Results 281 - 300 of 350
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
281 | Can anyone be converted? | Eph 2:3 | Aixen7z4 | 99351 | ||
I have sought to show elsewhere in this thread (and others have as well) that the sovereignty of God is compatible with man’s free will because God has sovereignly decided to have it so. I have agreed that regeneration is something God does, that only God could do, but I say what Scripture seems to say, that he does it when we yield to him. I believe it is possible to reconcile the two positions, to recognize God as saving us and keeping us so we can never lose our salvation. I believe that God who has reconciled us to himself would also have us to reconcile these positions and not to hold to either one in the extreme. Lastly, you state that we are to “grow in awe of His majesty and love for the saints”. It is not clear to me how the two factors might be related to each other. But I must confess I am in awe of the fact that you could be right. God could have made us all and sent us all to hell with no recourse. If he had decided to do that, there is nothing we could have done about it. But he says that he concluded all in unbelief that he might have mercy on all. Praise him! I am aware that elsewhere on this forum you are discussing whether “all” means “all”. That discussion would beyond me; things too high. I will simply say that God has done all he can and he has made mercy available to all. Have you asked for it? Then God will have mercy on you even if you are a hyper-positionist. Do you encourage others to ask for it? He will have mercy on them as well. If, in spite of your position, he allows you to preach the Gospel and to encourage others to repent and trust him, then he is truly greater than I thought. Glorify him! O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! |
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282 | what is salvation and how does it work ? | Eph 2:8 | Aixen7z4 | 146506 | ||
Good that the question was asked: “What is salvation?” To be saved means many things, including being forgiven, being adopted into God’s family, becoming God’s possession by the process of redemption, being sealed with the Holy Spirit, and such other things as are mentioned in Ephesians 1. It means to be washed, and sanctified, and justified, as in 1 Corinthians 6. It means to become dead to sin, as in Romans 6. But in relation to the question of possibly losing one’s salvation, we might consider that salvation means to be changed. We are born again, as in John 3. We have become new creatures, as in 2 Corinthians 5. In answering the question whether we can lose our salvation, then, we are considering whether that process, that change, can be reversed. With all the encouragement to continue, with all the warnings of the consequences if we don’t, is there anything in Scripture to suggest that the process of being born again can be reversed? We do not save ourselves. According to John 1, and in relation to the question of how it works, it is God who saves us. According to 1 Peter 5, it is God who keeps us. But also, in light of the aspect of salvation noted here for emphasis, it is God’s nature that has been imparted to us (2 Peter 1). John says that God’s seed is in us, and it remains (1 John 3). Can our new nature then be changed? To ask the question another way, one may borrow the words from Jeremiah 13: Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? They would have to change their genes! And we are speaking of a person’s nature here. It is appropriate that we keep the focus on the nature of salvation. And keep in mind that in salvation, God changes our nature. A person who has done this and that may stop doing this or that. But if God has changed my nature, and he has, then I cannot reverse the process. Let me hasten to admit that our behavior can change. In a saved person, it should continually change for the better. But people who are saved can do wrong things, and they do, sometimes. Even the apostles sinned (1 John 1). But sin is contrary to our new nature, and we do not make it a practice. John says that we cannot (1 John 3:9). People who practice sin should question themselves whether they are saved. The lifestyle should suggest to them that they are not. People who are saved and know it find it impossible to imagine becoming unsaved again. Scripture encourages us to live in accordance with our new nature, but it does not teach us to fear losing it. If any of us thinks we can lose our salvation, then we should ask ourselves if we really understand what salvation is, a change in nature, and whether we know God has engendered it in us. |
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283 | How do I know my purpose in life | Eph 2:10 | Aixen7z4 | 109040 | ||
Someone seems to have answered the question in a question-and-answer dialogue with himself. Who made me? God made me. Why did God make me? To know him, love him and serve him in this world, and to live with him forever in the next. This seems to be a scriptural answer. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 1 Timothy 2:4 God will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created: all things were created by him, and for him. Eph 1:12 We should be to the praise of his glory. But God does gives specific gifts and callings (Romans 11:29) and one would do well to discover and develop and use them. The leaders of the church can be of great help in this (1Timothy 4:14). |
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284 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117903 | ||
I am sure that the word "like" is inadequate. I am amazed as I think about the church, which is the body of Christ (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24). It is a living thing (1 Peter 2:5), but unlike other living things that God has created, it will never die (Ephesians 3:21). It is made up of human beings, but it is unlike any human organization (Matthew 16:18). It is a body (1 Corinthians 12:12) but in some sense, it cannot be seen. It is composed of the spirits of just men made perfect (Hebrews 12:23). The Lord Jesus Christ is the head (Ephesians 1:22), and that must explain many things. And some will say I contradict myself, but in another sense I see it, and (Psalm 118:23) it is marvelous in my eyes. | ||||||
285 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118053 | ||
Having gotten into Psalm 34, I wanted to cry out, “O, Magnify the Lord with me. And let us exalt his name together. Let us look at what he is doing with the church, and let us exalt his name for it”. But I can see that some people think this is not appropriate. So much so they will make as strong an effort as we have seen here, to stop it. And I could not understand why they hated it so. I stood up to them. Amidst the name calling and the innuendo, I really felt the major purpose was to detract from the topic and to distract us from the discussion. It is really true that these scholars who know Greek and Hebrew do not know the significance in English of the definite article “the”? They do not know what is meant by “the church”. And I was thinking they would relent if I explained to them what I meant. But they could never understand. They could not get into a discussion of the good things God had said about the church in the Bible until they had gotten everything cleared up. But then we were into the personality analyses and accusations and could not get to the question at all. Still, as I leave this topic, I am grateful for the few positive responses. I am blessed to know that someone likes the zeal he sees in the church. Someone is impressed with the simplicity of the church. It is “one of the most amazing things” that he sees and likes. Someone else likes the fact that the assembly or church is a place where all are equal. “Members from all walks of life and status, acknowledge their own insufficiency and failure and their utter dependency on God”. Someone recognizes that the church is the bride of Christ and is glad to be a part of it. Someone likes the fact that God designed, and God controls the church. Someone was bold enough to say, “I like the body of Christ”. I would like to go further into the subject, and I probably will, on my own. But I will not be inclined to share it here, and I do regret that there were not more people sharing more good things about the church. Such knowledge might have caused us to rejoice and to give praise to God. And he deserves it. It is regrettable that some of our brethren see no need for it and would prevent it. This is difficult to understand, and this is strange, but it is also difficult to remember. We have been through this before, and I think I understand what the guardians of this forum want to happen here, but I forget. It is actually hard for me to realize that some people are interested in studying the Bible, but see no need for applying what they know. They do not want us to even rejoice in or praise God for what he has shown us. If you wanted to rejoice or to praise God, it must be for some ulterior motive. The message I get from them is, get the raw facts here and if you must respond to it, then do it elsewhere. I probably won’t remember that. It’s like I can’t believe it’s true. I actually think that knowledge without applicability is a waste of time. What do you do with the fact you know where Cain got his wife? So I’ll probably come back here and try the same thing again, if the door is still open. I will try again, even harder, to avoid the personal stuff. But looking back, I don’t know if it’s possible. I am repulsed at the idea of brethren Christians driving others off with insults. I’ll probably be back to show we can resist it. |
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286 | DENOMINATION | Eph 4:4 | Aixen7z4 | 144724 | ||
We can only imagine the grief that it brings to the Lord’s heart, to see division in the body, the church. What does he think about it? In his eyes, we who belong to him are one. He said, “There shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (John 10). Of course, Jesus knew all things, including the future, and he foresaw the state of the church of today. Yet he prayed to the Father that we should be one (John 17). We believe the apostle Paul was speaking for him when he said there should be no division in the body (1 Corinthians 12). Now this I say, that every one of you says, “I am of Paul”; and “I of Apollos”; and “I of Cephas”; (and "I of Luther” and “I of Wesley” and I of “Menno Simons”) and “I of Christ”. Is Christ divided? Many will be motivated to justify the tradition that has nurtured them. Some will say that their sect is not a sect. But we should answer the question: Is Christ divided? And then, we should refrain from trying to justify wrong and endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 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. Where then does the Bible support the idea of denominationism? Or can it do so without contradicting itself? |
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287 | Eph 4:8("given") vs Ps 68:18("received)? | Eph 4:8 | Aixen7z4 | 131376 | ||
Jesus received gifts from the Father and gave them to men. That's the way it goes. The Father also gave him power and authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:7,10) and to give eternal life to us (John 17:2). The Father sent him into the world to die for our sins (Hebrews 3:1), and he sends us into the world to preach the gospel (John 20:21). In the relationship between the Father and the Son, and between the Son and us, these things happen (1 Corinthians 11:3;12:6;15:28). |
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288 | tongues | Eph 4:14 | Aixen7z4 | 153856 | ||
In the days when “tongues” was valid, it was a gift from God, and it served a useful purpose. But now, it has positively no meaning, and it serves no useful purpose. That is one way we know it is not from God. The word “holocalumba” has no meaning. If I understand this conversation so far, the word means nothing to you, the one who spoke it, and nothing to anyone who has heard it, so far. That is probably why it doesn’t “google”; there is nothing close to it in any language. By the way, was the word “holocalumba” or “holocabola”? Perhaps it makes no difference. Listen, my friend. Your experience was not of God. The vision that you think you had was not from God, and the presence that you felt was not God. If the Scriptures are a sure guide, and they are, God does not work that way, and that word, whatever it is, was not given to you by God. You should test that spirit, and what I say here, by the word of God (1 John 4) The gifts that God gives are for the benefit of the church, for the edification of the saints (1 Corinthians 14). Over time, God has spoken to his people in many ways (Hebrews 1). He gave visions, and “Tongues”, in particular, were for a sign. That phenomenon helped the early church to understand and accept that gentiles were being added to the church. Even the one who was speaking the unknown words was edifying himself in that respect. But that is clearly not the case here. The one who spoke the word has received no benefit from it. By this time, you see, that message to the church has been received, the sign has served its purpose, and the sign is no longer needed. The church is mature enough now, and authentic “tongues” has long since passed away, even as Paul told them it would pass away (1 Corinthians 13). In the days when “tongues” was valid, there were rules under which that gift could be exercised in public. Those utterances could only be made in the presence of others, when there was someone present to interpret them. In a case like this, where the utterance was made in private, it was to be kept between the person and God, and other people would not even hear of it. Hearing of it now means nothing, except that some other spirit is interacting with our brethren (1 John 4:1). It does not mean that the person having that experience is being especially spiritual. It means only that we are spirit being and subject to interaction with other spirits. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that have been written unto us are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. It seems strange, at first blush, that Paul would talk like that. He is the one who was exhorting us to love, and he was likely writing in love. But he had recalled the Lord saying, “I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me“ (1 Corinthians 14:21). (What is the proper way the question as it was posed here? It seems appropriate that our brother Hank should answer in the way that he has done above. Someone read that post and could hardly stop laughing. Perhaps I should have answered differently myself, as I remember Proverbs 26:4 and 5. Or perhaps “kennyittis” is pulling our collective leg and having his own laugh. But in his short time on this forum, he has asked a good question of two. See #153775.The person who laughed suggested I should act in light of Ephesians 5:11. But I do know Christian people who sincerely struggle with this issue, and I trust that someone will yet benefit from this post). No doubt this is a controversial issue, and some of our brethren believe that God still speaks to us through “tongues” today. Perhaps it is people like me that God had in mind when he said he would speak to us in other tongues. “With other tongues and other lips will I speak”. Perhaps God is saying, “holocalumba” or “holocabola” to us today, and we are not hearing. If so, may the Lord have mercy on us. We have no interpreter, and we have no idea what he is saying. But, brothers and sisters, don't think like children. When it comes to evil, be like babies, but in understanding, be mature. |
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289 | satan days | Eph 6:13 | Aixen7z4 | 102959 | ||
A good and important question, and I think you are on the right track. Experience seems to tell us that there are some days when everything seems to go right. Then we feel that the Lord is in control. Some days everything seems to go wrong, and it seems that Satan is in control. Scripture seems to tell us that that this “evil day” is not necessarily a whole day and it can be more than one day in a row, a period of time. Thus, in Luke 22, as he faced the cross, Jesus said to the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, “this is your hour, and the power of darkness“. Before that, He had been led into the wilderness for forty days, to be tempted of the devil, and now he had gone into the Garden of Gethsemane. That was an “evil day”. Job had a period of testing, in which Satan had been allowed to have his way with him. That was a dark and “evil day”. There is a sense in which all of these days are evil days. Satan is going about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He is free to do that now because this is his “day”. I think you can expect periods of time when Satan will be there to bother you. This is the time in which he is allowed to do that. He can come to you suddenly, and he can stay a while. We have to be prepared to resist him. This is an “evil day”. |
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290 | Aixen7z4 Where does it say it is his day | Eph 6:13 | Aixen7z4 | 102980 | ||
I used simple logic to assume that since he is walking about then he is free at least to walk about. 1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. I contrast that to Revelation 20:1 where John saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. Again I come to the same conclusion. He will be bound then. He is free now. I hope this answers two questions in one. I take it that the fact he is free and that this is his day (to go about doing his thing) are the same thing. |
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291 | Aixen7z4, Please cite Scripture. | Eph 6:13 | Aixen7z4 | 102985 | ||
It is important to cite Scripture. Matthew 4:1ff Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him. The point here is that Satan had 40 days plus with him. Matthew 16:13ff When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” … He saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God“. And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven“. … From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee“. But he turned, and said unto Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men“. The point here is that Satan did not have the whole day, just a moment within it. Rev 2:13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: I take this to mean that Satan was holding sway in that city, night and day, in that period of time. Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. I take it that his sway would last “ten days” in that (other) place. As for the length of time he spent with Job I have no Scripture, except one to indicate it was more than seven days (Job 2:13). |
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292 | satan days | Eph 6:13 | Aixen7z4 | 103015 | ||
Hello Augusto: Do you understand now what "the evil day" refers to? Paul says we should put on the armor of God so we can stand “in the evil day”. The "the evil day" refers to the times of danger. That is the time when the devil attacks us. That “day” can be come at any moment, and it can last a long time. May God give us grace to recognize these attacks and to stand against the efforts of the devil. What Kathy has said is also true. “Satan is still ruling in the earth today”. He is called the prince of this world, and the prince of the power of the air. “We must remember that … he does have power, and those who do not know … his devices … become his victims”. How true! We see the ravages of his rule all around us, in ruined lives. Our only protector is God. He is stronger than Satan. You are correct in saying that there are times when we are experiencing God's blessings and Satan seems to be no where around. And there are other times when Satan’s presence is felt. That is when we have temptations. That is when we want to do bad things. Does the devil have a specific day to attack? It that what it means by "the evil day"? No. Any day that he is attacking is an evil day, and he can attack at any time. Also, we can say that all of these days are the evil day. These are perilous times, and God is allowing him to attack. But he is also he is telling us to expect it, and to resist him. One day this will all be past. The devil will be locked up and we will be rid of him. The "evil day" will have come to an end. Searcher is searching for more details and scriptures, but I think he understands what the evil day is. I hope you understand. |
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293 | what passage is it? | Phil 1:21 | Aixen7z4 | 133781 | ||
In Philippians 1:23 Paul says, “I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you”. In Romans 9:3 he says, “I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh”. In Galatians 5:17 he says, “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”. James also takes on that issue. He says, “He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8). In 1 Kings 18:21 Elijah came unto all the people, and said, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word”. This conflict is something we seem to experience often. I myself have been wondering if I should respond to the question for while I was preparing an answer I noticed that others had done so before me. Now wonder if you are experiencing the same thing, trying to decide if you will tell us if we found the passage you were looking for. |
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294 | All of that? | Phil 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 132759 | ||
Question withdrawn. Unless otherwise notified I will assume there is no scripture stating these things. | ||||||
295 | why is it so hard to obey? | Phil 2:13 | Aixen7z4 | 153777 | ||
We can say positively that God is at work in us, making us willing to do his what pleases him. That is not the problem. The problem is that there are other forces pulling us in the opposite direction. As Paul would say: “To will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not“ (Romans 7:18). There is a battle going on in the mind. “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members“. “For the flesh lusts 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” (Galatians 5:17). The situation is not hopeless, of course. In fact, Paul had given the solution in the previous verse of Philippians 2 and in the previous chapter of Romans. “Work”. “Yield”. Cooperate with God, may I say. He is doing his part. We must do ours. Can we do it? Yes, thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:25). I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13). |
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296 | When was Saul's name changed to Paul? | Phil 3:13 | Aixen7z4 | 121852 | ||
The apostle's name was Saul until the writer of Acts suddenly tells us that he is the same person "(who also is called Paul)" (Acts 13:9). From then on the writer refers to him as Paul. The apostle also refers to himself as Paul, from then on, except for the times when he quotes others as having called him by that other name. See Acts 22 and Acts 26. When was the name actually changed, and by whom? We do not know. What might be signified in the meaning of those names is left for others to say. It is apparent, however, that Paul wanted to move on in the new life with a new name, "forgetting those things which are behind (including that old name and all that was associated with it), and reaching forth unto those things which are before (Philippians 3:13). It is interesting to note that Jesus had changed Simon Peter’s name to Cephas (John 1:42) . It seems that Paul was also in the habit of referring to his fellow-apostle by that new name. (See 1Co 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5. Also Galatians 2:9). Peter also refers to him as “our beloved brother Paul” (2Pe 3:15). These men seem to be focused not only on the new names, but on the new life we have in Christ. Peter: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Peter 1:23). Paul: “Henceforth know we no man after the flesh. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2Co 5:16,17). |
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297 | Searching for the truth | Phil 4:8 | Aixen7z4 | 95720 | ||
Something tells you that those things are sinful. You may have read verses such as 1Timothy 5:13, James 4:11, and Ephesians 4:25. So what kind of comments are you seeking? Sin is to be repented of and the opposite behaviors should be practiced. | ||||||
298 | What are some examples? | Phil 4:8 | Aixen7z4 | 95983 | ||
People in our Saturday fellowship suggested other examples: a baby, a square deal, a helping hand, an act of kindness, a confession, a reunion, self-sacrificing love, a comforting word. They thought those things were lovely and could be honest, or just or pure, and that we could be glad to share what we had been thinking about them. There might be virtue in such thinking and sharing. They were not sure how praise was involved and there was not time enough to discuss it. They did seem encouraged that there were so many positive things to think about. However, they were also concerned about the spiritual needs of the church and spent some time praying about that. I came away with three more things to think on: Their faithfulness, their love, and their sense of hope. |
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299 | Worldy music | Phil 4:8 | Aixen7z4 | 95986 | ||
The fact that you call it "worldly" suggests that you feel it is wrong to listen to it. If by "listen" you mean "listen briefly to check it out" that is one thing. You may have decided to listen for a bit to keep aware of what is going on. Your heart is probably telling you that that is OK. If your heart does not condemn you, then no one needs to tell you, "Taste not; touch not". If you listen regularly and enjoy "worldly music" it is probably true that your heart is condemning you. You may be thinking of verses such as 1Jo 2:16,17; to wit: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world". It may be that you are not thinking of your own habits at all, but concerned about the behavior of someone else. If so you may want to find out if they consider it to be "worldly music". Each of us will want to choose music which resonates with our body, soul or spirit. |
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300 | How do Philippians 1:3-11 compare and... | Col 1:3 | Aixen7z4 | 135062 | ||
An interesting academic exercise, and some college professor would ask for it. But for one who are not in class, the two passages are saying exactly the same thing. I thank God that you are saved. Now I pray that you will allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, to give you what it takes and to guide you, as you live the Christian life. |
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