My Grace Is Sufficient

[regibassman57]

Paul struggled with doing what is right - and he found a law that when he willed to do good, evil was always present with him (Rom. 7:21). Paul had a will to do good, but he didn't know how to perform it; causing him to stumble (Rom. 7:18). Nevertheless, Paul came to the conclusion - it was no longer him, causing himself to stumble or fall, but "sin/Satan" that dwelled in him (Rom.7:17-20). When Paul sought The Lord's help, in prayer, God told him, "My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in your weakness" (2Cor. 12:8, 9).

When God spoke this to Paul, I believe He understood Paul's lack of understanding of how to keep His commandments; as well as Paul's unfruitful works when he slipped or even fell. God's Grace was sufficient to uphold Paul in his insufficiencies when he broke the law.

Is it because God promised through His Grace, that He would not impute sin? Or is it some other reason?

Paul didn't take ownership of sin in these verses. How should we view it?

 

[this human]

Paul owned this:
Romans 7:15

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

 

[regibassman57]

@this human,

Paul understood his actions, but Paul understood it was not in his heart; his heart was not behind the evil works he was engaging in. Paul did not accept he was sinning. This is why he said, "it is no longer "I" that do it, but "sin" that dwell in me. Paul knew the forceful influence was Satan. This is why God's Grace is sufficient. This is why God is not imputing sin to believers because He knows Satan forces babes, in Christ, to commit certain acts against their will.

Romans 7:17
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Romans 7:20
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

 

[this human]

"Sin" can be defined as falling short, disobedience, and the adoption of erroneous influence(which Adam did in the Garden), which is the influence toward humanity's self-harm. Will we want to think we can blame Satan or will we accept responsibility for ourselves in order to accept the mercy of God/Jesus or will we say no we are fine it's that old devil's fault? I will say, Lord I have done wrong thank you so much for doing what You required that we may fellowship anyhow..

 

[Dave M]

James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

"Sin" can be defined as falling short, disobedience, and the adoption of erroneous influence(which Adam did in the Garden), which is the influence toward humanity's self-harm. Will we want to think we can blame Satan or will we accept responsibility for ourselves in order to accept the mercy of God/Jesus or will we say no we are fine it's that old devil's fault? I will say, Lord I have done wrong thank you so much for doing what You required that we may fellowship anyhow..

1 John 5:17
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.


\

 

[regibassman57]

@this human,
The difference is God chose to "impute" sin unto Adam; He choose "not" to "impute "sin" unto believers. God recognizes that Jesus did the work and took man's sins. This is the "Great Exchane." If Jesus "would not" have taken the "sins" He,"would not" have taken the punishment. Jesus didn't only take the punishmen; He took both. If you believe Jesus took the punishment for sins, you would have to believe He took the sins that caused the punishment.

This human, you've been preaching how Jesus has done it all for man, but you don't teach Jesus has already done it for man when it comes to sin. Jesus didn't fall short because He fulfilled the whole law for man. God saw Jesus as the criminal, that's why Jesus said, Father, why have you forsaken me. This is because God separated Himself from Jesus when man's sins were put upon Jesus. Sin separates man from God.

Not anymore because Jesus took man's sins and the veil was rent. The veil was not their because of the punishment, the veil was there because of sin. When sins was taken away, the veil was taken away.

A man that says they sin does not understand what Jesus has done. Through God's Grace, it called "unfruitful works" God does not see as sin.

The sin that does not lead to death is any wrong doing that does not kill you physically.

 

[regibassman57]

@Dave,

James 4:17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
1 John 5:17
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
\

The difference here is that a believer "does not" come to Christ "knowing how" to do good. They must learn to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). They must learn how to resist the devil (Jam. 4:7). They must learn they don't fight against flesh and blood but against spiritual principalities. That's why Paul said:

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for "to will" is present with me; but "how to perform that which is good I find not."

Paul didn't know how, therefore, it was not sin to him. That's why God's Grace is sufficient for believers to learn. We strive to "LEARN" how to resist the devil, and once we've learned, we have no desire to commit unfruitful works; but until we learn God will not impute sin to us. Only God knows if a believer has learned or not. But if a believer learns, that believer has taken the victory over the devil and has no desire to follow that feeling of temptation because he's resisted to the point of overcoming the devil in whatever area of life he has struggled in. He that is free is free indeed.

 

[regibassman57]

@Life,
Jam 4:17 Therefore to him that "knows" to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

It is one thing for a believer to "know" doing something is wrong, but it's another thing to "know how not" to do what is wrong. Grace teaches it is not sin. A believer must "LEARN" to bring his body into subjection. James 4:17 does not apply to a believer because they "do not know how" to do good when they first come to Jesus Christ.

Heb 5:13 For every one that uses milk is "unskilful in the word of righteousness:" for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

[regibassman57]

@Life,
I should have added this scripture also.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, "you have need that one teach you again" which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become "such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."

THANK THE LORD... God is not imputing sin through His Grace!

 

[amadeus2]

@Life,
I should have added this scripture also.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, "you have need that one teach you again" which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become "such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."

THANK THE LORD... God is not imputing sin through His Grace!

We judge a natural child according to his age, size, maturity as we see it. We don't put a sirloin steak in front of the 6 month old with a fork and steak knife. That
is in the natural. A follower of Christ, in the beginning will also not be expected to teach a Bible study to old saints of God from the Book of Revelation.

Of course if a person has been sitting faithfully in the pew for the past 30 years, should we not expect him to offer us more than milk when he stands to share his take on a certain verse of scripture?

 

[regibassman57]

@amadeus2,

We judge a natural child according to his age, size, maturity as we see it. We don't put a sirloin steak in front of the 6 month old with a fork and steak knife. That
is in the natural. A follower of Christ, in the beginning will also not be expected to teach a Bible study to old saints of God from the Book of Revelation.

Of course if a person has been sitting faithfully in the pew for the past 30 years, should we not expect him to offer us more than milk when he stands to share his take on a certain verse of scripture?

Hello amadeus2... I agree, we do judge children in the natural according to their age, etc. as you said, and we should expect those who have been in the Lord for 30 years to have knowledge, but God is not judging believers according to "works" at this time.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

I consider believers in the body of Christ that chose not to develop as lukewarm tares. The devil is "sowing" "spiritual seed" "among" the wheat (believers) in the body of Christ. Scripture teaches us that tares will be gathered out of the Kingdom of Christ when God judges the church.

Matthew 13:25
But while men slept, his enemy (the devil) came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Matthew 13:40
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Matthew 13:41
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather "OUT OF HIS KINGDOM" all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

 

[B-A-C]

The context of this verse is about God being with us.

2 Cor 12:7; Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!
2 Cor 12:8; Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
2 Cor 12:9; And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

God is enough for us to handle whatever situation life throws at us. He won't give us more than we can handle.
That is true about sin also.

1 Cor 10:13; No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

So because of this we really have no excuse to sin.

Heb 12:15; See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

 

[amadeus2]

@amadeus2,


Hello amadeus2... I agree, we do judge children in the natural according to their age, etc. as you said, and we should expect those who have been in the Lord for 30 years to have knowledge, but God is not judging believers according to "works" at this time.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

I consider believers in the body of Christ that chose not to develop as lukewarm tares. The devil is "sowing" "spiritual seed" "among" the wheat (believers) in the body of Christ. Scripture teaches us that tares will be gathered out of the Kingdom of Christ when God judges the church.

Matthew 13:25
But while men slept, his enemy (the devil) came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Matthew 13:40
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Matthew 13:41
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather "OUT OF HIS KINGDOM" all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Indeed, no judgment against others, but we need to be looking at ourselves. If it is me sitting in the pew all of those years with no sign of growth or increase visible to me, then maybe it is me that needs to get down on my knees.

 

[regibassman57]

@Bendito ,
You have to look at God's word as multidimensional; it is pregnant with many sides of understanding.

You should not see yourselves "IN" the flesh. You "don't realize" the "ONLY" way you can "sin" is if you are in the flesh. You are confessing by the power of "faith" you are alive to the law of sin and death though scripture has told you different (Rom. 8:9). Scripture specifically tells you, you are free from it. By your own confession you "cannot" be made innocent from sin and you don't see it. You are allowing Satan to deceive you, as the Gentiles, by putting yourself "under" the law. You "refuse" to believe you are innocent of sin by faith.

Galatians 2:16
Knowing that a man is not innocent by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be innocent by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be innocent.

Scripture teaches, no man is made innocent from sin by the law, because the law reveals sin. The law cannot take sin away. That should tell you something? Only Jesus can make you innocent from sin through faith. If you sin, Jesus has not made you innocent from sin by your own admission. Scripture asks, "Is Christ the "minister" of sin" - "God forbid" - you make yourself a transgressor. You are teaching Jesus is the minister of sin and scripture teaches Jesus finished the work. Jesus is no longer the minister of sin (Gal. 2:17, 18).

We as believers, through the "law" of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, are dead to the "law" of "sin and death."

Galatians 2:19
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

 

[regibassman57]

@amadeas2,

Indeed, no judgment against others, but we need to be looking at ourselves. If it is me sitting in the pew all of those years with no sign of growth or increase visible to me, then maybe it is me that needs to get down on my knees.

I agree... But if a person has a religious mind by deception of the devil's spiritual knowledge, that person cannot see. Sinners are already condemned - believers will be judged. God will judge His church first 1Pet. 4:17,18). The whole purpose of the body of Christ, "US BELIEVERS," is to give quality, valid scriptual information that can be backed up by scripture. I ask questions... But I've found there are those that choose not to answer my questions for what ever reason. They desire to keep their position without scriptural precedence. I believe fear takes hold because there foundation is fragile and they know it. But that is not the heart of a believer that desires freedom in Christ. That is not faith. This is a "type" of pew sitting. If they choose not to learn, they will die.

 

[amadeus2]

@amadeas2,


I agree... But if a person has a religious mind by deception of the devil's spiritual knowledge, that person cannot see. Sinners are already condemned - believers will be judged. God will judge His church first 1Pet. 4:17,18). The whole purpose of the body of Christ, "US BELIEVERS," is to give quality, valid scriptual information that can be backed up by scripture. I ask questions... But I've found there are those that choose not to answer my questions for what ever reason. They desire to keep their position without scriptural precedence. I believe fear takes hold because there foundation is fragile and they know it. But that is not the heart of a believer that desires freedom in Christ. That is not faith. This is a "type" of pew sitting. If they choose not to learn, they will die.

People may not answer your questions because all they know is what they heard from other people who may or may not have been anointed by God to speak what they spoke. As to giving scriptures to support their beliefs, indeed, sometimes they only the scriptures that they have been taught to support the pet doctrines of their little or big church group. They will never have heard of other interpretations [right or wrong] of the same verses. Someone who really loves God will not be afraid to wade into the water with these seeming heretics. Some people really loves the own little assembly or group of friends more than God... although they usually would deny that. By one's fruit we may know the difference, but we have no discernment from God ourselves, what can we know?

The important thing is in the heart of a person. A young person [not necessarily physically young] in Christ will sometimes with almost no scriptural knowledge manifest the fruits of the Spirit better than the oldster. Eventually as that young person spends time in his church and with his Bible and with his God, he should be growing. If he seems to be moving backward, likely he is not receiving good and proper nourishment. The good nourishment is the scripture quickened in him by the Holy Ghost. Of course, some [many?] churches teach people to quench the Holy Spirit. They often do this by programming everything instead of allowing people to be act and react as they are led by the Holy Spirit.