Practicing

[B-A-C]

The word practice is an interesting word...
Often it is used in the context of learning.... as in we practice something over and over again until we get it right. You see it used this way in athletic sports frequently... most teams have "practice".
Another way it is used is in the context of doing what you know how to do... there are lawyers who practice law, and doctors who practice medicine. Although these fields are constantly changing, typically the word practice doesn't mean learning here, it means doing what you already know.

In both definitions... practice is something you do repetitively. You can't do something only once and practice it.

In Romans 1:21-31; we see list of sinful things that some people do...
Rom 1:32; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

This verse doesn't say those who have ever done these things are worthy of death. It says those who "practice" these things are worthy of death. It goes on to mention those who approve of others
who "practice" these things.

in Galatians 5:19-21; we have the well known passage about the fruit of the flesh.

Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Much like Romans 1, there is a list of things we shouldn't do. But also like Romans 1:32; it doesn't
say those who have ever done these things will not inherit the kingdom of God... it says, those who
continue to "practice" such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In Hebrews 5 it mentions milk for infants and meat for the mature... this isn't talking about age,
it's talking about spiritual maturity...

Heb 5:13; For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
Heb 5:14; But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

There are certain people... it doesn't matter what their physical age is... in fact it doesn't even really matter how long they have been a believer... but for various reasons, they only accept the basic principles of the Bible and never move on to the deeper principles. It says the mature "because of their practice" have been trained to discern good and evil... not only in others, but in themselves.

So far we have been talking about practicing bad things... but we are also told to practice good things.

1 Jn 3:9; 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.
1 Jn 3:10; By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

Verse 9 above doesn't say those who ever sinned isn't born of God. It says those who "practice" sin.
Verse 10, talks about practicing righteousness... it isn't enough to know righteousness, we have to practice it. If we don't, we aren't from God.

Finally we see in Revelation 22...
Rev 22:11; "Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy."

It says let those who are righteous "practice" righteousness. There are a number of ways to do this, but non of them involve doing "nothing". Practice is doing something over and over until we get it right, or doing what we know how to do.

 

[B-A-C]

There is a different between sin.. and "practicing sin".

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;

It isn't talking about unbelievers here. Unbelievers do not have an advocate.

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.

Does this mean our biological brother? No it means any one who is a Christian. Sometimes Christians sin.

Luke 17:3; Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Luke 17:4; And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Sometimes Christians sin.

1 Jn 1:8; If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 Jn 1:9; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Jn 1:10; If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

Anyone who says they do not sin... is a liar.

 

[Laura1557]

Yes! That's the word I was looking for: practicing.

Thanks, brother.

 

[At Peace]

The word practice is an interesting word...
Often it is used in the context of learning.... as in we practice something over and over again until we get it right. You see it used this way in athletic sports frequently... most teams have "practice".
Another way it is used is in the context of doing what you know how to do... there are lawyers who practice law, and doctors who practice medicine. Although these fields are constantly changing, typically the word practice doesn't mean learning here, it means doing what you already know.

In both definitions... practice is something you do repetitively. You can't do something only once and practice it.

In Romans 1:21-31; we see list of sinful things that some people do...
Rom 1:32; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

This verse doesn't say those who have ever done these things are worthy of death. It says those who "practice" these things are worthy of death. It goes on to mention those who approve of others
who "practice" these things.

in Galatians 5:19-21; we have the well known passage about the fruit of the flesh.

Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Much like Romans 1, there is a list of things we shouldn't do. But also like Romans 1:32; it doesn't
say those who have ever done these things will not inherit the kingdom of God... it says, those who
continue to "practice" such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In Hebrews 5 it mentions milk for infants and meat for the mature... this isn't talking about age,
it's talking about spiritual maturity...

Heb 5:13; For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
Heb 5:14; But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

There are certain people... it doesn't matter what their physical age is... in fact it doesn't even really matter how long they have been a believer... but for various reasons, they only accept the basic principles of the Bible and never move on to the deeper principles. It says the mature "because of their practice" have been trained to discern good and evil... not only in others, but in themselves.

So far we have been talking about practicing bad things... but we are also told to practice good things.

1 Jn 3:9; 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.
1 Jn 3:10; By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

Verse 9 above doesn't say those who ever sinned isn't born of God. It says those who "practice" sin.
Verse 10, talks about practicing righteousness... it isn't enough to know righteousness, we have to practice it. If we don't, we aren't from God.

Finally we see in Revelation 22...
Rev 22:11; "Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy."

It says let those who are righteous "practice" righteousness. There are a number of ways to do this, but non of them involve doing "nothing". Practice is doing something over and over until we get it right, or doing what we know how to do.

I really hope you aren't inferring that "one" murder, or "one" lie will not be unpunished.

If a man never "ceases from sin" (1 Peter 4:1), his whole life is the "practice" of sin.

 

[At Peace]

There is a different between sin.. and "practicing sin".
Sometimes Christians sin.

1 Jn 1:8; If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 Jn 1:9; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Jn 1:10; If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

Anyone who says they do not sin... is a liar.

It seems you are unaware that John is addressing two differing "walks" of life.
Those being in darkness or light.
Those walking in darkness cannot say they have no sin, but those who walk in the light can...as ALL their sins have been washed away by the blood of Christ.
Of course it is incumbent on us to remain in the light, God, from then on.

Those saying that all men sin, must include Jesus in their equation.
Real believers are "in" Christ, and there is no sin in Christ.
I can't speak for the false "believers".

 

[B-A-C]

It seems you are unaware that John is addressing two differing "walks" of life.
Those being in darkness or light.

What is it that determines if they are in the dark or the light? Sin.


1 Jn 2:9; The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
1 Jn 2:10; The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 Jn 2:11; But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Those walking in darkness cannot say they have no sin, but those who walk in the light can...as ALL their sins have been washed away by the blood of Christ.

It's not what you say that determines if you are in the light. It's how you live.

Those saying that all men sin, must include Jesus in their equation.
Real believers are "in" Christ, and there is no sin in Christ.

Jesus didn't sin. But if you didn't either, then what need do you have for Him?

If a man never "ceases from sin" (1 Peter 4:1), his whole life is the "practice" of sin.

I notice he goes on to say.. they are surprised that you don't sin "as much" (same excess) as they do.

1 Pet 4:4; In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;

I notice it doesn't say they have "no dissipation" at all.

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;
1 Jn 2:2; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
1 Jn 2:3; By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
1 Jn 2:4; The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

Yes we need to obey and keep the commandments.. no argument here... but if we "do sin, we have an advocate".
I'm sorry but unbelievers don't have an advocate for sin. If they do... why would they need Jesus?

 

[At Peace]

What is it that determines if they are in the dark or the light? Sin.
1 Jn 2:9; The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now.
1 Jn 2:10; The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 Jn 2:11; But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
It's not what you say that determines if you are in the light. It's how you live.

So true.

Jesus didn't sin. But if you didn't either, then what need do you have for Him?

I don't know why you would think that the subjects of Christ don't need Him.
I will continue to grow in grace and knowledge till my last day.
And God promises me "escapes" from temptation tough it is on me to find them. (1 Cor 10:13)
It's actually the sinners who don't avail themselves of the help He provides
I notice he goes on to say.. they are surprised that you don't sin "as much" (same excess) as they do.

1 Pet 4:4; In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
I notice it doesn't say they have "no dissipation" at all.

Semantics.
If you are not doing the "same" as someone else, you are not doing what someone else is doing..

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;
1 Jn 2:2; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
1 Jn 2:3; By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
1 Jn 2:4; The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;

I thank God every day for His advocacy...to allow me to start, and keep walking in the light-God.

Yes we need to obey and keep the commandments.. no argument here... but if we "do sin, we have an advocate".
I'm sorry but unbelievers don't have an advocate for sin. If they do... why would they need Jesus?

If we do sin we manifest that we don't believe in Him.
It is written..."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)
Believers cling to the knowledge that God has provided the escapes from temptation that will ensure we never fall.
Christ's advocacy doesn't stop at forgiveness of sin, but includes every moment of life in Christ.
He advocates for me in tight traffic situations and when my money runs short.
He advocates for me in matters of health and safety.
He advocates for me when I ask for instruction or revelation in reference to the scriptures.
He advocates on my behalf when it concerns how long my shoes will last before the bottoms fall off.
I thank Him for all He does for me in my refusal to leave the walk in the light.

 

[Lanolin]

Everyone has sinned at some point in their life to need Jesus..but once we repent we dont need to go on sinning anymore. There will be tempations but Jesus always delivers us from them.

Arent you misunderstanding each other? Cos now I am hearing that believers are still sinning?! What sin exactly are you talking about, confess it so we can pray for you to be forgiven. No believer needs to live with sin still in their life are you applying the blood of Jesus everyday?

It just seems people arent aware that sin grieves the holy spirit. So get rid of sin! Purify yourselves, cleanse your hands! Stop being doubleminded, and be singleminded about following Jesus. Dont look back to sodom and gomorrah. Walk in the light.

 

[B-A-C]

Jas 3:2; For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

 

[Lanolin]

Be ye perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect...Matthew 5:48

If you are perfect and complete, hallelujah! If not, well you still a work in progress. I think I am the latter...personally. For example, I type on here and still have spelling mistakes. This ipad is difficult for me to bridle. But eventually if I keep practicing enough, there will be no mistakes at least here I can edit them.

My kjv bible does not say 'stumble' it says 'offend' because we dont stumble if we do not lean to our own understanding and trust the Lord, our paths are made straight.

James was writing about being offensive in word...like swearing. I reckon the people he was writing to were swearing like sailors.

 

[At Peace]

Everyone has sinned at some point in their life to need Jesus..but once we repent we dont need to go on sinning anymore. There will be temtpations but Jesus always delivers us from them.

AMEN!
Thank God for the Advocate's mercy on my behalf in regard to the forgiveness of my past sins.

Arent you misunderstanding each other? Cos now I am hearing that believers are still sinning?! What sin exactly are you talking about, confess it so we can pray for you to be forgiven. No believer needs to live with sin still in their life are you applying the blood of Jesus everyday?

I hope it is just a misunderstanding.

It just seems people arent aware that sin grieves the holy spirit. So get rid of sin! Purify yourselves, cleanse your hands! Stop being doubleminded, and be singleminded about following Jesus. Dont look back to sodom and gomorrah. Walk in the light.

AMEN!

 

[At Peace]

Jas 3:2; For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

I pray that you are aware that James is confronting a case of "too many chiefs".
Some dispensing "salt water" and the others dispensing "fresh water".
Conflicting doctrines were creating rifts in fellowship and theology...offensive to the contrasting parties.
This verse in no manner asserts that nobody can be free from sin.

 

[At Peace]

Be ye perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect...Matthew 5:48
If you are perfect and complete, hallelujah! If not, well you still a work in progress. I think I am the latter...personally. For example, I type on here and still have spelling mistakes. This ipad is difficult for me to bridle. But eventually if I keep practicing enough, there will be no mistakes at least here I can edit them.

It would be tragic if you felt you were going to be judged by God on your typing skills.
Nobody will be found to be a worker of iniquity because they can't spell or do algebra...(.thank God.)

My kjv bible does not say 'stumble' it says 'offend' because we dont stumble if we do not lean to our own understanding and trust the Lord, our paths are made straight.

James was writing about being offensive in word...like swearing. I reckon the people he was writing to were swearing like sailors.

Actually, James was using the "spoken word" as an example of every thing we promote or reject.
Like "salt water" versus "fresh water" and "figs" versus "olives" and "blessings" versus "cursings"; all illustrate conflicting manners of which only one is acceptable to God.
James was confronting the conflicting "doctrines" being espoused by his readers.

 

[Lanolin]

I was just giving an example..I know Jesus didnt even have an ipad back in the day. He was a carpenter and had to build things properly though. I can spell its just I cant type on this ipad properly. Also I can do algebra but thank the Lord I dont really need to.

I mean nobody wants to live in a leaky building but thats what has happened with shoddy workmanship and bad design. Mistakes can have consequences. Just like sin stains our character.

But yea christians ought not to curse or swear. Not even our enemies. Bless them instead.

 

[At Peace]

I was just giving an example..I know Jesus didnt even have an ipad back in the day. He was a carpenter and had to build things properly though. I can spell its just I cant type on this ipad properly. Also I can do algebra but thank the Lord I dont really need to.

I mean nobody wants to live in a leaky building but thats what has happened with shoddy workmanship and bad design. Mistakes can have consequences. Just like sin stains our character.

But yea christians ought not to curse or swear. Not even our enemies. Bless them instead.

What if some of the elders in your group said it was OK to swear?
What if others said it wasn't a sin if you cursed?
That is what James was dealing with in James 3.
Contrary doctrines that "offended all".

A similar circumstance happens now days when one group in a church says that, for instance, baptism is required, while the other group says that only faith is necessary for salvation.
The pro-baptism group is offended by the anti-baptism group, and vice-versa.
Salt and fresh water from the same spring.

I call it the "Too many chiefs" syndrome.
James wasn't saying that Christians will still commit sin after conversion.

 

[B-A-C]

Nobody is advocating sin here. No one is saying God "wants" people to sin. We've already covered
practicing sin and willful sin. We shouldn't sin. No argument. But when we do sin.... we have an advocate.
A mediator. A high priest.

Did Paul sin?

Rom 7:15; For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
Rom 7:16; But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.
Rom 7:17; So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
Rom 7:18; For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
Rom 7:19; For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
Rom 7:20; But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Did Peter sin?

Gal 2:11; But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
Gal 2:12; For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.
Gal 2:13; The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.

James wasn't saying that Christians will still commit sin after conversion

He certainly wasn't saying sin doesn't matter... But He was saying.. if you do sin... we have an advocate.

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;

 

[Lanolin]

James was writing to people who maybe werent fully converted. Wasnt paul saying examine yourselves whether you are in the faith, lest you be reprobates. Paul was writing to the Romans, explaining the gospel.

If you read John, he was writing to those who were converted that they could tell who was and who wasnt born of God because those that werent committed sin. If anyone says they love God but hates his brother he is a murderer.

You need to read 1 John 2:1-5 not just the first verse, cos it doesnt end there.

In kjv it does not say 'so you MAY not sin'
It says 'that ye sin not'. There is no 'may'.

Then James writes if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propititiation for our sins: and not for ours only but also the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby we know that we are in him.


Now, question, are we keeping his commandments? If not do you really know God? Other people sin, does it affect you? We can go to our Father about it and pray for that person. John does write its possible to keep his word! Are you keeping his word? Then you are in him!

What if some of the elders in your group said it was OK to swear?
What if others said it wasn't a sin if you cursed?
That is what James was dealing with in James 3.
Contrary doctrines that "offended all".

A similar circumstance happens now days when one group in a church says that, for instance, baptism is required, while the other group says that only faith is necessary for salvation.
The pro-baptism group is offended by the anti-baptism group, and vice-versa.
Salt and fresh water from the same spring.

I call it the "Too many chiefs" syndrome.
James wasn't saying that Christians will still commit sin after conversion.

I didnt say he was.

Cursing and swearing isnt a doctrine. Its just rude.
I find it offensive.

Different doctrines are different doctrines but not the same as swearing and cursing, I don't know any christian elders that say its ok to curse and swear.

Read further down in Romans as again it doesnt stop at verse 20.

Romans 8:9-10 is pretty clear about the change.

What does this mean, well, if we walk in flesh we are not walking in spirit, if we are walking in spirit we are not going by our flesh.

Read galatians 5 the whole chapter. What does it say in verse 24!

For some of us denying our flesh is too hard, but you have got to do it. Cos Jesus died for you! Reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ.

When peter sinned, Paul rebuked him. That doesnt mean its ok to sin, just cos Peter was a hypocrite. PAul wrote God forbid!!

Do not frustrate the grace of God. Sadly, many people do frustrate His grace. Dont be like them.
Yes God has a mountain of grace..I was going to say truckload, but it doesnt mean hes going to keep giving it to everyone all the time. Do you know why Jesus died, cos people killed him, they frustrated his grace. He did all these miracles demonstrating the power of God and still people refused to believe. If nobody had opposed them Jesus could have had a minstry a lot longer than 3 short years.

 

[At Peace]

Nobody is advocating sin here. No one is saying God "wants" people to sin. We've already covered
practicing sin and willful sin. We shouldn't sin. No argument. But when we do sin.... we have an advocate.
A mediator. A high priest.

"When we do sin"?
Why on earth would someone who loves God above all else commit further sin after having "turned from" sin?
Your mistaken recognition that allegedly converted people will commit sin is an admission of your "advocacy".
A real, true, repentance from sin, signifies the final time you will commit sin.

Did Paul sin?

Not after his conversion.
The first few verses of Ro 7 clearly show that it is speaking of a former time. Verse 5..."For when we WERE in the flesh..."
The entire middle of Ro 7 is about Paul's former life as a Pharisee; trying to live the Mosaic Law, but failing. And again, a reference to the past in verse 18; (that is, in my flesh).
And the end, especially verse 23; "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to THE LAW OF SIN which is in my members."...points again to a former time. Because....
we read in 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.
Why would Paul be subject to something he is free of?
If you could see the truth of Ro 7, and its proximity to Ro 6, which speaks of baptism and the death of the flesh, you would see that Paul is making the past-present transition, and Ro 8 continues on into the life walked in the Spirit.

Did Peter sin?

No, not after his conversion and reception of the Holy Ghost.
It is your version of Galatians 2 that casts accusations against Peter.
He was trying to placate the visiting Jews, who still clung to the customs, and inadvertently made it appear as if the customs still held any weight.
If you accuse Peter of sin for this, do you also accuse the "thousands who are zealous of the law" of sin too? (Acts 21:20)

Would I be a hypocrite if I, knowing there is nothing wrong with having a beer, declined to offer beer to visiting members of a group that held that all drinking was sin?
I think not.

He certainly wasn't saying sin doesn't matter... But He was saying.. if you do sin... we have an advocate.
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;

Those who require the services of this Advocate on multiple occasions will be called "workers of iniquity" on the last day.
God has made it possible to walk in the light for the rest of your time on earth, after conversion-rebirth.
But the conversion-rebirth must be real.

 

[At Peace]

I didnt say he was.
Cursing and swearing isnt a doctrine. Its just rude.
I find it offensive.
Different doctrines are different doctrines but not the same as swearing and cursing, I don't know any christian elders that say its ok to curse and swear.

You are being hyper- focused.
Cussing and swearing were simple, over the top, examples of disputation among brethren.
I suppose that I could have used "eating with Gentiles" as an example instead. Or, "is baptism essential to remaining in the light".
Or, "is the gift of tongues given to all recipients of the Holy Ghost"?
If part of a congregation holds with the "No eating with Gentiles" sect, the anti-group will be offended by them; And the group who feels there is nothing wrong with eating with the "heathen" will be an offense to the "No Gentiles" sect.
Too many "leaders" were allowing differences to fester instead of declaring what was correct...by the Spirit of God.
Salt water and fresh...from the same spigot.

 

[At Peace]

Read further down in Romans as again it doesnt stop at verse 20.

Romans 8:9-10 is pretty clear about the change.

What does this mean, well, if we walk in flesh we are not walking in spirit, if we are walking in spirit we are not going by our flesh.

Read galatians 5 the whole chapter. What does it say in verse 24!

For some of us denying our flesh is too hard, but you have got to do it. Cos Jesus died for you! Reckon yourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ.

Who are you "replying" to?