What makes you a Christian?
It's On You.
- Thread starter B-A-C
- Start date
What makes you a Christian?
I'm not a Christian.
Then by what basis are people Christian?
When did the early followers of Christ call themselves Christians?
I will answer your question in the format which you asked it: it is by faith in Jesus Christ.
Rockerduck
Active
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2011
- Messages
- 452
Hello twcstp111,
You asked, "When did the early followers of Christ call themselves Christians?"
Acts 11:26 - 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
You asked, "When did the early followers of Christ call themselves Christians?"
Acts 11:26 - 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Greetings Linda,
I have looked into what you have written here, on this thread, and in particular, your comments to and about your fellow member. B-A-C
From what i see, i think there may have been a misunderstanding.
for example:
I really do not think that B-A-C had any intention of targeting you, in the post you are referring to.
You will find that he is actually a very sound and caring Member who loves the Lord dearly and has a life of testimony to the saving grace of God, found only in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I write this also as i am familiar with the discussions that have been held here over the years and the general regurgitation of opinions based on bias rather than many at all actually interested in looking at the Bible and discussing it as one, all being one in the One Who gave His life that we might be one in and with and for Him.
For example, going to Romans 8:1 we can read half of it and stop there...
or we can read on and discover much more of the message we have before us in full. I would like to add, though, that Romans is really a very easy book or letter to read and we really should read it all, from verse one chapter one. It is then that Romans chapter 8 verse 1 makes sense.
However, in context, [briefly] we might see that there is actually a work being worked out and also one that the Apostle and those he wrote to, as an Apostle, were very much aware of. Persecution was real and in real time, as were the attempts to Judaise the Gospel and bring it back to works and law -{which is, primarily what the Apostle was referring to in verse one}
Read this section and notice something at the end....
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. 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: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
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.
Romans 8:1-18
I do recommend reading through the rest of the Chapter, also.
I am reminded as i write of the passage that is about abiding in Him.
To help explain may i say...
if one lives and works at a morgue he will have several bodies, all dead, 'co-occupying' the house with him. If we consider what it is to abide in Christ, we must realise that that abiding is a doing verb, as is the greatest.. Love. In other words, as a dead branch on a vine or tree is still attached to, and for all intents and purposes, a part of that tree or vine, it does not and can not bear fruit or leaves or any such thing. In fact, it is not abiding if it is dead.
As a man continues in the Faith, he must remain abiding. {even in that small sentence, there two doing verbs and with it prepositions of the doing}
When we relate to one another, we should all at all times remember to use the Heavenly Language of Love [and i confess that i have faltered and failed far too many times doing so, to my shame}
Sometimes the flesh or body or mortal is anti, or falsely, made alive again by deceiving lies of the enemy, the adversary, and if we give place to it, we soon forget the Heavenly Language... and we both hear and respond with the dead flesh, words that do not edify, not build up others, nor do us any good whatsoever. {the amount of times i have realised after saying stupid worldly fleshy things that i not only hurt another, i also gave a false witness and i also only hurt myself, so to speak, by doing so! - a general and complete no-win situation}
The Apostle [echoing the Words of the Lord] tells his readers that he and we/they must daily put the flesh to death - which again is a doing verb thing.
I know of Rest. The idea of rest on the Sabbath was to be doing nothing that might in the slightest way be seen as work... that is, one was to be NOT doing. Being alive in Christ is a constant doing, a constant working of His eternal Spirit in us and through us and one thing i have noticed, over time, is that, like it or not, i do have to be doing a work - BUT, the work we now do is Heavenly and lasting and is to be according to the Spirit of God and not according to this world and/or the laws of it.
So, you see, if you can un~jumble my rambling, that there is much to be discussed on the subject of work but it can all be for good and we can do it in God's Love because we have all received of His Grace (and Mercy) by faith.
To me, it is only ever His Mercy and Grace because i KNOW that there is NO GOOD THING IN ME..... and i really do think that you will find that our Brother in Christ, B-A-C, thinks much the same way.
===> by the way, do i and B-A-C always agree? Not that i have noticed. BUT i am thankful for it because he puts the effort in as a lump of iron, that i can be sharpened with.
Will you always agree with everything i write? Possibly not
BUT we all share the same Hope and it is only because of His Grace that we can even begin to grasp any of His Word and to reaslise it is He Who has us in His grasp and it is His Love that He loves us all with.
Can i share a video with you?
Enjoy!
www.godtube.com
and
www.godtube.com
Keep the Faith
Jesus is Lord
Bless you ....><>
@B-A-C - tagged as i have mentioned you in this post
I have looked into what you have written here, on this thread, and in particular, your comments to and about your fellow member. B-A-C
From what i see, i think there may have been a misunderstanding.
for example:
I really do not think that B-A-C had any intention of targeting you, in the post you are referring to.
You will find that he is actually a very sound and caring Member who loves the Lord dearly and has a life of testimony to the saving grace of God, found only in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I write this also as i am familiar with the discussions that have been held here over the years and the general regurgitation of opinions based on bias rather than many at all actually interested in looking at the Bible and discussing it as one, all being one in the One Who gave His life that we might be one in and with and for Him.
For example, going to Romans 8:1 we can read half of it and stop there...
or we can read on and discover much more of the message we have before us in full. I would like to add, though, that Romans is really a very easy book or letter to read and we really should read it all, from verse one chapter one. It is then that Romans chapter 8 verse 1 makes sense.
However, in context, [briefly] we might see that there is actually a work being worked out and also one that the Apostle and those he wrote to, as an Apostle, were very much aware of. Persecution was real and in real time, as were the attempts to Judaise the Gospel and bring it back to works and law -{which is, primarily what the Apostle was referring to in verse one}
Read this section and notice something at the end....
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. 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: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
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.
Romans 8:1-18
I do recommend reading through the rest of the Chapter, also.
I am reminded as i write of the passage that is about abiding in Him.
To help explain may i say...
if one lives and works at a morgue he will have several bodies, all dead, 'co-occupying' the house with him. If we consider what it is to abide in Christ, we must realise that that abiding is a doing verb, as is the greatest.. Love. In other words, as a dead branch on a vine or tree is still attached to, and for all intents and purposes, a part of that tree or vine, it does not and can not bear fruit or leaves or any such thing. In fact, it is not abiding if it is dead.
As a man continues in the Faith, he must remain abiding. {even in that small sentence, there two doing verbs and with it prepositions of the doing}
When we relate to one another, we should all at all times remember to use the Heavenly Language of Love [and i confess that i have faltered and failed far too many times doing so, to my shame}
Sometimes the flesh or body or mortal is anti, or falsely, made alive again by deceiving lies of the enemy, the adversary, and if we give place to it, we soon forget the Heavenly Language... and we both hear and respond with the dead flesh, words that do not edify, not build up others, nor do us any good whatsoever. {the amount of times i have realised after saying stupid worldly fleshy things that i not only hurt another, i also gave a false witness and i also only hurt myself, so to speak, by doing so! - a general and complete no-win situation}
The Apostle [echoing the Words of the Lord] tells his readers that he and we/they must daily put the flesh to death - which again is a doing verb thing.
I know of Rest. The idea of rest on the Sabbath was to be doing nothing that might in the slightest way be seen as work... that is, one was to be NOT doing. Being alive in Christ is a constant doing, a constant working of His eternal Spirit in us and through us and one thing i have noticed, over time, is that, like it or not, i do have to be doing a work - BUT, the work we now do is Heavenly and lasting and is to be according to the Spirit of God and not according to this world and/or the laws of it.
So, you see, if you can un~jumble my rambling, that there is much to be discussed on the subject of work but it can all be for good and we can do it in God's Love because we have all received of His Grace (and Mercy) by faith.
To me, it is only ever His Mercy and Grace because i KNOW that there is NO GOOD THING IN ME..... and i really do think that you will find that our Brother in Christ, B-A-C, thinks much the same way.
===> by the way, do i and B-A-C always agree? Not that i have noticed. BUT i am thankful for it because he puts the effort in as a lump of iron, that i can be sharpened with.
Will you always agree with everything i write? Possibly not
BUT we all share the same Hope and it is only because of His Grace that we can even begin to grasp any of His Word and to reaslise it is He Who has us in His grasp and it is His Love that He loves us all with.
Can i share a video with you?
Enjoy!
There is no Condemnation - Don Francisco
There is no Condemnation when the Son has set you free.
www.godtube.com
and
I'll Never Let Go Of Your Hand - Don Francisco
Don and Wendy Francisco sing a Love song from the Lord
www.godtube.com
Keep the Faith
Jesus is Lord
Bless you ....><>
@B-A-C - tagged as i have mentioned you in this post
B-A-C
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
- 12,067
.. now back to our regularly scheduled program.
1Cor 9:24; Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
1Cor 9:25; Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
1Cor 9:26; Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
1Cor 9:27; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
It's up to you to discipline yourself, God does discipline those he loves, but it's up to us to accept that discipline and grow in it.
Verse 25 mentions "self"-control, that means you yourself take control of your decisions and actions. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5
also mentions "self"-control. Not God control, not spirit control, but SELF-control. You are responsible for what you do.
Jesus doesn't run the race for you. He will walk with you, support you, guide you and persuade you, but He doesn't do it all for you,
Luke 9:23; And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
It's up to you to deny yourself, to put what God wants ahead of what you want. John the Baptist said he must decrease so Christ could increase.
We all have to do that. Jesus died on the cross, but we still have to die to self, sometimes daily. We have to take up this cross, Jesus doesn't do it for us.
Heb 12:1; Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2; fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Notice how many times this passage says "us" and "we". We are responsible. It doesn't say here "Jesus" sets aside the encumberances, it doesn't say Jesus runs the race.
Gal 5:22; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23; gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24; Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Once again.. "self" control, not God controlled. It doesn't say Jesus crucifies your flesh, it says "those who belong" (to Jesus) have crucified the flesh. It's up to you to kill the old self.
God works in us, He helps us. But He doesn't force us.
Jesus Himself calls the Holy Spirit our "helper"... not the enforcer.
John 14:16; "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
John 14:26; "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 15:26; "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,
John 16:7; "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
But just because the Holy Spirit is with us, doesn't mean we can't go against Him and grieve Him, or resist Him.
Eph 4:30; Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Acts 7:51; "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.
Some churches teach something called "irresistible grace". But it can be resisted. The Holy Spirit can be resisted against.
Like it or not... some of this is on us. On you, and on me. We will be held accountable for what we do.
Matt 10:38; "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
1Cor 9:24; Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
1Cor 9:25; Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
1Cor 9:26; Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
1Cor 9:27; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
It's up to you to discipline yourself, God does discipline those he loves, but it's up to us to accept that discipline and grow in it.
Verse 25 mentions "self"-control, that means you yourself take control of your decisions and actions. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5
also mentions "self"-control. Not God control, not spirit control, but SELF-control. You are responsible for what you do.
Jesus doesn't run the race for you. He will walk with you, support you, guide you and persuade you, but He doesn't do it all for you,
Luke 9:23; And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
It's up to you to deny yourself, to put what God wants ahead of what you want. John the Baptist said he must decrease so Christ could increase.
We all have to do that. Jesus died on the cross, but we still have to die to self, sometimes daily. We have to take up this cross, Jesus doesn't do it for us.
Heb 12:1; Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2; fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Notice how many times this passage says "us" and "we". We are responsible. It doesn't say here "Jesus" sets aside the encumberances, it doesn't say Jesus runs the race.
Gal 5:22; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23; gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24; Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Once again.. "self" control, not God controlled. It doesn't say Jesus crucifies your flesh, it says "those who belong" (to Jesus) have crucified the flesh. It's up to you to kill the old self.
God works in us, He helps us. But He doesn't force us.
Jesus Himself calls the Holy Spirit our "helper"... not the enforcer.
John 14:16; "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;
John 14:26; "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
John 15:26; "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,
John 16:7; "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.
But just because the Holy Spirit is with us, doesn't mean we can't go against Him and grieve Him, or resist Him.
Eph 4:30; Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Acts 7:51; "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.
Some churches teach something called "irresistible grace". But it can be resisted. The Holy Spirit can be resisted against.
Like it or not... some of this is on us. On you, and on me. We will be held accountable for what we do.
Matt 10:38; "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
B-A-C
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
- 12,067
In the Matthew 6 version of the Lords's pryaer it says...
Matt 6:12; 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt 6:13; 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
Matt 6:14; "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matt 6:15; "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
The Bible makes it clear, some things are on us.
Matt 18:34; "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
Matt 18:35; "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."
God doesn't forgive other people for you. He forgives them, but your personal forgiveness also matters.
Mark 11:25; "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.
Mark 11:26; ["But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."]
Matt 6:12; 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt 6:13; 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'
Matt 6:14; "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matt 6:15; "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
The Bible makes it clear, some things are on us.
Matt 18:34; "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
Matt 18:35; "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."
God doesn't forgive other people for you. He forgives them, but your personal forgiveness also matters.
Mark 11:25; "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.
Mark 11:26; ["But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."]
B-A-C
Loyal
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2008
- Messages
- 12,067
Now it has been mentioned several times, we are not saved by works. First of all morality is not a work, it's simply what we are expected to do.
Rom 12:1; Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
While some believe good works may not get us into heaven, bad works can certainly keep us out.
Heb 10:23; Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
Heb 10:24; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Heb 10:25; not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Heb 10:26; For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27; but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.
Luke 13:3; "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
It's up to you to repent. God won't do it for you.
Rom 12:1; Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
While some believe good works may not get us into heaven, bad works can certainly keep us out.
Heb 10:23; Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;
Heb 10:24; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Heb 10:25; not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Heb 10:26; For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27; but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.
Luke 13:3; "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
It's up to you to repent. God won't do it for you.
KittyLinda
Active
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2020
- Messages
- 351
Greetings Linda,
I have looked into what you have written here, on this thread, and in particular, your comments to and about your fellow member. B-A-C
From what i see, i think there may have been a misunderstanding.
for example:
I really do not think that B-A-C had any intention of targeting you, in the post you are referring to.
You will find that he is actually a very sound and caring Member who loves the Lord dearly and has a life of testimony to the saving grace of God, found only in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I write this also as i am familiar with the discussions that have been held here over the years and the general regurgitation of opinions based on bias rather than many at all actually interested in looking at the Bible and discussing it as one, all being one in the One Who gave His life that we might be one in and with and for Him.
For example, going to Romans 8:1 we can read half of it and stop there...
or we can read on and discover much more of the message we have before us in full. I would like to add, though, that Romans is really a very easy book or letter to read and we really should read it all, from verse one chapter one. It is then that Romans chapter 8 verse 1 makes sense.
However, in context, [briefly] we might see that there is actually a work being worked out and also one that the Apostle and those he wrote to, as an Apostle, were very much aware of. Persecution was real and in real time, as were the attempts to Judaise the Gospel and bring it back to works and law -{which is, primarily what the Apostle was referring to in verse one}
Read this section and notice something at the end....
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. 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: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For 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. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
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.
Romans 8:1-18
I do recommend reading through the rest of the Chapter, also.
I am reminded as i write of the passage that is about abiding in Him.
To help explain may i say...
if one lives and works at a morgue he will have several bodies, all dead, 'co-occupying' the house with him. If we consider what it is to abide in Christ, we must realise that that abiding is a doing verb, as is the greatest.. Love. In other words, as a dead branch on a vine or tree is still attached to, and for all intents and purposes, a part of that tree or vine, it does not and can not bear fruit or leaves or any such thing. In fact, it is not abiding if it is dead.
As a man continues in the Faith, he must remain abiding. {even in that small sentence, there two doing verbs and with it prepositions of the doing}
When we relate to one another, we should all at all times remember to use the Heavenly Language of Love [and i confess that i have faltered and failed far too many times doing so, to my shame}
Sometimes the flesh or body or mortal is anti, or falsely, made alive again by deceiving lies of the enemy, the adversary, and if we give place to it, we soon forget the Heavenly Language... and we both hear and respond with the dead flesh, words that do not edify, not build up others, nor do us any good whatsoever. {the amount of times i have realised after saying stupid worldly fleshy things that i not only hurt another, i also gave a false witness and i also only hurt myself, so to speak, by doing so! - a general and complete no-win situation}
The Apostle [echoing the Words of the Lord] tells his readers that he and we/they must daily put the flesh to death - which again is a doing verb thing.
I know of Rest. The idea of rest on the Sabbath was to be doing nothing that might in the slightest way be seen as work... that is, one was to be NOT doing. Being alive in Christ is a constant doing, a constant working of His eternal Spirit in us and through us and one thing i have noticed, over time, is that, like it or not, i do have to be doing a work - BUT, the work we now do is Heavenly and lasting and is to be according to the Spirit of God and not according to this world and/or the laws of it.
So, you see, if you can un~jumble my rambling, that there is much to be discussed on the subject of work but it can all be for good and we can do it in God's Love because we have all received of His Grace (and Mercy) by faith.
To me, it is only ever His Mercy and Grace because i KNOW that there is NO GOOD THING IN ME..... and i really do think that you will find that our Brother in Christ, B-A-C, thinks much the same way.
===> by the way, do i and B-A-C always agree? Not that i have noticed. BUT i am thankful for it because he puts the effort in as a lump of iron, that i can be sharpened with.
Will you always agree with everything i write? Possibly not
BUT we all share the same Hope and it is only because of His Grace that we can even begin to grasp any of His Word and to reaslise it is He Who has us in His grasp and it is His Love that He loves us all with.
Can i share a video with you?
Enjoy!
There is no Condemnation - Don Francisco
There is no Condemnation when the Son has set you free.
and
I'll Never Let Go Of Your Hand - Don Francisco
Don and Wendy Francisco sing a Love song from the Lord
Keep the Faith
Jesus is Lord
Bless you ....><>
@B-A-C - tagged as i have mentioned you in this post
Greetings Br. Bear,
You got a cute name, but are you a huge Teddy Bear?
There is ONE essential doctrine that separates us, Christians, from all false religions and cults, and it is salvation.
I am not sure why two moderators all of sudden came here. His position is shaky regarding salvation. I can’t look into his heart and judge him, but he has to yet clarify, so we all know what he actually believes regarding salvation, and I think he is very capable of responding to me directly. He chose not to respond, but I did not offend, or used any faulty language. He seems OK with me disagreeing with him, and I will give him credit for that. He is 61 years old and has over 7k comments. He is not a new believer so it is not ok to say these things in the OP, and he can tell me in few seconds what church he attends, but he did not want to say it, yet. And I ask why does he fear to mention his denomination? I am curious, if he attends a biblical church, because I do not know any biblical denomination that teaches salvation by faith AND work.
I have seen posts here and there that continually attempt to discredit the work of Christ on the cross, and moderators left them unchallenged. The statement of faith on TJ states clearly that we believe in the Trinity, and that salvation is possible ONLY through God's grace, not by our works.
We are Christians only when we trust in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of our sins. If people believe they are saved by grace and any work, then they are NOT saved. We are Christians when we admit the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. We are saved by faith alone: Sola fide. We can trust Jesus, or not. It is a choice you make, and that is what makes us members of the body of Christ or not. Justification is one thing and sanctification is another topic.
And good music by the way!
God bless,
KittyLinda
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The Holy Spirit does not contradict the Word of God.
KittyLinda
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I am only disagreeing in love.
Of course, you must love your brother, even if he is not saved. Most of my friends probably do not believe in Christ.
Praying for you brother. Maybe he should quit the military. It is not good for him.
Indeed, they were called Christians.
KittyLinda
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If that was not his intention, then I apologize but it surely felt to me like indirect condemnation.
I do not believe in the OSAS doctrine. People can choose to walk away and deny Christ for one reason or another but I do believe that salvation is by faith alone because it is biblical. Some may even say that believing itself is a work but it does not matter, if this is work, or not. It is all Jesus' work on the cross, and we do not add our work to his work to get saved.
I can tell you that even in my previous rebellious condition, I never denied Jesus, or the gospel, and when people asked me if I believe in God. I say I do believe in Jesus, so I guess that makes me a Christian and sometimes I even say that I am not doing what I am supposed to do.
I was living in disobedience, and I felt I was not under God's protection anymore, but God did not give up on me. That was HIS WORK that I somehow found my way to him again. People can choose not to abide in Christ, but he kept HIS promise that he won't leave us, even if we turned away. He will keep knocking and sending his people to guide me to him. That is so different from the Calvinistic view that you can never turn away after being saved.
After I decided to be a Christian again, I was still struggling with the consequences of my sins. It is how I found this site shortly after my release from a psychiatric hospital. I obviously want to hear people tell me that I messed up badly, and I want them to guide me to the light which is Jesus. I am a recovering drug addict, done jail time twice by now. I got pregnant and some people called me all sort of things for it, and later I even started calling myself these awful things, even in front of my friends, because I was not happy with who I became in my sin. I was a very destructive woman, but I am now changing my ways, and this [sanctification] happens gradually, unlike our salvation. I am doing good now. I wish you have seen me just 3 years ago. People just kept disappearing from my life because they do not want to be near me. They have seen it but there is one who does not reject me and his name is JESUS! I expect the Christian community to open their arms for someone like me or we are truly doomed if we are told we are going to hell or that we are not doing enough. I am starting to walk on my feet for now. That is all a continual process but it is called sanctification, not gaining salvation. I am already saved.
B-A-C
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Neither do I, but then if this is true. Who gave up? Was it Jesus? Of course not, so then it was something dependent upon what that person did or didn't do. (Even if it was as simple as believe or didn't believe).
James 2 says even the demons believe, does that make them Christians?
Can you show me in the Bible where the word words "faith" and "alone" are in the same verse? It does happen once in James 2. It says NOT by faith alone.
So if it doesn't say "faith alone", and it does say "not by faith alone". Which one is Biblical?
KittyLinda
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You know. Your problem is that you only see 1 or 2-dimensional all the time. Maybe it is easy for me, because I am an artist, and I always think in a three dimensional way.
No, but I was not a born again Christian. I lived a religious life before and that is all I knew. Also, you need to know that Christian is a title, and it is not copyrighted. We are free to call ourselves that. I am a changed person today. I got baptized just few days ago, and I want people to judge me based on who I am today.
I will gladly show you if you first show me where is the word “Trinity” in the bible? I think you believe in the trinity just like me, no?
When I earned my 3-year theology degree, they taught us that context is everything.
Friend,
what I am saying is this: the time that I am given to learn, the same time has been given to me because many have laid down their lives for me and for you. I would not have the time to learn of the Lord were it not for these souls, and I keep this always in heart.
I will not go to heaven without them. In my heart, heaven is not a place for me, but for them. I will not go there without them.
Primordial Light
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Salvation is "spirit, soul and body" - I Thess 5:23.
Those that preach the "Rapture" should factor the next chapter into their interpretations.
Bless you ....><>
