be used to send the Comforter to us ( John 15:26), there was only one name that lived, died, rose again, and is coming back for His bride (the church), and that name was, is, and will always be: Jesus Christ. God Bless.
Brother Jess, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
WE ARE POTS (vessels):
Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter POWER over the clay (pot), of the same lump (of clay) to make one vessel UNTO HONOUR, and another (vessel) UNTO DISHONOUR.
John 15:16 You HAVE NOT chosen me, I HAVE CHOSEN YOU .....
You are giving yourself powers that YOU DO NOT HAVE. Pot's CANNOT DO ANYTHING (they are chosen to fullfill a predestinated position in the kingdom of heaven).
Mankind is walking in the will of God whether they know it or not; most sure don't believe that everything happening is the WILL of God.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (the Spirit) that WORKETH IN YOU (creation; honourable and dishonourable vessels, causing them) both to WILL and to DO his (the Father's pleasure). (You can of yourself DO NOTHING John 15:5).
Your HAVE NO CHOICE;
Romans 8:20 For the creature (creation) was MADE SUBJECT TO VANITY, NOT WILLINGLY ....
2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who (the pot) opposeth and exalteth HIMSELF above all that is called God; so that he (the pot) setteth in the TEMPLE OF GOD (you are the temple of God 1 Corinthians 3:16-17), (the pot) showing himself that he (the pot) is GOD (above the sovereignty of the Spirit, not believing the words of God.
None will perish; because it is God that is working in creation to FULLFILL his words; Man has no SAY in whats being FULLFILLED.
1 John 4:14 For we have seen and do testify that THE FATHER SENT the Son to be SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.
Do you believe Christ is going to FAIL his Father's commission.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (SPIRIT) that WORKETH IN YOU (in Christ, also) Both TO WILL and TO DO of his (the SPIRIT'S) good pleasure.
John 5:30 I can or MYSELF DO NOTHING: as I hear (the SPIRIT), I judge (by the SPIRIT), and my judgement (by the SPIRIT) is just; because I seek not my own will, but THE WILL of the Father (SPIRIT) which hath SENT ME.
John 10:18 No man taketh IT (LIFE by SPIRIT) from me, but I lay IT (LIFE by SPIRIT) down of myself (I can of myself do nothing). I have power (by the SPIRIT) to take IT (LIFE by SPIRIT) again. This commandment ( John 15:10) have I received of my Father.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, into thy hands (God; SPIRIT) I commend my (the Father's) SPIRIT ( Ephesians 4:4 there is ONE BODY, and ONE SPIRIT......)( John 17:21)
Remember the bible is the words of CHRIST (the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit).
Psalms 56:11 IN GOD (SPIRIT) have I (the SON) put my trust: I (the Son) will not be afraid of what man can do to me.
Jesus gave his body of flesh for us, so we are able to never see DEATH; because SPIRIT NEVER DIES.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will SEND UNTO YOU from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
On the day of Pentecost, the Disciples in the Upper Room, Received the Holy Spirit. ACTS 2. You should read all of that passage. Jesus promised. The Disciples were joyous. The event spilled out into the streets.
The Holy Spirit is given to THOSE who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. He is the 3rd person of the Godhead! And Jesus by going to the Cross made it possible to be baptized by the Holy Spirit.
When the believers are caught up to the clouds with Jesus, the Holy Spirits ministry on earth after that will be only for those unsaved people that pray for salvation, AND DO NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST. (That mark will have GPS tracking)
People you love; tell them how to receive Jesus now.
I believe there is 2 keys to these passages starting from John 15:1-12.
For starters Jesus says I am the "true" vine. I think that was in contrast of Israel being a degenerate vine.
Jeremiah 2:21. Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the DEGENERATE PLANT OF A STRANGE VINE UNTO ME?
Israel done things be ordinances and command, The law couldn't change you from within.
I believe the key here is who's PRODUCING the fruit.
See here in
John 15:4-5. 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.
This phrase means that Jesus will fellowship with the believer. The idea is this: "He who abides in me, with me abiding in him." There is a dynamic with Christ that takes place when believers allow Christ to abide in them. The person who has Christ abiding in him or her bears "much fruit." I believe with Christ in you, What ever you ask for will be in his will for you.
Hi Chuck The context of what your looking for starts at John 15:1 Jesus Christ is the true vine, getting born again and doing the will of God his word you will bare fruit spiritually and every other way the word is the soil the more you stay rooted and grounded Ephesians 4:16+17 the more answers to prayer and abundance. The key is staying put and abiding or living by the spirit, it is written. Another point is constantly keeping the word so to speak plowing through your mind to be able to clearly listen to God. Just a few points God Bless
Hi believer. I have heard such remarks before. Generally, they are based on an erroneous understanding of the Gospel & the Bible, or as a support for validating their position, or even a bias against Jesus, the Bible, or Christians. The fact that he is a close friend, gives you a wonderful opportunity for him to listen to you attentively & observe your life: something that many do not have as a special witness.
If the Gospel seems nonsense to him, he needs to maybe understand mankind's need of a saviour in a contemporary manner. The best example of this would be when someone reaches out to another in distress, disregarding his own life to save him. It could be a swimmer drowning, one hanging precariously over a cliff, or even one facing a total financial loss where suicide is the only option. A witness to any of those events could simply abstain from offering help since their own life or finances may be in great jeopardy. But how grateful would the one in peril be if someone would actually reach out, disregarding his own life, to save a stranger's life.
Your friend needs to see that his (& our) sins that have separated us from God & made us to be a vile people before Him, have not brought on immediate judgement from God. Rather, He gave of Himself, in His Son Jesus Christ, to reach out to us to save us from what we rightly deserved ( 1 Peter 3:18; John 15:13). So Jesus' death on the Cross was not a "human sacrifice" (as men consider it to mean), but was a willingness, out of great love, to take our place & bear God's Judgement for us. So we can say "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins & griefs to bear", as only One who truly loved & cared for us would willingly lay down His Life for us.
And yes, cannibalism or satanic practices are certainly not part of biblical teaching & not the understanding of true believers. What he might have seen or heard of elsewhere is not from the Bible. May the Lord give you His Wisdom & Words to share with your friend.
Jesus said,"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."- John 15:4, 5
If you were not raised in the country, you may not know that in every fruit orchard, there is always something else that tries to overcome the fruit. In nature, slugs and bugs and stinkweeds all attempt to crowd out the fruit. And in the life of the believer, there are always things that will attempt to crowd out the fruit of the Spirit. In other words, it's quite possible that the weeds grow and the fruit will not be produced. Paul spoke of that very thing in Galatians 5:17-
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
The flesh wants to have its way and is actually in competition against the Holy Spirit. So there is a danger of producing something besides fruit. And that which the flesh produces is not something that God can use; it's not fruit at all.
Paul himself experienced that struggle and described it in Romans 7:15:
For what I am doing[the new man wanted to produce fruit], I do not understand[the old nature would not do it].
You can be a child of God and be producing works of the flesh in your life, and if you are, you are not living by the Spirit of God. And I can tell you, if the works of the flesh are appearing in your life, you are a discontented and troublemaking child of God.
Great question! I believe When the Holyspirit guides you in service your service will line up with the word of God. And "CAUSE" You to Love the Children of God. You, them, and the word will be yoked together. "In stride". And you will be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
If we Love God "We also Love our Brothern!"
And we also should examine ourselves to see if our Motives and Intents is generated by this Love. God discern the thoughts and intent of Man.
We know we're worshipping him when our desires is Lift him up, and not ourselves so he can Draw all men to him. What's most important is you will become fruitful.
Fruit is given to you by beeing connected to the Vine. John 15:1-9.
Gifts is also given, But we are not determined whether we are a child of God or not by those gifts!
Your gifts and good deeds should be driven by the Spirit not by fleshly effort or vain glory.
S Spencer Persecution from within to hinder the gospel - In Reply - 3 years ago
Part 2.
Wiles of the Devil.
THE GOSPEL IS WHAT SAVES!! That's where you start, spiritual growth comes afterward as you feed on the word, providing that the word you received is truth and you believe it. Your viewpoints should be shaped in this transaction. Spiritual fruit, unity, and gifts comes alone in the process. ALL WRAPPED IN LOVED. Unless you are a reprobate. 2 Corinthians 13:5.
THERE IS THE KEY!
1 JOHN 3:10. In this the children of God are "MANIFEST", and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, NEITHER HE THAT LOVETH NOT HIS BROTHER.
IF YOU DONT CHRIST IS NOT IN YOU!
1 Corinthians 3:23-24. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
KEEP IN MIND THIS POST IS TO EXAMINE OURSELVES. MARK THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST THE FAITH, AND NOT ASSIST SATAN IN HIS WILES. BY MEASURING THE LOVE BETWEEN ONEANOTHER.
1 John 2:19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, THAT THEY MIGHT BE MADE MANIFEST THAT THEY WERE NOT ALL OF US.
Some persecute directly, some indirectly, SOME BEFRIEND EVERY PERSECUTER COME ON THE SITE!
John 15:17-20. These things I command you, that ye love one another.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Sister Dianne, May CHRIST IN GRACE us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
Why did Jesus not sin.
He tells us:
John 5:30 I can of mine own self DO NOTHING: as I hear, I judge, and my judgement is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father that hath sent me.
Jesus knew and believed that whatever he was doing, it was the Father doing it THROUGH him.
Jesus tells us the same thing:
John 15:5 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 you can DO NOTHING.
The TRUTH IS whatever you are doing right now, IS THE WILL OF GOD.
He knows EXACTLY how to bring and conform each of us to the likeness if Christ. It's HIS WORKS.
The difference in the Gospel of John from the gnostic Gospels used to bother me. I saw it as more fanciful. But these days I have been viewing it, in part, as a letter to Muslims, to address their issues, written 500 years before Mohammed preached Islam (according to the standard Islamic narrative of Mohammed's biography). This springs out at you in the very first verse, of the very first chapter - which is written in terms that seem out of place but a Muslim would immediately grasp: "In the beginning was the Word,..." and later in verse 14 comes the kicker, "...and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us...."
Most Muslims are programmed to ask: "where in the Gospels does Jesus say 'I am God, worship me.'" (Islam emphasizes the majesty of God and that humans should make themselves slaves of God.) The Gospels of John address these concerns most directly, but Jesus, in John 15:15 addresses the nature of our relationship to God, we are no longer servants, but made friends with God. We are to have an intimate relationship with him.
But, in John 10:10, Jesus, compared himself directly with Mohammed. You see Mohammed started his career as a warlord first as a caravan robber, a thief. Western Civilization is based upon Christ's teachings (and a few of his commandments) among them are: separation of church and state, search for truth, value truth, avoid falsehood, freedom to search for truth, exercise of that freedom (the theology is worked out in the parable of the Prodigal Son), love and forgiveness. For people living in the West, these principles have given us a more abundant and full life - what a gift!
Today almost no Christian, living in the West, aspires to live in a Muslim majority country, but almost all Muslims living in a Muslim majority country aspire to live in the west. Islam threatened/encroached Western Civilization for about 1000 years. In that time about half of Christendom was lost to Islam. Today the West walks on the moon, Islam not so much.
Bobby B., thanks for these scriptures. My faith had to grow up, I was naive, and didn't understand why "I was hated without a cause." I wanted to stay like a little girl in the faith, held in the arms of the Father and held in the arms of the world! But slowly he was rising as a Warrior in me, preparing instruments of battle in me. I didn't understand, I wanted to remain passive like a child in his arms. But no. It's not the Jesus of the church basement pictures, gentle, surrounded by little children. We grow up in faith to enter a battle, over time we are no longer surprised at the fiery trials, or the experience of being rejected. Rejection of the world is the way forward. "if you suffer with Him...."
"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
1 John 3:1
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Remember the story of Joseph, how his brethren despised him for his virtue. (Coat of many colors - 2 Samuel 13:18)
1 John 2:15-17. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
John 15:18-19. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 17:14-16. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Peter 3:10.
Sister Denise thank God for Jesus who will redeem us who believe in him and his work on the cross from the destruction that come upon all the Earth.
Man believes salvation is his choice and not God's choice, contradicting scriptures. Man TEACHES this.
John 15:16 You have not chosen me but I have chosen you, and ordained you ..... Man does not TEACH this.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that God sent the Son to be Saviour of the world. Man TEACHES the SON is going to fail saving the world because it's man's choice and not God's Choice. Man TEACHES this. ( Revelation 2:24)
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN (even those that don't believe in this AGE ( Romans 9:18-21), specially those that believe (in the AGE).
1 Timothy 4:11 These things (saviour of all men) COMMAND AND TEACH. Many are called (to teach this) FEW are chosen.
Man TEACHES that those who don't CHOOSE Christ are going to HELL. Man TEACHES this. These TEACHINGS contradict all the above scriptures. ( Revelation 12:9).
Thy KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE.
Psalms 22:27 ALL the ENDS of the WORLD shall remember and TURN unto the LORD: and ALL the kindreds of the nation shall WORSHIP before thee.
Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that setteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Man not only does man NOT teach this, they don't BELIEVE this is TRUE. ( Revelation 12:9)
1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things have been subdued unto him. then shall the son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be ALL IN ALL.
Man does not TEACH this nor even believe it ( Revelation 12:9).
God CHOOSE you before the foundations of the world: You CANNOT lose your salvation since you were CHOSEN, because you salvation is not up to you; but GOD.
Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath CHOSEN US in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Ephesians 1:11 In whom (in Christ) we have obtained an INHERITANCE (to become a Son of God), being predestinated according to the purpose of him who woreketh ALL THINGS after the counsel of HIS WILL.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he that began a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT until the day of Jesus Christ.
John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ordained you (to be priest) ........
1 Peter 2:9 For you are a CHOSEN generation, a royal PRIESTHOOD .....
Exodus 40:15 ....for their ANOINTING shall surely be an everlasting PRIESTHOOD, throughout their generation.
May the SPIRIT reveal his TRUTHS to us, God bless you.
You said: what's interesting when it came to rescuing Lot and his daughters is they were basically grabbed by the angels and dragged out (of Sodom and Gomorrah) ......
Christ is the ANGEL OF THE LORD, so all other angels would be in his image, both body and mind ( 1 Corinthians 15:49).
This same thing happens today:
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up (on the cross) from the earth, I will draw (drag) ALL MEN to me.
We go about life; but at God's appointed time we are stopped in our tracks, and God drags us out of BABYLON.
John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I have CHOSEN YOU.
Paul was going about his daily life, killing Christians, God stopped him and dragged him out (Paul did't choose, God chose).
ALL MEN; a few, in this age, and the rest after this age and the next age, WILL BE DRAGGED out of Babylon TO CHRIST.
1 Timothy 4:10 ....who is the saviour of ALL MEN (even the ones that don't believe in this age), SPECIALLY those that BELIEVE (in this age).
John 3:3
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Matthew 3:11
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Galatians 3:6
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:14-17
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:36
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 3:21
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Proverbs 30:5
I am the Lord; that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isaiah 42:8
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1 Corinthians 3:20
10-27 Page 3
Man makes CHOICES thousands or time a day; but those CHOICES have a CAUSE:
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh in you TO WILL and TO DO ....
They is never an effect without there first being a CAUSE.
God is sovereign and the CAUSE of everything.
Romans 2:4 Man repents be CAUSE of the goodness of God
Philippians 1:29 You BELIEVE be CAUSE Christ CAUSES you to believe.
Galatians 1:20 You have faith be CAUSE Christ GIVES you HIS faith.
John 6:44 No one comes to Christ with a CAUSE, the Father draws that person to Christ.
God CAUSES and DOES everything, man is the benefactor of CAUSES of GOD.
Colossians 1:17 ...and by him all thing consist.... even you CHOICES.
John 15:5 ...you can of yourself DO NOTHING...
Ephesians 4:4 There is ONE BODY and ONE SPIRIT .....
Christ, (which is, and which was, and which is to come Revelation 1:8); IS, the ONLY ONE BODY. The VESSEL of the ONLY ONE SPIRIT. We (the firstfruits of SPIRIT)( 1 Corinthians 15:23)( Romans 8:23) become the BODY OF CHRIST ( 1 Timothy 6:16)( 1 Corinthians 15:52-55).
The SPIRIT (the source of POWER) provides ALL, the BODY does all the LABOUR. Christ has everything needed at his disposal at all times; but the SPIRIT ONLY releases it (the power)to THE BODY at the given moment it is required. I am not saying that Christ IS NOT GOD, because HE IS; it takes both (faith and labour)( James 2:17) to be GOD, SPIRIT (the SOURCE) and THE BODY (the LABOUR).
Everything is done by SPIRIT (the WORKS of the FATHER) THROUGH (the labour) of the SON.
Christ emptied HIMSELF of the Father's glory ( John 17:5) that he had with him since the beginning, and became sinful flesh, to be destroyed.
He does't know in advance the second coming, because he is given what is required, as it is required ( John 5:19)( John 5:30), just as we are ( John 15:5). We are being created like him A VESSEL OF THE SPIRIT ( Revelation 10:11).
1 Corinthians 15:28 When ALL THINGS shall be SUBJECTED to him, then shall the Son ALSO HIMSELF be SUBJECT to him (the source of power) that put all things under him that GOD (Spirit, Truth, Life) may be ALL IN ALL.
Hebrews 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put ALL in subjection under him, he left nothing that IS NOT PUT under him, But we see NOT YET (but we will see; at the resurrection of the dead) ALL THINGS put under him.
Obadiah 1:21 And SAVIOURS ( John 17:21) shall come upon mount Zion to JUDGE the mount of Esau (the world); and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.
Isaiah 26:9 ....when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
I understand what you are saying about not turning down service providers based on if they are believers or not, I certainly would not turn down bypass surgery or roof repair because the provider was not a believer; however, those services are quite different than "spiritual" or "mind" service providers. Heart surgery or roof repair is not doctrine or the word of God and has nothing to do with salvation or living a Godly life or solving behavioral (heart) problems ( Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:20-23).
When it comes to obeying the Lord and following His word, psychology just seems to be a secular (and ungodly) look at behavior. It is an attempt to explain why we do things and what the solution is without referring to God and His word. Psychology is an invention from worldly men who denied Jesus Christ (people like Freud, Wundt, Jung, Skinner, etc). Some psychologists even merge the word of God and secular theory which seems unbiblical to me (we are to be set apart from this world - John 15:19, Romans 12:1-3, 1 John 2:15-17).
I guess what I am really asking is - to put it how you were phrasing it - if someone was 'sick' (spiritually) why would they go to a secular physician (psychologist) and not a spiritual physician (Jesus)? We even have a behavioral manual (the Word). The bible seems to continually say that the Lord and His word are sufficient, exactly what we need and that we should avoid the wisdom of men ( 2 Timothy 2:15-16, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:25, Hebrews 4:14-16, Isaiah 55:7-9). 1 Corinthians 2:11-16. When we become a Christian, we have the mind of Christ, which is spiritual - not worldly. Jesus is our counselor ( Isaiah 9:6) and he knows us ( John 2:25).
It seems that as a Christian we either believe that the word of God is sufficient for all spiritual problems or we don't.
BTW - this is not for me, it involves a family member.
John 15:1 -12
Ending with love one another.
Genesis additional verses ending with "& GOD said it was good"
John 15:1 -12
Genesis 1:11 -12
Genesis 2:9
Revelation 22:1 Revelation 22:2
Hopefully these scriptures are helpful
John 15:16 You have not chosen me, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, and ordained you ...
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is GIVEN in the behalf of Christ, not ONLY TO BELIEVE on him, but also to suffer (in the flesh) for his (name) sake.
Ephesians 2:10 For we (the pot) are his (the potter's) workmanship, CREATED in Christ JESUS....
Philippians 2:13 For it is GOD (SPIRIT) that WORKETH IN US both TO WILL (his will becomes our will, only truth reveals this; otherwise, we incorrectly believe it is OUR FREE WILL) and TO DO his good pleasure.
Ephesians 1:11 In whom we also have obtained an INHERITANCE, being predestinated according to the PURPOSE of him who WORKETH ALL THINGS after the council of HIS WILL.
Psalms 92:4 For thou, LORD, has made me glad through THY WORK: I will triumph in the WORKS of THY HANDS.
Psalms 92:5 O LORD, how great are THY WORKS! and thy thoughts are very deep.
Psalms 92:6 A brutish man (beast) knoweth not; neither doth a FOOL understand this.
We are ONLY the pot, pots are made to HOLD something. We were made to hold GOD (SPIRIT).
The SPIRIT does ALL THE WORK.
Colossians 1:27 ....this mystery.... CHRIST IN US (the pot) .....
Great question, I believe the only way to Live like Christ is to be led by Christ, and that is the Holyspirit. We can't do that by effort, As Paul said in Romans 7:18. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
We are his disciples, ( which means to follow someones teachings) We don't follow Him with observation, We follow him because we HEAR HIS VOICE!! This is with our inner ear and spiritually opened eyes. This is the NEW CREATURE WE HAVE BECOME IN CHRIST.
That is the difference between being under the law and being filled with the Spirit. Israel did not bare fruit under the law because the law could not produce fruit. This is why they was called a degenerate vine in Jeremiah 2:21.
This is why Jesus said I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:1.
And also: John 15:5. 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.)
This is why Jesus told his disciples to tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
I hope this helps.
God bless.
WE ARE POTS (vessels):
Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter POWER over the clay (pot), of the same lump (of clay) to make one vessel UNTO HONOUR, and another (vessel) UNTO DISHONOUR.
John 15:16 You HAVE NOT chosen me, I HAVE CHOSEN YOU .....
You are giving yourself powers that YOU DO NOT HAVE. Pot's CANNOT DO ANYTHING (they are chosen to fullfill a predestinated position in the kingdom of heaven).
Mankind is walking in the will of God whether they know it or not; most sure don't believe that everything happening is the WILL of God.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (the Spirit) that WORKETH IN YOU (creation; honourable and dishonourable vessels, causing them) both to WILL and to DO his (the Father's pleasure). (You can of yourself DO NOTHING John 15:5).
Your HAVE NO CHOICE;
Romans 8:20 For the creature (creation) was MADE SUBJECT TO VANITY, NOT WILLINGLY ....
2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who (the pot) opposeth and exalteth HIMSELF above all that is called God; so that he (the pot) setteth in the TEMPLE OF GOD (you are the temple of God 1 Corinthians 3:16-17), (the pot) showing himself that he (the pot) is GOD (above the sovereignty of the Spirit, not believing the words of God.
None will perish; because it is God that is working in creation to FULLFILL his words; Man has no SAY in whats being FULLFILLED.
1 John 4:14 For we have seen and do testify that THE FATHER SENT the Son to be SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.
Do you believe Christ is going to FAIL his Father's commission.
I BELIEVE that Jesus did MAKE A CHOICE; BUT:
Philippians 2:13 For it is God (SPIRIT) that WORKETH IN YOU (in Christ, also) Both TO WILL and TO DO of his (the SPIRIT'S) good pleasure.
John 5:30 I can or MYSELF DO NOTHING: as I hear (the SPIRIT), I judge (by the SPIRIT), and my judgement (by the SPIRIT) is just; because I seek not my own will, but THE WILL of the Father (SPIRIT) which hath SENT ME.
John 10:18 No man taketh IT (LIFE by SPIRIT) from me, but I lay IT (LIFE by SPIRIT) down of myself (I can of myself do nothing). I have power (by the SPIRIT) to take IT (LIFE by SPIRIT) again. This commandment ( John 15:10) have I received of my Father.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, into thy hands (God; SPIRIT) I commend my (the Father's) SPIRIT ( Ephesians 4:4 there is ONE BODY, and ONE SPIRIT......)( John 17:21)
Remember the bible is the words of CHRIST (the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit).
Psalms 56:11 IN GOD (SPIRIT) have I (the SON) put my trust: I (the Son) will not be afraid of what man can do to me.
Jesus gave his body of flesh for us, so we are able to never see DEATH; because SPIRIT NEVER DIES.
You MUST be born of the SPIRIT (TRUTH).
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will SEND UNTO YOU from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
On the day of Pentecost, the Disciples in the Upper Room, Received the Holy Spirit. ACTS 2. You should read all of that passage. Jesus promised. The Disciples were joyous. The event spilled out into the streets.
The Holy Spirit is given to THOSE who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. He is the 3rd person of the Godhead! And Jesus by going to the Cross made it possible to be baptized by the Holy Spirit.
When the believers are caught up to the clouds with Jesus, the Holy Spirits ministry on earth after that will be only for those unsaved people that pray for salvation, AND DO NOT TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST. (That mark will have GPS tracking)
People you love; tell them how to receive Jesus now.
Mishael
I believe there is 2 keys to these passages starting from John 15:1-12.
For starters Jesus says I am the "true" vine. I think that was in contrast of Israel being a degenerate vine.
Jeremiah 2:21. Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the DEGENERATE PLANT OF A STRANGE VINE UNTO ME?
Israel done things be ordinances and command, The law couldn't change you from within.
I believe the key here is who's PRODUCING the fruit.
See here in
John 15:4-5. 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.
This phrase means that Jesus will fellowship with the believer. The idea is this: "He who abides in me, with me abiding in him." There is a dynamic with Christ that takes place when believers allow Christ to abide in them. The person who has Christ abiding in him or her bears "much fruit." I believe with Christ in you, What ever you ask for will be in his will for you.
God bless.
I love Jesus
If the Gospel seems nonsense to him, he needs to maybe understand mankind's need of a saviour in a contemporary manner. The best example of this would be when someone reaches out to another in distress, disregarding his own life to save him. It could be a swimmer drowning, one hanging precariously over a cliff, or even one facing a total financial loss where suicide is the only option. A witness to any of those events could simply abstain from offering help since their own life or finances may be in great jeopardy. But how grateful would the one in peril be if someone would actually reach out, disregarding his own life, to save a stranger's life.
Your friend needs to see that his (& our) sins that have separated us from God & made us to be a vile people before Him, have not brought on immediate judgement from God. Rather, He gave of Himself, in His Son Jesus Christ, to reach out to us to save us from what we rightly deserved ( 1 Peter 3:18; John 15:13). So Jesus' death on the Cross was not a "human sacrifice" (as men consider it to mean), but was a willingness, out of great love, to take our place & bear God's Judgement for us. So we can say "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins & griefs to bear", as only One who truly loved & cared for us would willingly lay down His Life for us.
And yes, cannibalism or satanic practices are certainly not part of biblical teaching & not the understanding of true believers. What he might have seen or heard of elsewhere is not from the Bible. May the Lord give you His Wisdom & Words to share with your friend.
Part 1.
Jesus said,"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."- John 15:4, 5
If you were not raised in the country, you may not know that in every fruit orchard, there is always something else that tries to overcome the fruit. In nature, slugs and bugs and stinkweeds all attempt to crowd out the fruit. And in the life of the believer, there are always things that will attempt to crowd out the fruit of the Spirit. In other words, it's quite possible that the weeds grow and the fruit will not be produced. Paul spoke of that very thing in Galatians 5:17-
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
The flesh wants to have its way and is actually in competition against the Holy Spirit. So there is a danger of producing something besides fruit. And that which the flesh produces is not something that God can use; it's not fruit at all.
Paul himself experienced that struggle and described it in Romans 7:15:
For what I am doing[the new man wanted to produce fruit], I do not understand[the old nature would not do it].
You can be a child of God and be producing works of the flesh in your life, and if you are, you are not living by the Spirit of God. And I can tell you, if the works of the flesh are appearing in your life, you are a discontented and troublemaking child of God.
Great question! I believe When the Holyspirit guides you in service your service will line up with the word of God. And "CAUSE" You to Love the Children of God. You, them, and the word will be yoked together. "In stride". And you will be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
If we Love God "We also Love our Brothern!"
And we also should examine ourselves to see if our Motives and Intents is generated by this Love. God discern the thoughts and intent of Man.
We know we're worshipping him when our desires is Lift him up, and not ourselves so he can Draw all men to him. What's most important is you will become fruitful.
Fruit is given to you by beeing connected to the Vine. John 15:1-9.
Gifts is also given, But we are not determined whether we are a child of God or not by those gifts!
Your gifts and good deeds should be driven by the Spirit not by fleshly effort or vain glory.
Sounds like a lot to accomplish?
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU'RE ASKED TO DO.
IT'S THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT.
GOD BLESS.
Wiles of the Devil.
THE GOSPEL IS WHAT SAVES!! That's where you start, spiritual growth comes afterward as you feed on the word, providing that the word you received is truth and you believe it. Your viewpoints should be shaped in this transaction. Spiritual fruit, unity, and gifts comes alone in the process. ALL WRAPPED IN LOVED. Unless you are a reprobate. 2 Corinthians 13:5.
THERE IS THE KEY!
1 JOHN 3:10. In this the children of God are "MANIFEST", and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, NEITHER HE THAT LOVETH NOT HIS BROTHER.
IF YOU DONT CHRIST IS NOT IN YOU!
1 Corinthians 3:23-24. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
KEEP IN MIND THIS POST IS TO EXAMINE OURSELVES. MARK THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST THE FAITH, AND NOT ASSIST SATAN IN HIS WILES. BY MEASURING THE LOVE BETWEEN ONEANOTHER.
1 John 2:19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, THAT THEY MIGHT BE MADE MANIFEST THAT THEY WERE NOT ALL OF US.
Some persecute directly, some indirectly, SOME BEFRIEND EVERY PERSECUTER COME ON THE SITE!
John 15:17-20. These things I command you, that ye love one another.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
PERSECUTION
THIS IS WITHIN OUR MIDST!
BE CAREFUL OF WHO YOU GIVE GOD SPEED TO!
GOD BLESS
Why did Jesus not sin.
He tells us:
John 5:30 I can of mine own self DO NOTHING: as I hear, I judge, and my judgement is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father that hath sent me.
Jesus knew and believed that whatever he was doing, it was the Father doing it THROUGH him.
Jesus tells us the same thing:
John 15:5 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 you can DO NOTHING.
The TRUTH IS whatever you are doing right now, IS THE WILL OF GOD.
He knows EXACTLY how to bring and conform each of us to the likeness if Christ. It's HIS WORKS.
We are the POT, he is the POTTER.
Pots are made to hold something:
CHRIST IN YOU
Most Muslims are programmed to ask: "where in the Gospels does Jesus say 'I am God, worship me.'" (Islam emphasizes the majesty of God and that humans should make themselves slaves of God.) The Gospels of John address these concerns most directly, but Jesus, in John 15:15 addresses the nature of our relationship to God, we are no longer servants, but made friends with God. We are to have an intimate relationship with him.
But, in John 10:10, Jesus, compared himself directly with Mohammed. You see Mohammed started his career as a warlord first as a caravan robber, a thief. Western Civilization is based upon Christ's teachings (and a few of his commandments) among them are: separation of church and state, search for truth, value truth, avoid falsehood, freedom to search for truth, exercise of that freedom (the theology is worked out in the parable of the Prodigal Son), love and forgiveness. For people living in the West, these principles have given us a more abundant and full life - what a gift!
Today almost no Christian, living in the West, aspires to live in a Muslim majority country, but almost all Muslims living in a Muslim majority country aspire to live in the west. Islam threatened/encroached Western Civilization for about 1000 years. In that time about half of Christendom was lost to Islam. Today the West walks on the moon, Islam not so much.
John 15:19
"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
1 John 3:1
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Remember the story of Joseph, how his brethren despised him for his virtue. (Coat of many colors - 2 Samuel 13:18)
1 John 3:13
"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you."
1 John 2:15-17. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
John 15:18-19. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 17:14-16. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Peter 3:10.
Sister Denise thank God for Jesus who will redeem us who believe in him and his work on the cross from the destruction that come upon all the Earth.
God bless.