Good works, not good enough

[Lanolin]

1 John 3:9 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

• This verse is so misused for deceiving purposes
• It happens but seldom can you translate a verse directly
• Being "Born Again" you no longer willfully or practice sin but the human side of you will sin to some degree
• Being born anew, God's seed dwells in you spiritually and that side of you, God does not see your sin. In fact, bring Born Again, God justifies you....just as if you never have sinned!

Some people separate saved and born again to two separate events, being saved to be born again. Rather than lump them together. So I can be saved from sin, to be born again (in the reaurrection) but many christians claim the born again label because they will be but consider their spirit to be born again the moment when they are saved.

However I think the bible explains this another way that all creation is groaning to be born again.

Otherwise in the bible how is it that anyone can claim to be a christian, if their life in the flesh is not actually changed. They are living by faith but faith without works is dead...a christian who isnt bearing fruit and is till sinning hasnt really applied the blood of Jesus to their life have they? Has Jesus set us free or not, then why are people still 'struggling' when they can be free. Was Peter, James, Paul and all struggling still? Did Paul still want to persecute christians and was Peter still stumbling around putting his foot in his mouth all the time? Was James still trying to be the best and trying to one up everyone? Was Mary still sleeping around? Was Martha complaining all the time. Did zaccheus contine to rip people off? Do we not see how Jesus changed these people and set the captives free.

 

[Lanolin]

There are three separate parts to us that make us, individuals.spirit, soul and body. I wont ever be perfect in my body (the flesh) here on earth but am promised it will be perfect in heaven. My soul is saved. My spirit is born again.

That is how I understand it, other people may have different interpetations.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Some people separate saved and born again to two separate events, being saved to be born again

One in the same

many christians claim the born again label because they will be but consider their spirit to be born again the moment when they are saved.

Your spirit is not born again...if you are a true "Born Again" Christian, you have a second birth...You are born spiritually by God's spirit!

They are living by faith but faith without works is dead..

One of the very first fruits that a Christian exhibits is the presence f Jesus in you!

a christian who isn't bearing fruit and is till sinning hasn't really applied the blood of Jesus to their life have they?

There is a difference between sinning as a believer and willfully or deliberately sinning as a Non-believer!

Do we not see how Jesus changed these people

We all have, as, Believers, have a change in conscientiousness toward God..... that is the mark of a true Christian!

 

[Born Again 2004]

There are three separate parts to us that make us, individuals.spirit, soul and body. I wont ever be perfect in my body (the flesh) here on earth but am promised it will be perfect in heaven. My soul is saved. My spirit is born again.

That is how I understand it, other people may have different interpetations.

When the imperfection leaves and the perfection comes, we will look at him "face to face" and will know him as he knows us!

 

[Lanolin]

Isnt just a change of conscience though. God changes much more than that...its a new heart. The spirit is born in you...dwelling in you.

I think anyone can change their mind, and then change it back again. Thats why people can be so doubleminded and thats annoying, they will think of God one minute and do satans ways the next. A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways, he wont recieve anything from God.

 

[Born Again 2004]

Isnt just a change of conscience though. God changes much more than that...its a new heart. The spirit is born in you...dwelling in you.

I think anyone can change their mind, and then change it back again. Thats why people can be so doubleminded and thats annoying, they will think of God one minute and do satans ways the next. A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways, he wont recieve anything from God.

No Ma'am, it is the very beginning of a relationship with God, you have a change in attitude / heart towards God...a change in conscience toward God or how we regard him. As in water-baptism, it isn't the washing of the water but a genuine change in heart toward God that counts...I don't think you go back from this!
1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Before I was B.A., I could care less, now I have a whole new conscience or attitude toward God. If one is double minded and change back and forth, possibly they we not saved in the first place

 

[Lanolin]

No Ma'am, it is the very beginning of a relationship with God, you have a change in attitude / heart towards God...a change in conscience toward God or how we regard him. As in water-baptism, it isn't the washing of the water but a genuine change in heart toward God that counts...I don't think you go back from this!
1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Before I was B.A., I could care less, now I have a whole new conscience or attitude toward God. If one is double minded and change back and forth, possibly they we not saved in the first place

But thats what I said.

A change of heart, not just a change of mind.

Isnt the first commandment listing love the lord your God with all your heart, all of your soul and all your mind.

I havent said soul but it includes that. The commandment doesnt say just with all your mind. It includes your heart and soul.

I have noticed in my walk a few claim to be christians being very doubleminded about Him, like one day they profess they love Him and the next they hate Him for not answering their prayers.

Read on further to 1 Peter 4:1-2

It doesnt just stop at baptism and a clear conscience, we have the rest of our lives on earth to live.

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

Him, like one day they profess they love Him and the next they hate Him for not answering their prayers.

Simply because they have no real understanding about fight the good fight of faith and that we have an enemy fighting against us all the way.
God gets blamed for the works of the enemy and their own lack of doing as the scriptures say.

Blessings and Merry Christmas
W4F

 

[Lanolin]

Simply because they have no real understanding about fight the good fight of faith and that we have an enemy fighting against us all the way.
God gets blamed for the works of the enemy and their own lack of doing as the scriptures say.

Blessings and Merry Christmas
W4F

It seems to me some christians arent even aware of what (or who) they are up against. And how to fight or contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. We need to submit to God and resist the devil.

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

It seems to me some christians arent even aware of what (or who) they are up against. And how to fight or contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. We need to submit to God and resist the devil.

Very True indeed !!
Most Christians don't even have a clue how our enemy the devil operates. They have this misguided hollywood view of a red suit and horns and smelling like sulfer. They think everything he does is so plane to see after all its the devil and he is the father of lies.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Scripture says he comes as an age of light. Scripture tells us he is crafty and talks about the wiles of the devil and not power of the devil.

There is no man alive that the enemy does not come after . There is no man alive that does not have to be alert and ready at all times.

Blessings
W4F

 

[At Peace]

Very True indeed !!
Most Christians don't even have a clue how our enemy the devil operates. They have this misguided hollywood view of a red suit and horns and smelling like sulfer. They think everything he does is so plane to see after all its the devil and he is the father of lies.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Scripture says he comes as an age of light. Scripture tells us he is crafty and talks about the wiles of the devil and not power of the devil.

There is no man alive that the enemy does not come after . There is no man alive that does not have to be alert and ready at all times.

Blessings
W4F

Thank God for verses like..."There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Cor 10:13)
And..."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
And..."Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" (2 Peter 1:10)

We can always be ready for the fight.

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

Thank God for verses like..."There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Exactly but then again you have to want to escape and refuse to handle it your way and in your strength.

And..."Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Ever notice how many quote the second part but never mention the first part?

Submitting to God also means doing things His way and this includes but not limited to Forgiveness and Walking in Love.

And..."Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:"

10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

This means be a doer of His Word and not just a hearer of His Word.
People like to pick and choose what they do or discount as not for them.

We can always be ready for the fight.

Surprisingly, far to many are never taught or equipped to fight and stand.
Persecution comes and they run around looking for faith and asking others to pray them some faith in.

They have already lost that battle.
Blessings and Merry Christmas

 

[Lanolin]

I think if we admit we are weak and ask our brothers and sisters to pray for us that is fine and as we continue to walk in His ways we grow stronger and will be able to run and not grow weary, and rise on eagles wings.

I mean don't be afraid to put up your hand if you need prayer and can't seem to find the words.
You can just say I need someone to pray for me and the stronger brothers and sisters can intercede. But also...if we allow, we can actually ask Jesus. Some people forget they can actually go to Him about anything. He knew what it was like to live in this world in the flesh and be subject to weakness and temptations and trials.

He will save you when you think you might walk on water but you aren't ready yet...for example, when I was younger in the faith I thought I could do stuff that I wasn't ready for and went ahead and almost got ensnared by a false brother who claimed it was ok to fornicate! But Jesus opened a way for me to escape when Satan tried this age old trick of temptation.

In the past before I came to faith I wouldn't have thought much of it and would have been easily swayed but now I know His ways I can resist the devil. Well the seducer did flee from me. Lord knows where he is now, but He kept me from harm.

Can I just add, Jesus asked his disciples to pray for him when he faced certain death -the crucifixtion. But they were too tired.

Of course Jesus didnt want to die, not at that age! But he was willing to obey His Fathers will and do whatever it took to save the lives of others even if it meant giving up his own life. And so it will be the same for us. You might not know it now, but we are giving our lives to Him. Not just one percent...or 50 percent...all of it!

Why does this seem so hard...well its not going to be hard because of the promise of eternal life in exchange! But that eternal life is given through faith. If we dont believe Jesus gives us HIS life in exchange all we are doing is still living our own lives.

JEsus said I am come to give life, and life more abundantly. Does anybody do or has done CPR. If you can bring a person back to life, how much breath do you need to animate a person. Well God has more!