The Lord Jesus Christ is absolutely the greatest emancipator:
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ( John 8:32)
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. ( John 8:36)
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. ( Psalm 18:2)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.( Luke 4:18-19)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ( Romans 8:2)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ( Galatians 5:1)
Patricia, are these the verses you're thinking of?
John 3:5-8: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
In this passage, Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, who approached Jesus to have a chat. He came discreetly at night to Jesus to avoid the possible gossip amongst his peers about this encounter. He also came with a great confirmation: "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." Jesus could have replied & told him what he probably wanted to hear, "Nicodemus you have correctly spoken about Me so God accepts you", but I believe that Jesus, as He usually did, looked at his heart & motive, when he answered him with verses 5-8 (above).
Jesus could see that Nicodemus wanted Him, as a Rabbi (Teacher) to congratulate him & confirm His goodness, yet Jesus told him that a spiritual re-birth was necessary before you can be congratulated & confirmed by God. We are born once into the world & die & suffer coming judgement. But those who are born again, not by a natural birth, but a spiritual birth, will not die spiritually & not come under condemnation & judgement ( Romans 8:1).
But if this is not the answer you're looking for, then if you could please explain further your question "by not knowing people born with the Spirit"?
Revelation 4:2: yes, that does show John viewing One sitting on the Throne, but when you read further in Revelation 5:6-9, we also see Jesus (God's Word sent to be made human, but now ascended to sit at God's right Hand). And we know that Jesus & God are there in Heaven by this verse & also Romans 8:34. So God's Word was made flesh & called "Jesus" but raised as 'God Who is also Man' in that Body fitted for Heaven, even as we shall be in that day ( 1 John 3:2). And yes, it was God's Plan from the beginning to have His children enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. And God is His Fullness (i.e. the Father, His Son & His Spirit Who are God in Unity) do enjoy such fellowship with His children. Each cannot feel differently about us (i.e. God cannot have fellowship with us, but the Son says "But I don't like that person, let's have a chat about this Father"). God is One & that Oneness is seen in His expressions of His Son & His Spirit & in their Unity & complete agreement.
Jesus as a 'created Being': Jesus' Sacrifice as a Man does indeed have spiritual consequences but cannot be seen as a spiritual Sacrifice. He was fully human & fully God, yet laying aside some of those Divine qualities for the purposes of the Incarnation & Sacrifice ( Philippians 2:5-11). To enable us to be convicted, to draw us to repentance, to give light & understanding, to renew us & fill us, to sanctify us & to raise us up to the heavenlies, is the work of God's Spirit. And Who is this Spirit? The self same Spirit that is part of the Father & the Son.
1 John 3:9: that's a separate subject that can be discussed if you desire, as its meaning needs analysis. Though the concept of sinless perfection is concerning. Blessings.
Yes, dear Hugo, I was referring to our conversation on 'prophets'. Re: Ecclesiastes 6:11, I think you have the wrong reference; possibly Proverbs 10:19, though this too doesn't apply.
I realize that you're not denying the deity of Christ in one sense, but I would advise you that 'Trinitarians' likewise don't deny it either. A Trinitarian understanding of the Scriptures as you know, is that there is One God & that God has expressed Himself (& revealed to us) His Being. God shows us Himself also by His Word & His Spirit - you know the Scriptures that support this. Then at the appointed time ( Romans 5:6), God sent His Word ( John 1:14) to be clothed with flesh so that a full & permanent sacrifice could be made for sin unlike animal sacrifices.
After Christ's death, resurrection & ascension, He went to sit at the Father's right Hand ( Luke 22:69; Romans 8:34) where He "ever lives to make intercession for us" ( Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). So we see the Father in Heaven, His Son (Word made flesh) at the Father's right Hand & His Spirit who indwells the believer ( John 14:17; Ephesians 1:13,14) & convicts men ( John 16:8). There is no such teaching from the Bible that Jesus only exists in Heaven & that the Father & Holy Spirit are now existing in Jesus. I know this is the teaching of the "Jesus Only" movement. The Father, the Son & the Spirit are still there & all three remain part of the Eternal Godhead (& yes, by all means, level your accusation at me), for the Bible is clear. If you have Scriptures to show that this is not the case, then I welcome your further input & my study.
If you have truly repented of your sins and have laid them at the foot of the cross then know this, that God is faithful and will keep Hs promises. Rebuke Satan when he brings these sins back into your thoughts. He wants you to dwell in your past sins but God your Father has a better life for you. A life of freedom, freedom from the burden of sin. You are no longer bound by the law but free from the law. You are secure in the hand of the Father, free from condemnation ( John 5:24, Romans 8:1), and NO one can remove you from His grasp. As soon as your past sins come to mind turn to Jesus in prayer and take Him on His promise. Leave it at the cross. Find a list of God's promises and when you read them know that He made those promises to you and that God cannot break a promise.
We do not know what is in store for us who are in the spirit! The spirit of life in Christ Jesus! Paul has evidently experienced these lives, the one outside of Christ, and the one inside! This chapter should we spend much time studying! These words from heaven itself, thanks be to God!
Jim, if you're referring to Jesus while He was on Earth, consider 2 John 1:7, "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist".
And Romans 8:3:"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh".
After His Resurrection, He still had a human body: "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
And Acts 1:10,11: "And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he (Jesus) went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
Clearly demonstrating once again that JESUS is NOT flesh and bone but of a spirit nature, i.e. is made of energy and not physical things. Demonstrating once again anyone professing FLESH AND BONE jesus-man is a LIAR, charlatan and is bearing false witness!
I saw some pretty disturbing stuff the other night. We all need to clamp onto Jesus Christ and our Father. Keep our faith and be ready to take up our crosses. Always keep praying my brothers and sisters. He is always with us. He loves us all so much. Try not to worry and just stay calm. Getting nervous and full of fear profits us nothing.
It's important that as children of God that we not loose hope based on the trials we face , for greater is coming and when it does those things which we faced in times past will in no wise measure up ! "Eyes have not seen nor ears heard neither have entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for them that love Him are the called according to His purpose ! Hold on Church
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
*I know its tough this life, but we still have to realize that even though we are suffering we can still hope for the life which is to come :(eternal life), that comes after our temporal life.
2 Corinthians 4:18(KJV)
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
* Keep this in mind as well : ( Romans 8:18) (KJV)
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
2 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV)
[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Last but not least : Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
THE LAW versus UNMERITED FAVOR OF GOD on Genesis 1 - 4 years ago
GRACE IS UNMERITED FAVOR FROM GOD. (You didn't earn it)
Romans 10:4 - For Christ is the END OF THE LAW, for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye ARE NOT under the law, but UNDER GRACE.
Romans 7:7 - What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Romans 3:31 - Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Romans 7:6 - But now WE ARE DELIVERED from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that WE SHOULD serve in newness of spirit, AND NOT in the oldness of the letter.
Galatians 3:10 - For as many as are of the works of the law are UNDER THE CURSE, for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
James 2:10 - For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Romans 7:4 - Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ;
Galatians 5:18 - But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Romans 8:1-39 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are IN Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 3:28 - Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH, without the deeds of the law.
* Ephesians 2:8 - For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT OF GOD:
This is for those who still persist in telling women that they are to be silent In Church and save all their questions for their husbands.
What if a woman is Not married, and chooses to live single like Apostle Paul?
What if the woman is saved and chooses to live within the grace of God and in the freedom that is in Christ?
Romans 816 How To Use the Search Box - In Reply on Acts 1 - 4 years ago
Wesley's Notes for Romans 8:16
8:16 The same Spirit beareth witness with our spirit - With the spirit of every true believer, by a testimony distinct from that of his own spirit, or the testimony of a good conscience. Happy they who enjoy this clear and constant.
People's Bible Notes for Romans 8:16
Ro 8:16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. The Spirit of God is one witness to the fact. Our spirit is a corroborative witness. How do each bear witness? (1) Witness is usually borne in words, but not always. God's Spirit bears witness in words. See Heb 10:15. The Holy Spirit shows us how we must become God's children, and how to continue the Christian life. (2) It bears testimony in our lives by its fruits ( Mt 7:16). Do we bear the fruit of the Spirit? See Ga 5:22,23. (3) Does our own spirit testify that we "mind the things of the Spirit"? (Ro 8:5). Does our consciousness recognize its fruits, inward as well as outward? If the testimony of our spirit is that what God's Spirit witnesseth of the sons of God is true of us, then they concur in the testimony that we are the children of God.
Learn this website and use the Search Box on your scripture. Touch or click to make it yellow. Scroll down to the Commentary Box. Click on that, to see the commentaries made for that scripture. It adds light to what the scripture means. Be adventurous.
For many are called (kletos: to call, invite, welcome, appoint), but few are chosen (Eklektos: chosen, elected). . . For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren. Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called (kaleo: specifically, aloud by name), and whom He called, them He also justified, and whom He justified, them He also glorified. Romans 8: 29 & 30. Peace!
Whit, no apologies necessary - I don't believe I questioned you sharing your secret - these testimonies speak to all of us of what others have gone through in life & how the Lord has sustained & intervened in some special way.
However, your comment about God being both good & evil concerned me. Ordinarily, I could pass this off as a person's use of the word 'evil' may not be what I'm thinking of. But that comment triggered in my mind, one of my last conversations with an uncle before he passed away some years after we talked. He too used that phrase about God being both good & evil, yet his was an angry, fist in the air blast against God, because of certain 'evils' that had come to him through his life. Even when talking about this with him, about his accusation against God & that God is not a God of evil nor can He do evil, my uncle was adamant it was so till his death.
Your Mother's death was long & very painful & heartbreaking to read. My Mother too died, suffering horribly for two years with lung cancer. Even after our family's pleadings with God & cries from me, her 14 yr old son, did not move God's Hand to spare her. Why didn't God listen - is He evil for taking an innocent life? I had to learn early on that God wanted her Home & there would be events in the future that would fall into place - into His bigger Plan.
All I can share here is that God does allow things to happen to our lives or loved ones for reasons unknown to us - this does not make Him evil, it shows us that He is God alone, our Creator, the One Who is entitled to do what He wants with His creation, & in His Plans He does what is right & best for us. We can't see the end of it all - we just feel the present disappointment & sorrow. But in our ignorance of Him, He requires a complete trust & faith in His Work & that "we (should) know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." ( Romans 8:28). The Lord strengthen you.
I truly believe this passage goes beyond the gift of salvation, and the work of sanctification by the power of the Holy Spirit which by Grace is beautiful beyond measure. But the understanding comes from the last part of the verse understanding God's Purpose. It is so easy to say "All things work together for good to those who love God. But it is working through God's purposes for your life that takes greater faith, greater peace, greater joy, greater contentment in our circumstances, trials and testing that one can say God works all things for good according to His purposes for me, rather than to speak this passage up in the air as wishful thinking?
The devils know Jesus Christ because he is their creator and Lord of all.
They knew Paul because he worked the mighty works of God by Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost in him.
The sons of Sceva used the name of Jesus flippantly, not being submitted to Christ themselves and not having his Spirit within them. This left them wide open to the thrashing they received.
I trust your situation is different if you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior and believed the gospel. There can be a number of reasons Christians suffer. Many are merely the result of our living in this fallen world. Others are due to our own behavior or those closest to us. Some are trials to our faith, or training in adversity to purify us as gold (see 1 Peter chapter 1).
Maybe we are learning something that can help us comfort someone else at a later time (see 2 Corinthians chapter 1).
There are times we cannot understand why we are suffering in a certain way, but we can learn to trust God in it, knowing that he only gives what is for our own good (see Romans 8:28-39). We are also promised that Jesus is with us through all our difficulties.
In Luke 18, Jesus tells us we ought always pray, and not faint and he pictures it with a parable of a woman that pestered the unjust judge until he relented and helped her. It may take a long time to get our answer, but God does hear and wants us to keep calling on him.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9But 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.
10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
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.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Hallelujah I'm just going to eddyfy somemore to the word...
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.Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
Philippians 4:6-7do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Onyekachukwu Ogechi Levinus Alaka on John 3:5 - 4 years ago
Jesus proclaimed to Nicodemus that one must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Since Adam and Eve, mankind has been cut off from God. The design of the Tabernacle, the Temple, and the worship system under the Old Covenant pictures God as distant and virtually unapproachable. Man in his natural condition, having a carnal mind and dead in his sin, is certainly shown as away from God. Though it is necessary for an individual to be born again to enter God's Kingdom, it takes a gracious and miraculous act-completely on God's part-to close the gap between Him and those He calls ( John 6:44).
No one can arbitrarily volunteer for entry and be accepted; a person cannot cause himself to be born again. Flesh does not produce redemption. Unless one is born of the Holy Spirit, whatever one does in the flesh will not make him spiritual in the biblical sense. The Bible shows that the natural mind of man is at war against God and that it is not subject to God's law and cannot be ( Romans 8:7), expressing the harsh reality of the carnal heart of mankind.
When Paul writes that the unconverted are dead in trespasses and sin, he means exactly that. Regardless of how sincere or religious they might be, such people are lifeless in terms of true spiritual life that is given by God. They are part of the old, natural creation and are spiritually lifeless unless and until-and completely at His discretion-God graciously gives life by His Spirit. Paul writes, "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.' So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy".
Onyekachukwu Ogechi Levinus Alaka on John 3:5 - 4 years ago
Jesus proclaimed to Nicodemus that one must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. Since Adam and Eve, mankind has been cut off from God. The design of the Tabernacle, the Temple, and the worship system under the Old Covenant pictures God as distant and virtually unapproachable. Man in his natural condition, having a carnal mind and dead in his sin, is certainly shown as away from God. Though it is necessary for an individual to be born again to enter God's Kingdom, it takes a gracious and miraculous act-completely on God's part-to close the gap between Him and those He calls ( John 6:44).No one can arbitrarily volunteer for entry and be accepted; a person cannot cause himself to be born again. Flesh does not produce redemption. Unless one is born of the Holy Spirit, whatever one does in the flesh will not make him spiritual in the biblical sense. The Bible shows that the natural mind of man is at war against God and that it is not subject to God's law and cannot be ( Romans 8:7), expressing the harsh reality of the carnal heart of mankind.When Paul writes that the unconverted are dead in trespasses and sin, he means exactly that. Regardless of how sincere or religious they might be, such people are lifeless in terms of true spiritual life that is given by God. They are part of the old, natural creation and are spiritually lifeless unless and until-and completely at His discretion-God graciously gives life by His Spirit. Paul writes, "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.' So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" ( Romans 9:15-16).
Please remember that the sons of God have come for the pulling down of this world's 'Strongholds', religion being the strongest of them all ( 2 Cor. 10:4; Luke 11:21-23).
When it comes to the Medical Profession, please know that the believers live by faith, as the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob is their guide in all things. Remember how God took care of a host of 2m people for forty years. He fed them and provided them with water and other essentials. Even their shoes and garments didn't wear out. Also remember that out of the original group that crossed the Red Sea only Joshua & Caleb crossed the Jordan River. All the rest died in the wilderness, while only the new generation crossed the Jordan.
Rather than speaking from personal experience, we believe that the most effective way to be taught and to come to the understanding of 'The Chastening of the Lord' is by the Word of God itself
The Law was given for a time & purpose - Jesus, by His coming & sacrifice, concluded (fulfilled) that 'time & purpose' thereby relieving us (read: Jews) from the bindings of the Law which only brought death. He said: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Jn 10:10b. Surely this abundant life includes both the release from the burden of guilt & sin and also the bindings & burdens of the Law which proved that sin & only brought death.
And lest you feel that my belief & stance is antinomian, please don't, as we haven't yet come to the discussion on Romans 8:2. And this I see as the key verse, along with much of Paul's writings on the weakness & finality of the Law in view of Christ's worth; and this has a direct bearing on believers who need to be released from the "weakness" of the Law to the "Power" of the Law that comes from & through the Holy Spirit. I would look forward to this discussion, if you wish to proceed. The Lord be with you (& us) in our meditations on our Saviour's great Sacrifice & spiritual freedom we can enjoy in Him.
John 14:27 (ESV)
Rev 19:11
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
Romans 8:38-39
Ephesians 6:10-20
Peace - Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)
Confidence - 2 Timothy 1:7
Joy - Psalm 94:19
Trust - Psalm 56:3, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."
Strength - Isaiah 41:10 ((ESV)
Nearness of God - Psalm 73:28 (ESV)
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ( John 8:32)
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. ( John 8:36)
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. ( Psalm 18:2)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.( Luke 4:18-19)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ( Romans 8:2)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ( Galatians 5:1)
John 3:5-8: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
In this passage, Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, who approached Jesus to have a chat. He came discreetly at night to Jesus to avoid the possible gossip amongst his peers about this encounter. He also came with a great confirmation: "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." Jesus could have replied & told him what he probably wanted to hear, "Nicodemus you have correctly spoken about Me so God accepts you", but I believe that Jesus, as He usually did, looked at his heart & motive, when he answered him with verses 5-8 (above).
Jesus could see that Nicodemus wanted Him, as a Rabbi (Teacher) to congratulate him & confirm His goodness, yet Jesus told him that a spiritual re-birth was necessary before you can be congratulated & confirmed by God. We are born once into the world & die & suffer coming judgement. But those who are born again, not by a natural birth, but a spiritual birth, will not die spiritually & not come under condemnation & judgement ( Romans 8:1).
But if this is not the answer you're looking for, then if you could please explain further your question "by not knowing people born with the Spirit"?
Revelation 4:2: yes, that does show John viewing One sitting on the Throne, but when you read further in Revelation 5:6-9, we also see Jesus (God's Word sent to be made human, but now ascended to sit at God's right Hand). And we know that Jesus & God are there in Heaven by this verse & also Romans 8:34. So God's Word was made flesh & called "Jesus" but raised as 'God Who is also Man' in that Body fitted for Heaven, even as we shall be in that day ( 1 John 3:2). And yes, it was God's Plan from the beginning to have His children enjoy intimate fellowship with Him. And God is His Fullness (i.e. the Father, His Son & His Spirit Who are God in Unity) do enjoy such fellowship with His children. Each cannot feel differently about us (i.e. God cannot have fellowship with us, but the Son says "But I don't like that person, let's have a chat about this Father"). God is One & that Oneness is seen in His expressions of His Son & His Spirit & in their Unity & complete agreement.
Jesus as a 'created Being': Jesus' Sacrifice as a Man does indeed have spiritual consequences but cannot be seen as a spiritual Sacrifice. He was fully human & fully God, yet laying aside some of those Divine qualities for the purposes of the Incarnation & Sacrifice ( Philippians 2:5-11). To enable us to be convicted, to draw us to repentance, to give light & understanding, to renew us & fill us, to sanctify us & to raise us up to the heavenlies, is the work of God's Spirit. And Who is this Spirit? The self same Spirit that is part of the Father & the Son.
1 John 3:9: that's a separate subject that can be discussed if you desire, as its meaning needs analysis. Though the concept of sinless perfection is concerning. Blessings.
Yes, dear Hugo, I was referring to our conversation on 'prophets'. Re: Ecclesiastes 6:11, I think you have the wrong reference; possibly Proverbs 10:19, though this too doesn't apply.
I realize that you're not denying the deity of Christ in one sense, but I would advise you that 'Trinitarians' likewise don't deny it either. A Trinitarian understanding of the Scriptures as you know, is that there is One God & that God has expressed Himself (& revealed to us) His Being. God shows us Himself also by His Word & His Spirit - you know the Scriptures that support this. Then at the appointed time ( Romans 5:6), God sent His Word ( John 1:14) to be clothed with flesh so that a full & permanent sacrifice could be made for sin unlike animal sacrifices.
After Christ's death, resurrection & ascension, He went to sit at the Father's right Hand ( Luke 22:69; Romans 8:34) where He "ever lives to make intercession for us" ( Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). So we see the Father in Heaven, His Son (Word made flesh) at the Father's right Hand & His Spirit who indwells the believer ( John 14:17; Ephesians 1:13,14) & convicts men ( John 16:8). There is no such teaching from the Bible that Jesus only exists in Heaven & that the Father & Holy Spirit are now existing in Jesus. I know this is the teaching of the "Jesus Only" movement. The Father, the Son & the Spirit are still there & all three remain part of the Eternal Godhead (& yes, by all means, level your accusation at me), for the Bible is clear. If you have Scriptures to show that this is not the case, then I welcome your further input & my study.
And Romans 8:3:"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh".
After His Resurrection, He still had a human body: "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
And Acts 1:10,11: "And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he (Jesus) went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
1 John 3:2, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."
I saw some pretty disturbing stuff the other night. We all need to clamp onto Jesus Christ and our Father. Keep our faith and be ready to take up our crosses. Always keep praying my brothers and sisters. He is always with us. He loves us all so much. Try not to worry and just stay calm. Getting nervous and full of fear profits us nothing.
Everyone is in my prayers. God Bless.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
*I know its tough this life, but we still have to realize that even though we are suffering we can still hope for the life which is to come :(eternal life), that comes after our temporal life.
2 Corinthians 4:18(KJV)
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
* Keep this in mind as well : ( Romans 8:18) (KJV)
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
2 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV)
[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Last but not least : Philippians 4:13 (KJV)
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
My God bless :-)
Romans 10:4 - For Christ is the END OF THE LAW, for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye ARE NOT under the law, but UNDER GRACE.
Romans 7:7 - What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Romans 3:31 - Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Romans 7:6 - But now WE ARE DELIVERED from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that WE SHOULD serve in newness of spirit, AND NOT in the oldness of the letter.
Galatians 3:10 - For as many as are of the works of the law are UNDER THE CURSE, for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
James 2:10 - For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Romans 7:4 - Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ;
Galatians 5:18 - But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Romans 8:1-39 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are IN Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 3:28 - Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by FAITH, without the deeds of the law.
* Ephesians 2:8 - For by GRACE are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT OF GOD:
This is for those who still persist in telling women that they are to be silent In Church and save all their questions for their husbands.
What if a woman is Not married, and chooses to live single like Apostle Paul?
What if the woman is saved and chooses to live within the grace of God and in the freedom that is in Christ?
Mishael
8:16 The same Spirit beareth witness with our spirit - With the spirit of every true believer, by a testimony distinct from that of his own spirit, or the testimony of a good conscience. Happy they who enjoy this clear and constant.
People's Bible Notes for Romans 8:16
Ro 8:16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. The Spirit of God is one witness to the fact. Our spirit is a corroborative witness. How do each bear witness? (1) Witness is usually borne in words, but not always. God's Spirit bears witness in words. See Heb 10:15. The Holy Spirit shows us how we must become God's children, and how to continue the Christian life. (2) It bears testimony in our lives by its fruits ( Mt 7:16). Do we bear the fruit of the Spirit? See Ga 5:22,23. (3) Does our own spirit testify that we "mind the things of the Spirit"? (Ro 8:5). Does our consciousness recognize its fruits, inward as well as outward? If the testimony of our spirit is that what God's Spirit witnesseth of the sons of God is true of us, then they concur in the testimony that we are the children of God.
Learn this website and use the Search Box on your scripture. Touch or click to make it yellow. Scroll down to the Commentary Box. Click on that, to see the commentaries made for that scripture. It adds light to what the scripture means. Be adventurous.
Find all of the Bible Tools.
Mishael
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
I suggest we all read Romans 8 again, so we do not return to a system of WORKS again.
It's equal to saying what Jesus did on the Cross wasn't good enough.
Mishael
However, your comment about God being both good & evil concerned me. Ordinarily, I could pass this off as a person's use of the word 'evil' may not be what I'm thinking of. But that comment triggered in my mind, one of my last conversations with an uncle before he passed away some years after we talked. He too used that phrase about God being both good & evil, yet his was an angry, fist in the air blast against God, because of certain 'evils' that had come to him through his life. Even when talking about this with him, about his accusation against God & that God is not a God of evil nor can He do evil, my uncle was adamant it was so till his death.
Your Mother's death was long & very painful & heartbreaking to read. My Mother too died, suffering horribly for two years with lung cancer. Even after our family's pleadings with God & cries from me, her 14 yr old son, did not move God's Hand to spare her. Why didn't God listen - is He evil for taking an innocent life? I had to learn early on that God wanted her Home & there would be events in the future that would fall into place - into His bigger Plan.
All I can share here is that God does allow things to happen to our lives or loved ones for reasons unknown to us - this does not make Him evil, it shows us that He is God alone, our Creator, the One Who is entitled to do what He wants with His creation, & in His Plans He does what is right & best for us. We can't see the end of it all - we just feel the present disappointment & sorrow. But in our ignorance of Him, He requires a complete trust & faith in His Work & that "we (should) know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." ( Romans 8:28). The Lord strengthen you.
They knew Paul because he worked the mighty works of God by Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost in him.
The sons of Sceva used the name of Jesus flippantly, not being submitted to Christ themselves and not having his Spirit within them. This left them wide open to the thrashing they received.
I trust your situation is different if you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior and believed the gospel. There can be a number of reasons Christians suffer. Many are merely the result of our living in this fallen world. Others are due to our own behavior or those closest to us. Some are trials to our faith, or training in adversity to purify us as gold (see 1 Peter chapter 1).
Maybe we are learning something that can help us comfort someone else at a later time (see 2 Corinthians chapter 1).
There are times we cannot understand why we are suffering in a certain way, but we can learn to trust God in it, knowing that he only gives what is for our own good (see Romans 8:28-39). We are also promised that Jesus is with us through all our difficulties.
In Luke 18, Jesus tells us we ought always pray, and not faint and he pictures it with a parable of a woman that pestered the unjust judge until he relented and helped her. It may take a long time to get our answer, but God does hear and wants us to keep calling on him.
9But 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.
10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
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.Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
Philippians 4:6-7do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Be encouraged. We care about you.
No one can arbitrarily volunteer for entry and be accepted; a person cannot cause himself to be born again. Flesh does not produce redemption. Unless one is born of the Holy Spirit, whatever one does in the flesh will not make him spiritual in the biblical sense. The Bible shows that the natural mind of man is at war against God and that it is not subject to God's law and cannot be ( Romans 8:7), expressing the harsh reality of the carnal heart of mankind.
When Paul writes that the unconverted are dead in trespasses and sin, he means exactly that. Regardless of how sincere or religious they might be, such people are lifeless in terms of true spiritual life that is given by God. They are part of the old, natural creation and are spiritually lifeless unless and until-and completely at His discretion-God graciously gives life by His Spirit. Paul writes, "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.' So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy".
Please remember that the sons of God have come for the pulling down of this world's 'Strongholds', religion being the strongest of them all ( 2 Cor. 10:4; Luke 11:21-23).
When it comes to the Medical Profession, please know that the believers live by faith, as the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob is their guide in all things. Remember how God took care of a host of 2m people for forty years. He fed them and provided them with water and other essentials. Even their shoes and garments didn't wear out. Also remember that out of the original group that crossed the Red Sea only Joshua & Caleb crossed the Jordan River. All the rest died in the wilderness, while only the new generation crossed the Jordan.
Rather than speaking from personal experience, we believe that the most effective way to be taught and to come to the understanding of 'The Chastening of the Lord' is by the Word of God itself
CHASTENING
Deut. 8:5
Job 5:17-19; 6:1-10; 23:10; 33:19
Psalms 6:1-10; 17:3; 30:1-12; 38:1-21; 94:12-14; 102:1-28; 116:1-19; 119:7,67,71
Proverbs 3:11
Isaiah 26:16
1 Cor. 11:32
Hebrews 12:5,6
James 1:12
1 Peter 1:7
Rev. 3:15-21
AFFLICTIONS
Psalms 34:19; 132:1
Isaiah 48:10
Acts 7:10; 20:23
2 Cor. 6:4
Col. 1:24
1 Thess 3:3
Hebrews 12:5-12
Rev. 3:18
SICKNESS AND HEALING
Exodus 15:26
Psalm 6:2
Isaiah 30:26
Jer. 30:17
Eze. 34:16
Hosea 6:1
Mal. 4:2
Matthew 10:8
Mark 2:17
Luke 5:31
James 5:15
1 Peter 2:24
Rev. 22:2
RELYING ON DOCTORS AND MEDICINE
2 Chr. 16:12,13
Job 13:4
Psalms 34:19; 108:12
Isaiah 30:1-3
Jer. 17:5-7,14
Hosea 5:13
Mark 5:25-29
Luke 8:43
MADE PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERING
Job 5:18; 23:10
Psalms 50:5; 119:67,71
Isaiah 48:10
Jer. 31:18
Hosea 5:15; 6:1
Romans 8:17
2 Cor. 4:17
Hebrews 2:10; 5:7-9; 12:10,11
1 Peter 4:1,12; 5:1,9,10
Rev. 3:19
Seek, and ye shall find ( Matthew 7:7).
In His Service.
Andy & Dianne van den Berg - Nova Scotia, Canada
The Law was given for a time & purpose - Jesus, by His coming & sacrifice, concluded (fulfilled) that 'time & purpose' thereby relieving us (read: Jews) from the bindings of the Law which only brought death. He said: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Jn 10:10b. Surely this abundant life includes both the release from the burden of guilt & sin and also the bindings & burdens of the Law which proved that sin & only brought death.
And lest you feel that my belief & stance is antinomian, please don't, as we haven't yet come to the discussion on Romans 8:2. And this I see as the key verse, along with much of Paul's writings on the weakness & finality of the Law in view of Christ's worth; and this has a direct bearing on believers who need to be released from the "weakness" of the Law to the "Power" of the Law that comes from & through the Holy Spirit. I would look forward to this discussion, if you wish to proceed. The Lord be with you (& us) in our meditations on our Saviour's great Sacrifice & spiritual freedom we can enjoy in Him.