Ephesians
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We constantly grow in the grace and knowledge of God, only in his time frame, his appointed time to each of his children.
I think there is enough evidence through out the word of God that shows Christ is the angel of the Lord.
Acts 27:23 And there stood before me this night the ANGEL of the Lord, whose I am, and whom I serve.
We serve Christ, the angel (messenger) of the Lord (God).
Galatians 4:14 ....but received me as an angel of God, EVEN AS Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 63:9 In all their (creations) affections he (Christ) was afflicted, and the ANGEL of HIS (God's) presence SAVED them, in his (God's) love and his (God's) pity he (God) redeemed (through Christ, God's does all things through Christ) and bare them, and
carried them all the days of old.
There is many more scriptures, I like you try to keep comment short.
God BLESS YOU as we grow together in the knowledge of God.
Ephesians 4:4 ...ONE body ... ONE Spirit ....
Ephesians 4:5 ..... ONE God ..... Father of ALL .... even angels .... above all ..... through you all .... and IN YOU ALL .....even angels.
1 Corinthians 15:28 ..... that God may be ALL in ALL .....even angels .....
Psalms 103:20 ....ye HIS ANGELS ......
Romans 8:29 ...conformed to the IMAGE of HIS SON ....
Luke 20:36 Neither can they died anymore, for they are EQUAL to the ANGELS (Christ being the angel of the Lord, and they were resurrected in his image), and are the children of God, being the children of the RESURRECTION.
God BLESS YOU!
do you perceive what the Holy Spirit of Truth is revealing here?
Hebrews 6:1
therefore leaving the doctrines of Christ---not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works. meaning sinning & repenting as a way of a Christian life
one of these doctrines was that of baptisms, its in the plural form, He's distinguishing from John's, which was only a type & shadow of Christ baptism. John only reach to the cleansing of the flesh, symbolic of the ritual cleansing of the Jewish law, which he was under.
Christ, the Substance brought the better things to come, the baptism that John point to & desired, it reaches to the heart, the center & seat of our very being. Hebrews 9:14
Cleansing out the seeds of the evil one. Hebrews 10:22 evil conscience--his presence must be there Mark 7:21
Thus, Holy Spirit is revealing there's Ephesians 4:5 that's required to reach to this state of perfection were we sin no more.
Friends, as I lay here, after responding to bro Dan last thread, I continue to feel the springs from the Fountain of Life bubbling up within me, my cup is running over, so I added then added again to that which I received,
Come on; Zechariah 13:1 Isa 55:1-4 the Grace of God/ Light Rev 22:17
lets us Micah 4:2 the Jerusalem Gal 4:26 in Spirit & in Truth
in love & truth
Part 4.
You said we grow until we come to the full measure of Christ, and we will be glorified when we get our glorified bodies. "Which I believe also" ( Ephesians 4:12-13.
So at what point do we lose salvation?
Romans 8:13, "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.
We are given Christ spirit for our infirmities, and that is areas we are weak in the flesh.
What you described as one able to keep himself justified is not Salvation at all.
Once you are saved God keeps on saying you. It's not a onetime transaction. Sanctification Is of the Lord, Justification is of the Lord. It's not in your hands to keep yourself saved.
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Part 5 I will attempt to give an example of Sanctification under the law and Gods acceptance of man's cleansing himself and a picture of the difference between the ministration of death and the ministration by the Spirit.
See Part 5.
Your opening statement is welcome & much appreciated,
I see that your knowledge of God is from the letter, this is contrary to the Scriptures
Its a knowledge without the Spirit & Life oF Christ, its fruit is a form of godliness without the power to be truly godly
Meaning; it does take away one sins.
Ronald;
how can one "be a slave of Jesus & continue in sin?"
quoting you;
"we have had 2000 years of leaven that we can see everywhere the whole lump is almost bloated."
This is evident token of what the letter produces &
would you consider yourselve a part of this bloatation in continuing to sin?
Rom 6:1,2,6,14,15,16,18,22
"These are about not to continue in sin, sinning without thought or repentance."
Where does it imply this? Are you saying your in premediation to sin and repent later? & if not how do you know you will get a chance to repent? Not to mention that godly sorrow of repentance is an adhorrance in oneself & a resignation of spirit in total reliance on the Grace of God to not commit it again
"accept Jesus and are baptized, "
which baptizmal are we speaking of water or fire? The fire refers to thoroughly purging the threshing floor of our hearts with
unquenchable fire, which burns up the sinful nature, the chaff, thus becoming dead unto sin
Ephesians 4:5 & becoming a partaker of the Divine Nature that does not sin having escape the corruption thru lust
" justified and made righteous no longer a servant to sin"
if you are no more a servant unto sin, then why are you still commting sin?
Ronald the knowledge that you have is not according to the Spirit of the Scriptures
this is not saying you don't have a sincere heart, but are deceived
Everyone haves their day of visitation from the Lord, when He set life & death before them, its a very solemn moment within ,
I pray that when your turn comes
you will choose life. you have a heart for God, just not the true knowledge.
Reread last thread, particularly the end. Waiting on the Lord.
-Wherefore When He died at the cross and purge our sins By Himself and rose on the Third day, He gave gifts unto men to be apostles, prophets, evangelist pastors and some to be teachers. ( Ephesians 4:7, KJV) This is clearly seen across different churches and in many Christians who have repented of their sins at the cross and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ the son of the Living God.
- It is also important to note that God put his power in Moses' rode, but it was upon Moses to pick it and use it. but according to Gods will ( exodus 4:1-3, KJV)
And Remember Elijah a man like us tempted like we are but prayed earnestly and the rain ceased and yet Elijah was a man like us ( James 5:17, KJV)
-The writer of the Book James clearly point this out to all Christians (those who have repented at the cross and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God) they that take head according to the word of God ( Psalms 119:9, KJV)
-That if there is anyone sick, let him call the elders of the church to pray for him anointing him with oil in the name of The Lord and the prayer of FAITH will save the sick and if he has committed sin the Lord will forgive Him.
-Moreover, in James 5:16, KJV) God clearly points this to us that we are to confess our trespasses to one other and to pray for one other that we may be Healed.
-For if we confess our sins to each other, we will remain humble in the Lord and when we pray with earnestly before God without doubting ( 1 timothy 2:8, KJV) the Lord is faithful who will also do it
Remember prayer is not a shopping list but worshiping the Lord God with Your heart mind and soul.
The conclusion of the matter.
-The Lord still heals the blind, heals the sick and raises the dead according to the Scriptures.
And He does not change but we me and you we change and if we pray in mockery and be covetous in ministry.
-Prophesying for attention picking and choosing the portions of the Scriptures that we want to believe
There was a question posted few weeks, regarding The Gift of The Holy Spirit.
Part 1
-I believe Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God and He died on the Cross for my sins, and He was buried and rose on the third Day and He is sited at the right hand of the father, and He is our high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
-Brethren bear this in mind that God is the same and He does not change.
As it is written Malachi 3:6, kjv
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
-As God spoke by the prophets in time past in these days, these last hours ( John 1:18) He speaks to us by His beloved son in whom we have been qualified to be saints in the inheritance in the light by His blood at the cross By repentance. ( Colossians 1:12-14,KJV)
-And if you have repented at the cross and received salvation which is by grace and faith alone none of any of our works then we receive gifts according to His will which He gives for the edifying of the ministry (body of Christ For He is the Head of the Church Colossians 1:18, KJV.)
As it written in Ephesians 4:7-8, KJV
7.But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
-And in time past ( Hebrews 1:1, KJV) They the prophets healed the sick, raised the dead and provided provisions and all according to the will of God and not mans will.
-Therefore, we serve the same Living God who has been in the beginning and Does not Change and Was manifest unto us as a child, but He was there from the begging as a Son given unto us as a Son Mighty God, everlasting Father. (Isiah 6:9 KJV)
As it is written in 1 timothy 3:16, KJV.
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Part 2 next.
What is our cross for?
To DIE on or cross.
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the DEATH (on our cross) of his saints.
If we die on the cross of Christ, the we were MARRIED to him in his RESURRECTION.
1 Corinthians 15:43 .... raised in GLORY .....
1 Peter 1:21 WE by him (Christ) do BELIEVE in God, who raised him from the dead, and GAVE him GLORY....
John 17:22 And the GLORY thou GAVEST ME, I have GIVEN them, that as we are ONE, they may BE ONE in us.
There was ONLY ONE BODY raise at the RESURRECTION of Christ.
Ephesians 4:4 .....ONE body .......
1 Corinthians 12:27 ..... ye are the BODY of Christ ......
Ezekiel 36:26 A NEW HEART will I give you .....
1 Corinthians 2:16 .... ye have the MIND of Christ .....
We are a NEW Creation, ONE BODY, with the heart and mind of Christ.
Psalms 107:31 Oh that man would praise the LORD for his goodness, his wonderful works to the children of men!
God Bless YOU!
The first thing I came up with was anger which is not normally something people begin with in studying God; but perhaps a topic that needs discussion. God is clearly angry with the wicked every day ( Psalm 7:11). That verse also says that He judges the righteous.
In discussing God's reaction toward a saved individual as "chastisement" and the wicked as anger; we see a different outcome ultimately with believers not being damned every time they sin to hell. Nonetheless even with chastisement we can't say that God isn't angry. A father can be angry with a child with righteous indignation; and God as our Father certainly is upset when we grieve the Spirit ( Ephesians 4:30). Sin is sin; we clearly can't use grace as an excuse to sin more ( Romans 6:1-2). The REASON for His anger is different to some respect IF we are His children. We are as believers TRULY dead to our old nature; and if Satan attempts to renew our sinful behaviors it is foreign to our new nature; thus the Spirit contends against the flesh. ( Gal. 5:17). It is contrary to who we are in Christ DEAD TO SIN ( Galatians 2:20) if we sin as believers. If we really deceive ourselves then the truth is not in us ( 1 John 1:8). Thus without the Lord we are still dead in sins and trespasses ( Eph. 2:1); and if we do believe there is still potential for the old man to rise up but no NEED for it to happen if we continue to walk in the Spirit we will not satisfy the desires of the flesh ( Gal. 5:16). Clearly Galatians 5 in particular is a good read for that subject.
There are some things which God particularly hates ( Proverbs 6:16-19) and one he loathes (same idea). God also hates divorce ( Malachi 2:16). Anger and hatred are justified for God
Ephesians 4:4 ....ONE Spirit ...... called by different names.
God Bless YOU!
Galatians 2:20 I AM CRUCIFIED with Christ .......
I BELIEVE God's word, I'm DEAD.
..... nevertheless I LIVE ...... yet NOT I, BUT CHRIST .......
Psalms 1:2 ... his delight is the LAW of the Lord .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW of the SPIRIT OF LIFE in Christ ......
John 14:6 .... I am the LIFE ......
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE body ...... ONE Spirit .....
1 Corinthians 15:38 ... to every SEED ..... his (Christ's) own BODY .....
1 Corinthians 12:27 NOW ye are the BODY of Christ .....
Colossians 1:27 .... this mystery ..... Christ in you ....
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
I'm DEAD, dead men CANNOT sin.
God Bless YOU!
What is ONE SAVED FROM?
DEATH
If you don't believe; you will DIE in your SIN (unbelief), ALL other sins are COVERED by the BLOOD of Christ.
You cannot; add or take away, from the WORKS of the CROSS of Christ.
Did his CROSS save mankind; from DEATH, or was the WORKS of the CROSS useless?
Philippians 3:18 For MANY (christians) walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are ENEMIES of the CROSS of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:20 I am CRUCIFIED with Christ, yet I LIVE, yet NOT I, but CHRIST ......
ONLY the BODY of Christ was RESURRECTED.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Ye are the BODY of Christ ..... you're just a BODY, nothing else.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit in YOU (my BODY) and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and KEEP my judgements and DO THEM.
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE BODY ....
Most don't BELIEVE the WORKS of the CROSS of Christ.
God Bless YOU!
Hope your weekend went well brother, if I may give my understanding of Ephesians 4:8-10. As He Ascended up on High, Acts 1:9 He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.
He led captivity captive; we see this also in Judges 5:12 which has a meaning to take captive your captors. When Jesus rose from the grave, he took power over what held Him captive. Death and the grave were what held Him, but because He was without sin, they could not hold Him Acts 2:24. Since the garden, Satan had the power of death and the grave, and when Jesus rose from the grave, He took that power which are the keys, Revelation 1:18.
Gifts unto men, we see this in Psalms 68:18. These gifts are also for the rebellious. These gifts are for all people in Acts 1:8 Jesus gave the commission to the Apostles just before He ascended to heaven. The gifts are in Ephesians 4:11-12 He gave apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; all for the ministry for the perfecting of the saints. For the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ for all people. It is the gift to mankind for their salvation, no better gift can be given to man.
He that descended, when Jesus died, He was dead for three days. Jesus descended into death, and the grave, and because He had no sin, they had no power over Him. The first Adam through his disobedience brought sin and death to mankind, Jesus the second Adam through His obedience brought life.
If there were those whom Jesus brought with Him when He resurrected, I would think it would be David but in Acts 2:29 and Acts 2:34 David is dead and buried and has not ascended to heaven. This earth is our home and our reward we do not go to heaven. We are heirs according to the promise, Galatians 3:26-29, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:5 it is forever, and Romans 4:13 the whole earth.
Rev. 5:10 Psalms 37:9,22,34 This earth is where we will be not heaven.
God bless you, brother,
RLW
Ephesians 4:4-12 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The phrase "lower parts of the earth" is a phrase used by God to identify with those who are under the Wrath of God for their sins. And that is where Christ finds every one whom He saves and for whom Christ has "descended into", i.e. endured the Wrath of God on their behalf. He did this in order to free those whom He saves from "captivity to sin and Satan" and to make them "captives" of Christ.
And this is what Salvation is all about for anyone whom God saves, both OT and NT Believers alike.
It is not talking about Christ going to a place called "hades" to bring OT Believers out of never-never land.
These verses must be read in the context of the entire chapter which is talking about the very Nature of Salvation itself.
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.
I also believe this quote by Peter in 1 Peter 3:19-20 doesn't say Christ went into Hell and preached to the Spirits in prison.
I believe verse 20 tells us WHEN he preached to those in prison.
(Verse 20)
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, WHILE THE ARK WAS A PREPARING, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
I believe the building of the ark, the material used and the ark itself presents a type in the work of Christ and Christ himself.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
I also believe Ephesians 4:8-9 has to be interpreted separate from 1 Peter.
"Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
I believe this passage of scripture is saying Jesus rose victorious from the grave. He paid the price for the sin of the world through His sacrificial death and Resurrection, and broke the power of sin, Satan, death, and hell.
I believe at this point those saved in the Old Testament leaves Abraham's bosom and goes to be with the Lord.
And so do we when we die.
Also, I believe Satan will be bound by a great Angel, not the Lord. That is yet future. Revelation 20:1-2.
The conditions in Revelation 20:3-5 hasn't happened yet.
Blessings.
Ephesians 4:14 (KJV) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Ep 4:14 When the gifts operate in their God-appointed manner, and the saints are active in service for the Lord, three dangers are avoided-immaturity, instability, and gullibility.Immaturity. Believers who never become involved in aggressive service for Christ never emerge from being spiritual children. They are undeveloped through lack of exercise. It was to such that the writer to the Hebrews said, "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again-." ( Heb 5:12).Instability. Another danger is spiritual fickleness. Immature Christians are susceptible to the grotesque novelties and fads of professional quacks. They become religious gypsies, moving to and fro from one appealing fantasy to another.Gullibility. Most serious of all is the danger of deception. Those who are babes are unskillful in the word of righteousness, their senses are not exercised to discern between good and evil ( Heb 5:13, 14). They inevitably meet some false cultist who impresses them by his zeal and apparent sincerity. Because he uses religious words, they think he must be a true Christian. If they had studied the Bible for themselves, they would be able to see through his deceitful juggling of words. But now they are carried about by his wind of doctrine and led by unprincipled cunning into a form of systematized error. "Believer's Bible Commentary". Marion, IA: Laridian, Inc., 2021.
I agree with you, and you are not alone. My understanding, the soul is a living being human or animal. We see this first in Genesis 1:20 the word creature is the Hebrew word nephesh meaning a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, and emotion. Genesis 2:7 By the breath of life Adam became a living soul, not given a soul.
The breath of life is our spirit given to us by God for when this breath leaves us, we are a dead soul, asleep. This breath, our spirit is what goes back to God, every man or woman regardless of faith, Ecclesiastes 12:7. In Scripture the dead are in the grave, not in heaven or hell and it is called sleep, Deuteronomy 31:16 Job 17:13-16 and many more.
We have an earnest of the Spirit a downpayment, we are sealed, so, we are sealed until when? Until redemption, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Ephesians 4:30 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, resurrection for those elects, chosen, and faithful we see in Rev 17:14 and Rev. 20:4-6. This is when we will be absent from this mortal body and be with the Lord.
The soul is who we are, and our conscience is the recorder of our life that is in the books that are open for the rest of the dead not in the first resurrection, Rev. 20:11-15, The ones written in the book of life will receive their glorified bodies and the rest will be cast into the lake of fire.
My understanding from my studies is the immortal soul and the meaning of death being a separation of the soul from the body does not come from scripture it comes from the Greek philosophers Socrates, 400 BC, Plato, and Aristotle. Later Augustine 354-430 AD adopted it, teaching death meant the destruction of the body, but the conscious soul would continue to live in either a blissful state with God or an agonizing state of separation from God.
Just a little, if the soul, that is who we are is immortal, that means death does not exist.
God bless,
RLW
Brother SSpencer has given you a perfect explanation of God's salvation, I can't add anything.
About baptism:
Baptism is not being immersed in physical water.
You are baptised into the knowledge of the death and resurrection of Christ.
Christ died for YOU, you died on the cross with Christ, three days later a new CREATION AROSE, a husband, Christ and his wife, YOU. You were joined in a marriage, you took the name of your husband, you were baptised in the name of Jesus, Jesus is the life and you are his body.
Ephesians 4:4 ...ONE BODY ..... ONE SPIRIT ......
Ephesians 4:5 .... One Lord (truth, life, the way), one faith (the faith of Jesus, you life), one baptism (your married name, baptised in THE NAME of Jesus.
Revelation 3:12 ..... and I will writer upon him the NAME of my God .... and I will write upon him my NEW NAME .....
2 Corinthians 5:17 .... old things are passed away, behold, all things are BECOME NEW ....
Revelation 21:5 ..... Behold, I make all things NEW .....
Revelation 15:3 ..... Great and marvellous are THY WORKS, Lord God Almighty .....
God bless you
We have to read the rest of Peter's commentary regarding Psalm 16 and David's words. David was talking about Christ and Christ's payment for the sins of His Elect in descending into "hades" (hell or the grave) not David himself. This is not talking about David or OT Believers going to a place called "hades" to await the efficacy of Christ's Atonement nor is Ephesians 4:8-10.
Acts 2:29-36 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
So, again, neither of these passages is teaching what you suggest about OT Believers.
And incidentally, it is also a commentary on the Gospel that "was preached to them, as well as onto us" Heb 4.
As well, Acts 2:25-27 (Peter's message at Pentecost), clearly referred to David's Psalm 16:10, when David believed that his soul would not remain forever in hell (sheol; the Hebrew equivalent of Hades in the NT). David, as righteous & accepted as he was before God, would also go to the underworld to await deliverance.
When Peter referred this Psalm to Christ, indeed it was true, for at His Death, Christ did descend into Hades ("the lower parts of the Earth") for a time, to lead "captivity captive and gave gifts unto men" ( Ephesians 4:8-10). Jesus not only released the shackles of sin & death over those held in that interim/transitional place, but also took those in such captivity & made them captive to Himself.
His Sacrifice not only made the full sin payment for them (unlike the sacrifices of old), but also secured their position now IN Christ before the God & Father whom they served under the Law & sacrificial orders. That Law now perfectly fulfilled in Jesus & abrogated, ushered in the New Covenant which is in His Blood alone. The OT faithful had to wait for Calvary - there could be no salvation for them without it, no matter how well they stood before God behind their offerings.
David0921, Hades was a very real place for the OT faithful, & it could only take Jesus' Sacrifice & Victory over death & hades, to release them forever (what they longed for - to find that perfect REST).
2 Pet 1:19 does not refer to the letter, Peter explains it further 2 Pet 1:20,21 the Spirit, the Light John 1:9 Titus 2:11 is 2 Cor 4:6,7 the sure Word of Prophecy within us, by the Spirit of Prophecy Rev 19:10 the testimony of Jesus Christ
The rule & guide of a Christian life.
Friend consider;
Here on this site is evidence enough, all the different opinions concerning the meaning of the Scriptures, where are all these opinions coming from? Is Christ divided?
Where as if everyone would be led by His Spirit, He speaks the same thing to all, according to their measure of Grace received, yet it's the same word according to each one's measure.
Acts 2:1 Acts 4:32 this is the fruits we shall see when its Christ who speaks, bringing His church to the Ephesians 4:13
The Spirit alone can accomplish this. John 17:21-23 1Cor 6:17 1Cor 12:13
in love & truth
Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Phillips Craig and Dean from the song From the Inside Out (Fearless Album)
Proverbs 16:9 shows that man makes plans but the Lord orders his steps. Our best attempts at determining what is right even as Christians can't possibly take into account the bad things that happen and just how the Lord will use those things for our good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes ( Romans 8:28). Time and again the Lord has shown in scripture as well as today that martyrs ultimately serve a greater purpose; it such as Jim Elliot martyred with his friends in the jungle and the efforts of his wife and others afterwards with the resulting fruit of their efforts in converts.
Dying to self may or may not demand a complete change in trajectory as to our vocation or living situation. God makes it clear that those married to unbelievers are not to depart unless forced by the other person. We are also to work heartily unto the Lord ( Col. 3:23-24) and in fact; if we don't work we don't eat ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Luke 10:7 shows how the workman is worthy of his hire at least in terms of ministry but Paul supplemented support through tentmaking as to not be a burden to others. Obviously; as with the woman caught in adultery ( John 8:1-11) there had to be an end to sin therefore a radical change in lifestyle and by default cutting off many social ties. Whether we can be a witness or former associates post conversion are a detriment is based on several factors in individual situations. Clearly any criminal sources of income have to be ended; and we should make restitution whenever possible for those we have offended (see Ephesians 4:28; implied in doing good with what is earned).
As to our affections being set on things above ( Colossians 3:3-10) it is an ongoing process. As an onion each layer of self is peeled away.
Thank you for your reply
Allow me to add a few more elements for analysis. JESUS was talking about the fulfillment of the Scriptures about Himself -JESUS is GOD-, when Peter rebuked Him, so He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of GOD, but merely HUMAN concerns." Matthew 16:23NIV
When Peter rebuked JESUS, an unexpected spiritual environment emerged out of the darkness and the Enemy spirit took a clincher/hook in the literal sense, and articulated the pseudo human goodness in Peter's mouth to put a stumble in the way of JESUS, as happened in temptation.
The lesson I draw for myself from the spiritual environment that emerged out in that moment involving Peter in his weakness before the Master, it is that as a human we must have much care to fall not in the same error of Peter Apostle, using our human conceptions and going against the Scriptures, even if our words seems be good and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom.
We need a lot of discernment, no? Ephesians 4:26-27KJV - Sin not ...:
Neither give place to the Devil.
Furthermore, Ephesians 6:10 to 18 in very important for us the lasts, mainly now at midnight, a hour of great danger, according the Word of GOD, and more a TURN of a Day in our GOD's watch as in Genesis 3:8-11 and NOW in Revelation 16:13-15.
GOD BLESS
1 John 2:19 Ephesians 4:14 these apostates took over the ministry of Christ, the Gifts, Ephesians 4:11 & has raise of a ministry & sanctuary that of this world, all saying here is Christ & there is Christ. All in the lust 1John 2:16 some more some less, but a little leaven, leavens the whole lump, there are over 45,000 different favors/sect's of Christianity world wide, is Christ divide?
The Church in is first pure innocent primitive state Acts 4:32 fulfilling Ephesians 4:12,13, & would have remain so, excepting for God in His infinite Wisdom choses otherwise, Rev 13:7
The work of the Ephesians 4:11 first is to point them to Christ within them, their Isa 9:6, then to become servants to His Body, the Church. John 13:13-16, then at the appointed time of the Father, proving themselves faithful to the ministry they have received, Act 6:2 God gave them an increase, in rewards to their faithfulness to Him. Read on there & see the increase they received multiplied.
Jesus said, Luke 17:21 Ephesians 4:4-7 all pointing to God within them. All of this is not figuratively, but a spiritual reality to be lived, known & felt in the heart.
In Revelation we find the Spirit of the Lord is Crying out to His people Rev 18:4 connecting 2Cor 6:14-18, I ask you who will hear His Call & if required of them to sell all that he has to follow Jesus & to forsake all that he believes that's contrary to Holy Spirit teaching, Matt 7:14 For surely the teaching in Babylon is the same as the devil taught in Eden, Genesis 3, they too being evasive, twisting God's word to their own 2Pet 3:16
Consider these things, Proverbs 25:2
Matthew 13:30 Let them grow together (the wheat and the tares) ......but gather the wheat into the barn ....
Job 39:12 Wilt thou believe him (a prophecy of the Messiah), that he (Christ) may bring home the SEED (the word of God), and gather it (the word of God)(the SEED)(the WHEAT)(all symbols of CHRIST) into the barn (a symbol of the TEMPLE)
John 12:24 ... except a corn of WHEAT (SEED)(word of God)(CHRIST) fall into the ground (the grave)and DIE, it (Christ)(the WORD)(the SEED) (the WHEAT) abideth alone, but if it (Christ, the SEED, the WORD, the WHEAT) DIE, it (CHRIST) bringeth forth much FRUIT.
Wheat makes more WHEAT, Christ makes MORE CHRIST.
Ephesians 4:4 ..... ONE body .... ONE Spirit ....
John 17:22 .... that they may be ONE as we are ONE ......
Christ ONLY was raised from the DEAD.
Luke 20:36 Neither can they DIED ANYMORE: but they are EQUAL to the ANGELS, being the children of the RESURRECTION.
Isaiah 63:9 ... and the ANGEL of HIS PRESENCE SAVED THEM ....
God bless you.
1John 2:1 but then he moves on: 1John 3:9
You say, because we have this sin nature, Not if we're born again, 2Cor 5:17, His Spirit of Grace has brought us through the regeneration & renewing of the Holy Spirit unto the new creature, created in Ephesians 4:24 Col 3:10. By His Spirit of Grace, the Cross, the old nature has been deny, mortify & finally crucify Rom 6:6,7 & We have become partakers 2Pet 1:3,4
Its very true, as you stated we, in & of ourselves we cannot stop sinning, its a hopeless situation. But with God all things are possible! Jeremiah 32:27
Jesus stated, John 7:17,18 Meaning; if one is practicing in their lives the doctrines of faith they believe & its not having the results the Word of God clearly states, then their doctrine & faith is not of God & their speaking of themselves.Their faith is not Hebrews 12:2 Matt 7:14
Friend anyone who would not be prejudice, can perceive that throughtout the Scriptures God is calling His people to be holy.
He kick Lucifier out of heaven when he sinned, He put Adam & Eve out of paradise when they sinned, He kick the nation of Israel out of the promise land when they continue sinning. Do you really believe He's going to allow anyone into His holy Kingdom that's a sinner? Especially now that He has sent His Son, if He was going to allow sin into heaven, Jesus could have avoided that horrible humiliation & vicious suffering at the hands of ungodly men.
No, my friend, sinners will not enter the kingdom of God, it not happenning,
Last par; HEAVY LOAD ON THEIR SHOULDERS, it an evident token that they have not come to the True Jesus Matt 11:28 because He's the John 1:29
I kindly request that you read No Cross No Crown William Penn, Chap 1-8 & serious consider what discover in these pages.
freely on the net, No Cross No Crown project gutenberg
in love & truth
Thanks, brother, I hope you did not take Greek Philosophy personally. I understand the Hebrew word nephesh, it can be any being, dog, cat, or cow. It can also mean a soul, a living being, a dead being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, and emotion, basically who we are. When I said the spirit of life, I did not mean it had anything to do with the Spirit of God, sorry for the misunderstanding. I meant spirit/breath as the word neshamah used in Job 27:3.
I understand our being or soul is the same thing it is who we are and who will someday be with Jesus and see God's face. But that day is the day of redemption, Ephesians 4:30. In Scripture in death there is no remembrance of us, Psalm 6:5. In death we lie down until, Job 14:12-14 the grave is our house and our bed Job 17:13-16.
We will see death and the grave and our soul will be there Psalm 89:48 and this Ecclesiastes 9:5-10. I know our understanding may be different, but I do not see in Scripture where we or any part of us is immortal until resurrection day 1 Cor. 15:52-53 we will be raised from the grave, us, our soul/being, who we are.
The definition of death is the separation of the soul from the body I do not see in Scripture. It does say there is no knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, death, Ecclesiastes 9:10. I do not see that has changed. I know many understand as you and I hope you take this as just a little of where my understanding comes from, for it does not affect salvation.
The way I see it, we are waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with His reward of eternal life, either we will be alive or asleep in the grave.
God bless,
RLW
Mark 16:16
Acts 2:38
Matthew 28:19
John 3:5
Ephesians 4:5
It already says what it says and means what it means, whether someone likes it or not. You can't pick and choose which scriptures you like or dislike like a buffet-style Christianity. I don't think Jesus would approve of that. Water baptism sure was important to Jesus, so much so He was baptized Himself as an example. Wow, God was water baptized so there's no doubt whatsoever what someone needs to do to follow Jesus. Seems like a pretty big crystal clear sign, but people will still find excuses and rationalizations to disobey as they always do.
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" 1 Peter 3:21 KJV
Does this verse above say baptism doth NOT save us, or that it does? I didn't write this, God did. Are your words in perfect alignment with what God said here? Does it say that baptism is unimportant and should be avoided and definitely do NOT be baptized or does it say the opposite of that?
Mark 16:16
Acts 2:38
Matthew 28:19
John 3:5
Ephesians 4:5
It sure seems very important based on these verses, do you agree? Blatant disobedience is not a sign of a true Christian according to what the Bible says.
John 15:10
I've never understood how someone can call himself a Christian but aim to do the very minimum they assume they need to do in order to get to heaven. I don't think Jesus is a bare minimum type of being. He wants all of you like the greatest commandment says: Matthew 22:37-38. It doesn't say love God with only part of your heart and pick and choose whatever you're comfortable with in obeying and its totally cool if you don't do 50% of the stuff in the Bible. The life of a Christian is to be a slave to righteousness. It's not just a get out of hell free card to enjoy following satan and do whatever lust the heart desires. Most will cry Lord Lord at the end assuming they're saved, but will not be. These are people that tell everyone they're saved and will be devastated on how they got it wrong and actually didn't love Jesus like they claimed.
When comparing the two I believe the difference is in fruit barring.
This is something that can only be done by being connected to the genuine vine. John 15:1-5.
We can do nothing without Christ.
These verses and many others is tied to this "working of the Holyspirit."
Romans 6:5-10.
Romans 8:11.
This is the life giving spirit that we get once we truly believe.
This is baptism!
This is Christ in us, and we in him.
Jesus said that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit. That fruit is more than ministry results, it is also the evidence of a life lived in God.
IF WE'RE CONNECTED TO THE VINE WE WILL BARE FRUIT!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
This is what the natural man can not do and what the OLD COVENANT couldn't produce.
Galatians 5:17-18 says; "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
BUT IF YE BE LED OF THE SPIRIT, YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW"
Also see.
Matthew 7:18.
Salvation is inward. It's a new heart that CAUSES you to produce fruit.
It's not forced by command.
Christ put his life giving Holyspirit IN you, and that "Holyspirit in you" won't turn you from him.
It would be turning him from himself.
Again; This is Christ in you, and we in him.
Ephesians 4:30 is something the law and the Old covenant couldn't do. See; " Galatians 5:17-18"
Now what you do, it is he that works in you! Philippians 2:13.
By fruit we shall know them and by it, we can examine ourselves also.
We can use Galatians 5:19-26 as a guide.
Ephesians 4:1-16 is what every Christian should keep by his side.
God bless.