To Christians or non Christians

[B-A-C]

1 Cor 3:1; And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.
1 Cor 3:2; I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
1 Cor 3:3; for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?

There men are "infants"... but yet they infants "in Christ". not unbelievers. Yet Paul says they "still fleshly".
He likely wouldn't say this to a mature Christian. (as they are overcomers) but even so, he acknowledges that they
are "in Christ".

So the argument about we cannot be in Christ and fleshly at the same time doesn't hold water here.

Not only does Paul say these men are infants "in Christ". He goes on to say....

1 Cor 3:9; For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

You are God's field.. or building. You are God's vessel to work with. Paul acknowledges that these "fleshly", "infants in Christ" are also "God's property". These men are not unbelievers.

The idea that Christians have to be perfect 100% of the time is not accurate.

 

[Curtis]

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Just the fact that if a Christian walks in the Spirit he will not fulfill the lust of the flesh is proof he can walk in sin (flesh). Walking in the flesh would be walking in darkness.

 

[At Peace]

This shell that is decaying. Is still corrupted flesh is it not?

How can something reborn of God's seed be corrupt?
It is His tabernacle on earth!

I hope you understand that I'm not saying you have to acquiesce to the flesh. Only that there are functions required for living in this flesh that require things of you, that in our current state you still must do. While the Glorified Body of Christ it was not necessary for Him to do, though to communicate to the Apostles the power of God He did.

Yet we are promised meals with Christ in heaven. (Luke 22:30)
We see edible fruit in heaven. (Rev 22:2)
Do you think they are just options for us in heaven?
Maybe they are, but they will not be corrupting there either.

Just because we eat and go to the toilet and pick our noses doesn't equate to "corruption".

 

[At Peace]

I have. Am I your Brother?

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

I don't know.
Whose seed do your actions manifest? (1 John 3:8-10)

 

[At Peace]

This is simply not true. 1 out of a 1 000 000 people will interpret that passage as you have. This is directed at someone you called a brother in Christ.

Didn't Jesus wonder if He would even find faith upon His return?
I actually think your odds are too low.

 

[B-A-C]

How can something reborn of God's seed be corrupt?
It is His tabernacle on earth!

His tabernacle on earth was defiled many times. See the abomination of desolation.
In fact it was destroyed twice (it isn't standing today).

Even His tabernacle in heaven has had the presence of satan there. (see Job). That's why there eventually be a new heaven and earth.

 

[At Peace]

This is not true as a Christian can walk either in the flesh or the spirit depending what his mind is set on.
A double minded man is unstable in all of his ways.

I hope you realize the condemnation you have brought against those (imagining they are) walking in the flesh and spirit.

Walking in darkness does not mean that darkness is inside him.

You deceive yourself. or just plain don't understand.
It is written..."The way of the wicked is as darkness:" (Pro 4:19)

 

[At Peace]

I have posted these here before... I hate doing it... because I feel like it is "defense of sin".
But there are several others as well.

Matt 18:15; "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.

Here we see that word "brother" again. It has to be a Christian brother. In a sense... there were no Christians yet. But technically,
anyone who believed in Jesus (i.e. He was the messiah) was a Christian. (Christ = Messiah).

Luke 17:3; "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

There is a term "brother" again. A Christian brother.

Peter asks Jesus...

Matt 18:21; Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"

If "my brother". Now it could be talking about Andrew (Simon Peters brother) but it is talking about Christian believers here.

Here is Jesus's answer to that question.

Matt 18:22; Jesus *said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Do we think we can "out forgive" God?
Back to 1st John.

1 Jn 2:1; My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

The "little children" here are all believers. Not actual children. It says "so that if you may not sin". But it goes on to say to the same audience of "little children"... if anyone does sin....

No verses defend sin.
It is those who use them in the defense of sin who will pay the price.

 

[At Peace]

His tabernacle on earth was defiled many times. See the abomination of desolation.
In fact it was destroyed twice (it isn't standing today).

What outcome did those defiled temples suffer?
Do you expect a different outcome for those inferring they are hosting thee Holy Spirit while they commit their sins?

Even His tabernacle in heaven has had the presence of satan there. (see Job). That's why there eventually be a new heaven and earth.

And there is rebirth already.

 

[Curtis]

You deceive yourself. or just plain don't understand.
It is written..."The way of the wicked is as darkness:" (Pro 4:19)

Answer me this, If Jesus was God in the flesh, then how could Jesus be tempted with evil when scripture says God can not be tempted with evil...." ? (James 1:13)

 

[Curtis]

How can something reborn of God's seed be corrupt?

It is man's spirit that was reborn of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, not mans body. No one can walk in the Spirit until they first renew their carnal mind with he Word of God.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

how long do you think it takes to do this, and in the mean while what do you suppose man is doing while this is process is taking place?

 

[Fragrant Grace]

Firstly may I thank you all for your responses in this thread which have been very helpful in confirming and adding to my understanding of these verses. I may come in and ask a few more questions as I digest things further.

One thing that I find rather sad, but perhaps not surprising....

I have. Am I your Brother?

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

I don't know.
Whose seed do your actions manifest? (1 John 3:8-10)

Brother Nick @Christ4Ever you are a dear brother in the Lord.
All communications whether on the forum, in the mod room, or in private shine with the beautiful love of our Lord. It is clear that the Lord works in and through you.....and that even if you do slip at times (as we all do) that "process of sanctification"* and growth in grace is always glowing.

@At Peace
If you are indeed living a perfect life then Praise the Lord.
However, I see little in the way of sharing the love of Jesus in your posts, no visits to the prayer and councelling threads where on occasion people are in desparate need.
Tell us all a little more of His love....share the wonders He has wrought in your life.


* Please note these are my words....a feeble attempt at trying to explain, not a doctrine I am stating.

 

[Christ4Ever]

I don't know.
Whose seed do your actions manifest? (1 John 3:8-10)

I call you Brother because I believe that in Christ Jesus we (You and I) are so. Am I hundred percent positive of this? No. You or I could as easily be a deceiver. This online communication is all I have to go by as do you. So, my trust is in the Lord and not you. That if Wolf you are, that the consequences of your actions will be brought to the light of day, one day and so with me. If Brother you are than I rejoice, all the more in the knowledge that even if you do not see fit to acknowledge me as such, we still are in Christ Jesus, Brothers and hope you would rejoice in this thought as I do!

Understand that I do love you, though it is not returned. At least not in so many words

I will now speak truth to you and only bring this up because when I first asked the question of whether I was your brother, it had not occurred to me why it was so important to know this from you.

You quoted the following to Sister @Fragrant Grace reference of 1 John 5:16. If any man see his brother (Christian) sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

John didn't add "Christian" to the verse...you did.
John wanted the faithful to make available to men not yet in the faith, repentance from sin and life in Christ.
The sins unto death are those not repented of.

To me your reply to my Dear Sister in Christ Jesus speaks that the underlined and bolded text (done by me) was speaking to the faithful as being “any man and he shall ask”; and concerning the unbeliever as being “brother”.

Now to my point after all this typing You won’t believe how much time I have spent on this or how much I didn’t include! You are worth it my brother.

So, when I asked you the question of “Am I your Brother?” why not just say yes you are my brother? Instead of posing to me a question, which is irrelevant if you are correct concerning 1 John 5:16? Or am I missing something in your reply to “my” (I won’t presume for you and say "our") Sister in Christ Jesus?

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

 

[At Peace]

Answer me this, If Jesus was God in the flesh, then how could Jesus be tempted with evil when scripture says God can not be tempted with evil...." ? (James 1:13)

Jesus was the Word in the flesh.
The devil will tempt, and he is no respecter of persons.

 

[Curtis]

Jesus was the Word in the flesh.
The devil will tempt, and he is no respecter of persons.

And the Word was God. How could God be tempted when scriptures says he can not?

 

[At Peace]

It is man's spirit that was reborn of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, not mans body.

That isn't what 2 Cor 5:17 says.
"All things..."

No one can walk in the Spirit until they first renew their carnal mind with the Word of God.

Please provide the verse that says we are renewed by "the Word of God".
What does that say about those who still satisfy the lusts of the flesh?
They are not walking in the Spirit.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
how long do you think it takes to do this, and in the mean while what do you suppose man is doing while this is process is taking place?

All things were made new for me after I had "turned from" all sin and been baptized into Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Then I walked in newness of life. {Rom 6:3-6)
If you feel this is a process, I have to wonder...
Have you ever met a "fully" transformed man?

 

[At Peace]

Firstly may I thank you all for your responses in this thread which have been very helpful in confirming and adding to my understanding of these verses. I may come in and ask a few more questions as I digest things further.
One thing that I find rather sad, but perhaps not surprising....
Brother Nick @Christ4Ever you are a dear brother in the Lord.
All communications whether on the forum, in the mod room, or in private shine with the beautiful love of our Lord. It is clear that the Lord works in and through you.....and that even if you do slip at times (as we all do) that "process of sanctification"* and growth in grace is always glowing.

You should have let him answer the question.
My love for him causes me to make him examine his relationship with God.
Using 1 John 3:8-10 is the weather vane of substance.

@At Peace
If you are indeed living a perfect life then Praise the Lord.
However, I see little in the way of sharing the love of Jesus in your posts, no visits to the prayer and councelling threads where on occasion people are in desparate need.
Tell us all a little more of His love....share the wonders He has wrought in your life.

What is more important?
Getting healed of a disease, or saving a man's soul?

The world's view of a Christian is of some bunny rabbit, wimp.
That is far from the truth.
In Christ is power and strength.
Those gifts are to be used for the glory of God just as prophesy and interpreting tongues are.

Want to be a Christian?
Quit committing sin. (Acts 2:38)

 

[Curtis]

That isn't what 2 Cor 5:17 says.
"All things..."

It seems getting a new body at Jeus,s return is not needed since you have yours now.

 

[Curtis]

Please provide the verse that says we are renewed by "the Word of God".
What does that say about those who still satisfy the lusts of the flesh?
They are not walking in the Spirit.

Where do you find the will of God? How will you know it is God,s will? Whose word will you use to renew your mind? How do you know right from wrong?
Who told you? How would anyone know or be instructed in the way of rightiosness, and or be corrected? The Word of God.

 

[At Peace]

I call you Brother because I believe that in Christ Jesus we (You and I) are so. Am I hundred percent positive of this? No. You or I could as easily be a deceiver. This online communication is all I have to go by as do you. So, my trust is in the Lord and not you. That if Wolf you are, that the consequences of your actions will be brought to the light of day, one day and so with me. If Brother you are than I rejoice, all the more in the knowledge that even if you do not see fit to acknowledge me as such, we still are in Christ Jesus, Brothers and hope you would rejoice in this thought as I do!

My answer to your question of am I your brother hinges on the answer you give to my question...
Do you commit sin?

Understand that I do love you, though it is not returned. At least not in so many words
I will now speak truth to you and only bring this up because when I first asked the question of whether I was your brother, it had not occurred to me why it was so important to know this from you.
You quoted the following to Sister @Fragrant Grace reference of 1 John 5:16. If any man see his brother (Christian) sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
To me your reply to my Dear Sister in Christ Jesus speaks that the underlined and bolded text (done by me) was speaking to the faithful as being “any man and he shall ask”; and concerning the unbeliever as being “brother”.

If "he's" not a believer, he is not a brother in the Lord.
He may be a Greek brother or a Jewish brother, or even a son of my earthly mom and dad.
But if he serves sin instead of God we are not brothers in the Lord.
We have different fathers. (1 John 3:8-10)

Now to my point after all this typing You won’t believe how much time I have spent on this or how much I didn’t include! You are worth it my brother.
So, when I asked you the question of “Am I your Brother?” why not just say yes you are my brother? Instead of posing to me a question, which is irrelevant if you are correct concerning 1 John 5:16? Or am I missing something in your reply to “my” (I won’t presume for you and say "our") Sister in Christ Jesus?
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

Why not just say..."I don't commit sin" and then tell us how long you have been freed from sin by our loving and gracious Lord?
Glorify the name of Jesus Christ whose crucifixion washed away your past sins and enabled you to kill the old man and to be raised with Christ to walk in newness of life.
Reach out to those still suffering the bondage of sin in hope that they will follow you, praising God.
.