In John 4:20 the Samaritan woman at the well said "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
She is referring to centrality of the temple in worship where the ceremonies were performed.
Jesus is saying the day has come where worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth is that worship of God is not to be confined to a single geographical location or necessarily regulated by the of Old Testament law.
Worship became a matter of the heart, not external actions, and directed by truth rather than ceremony.
Our worship of God is directed by our love for Him, Not by Command and rituals.
Ti worship in spirit this way was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:27.
"And I will put my spirit within you, AND CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUTES, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Ezekiel 36:26 reads, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh"
You said,
"Israel failed with the Law of Moses and the tradition of their fathers. Only in Christ shall they reach that state"
Israel wasn't able to reach that state under the Mosaic law. The Mosaic law wasn't given for that purpose!
Ezekiel and Jeremiah states that God was going to do something NEW!
Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Ezekiel 11:19-20.
Ezekiel 36:26-27.
The Spirit within represents a NEW birth. The Law and the Prophet's taught this
Jesus counseled Nicodemus on this in
John 3:5-10.
Nicodemus was expected to Know this being that he was a Teacher of Israel.
The interpretation of the sticks is in passage. Ezekiel 37:16-21.
The two sticks represent the southern and the Northern Kingdom as mentioned.
Also, they will be gathered from every side and brought back into their own land.
Let's take Ezekiel 36 and Ezekiel 37 and put them in its proper context.
There's mention of a new heart and new spirit.
The dry bones.
The two sticks.
Their gathering.
and their own Land.
Ezekiel is writing during the captivity of Babylon but his writings extends past the captivity on into the latter days as do Daniel and Jeremiah.
Judgment of Israel is of a much broader scope than the Babylonian captivity.
We find that in Deuteronomy 28:37 ,64-68.
It's important to note that this dispersion is global, Not Babylon.
Also the gathering Ezekiel is talking about is global and exceeds Babylon.
This is a second gathering! Isaiah 11:9-12.
Isaiah 43:5-6.
When you read this you'll see that it has never happened.
They still have a heart of stone.
Some look at Israel today and say this must be the Church but "in those days" there is more to consider here than just the New heart concerning this prophecy.
As promised, here is my take on Ezekiel 37 and the two sticks.
I take exactly what Ezekiel penned down in Ezekiel 37:16-21 and let verses 18 and 19 do the explaining.
"16) Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17) And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18) And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19) Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20) And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.
21) And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
This Chapter has to do with the future restoration of Israel which involves their national entity and their spiritual revival which the Lord announced in the previous chapter. Ezekiel 36:24-28.
Notice verse 22 of Ch 37. "And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
Chapter 36 should be studied along with chapter 37 where we have mention of a new heart and new spirit, the dry bones, and the two sticks to get the context.
It is getting late here, I will have to continue later, perhaps during the week.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
These verses at first glance seem to contradict the idea of the Grace of God. A basic argument that holds some water here is that the Spirit of God didn't work at it does today ( John 16:8) with a permanent indwelling as this and other verses promise.
We could also look at such instances as King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:6 who apparently had a righteous life and God heard his prayer to continue 15 more years. One good study is with Saul's foolishness which ended with an early death after he saught wisdom from the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. We see other wicked kings as well have a shortened life; perhaps also Solomon. Of course we all die physically; and some would argue the soul dies also only the spirit goes on to eternity. I would add the solution is in verse 31 of Ezekiel 18 which mentions getting a new heart and spirit. This only comes through the Lord ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). Without this we can superficially ask forgiveness every time an outward sin is found; but this doesn't make us able to do good because of man's sin nature; and ignores sins of omission as well as one's we aren't aware of. It also shows how we shouldn't boast how long we haven't sinned as some foolishly proclaim; ignoring warnings in 1 John about the fact that we are a liar if we claim we have no sin. God's children are corrected even through their sin in the sanctification process.
I was in a very odd situation with a former OPC church I attended where I was granted a sort of "partial" membership without ascribing to their stance on infant baptism. There are a couple other issues which would keep me out of a similar place in the future (that church shut down 6 or 7 years ago due to lack of attendance). I will say that it wasn't required that I believed in their stance on Postmillenialism; although I may have mentioned here in the past when it was brought up how foolish it was to believe in the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast in one of their sermons and I took them up on that they sort of backed down. It wasn't a requirement to adhere to their eschatology, although it was a rather cliquish sort of mentality at that place. I agreed to disagree with them without such banter so I thought it only fair; however of course it was their belief.
In any case; infant baptism has cast a rather nebulous picture in my mind as to explanations; somehow holding what children or infants were commemorated with when they become adults and rebel as if they had some sort of inherent partaking of a covenant; I suppose equivalent to the Israelites who were "baptized" by crossing the Red Sea. ( 1 Cor. 10:2). No one I know actually thinks someone is saved through infant baptism but nonetheless they seem in my mind to have carried on a Catholic tradition through the Reformers in the past. I also had a "rebaptism"; having argued beforehand the sprinkling of water should also be legitimate ( Ezekiel 36:25). In my case I had it done that way along with my wife at the time because she had a balance issue going totally underwater; but I rededicated myself to a commitment as a church member when I had an immersion at the founding of a church I used to attend at its inception almost 10 years ago. Seeing how quickly Philip baptized the eunuch in Acts 8; and the jailor with his family ( Acts 16:33) it should follow salvation quickly.
Matthew 13:24-43 discusses the parable of the wheat and the tares; ending with a private discussion with the Disciples. This necessity of such a condition WITHIN the professing church also must exist along with the general contrast between believers and unbelievers. Therefore; in general we must not only have confession but POSSESSION of the Holy Spirit in order to have genuine salvation (see Ezekiel 36:26). This principle in scripture cannot be overemphasized; if Christ found His greatest resistance from the "religious" leaders among the Jews of that day; we can be certain much of our opposition will come from those calling themselves Christians. Surely judgment begins at the house of God ( 1 Peter 4:17).
If we are honest with history there are errors that can be found with fallible human beings even in the best denominations (sometimes despite truthful doctrines). I call Satan the "equal opportunity destroyer" because he doesn't discriminate as to what means of deception he uses and hence it fits his character hating everyone created in the image of God. He only hates the most those who are a threat to his kingdom; those who can see past the veil over all mankind ( 2 Cor. 4:3-6). His methods are myriad-mind control; fear; temptations; bondage; etc. People are used according to his purpose and we should be aware that his web is everywhere in this current world system. Things can and must get worse; worse than in all human history as Jesus promised for the end times to come for God's plans to come to fruition ( Matt. 24:21). Of course the world wants to hear that peace is coming "peace; peace when there is no peace." ( Jeremiah 6:14). There is no peace; however for the wicked as God states in Isaiah 48:22 and other places in that book and the rest of scripture as well.
Incredibly the world will fall for "the lie" ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12). Whatever utopia is offered (AI or otherwise) God will use to purge the dross
And I will put my spirit within you, "AND CAUSE" you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Ezekiel 36:27.
The apostle Paul says that "for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:10). The word "workmanship" means "that which is made, a work of art." It refers to a "masterpiece." What Paul's saying is that all God's children are His masterpieces.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Dead Works.
In the Bible the phrase "dead works" is found in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 6:1-3.
"Repentance from dead works".
Repentance means to change the way we think. We need to change the way we think about dead works.
From the outside looking in we can't tell the difference between dead works and good works. They can look very much the same outwardly. They can be the same works, but they have different motives.
Praying can be a dead or good work.
Attending church can be a dead or good work.
Reading the Bible can be a dead or good work.
Telling others about Jesus can be a dead or good work.
That's why Jesus said what he said in Matthew 7:22-23.
Prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles in the name of Jesus are all outwardly good things. But Jesus will reject "many" who do those things. Why? Because their hearts are wrong. These people have the wrong motivations for the things they do.
Dead works are any attempt to find favor, earn acceptance or be made righteous before God by one's own effort, ability or willpower.
Religion puts the emphasis on doing right. In contrast, Jesus and the apostles put the emphasis on believing right, because when we believe right we will naturally do right as a consequence.
If we can't tell outwardly, then how do we know what a good work is?
Israel was the instrument used by God to introduce himself as the true and living Mighty God that provides to a pagan idol worshipping world.
They also displayed the incompetence of man in his natural state and the need of a savior.
God always keeps his promises and unconditional covenants.
He made Promises to Abraham that has yet to be fulfilled!
He showed his good will toward them in Babylon and in Egypt and he will do it again when he gather them from the four corners of the earth and bring them back into their own land.
May we honor our LORD and SAVIOR by understanding our relationship with HIM. If you are saved, then search the scriptures to find out what it means to be saved. Continue to read and study to know what the mind of CHRIST is with regards to our Christian world view pertaining to different issues confronting and plaguing our society.
Memorize HIS word and walk in HIS Spirit that we not fall to the lust of the flesh.
GOD to shine HIS face on the brethren and gloriously bless us as we worship and praise HIS name.
May we be strong and faithful to be praying for the peace in Jerusalem; and for those in leadership positions.
Philippians 2:12,13: is Paul reminding them, 'you have God's Salvation, now work it out (i.e. don't be slack or negligent in living the new life that Christ has purchased for you), & do so in fear & trembling - living the Christian life is a serious, disciplined matter, under the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Our Faith, Belief, Repentance are WORKS and a RESULT and EVIDENCE of, not REQUIREMENTS for, Salvation." There certainly must be an on-going evidence of Faith, Belief & Repentance in a believer's life, but none of the passages suggest that they cannot be requirements towards Salvation.
Part 5: Ezekiel 36:24-33. Indeed, this passage is all of God's Action: that Israel would be released primarily from Assyrian/Babylonian captivity & then ultimately "from all countries". But what happened? Have they yet received "a new heart & a new spirittaking away the stony heart of flesh? Their Messiah came, gave His Life for them & they yet remain obstinate & stony in heart. I believe this will yet happen ( Romans 11:25-27), when Israel will be saved. How will they be saved? These verses don't divulge this information, except God's Act to take away their sins.
And so we go back to what Jesus had commanded & to which the apostles obeyed, Mark 1:14,15 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel."
Acts 3:19, "REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Israel in the future, will still need to believe & accept that Jesus was indeed their Messiah; maybe all Works in your understanding, but vital if they are to receive "a new heart & a new spirit".
I want to leave this discussion by again quoting Ezekiel 36:24-33, which is one of the clearest statements regarding the Nature of Salvation and that each and every aspect of our Salvation is 100% the WORK of God, including our WORKS of BELIEF and REPENTENCE.
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
Notice, again, that EVERY ACTION IS GOD'S ACTION.
Every True Believer WILL BELIEVE and WILL REPENT and WILL have an earnest ongoing desire to be obedient to the Law of God. And if we don't find this in our life we may still cry to God for Mercy that He might save us. It is still the day of Salvation!
We can find verses, that when isolated, can seem to teach that OUR WORKS of Believing and Repentance are contributory TOWARDS our salvation. But in coming to an understanding of any doctrine in the Bible we must harmonize every verse in Scripture that relates to the question.
When we do this, we must conclude that our GOOD WORKS of any sort are the RESULT of God's gift of salvation which He bestows on each and every one of His elect, not BECAUSE we do these things but as the EVIDENCE and CHARACTER of a New Creation in Christ as we read in the Galatians and Romans passages I quoted earlier and many others.
The passage that, in my view, speaks most clearly regarding the Nature of Salvation is Ezekiel 36:24-34. Note here that every action is God's action, not man's action. And that our Repentance and Belief are the RESULT of God's actions in salvation, never the CAUSE nor the REASON.
I want to be a million miles away from any Gospel that even hints that our works contribute in any way to our Salvation.
By Grace are you saved through faith(Christ's faith not our faith). And that not of ourselves. It is the gift of God in His in comprehensible Mercy. Not of our works lest any man should boast. (forgive me for not quoting chapter and verse for these last statements, but I'm sure you are familiar).
I never want to be that man in Numbers who picked up a few sticks on the Sabbath and was executed for that seemingly incidental sin. A dramatic picture of what happens if we look to any good work that we do or have done to affect our salvation.
Is belief, i.e faith (one is the verb the other the noun but the same word) a WORK? God answers that question in 2 Thes 1:11
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the WORK OF FAITH with power:
God commands us to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". And when we do that we are doing a "good work". But God is very clear that no work that we do can INITIATE nor MAINTAIN nor CONTRIBUTE to our Salvation in any way whatsoever.
God does not save anyone BECAUSE we Believe. But if and when God Saves an individual by His MERCY and GRACE alone, they will Believe. Our BELIEF, our REPENTANCE are good works that we do as a RESULT of our Salvation. And we will find in our life an earnest and ongoing desire to be OBEDIENT to any commandment of God, i.e the LAW of God.
If we are following a gospel where Salvation is the RESULT of any WORK that we do, we are trusting in a false gospel that cannot save.
So what must we do to be saved? THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO? We can only cry to God for His Mercy, like the Ninevites did in the very real hope that God might save us. And wait upon God to do a work of GRACE in our hearts if it is His good pleasure so to do.
Ezekiel 36:24-28 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
You ask: what is the will of our Heavenly Father in your Life?
You don't understand the gospel of the Kingdom of God?
You DIED on the cross of Christ, Christ's BODY arose by the POWER and LIFE of his Father.
We became HEIRS of God, as we also became partakers of Christ BODY at his resurrection: becoming a NEW CREATION, ONE FLESH, ONE BODY, and the LIFE of OUR BODY is the Spirit of our Father.
We are vessels, instruments, in the WORKS of our Father, it's the LIFE of GOD, not our life, we died and became a new creation, the Body of the Spirit of our Father.
What does our Heavenly will for us , his body:
That we walk in the TRUTH of Christ's resurrection.
Ezekiel 36:27 I WILL put my Spirit IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes,and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
Do you understand, by God's words, you DO NOTHING without God CAUSING YOU to DO IT.
You have become ONE with Christ and the Father.
Christ always walked in the TRUTH that it was the Father's words he spoke, and the Father's WORKS he preformed, he is the BODY of the POWER of GOD, we have become JOINT HEIRS with Christ, by taking part in HIS resurrection.
The word says that scripture has to be understood by applying other scriptures to it.
The NEW COVENANT, the gospel, was preached to THEM as well as unto US.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, salvation is of the Jews.
Romans 2:29 For he is a JEW, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is in the heart, IN THE SPIRIT .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST, has made us free from the LAW of sin and DEATH ...
This same gospel was preached to them as well as us.
Psalms 119:1 Blessed are the UNDEFILED in the way ( John 14:6) who WALK in the LAW OF the LORD ( Romans 8:2).
Ezekiel 36:27 I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to WALK in my STATUTES, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Psalms 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in HIS WAYS.
Psalms 119:5 Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy STATUTES!
The Spirit CAUSES us TO DO his will, the words that come out of our mouth, are his words, the works of our hands, are his works.
Isaiah 48:18 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this, I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, from the time that it was, there am I, and HIS SPIRIT HAS SENT ME ( Romans 8:2).
John 14:24 ...and the word ye hear are not mine, but the Father's which sent me ....
Mark 10:8 And they TWAIN shall be ONE FLESH: so they are no more TWAIN, but ONE FLESH ...
The same SPIRIT that sent Christ and raised him up, and we as JOINT HEIRS, abides in us, our words are not ours by the Father's that anoints us.
The wages if UNBELIEF is DEATH.
The GIFT of BELIEF is IMMORTAL LIFE.
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTAL LIFE......
Ezekiel 36:27 I WILL put my Spirit IN YOU and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
The WORD says it is God that CAUSES you to SLIP; but, the WORD also says ALL THINGS work together, even the slips we make, for the good of THOSE who love the WORKS of God.
Read and STUDY Isaiah 10.
God runs the lives of every man, but most live in UNBELIEF and deny the WORKS of God.
The Islamic Threat to Israel (Part 5) (Conclusion)
By Dave Hunt.
Beginning with Britain's mandate over "Palestine," during which they gave most of it to the Arabs, and continuing on to U.N. Resolution 181, November 29, 1947, partitioning "Palestine"--and as part of every peace plan since--in fulfillment of this prophecy, not just one enemy but the nations of the world have divided God's land ( Lev 25:23). They will be punished for that defiance of God and His Word. Bush ought to tremble. The whole basis of the Roadmap to Peace is a further division of Israel.
Behind it all is Islam, the chief enemy of Israel. The battle over Israel is a battle for survival on Satan's part and a battle for the souls and destiny of mankind. If Islam and the nations siding with her should win, then we are all eternally lost. If God, whose integrity is tied to Israel's ultimate restoration and blessing, has not told the truth about His chosen people and their destiny, then how could we believe His promises that Christ paid the penalty for our sins and His offer of forgiveness and eternal life for those who believe in Him? Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
If God, whose integrity is tied to Israel's ultimate restoration and blessing, has not told the truth about His chosen people and their destiny, then how could we believe His promises that Christ paid the penalty for our sins and His offer of forgiveness and eternal life for those who believe in Him? Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Before you can be a doer of the WORD, you first have to be a hearer of the WORD.
You didn't understand what I said, because you were not a hearer of the word.
You and Christ were raised as ONE FLESH, a new creation.
Your the body, he's the LIFE and FAITH of the BODY, the DOER of the WORD is Christ, the WORD, you the body of the words that does works BY the WORD.
Ezekiel 36:27 I (the LIFE and FAITH) will put my spirit IN YOU (my body) and CAUSE YOU (my body) to WALK in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Cease from your works (of your carnal mind, YOU DIED on the cross, only the NEW CREATION, you and Christ as ONE FLESH exist) and come into the sabbath rest, all the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Faith without works is DEAD, but it's NOT YOUR faith and it's not your works: but the faith and works of CHRIST IN YOU, the new creation, by the resurrection of Christ.
One will glean more knowledge form interacting on this forum than will ever be gleaned in our churches, sad but true.
Our churches stand on denominational doctrines instead of of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven.
I was raised in a denominal doctrine church, went they any and every time the doors were open, I never hear a sermon on the gospel of the kingdom of God, It was do good and go to heaven, don't do good and go to hell: all works.
Until God CAUSED me to sit and study his word, I never knew the gospel of the Kingdom of God, I never knew the baptism into Jesus NAME, only the water baptism of John.
I was taught we have FREE WILL, never understanding I DIED on the cross, ONLY the BODY of Christ was resurrected and WE as JOINT HEIRS of his resurrection.
Dead men DO NOT HAVE FREE WILL:
Ezekiel 36:22 I WILL put my spirit IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgement (we are judged by the words of God) and DO THEM.
If one believes this scripture he is a SEED of God, ONLY God's WWILL is being done in HIS BODY.
If God is WILLING all things, AND DOING all things in IN US, then WE CANNOT SIN.
This is how Christ was without SIN, He had KNOWLEDGE without measure of the WORDS of GOD.
He KNEW every word from his mouth was OF HIS FATHER, he was just the BODY, every action (works) his body performed was the WORK of his Father.
When Christ became angry, he had knowledge it was the Father CAUSING his to show his anger, but he had knowledge that ALL THINGS (anger and other things we call SIN) all WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.
We can't see that but GOD'S word says it does, so do we believe our carnal mind of do we let the words of God DESTROY the man of perdition, our carnal mind, and RENEW our carnal mind with the mind of Christ.
HIS mind and his heart were GIVEN TO US by being resurrected JOINT HEIRS with Christ,
BUT even BELIEVING his words have to be GIVEN to us on the BEHALF of Christ .... Philippians 1:29
John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of cords, he drove them out of the temple ......
Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry ......
Romans 14:23 whatsoever is not of faith (of Christ) is sin .....
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even dividing the body and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and INTENTS of the HEART.
Ezekiel 36:26 A NEW HEART will I GIVE YOU, and NEW SPIRIT will I PUT IN YOU ....
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my SPIRIT IN YOU and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes (maybe become angry) amd keep my judgements (words) and DO THEM.
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the GOSPEL preached, as well as unto THEM, but the word did not profit them, not being mixed with FAITH (of Christ) in them.
The same gospel does not profit most today, they haven't died to SELF, so ONLY Christ reigns in HIS BODY (all; the NEW CREATION).
Most DO NOT BELIEVE:
Ezekiel 36:27 ANd I WILL put my spirit in my body (the NEW CREATION) and CAUSE my (NEW) body to WALK in my statutes and KEEP my judgements (WORDS) and DO THEM.
They read the words, write the words, speak the words, BUT DO NOT BELIEVE the words.
If Christ is CAUSING you to WILL and to DO, then how can one sin.
The sin is UNBELIEF. All other sins is COVERED by his blood.
When HE (the spirit of truth) IS COME (like a thief that can't be seen) HE WILL reprove the world of SIN: of SIN because they don't BELIEVE the WORD.
The Lord told Israel in Ezekiel 36:27 he will put his spirit within them, and cause them to walk in his statutes, and they shall keep his judgments, and do them.
This is also what he does for us Gentiles. If we all agree Israel is saved "or is to be saved" the same way we are then the Holyspirit that directs their walk is the same that directs ours.
If we agree we all sin and no one can present themselves perfect but yet you can forfeit your salvation, What percentage of your sins you have to repent from to be saved?
What percentage of sins you have to commit before you lose your salvation?
Ephesians 2:4-6 says "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
( He made us alive WITH CHRIST)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
How long does that mercy last?
Does our imperfect nature forfeit God's mercy?
God's Commandments, statutes, and judgments are perfect!
The Holyspirit drives us to perform them perfectly.
However we stumble at the perfection in the Law and sin against it even in our imperfect minds.
Even the restraint from sin let's us know we are sinners in need of God's mercy.
Paul says, in Romans 7:24 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
You can't do anything to gain salvation and you can't do anything to hold it.
If it's not the Holyspirit that is regenerating you then you are not saved even if you supposedly stopped sinning.
Salvation is a new life, one from above with a repentant heart.
Your walk testifies of this rebirth.
Salvation comes before Sanctification and Sanctification Is a continuing work of the Holyspirit.
In Rom 6 Holy Spirit describes the certainty of God expectation of not continuing in sin & reveals the working of Grace as the divine power to accomplish the command. Peter says, God gives His Grace to the humble, meekness of heart, lowliness of mind is the pathway to receiving the power of Grace that we desperately need & it is Merciful kindness of God who will work this within us if we acknowledge the Truth about ourselves concerning growing in godliness, Jesus says, "without me you can do nothing". A love for God must be cutivated, for faith worketh by love & Gal 3:2 so obedience to the hearing of the Word of God "Grace" in our hearts we receive ever increasing measures of His Spirit, this is the faith that purifies the heart & will eventually be held in a pure conscience in the working out of our perfect salvation.
In Rom 7 Holy Spirit reveals the interworking of Paul struggles, now that He found himself without the righteousness of the law, now having to die to this self efforts, what a struggle he had. At the end of 7 Holy Spirit starts to open to us, the Righteousness that is by faith, the hearing of the Word of God in the heart. the Grace of God that appears to all mankind bringing salvation Rom 7:25 picking up the Cross & denying the motions of the carnal minded flesh. Rom 8:2 reveals His Grace is the Law, & goes on to declare Rom 8:14 Revealing 1John 3:6, abiding in His Grace/Spirit/Light/Cross. For the Spirit of God will never lead us into sin. As we continue in the exercise of Grace, putting Christ on, 2Cor 4:6 we're in the working of Titus 3:51Pet 1:2 unto the new creature, Col 3:10 where 2Cor 5:17. Rom 8:29 reveals this sonship, the divine nature implanted being Rom 8:15-17 & in Him there is no sin or 1John 1:5,6 we're sinless
All a free gift from our Father, yet must be appropriated by Faith, God causing us to will do of His good pleasure, for His own Name sake. Ezekiel 36:21-23 Isa 55:3
All men DIED (take up your cross and follow me in death), a NEW CREATION arose, the BODY of Christ, the bride, Christ's wife: and Christ being the HEAD of the BODY.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN (new birth, being RAISED as the body of Christ, and Christ as the head of that body) doth not commit sin, BECAUSE his SEED (the word of God, truth, life) remaineth IN HIM (this mystery, Christ IN YOU), and he CANNOT SIN
WHY can't we sin: BECAUSE
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL put my SPIRIT (the Spirit that raised Christ) IN YOU, and I WILL CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and TO KEEP my judgements and DO THEM.
It's not our works (in that day they will say, did WE NOT): we do nothing it's all the WORKS OF GOD.
Revelation 2:26 .... and KEEPS my WORKS .....
Isaiah 26:10 ....TOGETHER (as ONE), with my DEAD BODY shall they ARISE .....
Revelation 21:5 ..... I MAKE all things NEW ......
John 17:22 And the GLORY that thou GAVEST ME, I have given them, that as WE ARE ONE, that may be ONE .
Christ was RAISED with eternal (IMMORTAL) LIFE, we are joint-heirs of that eternal LIFE
1 Timothy 6:16 ... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light .....
1 Corinthians 15:53 ....this mortal MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY ....
1 Corinthians 15:38 ... and to every SEED ..... HIS OWN BODY ......
1 Corinthians 12:27 ..... ye are the BODY of CHRIST ......
In John 4:20 the Samaritan woman at the well said "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
She is referring to centrality of the temple in worship where the ceremonies were performed.
Jesus is saying the day has come where worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth is that worship of God is not to be confined to a single geographical location or necessarily regulated by the of Old Testament law.
Worship became a matter of the heart, not external actions, and directed by truth rather than ceremony.
Our worship of God is directed by our love for Him, Not by Command and rituals.
Ti worship in spirit this way was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:27.
"And I will put my spirit within you, AND CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUTES, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
This is the work of the Holyspirit.
God bless.
Pt 1
Ezekiel 36:26 reads, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh"
You said,
"Israel failed with the Law of Moses and the tradition of their fathers. Only in Christ shall they reach that state"
Israel wasn't able to reach that state under the Mosaic law. The Mosaic law wasn't given for that purpose!
Ezekiel and Jeremiah states that God was going to do something NEW!
Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Ezekiel 11:19-20.
Ezekiel 36:26-27.
The Spirit within represents a NEW birth. The Law and the Prophet's taught this
Jesus counseled Nicodemus on this in
John 3:5-10.
Nicodemus was expected to Know this being that he was a Teacher of Israel.
The interpretation of the sticks is in passage. Ezekiel 37:16-21.
The two sticks represent the southern and the Northern Kingdom as mentioned.
Also, they will be gathered from every side and brought back into their own land.
Let's take Ezekiel 36 and Ezekiel 37 and put them in its proper context.
There's mention of a new heart and new spirit.
The dry bones.
The two sticks.
Their gathering.
and their own Land.
Ezekiel is writing during the captivity of Babylon but his writings extends past the captivity on into the latter days as do Daniel and Jeremiah.
Judgment of Israel is of a much broader scope than the Babylonian captivity.
We find that in Deuteronomy 28:37 ,64-68.
It's important to note that this dispersion is global, Not Babylon.
Also the gathering Ezekiel is talking about is global and exceeds Babylon.
This is a second gathering! Isaiah 11:9-12.
Isaiah 43:5-6.
When you read this you'll see that it has never happened.
They still have a heart of stone.
Some look at Israel today and say this must be the Church but "in those days" there is more to consider here than just the New heart concerning this prophecy.
look at the previous verses. Isaiah 11:6-9.
See pt 2.
As promised, here is my take on Ezekiel 37 and the two sticks.
I take exactly what Ezekiel penned down in Ezekiel 37:16-21 and let verses 18 and 19 do the explaining.
"16) Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17) And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18) And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19) Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20) And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.
21) And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
This Chapter has to do with the future restoration of Israel which involves their national entity and their spiritual revival which the Lord announced in the previous chapter. Ezekiel 36:24-28.
Notice verse 22 of Ch 37. "And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
Chapter 36 should be studied along with chapter 37 where we have mention of a new heart and new spirit, the dry bones, and the two sticks to get the context.
It is getting late here, I will have to continue later, perhaps during the week.
God bless.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
These verses at first glance seem to contradict the idea of the Grace of God. A basic argument that holds some water here is that the Spirit of God didn't work at it does today ( John 16:8) with a permanent indwelling as this and other verses promise.
We could also look at such instances as King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:6 who apparently had a righteous life and God heard his prayer to continue 15 more years. One good study is with Saul's foolishness which ended with an early death after he saught wisdom from the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. We see other wicked kings as well have a shortened life; perhaps also Solomon. Of course we all die physically; and some would argue the soul dies also only the spirit goes on to eternity. I would add the solution is in verse 31 of Ezekiel 18 which mentions getting a new heart and spirit. This only comes through the Lord ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). Without this we can superficially ask forgiveness every time an outward sin is found; but this doesn't make us able to do good because of man's sin nature; and ignores sins of omission as well as one's we aren't aware of. It also shows how we shouldn't boast how long we haven't sinned as some foolishly proclaim; ignoring warnings in 1 John about the fact that we are a liar if we claim we have no sin. God's children are corrected even through their sin in the sanctification process.
I was in a very odd situation with a former OPC church I attended where I was granted a sort of "partial" membership without ascribing to their stance on infant baptism. There are a couple other issues which would keep me out of a similar place in the future (that church shut down 6 or 7 years ago due to lack of attendance). I will say that it wasn't required that I believed in their stance on Postmillenialism; although I may have mentioned here in the past when it was brought up how foolish it was to believe in the Antichrist and Mark of the Beast in one of their sermons and I took them up on that they sort of backed down. It wasn't a requirement to adhere to their eschatology, although it was a rather cliquish sort of mentality at that place. I agreed to disagree with them without such banter so I thought it only fair; however of course it was their belief.
In any case; infant baptism has cast a rather nebulous picture in my mind as to explanations; somehow holding what children or infants were commemorated with when they become adults and rebel as if they had some sort of inherent partaking of a covenant; I suppose equivalent to the Israelites who were "baptized" by crossing the Red Sea. ( 1 Cor. 10:2). No one I know actually thinks someone is saved through infant baptism but nonetheless they seem in my mind to have carried on a Catholic tradition through the Reformers in the past. I also had a "rebaptism"; having argued beforehand the sprinkling of water should also be legitimate ( Ezekiel 36:25). In my case I had it done that way along with my wife at the time because she had a balance issue going totally underwater; but I rededicated myself to a commitment as a church member when I had an immersion at the founding of a church I used to attend at its inception almost 10 years ago. Seeing how quickly Philip baptized the eunuch in Acts 8; and the jailor with his family ( Acts 16:33) it should follow salvation quickly.
Matthew 13:24-43 discusses the parable of the wheat and the tares; ending with a private discussion with the Disciples. This necessity of such a condition WITHIN the professing church also must exist along with the general contrast between believers and unbelievers. Therefore; in general we must not only have confession but POSSESSION of the Holy Spirit in order to have genuine salvation (see Ezekiel 36:26). This principle in scripture cannot be overemphasized; if Christ found His greatest resistance from the "religious" leaders among the Jews of that day; we can be certain much of our opposition will come from those calling themselves Christians. Surely judgment begins at the house of God ( 1 Peter 4:17).
If we are honest with history there are errors that can be found with fallible human beings even in the best denominations (sometimes despite truthful doctrines). I call Satan the "equal opportunity destroyer" because he doesn't discriminate as to what means of deception he uses and hence it fits his character hating everyone created in the image of God. He only hates the most those who are a threat to his kingdom; those who can see past the veil over all mankind ( 2 Cor. 4:3-6). His methods are myriad-mind control; fear; temptations; bondage; etc. People are used according to his purpose and we should be aware that his web is everywhere in this current world system. Things can and must get worse; worse than in all human history as Jesus promised for the end times to come for God's plans to come to fruition ( Matt. 24:21). Of course the world wants to hear that peace is coming "peace; peace when there is no peace." ( Jeremiah 6:14). There is no peace; however for the wicked as God states in Isaiah 48:22 and other places in that book and the rest of scripture as well.
Incredibly the world will fall for "the lie" ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12). Whatever utopia is offered (AI or otherwise) God will use to purge the dross
Part 1
And I will put my spirit within you, "AND CAUSE" you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Ezekiel 36:27.
The apostle Paul says that "for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" ( Ephesians 2:10). The word "workmanship" means "that which is made, a work of art." It refers to a "masterpiece." What Paul's saying is that all God's children are His masterpieces.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Dead Works.
In the Bible the phrase "dead works" is found in the book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 6:1-3.
"Repentance from dead works".
Repentance means to change the way we think. We need to change the way we think about dead works.
From the outside looking in we can't tell the difference between dead works and good works. They can look very much the same outwardly. They can be the same works, but they have different motives.
Praying can be a dead or good work.
Attending church can be a dead or good work.
Reading the Bible can be a dead or good work.
Telling others about Jesus can be a dead or good work.
That's why Jesus said what he said in Matthew 7:22-23.
Prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles in the name of Jesus are all outwardly good things. But Jesus will reject "many" who do those things. Why? Because their hearts are wrong. These people have the wrong motivations for the things they do.
Dead works are any attempt to find favor, earn acceptance or be made righteous before God by one's own effort, ability or willpower.
Religion puts the emphasis on doing right. In contrast, Jesus and the apostles put the emphasis on believing right, because when we believe right we will naturally do right as a consequence.
If we can't tell outwardly, then how do we know what a good work is?
See part 2.
Israel was the instrument used by God to introduce himself as the true and living Mighty God that provides to a pagan idol worshipping world.
They also displayed the incompetence of man in his natural state and the need of a savior.
God always keeps his promises and unconditional covenants.
He made Promises to Abraham that has yet to be fulfilled!
He showed his good will toward them in Babylon and in Egypt and he will do it again when he gather them from the four corners of the earth and bring them back into their own land.
Jeremiah 16:14-15.
Jeremiah 23:5-8.
Ezekiel 36:17-28.
God bless.
Memorize HIS word and walk in HIS Spirit that we not fall to the lust of the flesh.
GOD to shine HIS face on the brethren and gloriously bless us as we worship and praise HIS name.
May we be strong and faithful to be praying for the peace in Jerusalem; and for those in leadership positions.
January 8, 2024
Philippians 2:12,13: is Paul reminding them, 'you have God's Salvation, now work it out (i.e. don't be slack or negligent in living the new life that Christ has purchased for you), & do so in fear & trembling - living the Christian life is a serious, disciplined matter, under the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
"Our Faith, Belief, Repentance are WORKS and a RESULT and EVIDENCE of, not REQUIREMENTS for, Salvation." There certainly must be an on-going evidence of Faith, Belief & Repentance in a believer's life, but none of the passages suggest that they cannot be requirements towards Salvation.
Part 5: Ezekiel 36:24-33. Indeed, this passage is all of God's Action: that Israel would be released primarily from Assyrian/Babylonian captivity & then ultimately "from all countries". But what happened? Have they yet received "a new heart & a new spirittaking away the stony heart of flesh? Their Messiah came, gave His Life for them & they yet remain obstinate & stony in heart. I believe this will yet happen ( Romans 11:25-27), when Israel will be saved. How will they be saved? These verses don't divulge this information, except God's Act to take away their sins.
And so we go back to what Jesus had commanded & to which the apostles obeyed, Mark 1:14,15 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and BELIEVE the gospel."
Acts 3:19, "REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Israel in the future, will still need to believe & accept that Jesus was indeed their Messiah; maybe all Works in your understanding, but vital if they are to receive "a new heart & a new spirit".
I'll get to your new comment now.
I want to leave this discussion by again quoting Ezekiel 36:24-33, which is one of the clearest statements regarding the Nature of Salvation and that each and every aspect of our Salvation is 100% the WORK of God, including our WORKS of BELIEF and REPENTENCE.
"For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
Notice, again, that EVERY ACTION IS GOD'S ACTION.
Every True Believer WILL BELIEVE and WILL REPENT and WILL have an earnest ongoing desire to be obedient to the Law of God. And if we don't find this in our life we may still cry to God for Mercy that He might save us. It is still the day of Salvation!
We can find verses, that when isolated, can seem to teach that OUR WORKS of Believing and Repentance are contributory TOWARDS our salvation. But in coming to an understanding of any doctrine in the Bible we must harmonize every verse in Scripture that relates to the question.
When we do this, we must conclude that our GOOD WORKS of any sort are the RESULT of God's gift of salvation which He bestows on each and every one of His elect, not BECAUSE we do these things but as the EVIDENCE and CHARACTER of a New Creation in Christ as we read in the Galatians and Romans passages I quoted earlier and many others.
The passage that, in my view, speaks most clearly regarding the Nature of Salvation is Ezekiel 36:24-34. Note here that every action is God's action, not man's action. And that our Repentance and Belief are the RESULT of God's actions in salvation, never the CAUSE nor the REASON.
I want to be a million miles away from any Gospel that even hints that our works contribute in any way to our Salvation.
By Grace are you saved through faith(Christ's faith not our faith). And that not of ourselves. It is the gift of God in His in comprehensible Mercy. Not of our works lest any man should boast. (forgive me for not quoting chapter and verse for these last statements, but I'm sure you are familiar).
I never want to be that man in Numbers who picked up a few sticks on the Sabbath and was executed for that seemingly incidental sin. A dramatic picture of what happens if we look to any good work that we do or have done to affect our salvation.
Is belief, i.e faith (one is the verb the other the noun but the same word) a WORK? God answers that question in 2 Thes 1:11
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the WORK OF FAITH with power:
God commands us to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ". And when we do that we are doing a "good work". But God is very clear that no work that we do can INITIATE nor MAINTAIN nor CONTRIBUTE to our Salvation in any way whatsoever.
God does not save anyone BECAUSE we Believe. But if and when God Saves an individual by His MERCY and GRACE alone, they will Believe. Our BELIEF, our REPENTANCE are good works that we do as a RESULT of our Salvation. And we will find in our life an earnest and ongoing desire to be OBEDIENT to any commandment of God, i.e the LAW of God.
If we are following a gospel where Salvation is the RESULT of any WORK that we do, we are trusting in a false gospel that cannot save.
So what must we do to be saved? THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO? We can only cry to God for His Mercy, like the Ninevites did in the very real hope that God might save us. And wait upon God to do a work of GRACE in our hearts if it is His good pleasure so to do.
Ezekiel 36:24-28 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
NO, they were two different men, under the control of the SAME SPIRIT.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
God Bless you
You ask: what is the will of our Heavenly Father in your Life?
You don't understand the gospel of the Kingdom of God?
You DIED on the cross of Christ, Christ's BODY arose by the POWER and LIFE of his Father.
We became HEIRS of God, as we also became partakers of Christ BODY at his resurrection: becoming a NEW CREATION, ONE FLESH, ONE BODY, and the LIFE of OUR BODY is the Spirit of our Father.
We are vessels, instruments, in the WORKS of our Father, it's the LIFE of GOD, not our life, we died and became a new creation, the Body of the Spirit of our Father.
What does our Heavenly will for us , his body:
That we walk in the TRUTH of Christ's resurrection.
Ezekiel 36:27 I WILL put my Spirit IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes,and keep my judgements, and DO THEM.
Do you understand, by God's words, you DO NOTHING without God CAUSING YOU to DO IT.
You have become ONE with Christ and the Father.
Christ always walked in the TRUTH that it was the Father's words he spoke, and the Father's WORKS he preformed, he is the BODY of the POWER of GOD, we have become JOINT HEIRS with Christ, by taking part in HIS resurrection.
The gospel is NOT PREACHED today.
God Bless YOU!!
The Book of Ezekiel takes the spirit of truth to teach you, and lots of meditation.
Ezekiel 1:1 ..... and I saw VISIONS of GOD .... Keep these word at the front of you mind ....
Ephesians 4:4 ... ONE Spirit .... ONE Body ....
Ephesians 4:5 ... ONE God .... Father of ALL (creation, the four creatures).... above ALL .... through ALL ... IN YOU ALL ....
You will have to add many scriptures from the entirety of the word to see the prophecy; which is always the kingdom of God
All creation being made ONE FLESH with Christ and his Father.
A wheel within a wheel (Christ in you)
Ezekiel 1:20 Wheresoever the SPIRIT WENT, THEY WENT ...
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit in you and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements an DO THEM.
John 17:22 And the glory that thou gavest me, I have given them, that they may be ONE, even as we are ONE.
God Bless YOU
The word says that scripture has to be understood by applying other scriptures to it.
The NEW COVENANT, the gospel, was preached to THEM as well as unto US.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, salvation is of the Jews.
Romans 2:29 For he is a JEW, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is in the heart, IN THE SPIRIT .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST, has made us free from the LAW of sin and DEATH ...
This same gospel was preached to them as well as us.
Psalms 119:1 Blessed are the UNDEFILED in the way ( John 14:6) who WALK in the LAW OF the LORD ( Romans 8:2).
Ezekiel 36:27 I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to WALK in my STATUTES, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Psalms 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in HIS WAYS.
Psalms 119:5 Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy STATUTES!
The Spirit CAUSES us TO DO his will, the words that come out of our mouth, are his words, the works of our hands, are his works.
Isaiah 48:18 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this, I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, from the time that it was, there am I, and HIS SPIRIT HAS SENT ME ( Romans 8:2).
John 14:24 ...and the word ye hear are not mine, but the Father's which sent me ....
Mark 10:8 And they TWAIN shall be ONE FLESH: so they are no more TWAIN, but ONE FLESH ...
The same SPIRIT that sent Christ and raised him up, and we as JOINT HEIRS, abides in us, our words are not ours by the Father's that anoints us.
The wages if UNBELIEF is DEATH.
The GIFT of BELIEF is IMMORTAL LIFE.
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTAL LIFE......
God BLESS YOU!
Ezekiel 36:27 I WILL put my Spirit IN YOU and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
The WORD says it is God that CAUSES you to SLIP; but, the WORD also says ALL THINGS work together, even the slips we make, for the good of THOSE who love the WORKS of God.
Read and STUDY Isaiah 10.
God runs the lives of every man, but most live in UNBELIEF and deny the WORKS of God.
God Bless YOU!
The Islamic Threat to Israel (Part 5) (Conclusion)
By Dave Hunt.
Beginning with Britain's mandate over "Palestine," during which they gave most of it to the Arabs, and continuing on to U.N. Resolution 181, November 29, 1947, partitioning "Palestine"--and as part of every peace plan since--in fulfillment of this prophecy, not just one enemy but the nations of the world have divided God's land ( Lev 25:23). They will be punished for that defiance of God and His Word. Bush ought to tremble. The whole basis of the Roadmap to Peace is a further division of Israel.
Behind it all is Islam, the chief enemy of Israel. The battle over Israel is a battle for survival on Satan's part and a battle for the souls and destiny of mankind. If Islam and the nations siding with her should win, then we are all eternally lost. If God, whose integrity is tied to Israel's ultimate restoration and blessing, has not told the truth about His chosen people and their destiny, then how could we believe His promises that Christ paid the penalty for our sins and His offer of forgiveness and eternal life for those who believe in Him? Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
If God, whose integrity is tied to Israel's ultimate restoration and blessing, has not told the truth about His chosen people and their destiny, then how could we believe His promises that Christ paid the penalty for our sins and His offer of forgiveness and eternal life for those who believe in Him? Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord for his faithfulness!
Ezekiel 36:17-28. " Verses 23-28 is yet future!!
God bless.
Before you can be a doer of the WORD, you first have to be a hearer of the WORD.
You didn't understand what I said, because you were not a hearer of the word.
You and Christ were raised as ONE FLESH, a new creation.
Your the body, he's the LIFE and FAITH of the BODY, the DOER of the WORD is Christ, the WORD, you the body of the words that does works BY the WORD.
Ezekiel 36:27 I (the LIFE and FAITH) will put my spirit IN YOU (my body) and CAUSE YOU (my body) to WALK in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Cease from your works (of your carnal mind, YOU DIED on the cross, only the NEW CREATION, you and Christ as ONE FLESH exist) and come into the sabbath rest, all the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Faith without works is DEAD, but it's NOT YOUR faith and it's not your works: but the faith and works of CHRIST IN YOU, the new creation, by the resurrection of Christ.
God Bless YOU!
Cease from your works, come into the sabbath rest, God's WORKS were finished from the foundation of the world.
You DIED with Christ on his cross, you were resurrect with Christ, a NEW CREATION.
You and Christ became ONE FLESH, married, you now have his name.
You now have his faith, and all the works, by your hand, he does through you.
Jeremiah 51:20-23
Obadiah 1:21
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL put MY SPIRIT IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
God Bless YOU!
Like I said, you don't understand what happened at Christ's resurrection.
You DIED on the cross with Christ.
Christ ONLY was raised.
You were made JOINT HEIRS with Christ, you and Christ were MADE ONE.
YOU have no free will, your DEAD, only the NEW CREATION exist.
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my spirit in you, and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Your right, God only sees Christ and his righteousness, you being a JOINT HEIR.
Now, are you nothing, or has Christ's resurrection made you SOMETHING.
Proverbs 8:19 MY FRUIT is better than gold,yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than than choice silver.
God BLESS YOU!
God BLESS YOU!
One will glean more knowledge form interacting on this forum than will ever be gleaned in our churches, sad but true.
Our churches stand on denominational doctrines instead of of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven.
I was raised in a denominal doctrine church, went they any and every time the doors were open, I never hear a sermon on the gospel of the kingdom of God, It was do good and go to heaven, don't do good and go to hell: all works.
Until God CAUSED me to sit and study his word, I never knew the gospel of the Kingdom of God, I never knew the baptism into Jesus NAME, only the water baptism of John.
I was taught we have FREE WILL, never understanding I DIED on the cross, ONLY the BODY of Christ was resurrected and WE as JOINT HEIRS of his resurrection.
Dead men DO NOT HAVE FREE WILL:
Ezekiel 36:22 I WILL put my spirit IN YOU and CAUSE YOU to walk in my statutes, and keep my judgement (we are judged by the words of God) and DO THEM.
If one believes this scripture he is a SEED of God, ONLY God's WWILL is being done in HIS BODY.
If God is WILLING all things, AND DOING all things in IN US, then WE CANNOT SIN.
This is how Christ was without SIN, He had KNOWLEDGE without measure of the WORDS of GOD.
He KNEW every word from his mouth was OF HIS FATHER, he was just the BODY, every action (works) his body performed was the WORK of his Father.
When Christ became angry, he had knowledge it was the Father CAUSING his to show his anger, but he had knowledge that ALL THINGS (anger and other things we call SIN) all WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.
We can't see that but GOD'S word says it does, so do we believe our carnal mind of do we let the words of God DESTROY the man of perdition, our carnal mind, and RENEW our carnal mind with the mind of Christ.
HIS mind and his heart were GIVEN TO US by being resurrected JOINT HEIRS with Christ,
BUT even BELIEVING his words have to be GIVEN to us on the BEHALF of Christ .... Philippians 1:29
God Bless YOU!
Is anger a sin?
Did Christ every get angry.
John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of cords, he drove them out of the temple ......
Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry ......
Romans 14:23 whatsoever is not of faith (of Christ) is sin .....
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even dividing the body and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is the discerner of the thoughts and INTENTS of the HEART.
Ezekiel 36:26 A NEW HEART will I GIVE YOU, and NEW SPIRIT will I PUT IN YOU ....
Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my SPIRIT IN YOU and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes (maybe become angry) amd keep my judgements (words) and DO THEM.
God BLESS YOU!
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the GOSPEL preached, as well as unto THEM, but the word did not profit them, not being mixed with FAITH (of Christ) in them.
The same gospel does not profit most today, they haven't died to SELF, so ONLY Christ reigns in HIS BODY (all; the NEW CREATION).
Most DO NOT BELIEVE:
Ezekiel 36:27 ANd I WILL put my spirit in my body (the NEW CREATION) and CAUSE my (NEW) body to WALK in my statutes and KEEP my judgements (WORDS) and DO THEM.
They read the words, write the words, speak the words, BUT DO NOT BELIEVE the words.
If Christ is CAUSING you to WILL and to DO, then how can one sin.
The sin is UNBELIEF. All other sins is COVERED by his blood.
When HE (the spirit of truth) IS COME (like a thief that can't be seen) HE WILL reprove the world of SIN: of SIN because they don't BELIEVE the WORD.
God BLESS YOU!
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 Lord told Israel in Ezekiel 36:27 he will put his spirit within them, and cause them to walk in his statutes, and they shall keep his judgments, and do them.
This is also what he does for us Gentiles. If we all agree Israel is saved "or is to be saved" the same way we are then the Holyspirit that directs their walk is the same that directs ours.
If we agree we all sin and no one can present themselves perfect but yet you can forfeit your salvation, What percentage of your sins you have to repent from to be saved?
What percentage of sins you have to commit before you lose your salvation?
Ephesians 2:4-6 says "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
( He made us alive WITH CHRIST)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
How long does that mercy last?
Does our imperfect nature forfeit God's mercy?
God's Commandments, statutes, and judgments are perfect!
The Holyspirit drives us to perform them perfectly.
However we stumble at the perfection in the Law and sin against it even in our imperfect minds.
Even the restraint from sin let's us know we are sinners in need of God's mercy.
Paul says, in Romans 7:24 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
You can't do anything to gain salvation and you can't do anything to hold it.
If it's not the Holyspirit that is regenerating you then you are not saved even if you supposedly stopped sinning.
Salvation is a new life, one from above with a repentant heart.
Your walk testifies of this rebirth.
Salvation comes before Sanctification and Sanctification Is a continuing work of the Holyspirit.
God bless.
As an encouragement to you,
In Rom 6 Holy Spirit describes the certainty of God expectation of not continuing in sin & reveals the working of Grace as the divine power to accomplish the command. Peter says, God gives His Grace to the humble, meekness of heart, lowliness of mind is the pathway to receiving the power of Grace that we desperately need & it is Merciful kindness of God who will work this within us if we acknowledge the Truth about ourselves concerning growing in godliness, Jesus says, "without me you can do nothing". A love for God must be cutivated, for faith worketh by love & Gal 3:2 so obedience to the hearing of the Word of God "Grace" in our hearts we receive ever increasing measures of His Spirit, this is the faith that purifies the heart & will eventually be held in a pure conscience in the working out of our perfect salvation.
In Rom 7 Holy Spirit reveals the interworking of Paul struggles, now that He found himself without the righteousness of the law, now having to die to this self efforts, what a struggle he had. At the end of 7 Holy Spirit starts to open to us, the Righteousness that is by faith, the hearing of the Word of God in the heart. the Grace of God that appears to all mankind bringing salvation Rom 7:25 picking up the Cross & denying the motions of the carnal minded flesh. Rom 8:2 reveals His Grace is the Law, & goes on to declare Rom 8:14 Revealing 1John 3:6, abiding in His Grace/Spirit/Light/Cross. For the Spirit of God will never lead us into sin. As we continue in the exercise of Grace, putting Christ on, 2Cor 4:6 we're in the working of Titus 3:5 1Pet 1:2 unto the new creature, Col 3:10 where 2Cor 5:17. Rom 8:29 reveals this sonship, the divine nature implanted being Rom 8:15-17 & in Him there is no sin or 1John 1:5,6 we're sinless
All a free gift from our Father, yet must be appropriated by Faith, God causing us to will do of His good pleasure, for His own Name sake. Ezekiel 36:21-23 Isa 55:3
Continue in His Love
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!
All men DIED (take up your cross and follow me in death), a NEW CREATION arose, the BODY of Christ, the bride, Christ's wife: and Christ being the HEAD of the BODY.
1 John 3:9 Whosoever is BORN (new birth, being RAISED as the body of Christ, and Christ as the head of that body) doth not commit sin, BECAUSE his SEED (the word of God, truth, life) remaineth IN HIM (this mystery, Christ IN YOU), and he CANNOT SIN
WHY can't we sin: BECAUSE
Ezekiel 36:27 And I WILL put my SPIRIT (the Spirit that raised Christ) IN YOU, and I WILL CAUSE you to walk in my statutes, and TO KEEP my judgements and DO THEM.
It's not our works (in that day they will say, did WE NOT): we do nothing it's all the WORKS OF GOD.
Revelation 2:26 .... and KEEPS my WORKS .....
Isaiah 26:10 ....TOGETHER (as ONE), with my DEAD BODY shall they ARISE .....
Revelation 21:5 ..... I MAKE all things NEW ......
John 17:22 And the GLORY that thou GAVEST ME, I have given them, that as WE ARE ONE, that may be ONE .
Christ was RAISED with eternal (IMMORTAL) LIFE, we are joint-heirs of that eternal LIFE
1 Timothy 6:16 ... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light .....
1 Corinthians 15:53 ....this mortal MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY ....
1 Corinthians 15:38 ... and to every SEED ..... HIS OWN BODY ......
1 Corinthians 12:27 ..... ye are the BODY of CHRIST ......
God BLESS YOU!
God BLESS YOU!