Results 4741 - 4760 of 4923
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: DocTrinsograce Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
4741 | Can one pray after his/her death? | 1 John 3:2 | DocTrinsograce | 201333 | ||
Hi, conqueror... Human existence between death and the resurrection (the interim state) as well as human existence in the new heaven and new earth are not fully described in Scripture. That's probably because there is no basis of comparison. It is an inadequate example, but think of the dragonfly. After hatching from an egg it lives its life underwater as a nymph. It transforms to a creature that flies in the air. The two states are utterly alien to one another. Consequently, I don't know that there is an unequivocal answer to your question. In Him, Doc |
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4742 | Perfection | 1 John 3:2 | DocTrinsograce | 222875 | ||
Hello, Inquisitor... Welcome to the forum! Yes, it is possible to achieve sinless perfection. The redeemed have that promise that will be realized in glory. In Him, Doc |
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4743 | Reaching Perfection | 1 John 3:2 | DocTrinsograce | 222881 | ||
This may be of some value to you: http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/perfecti.htm |
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4744 | Reaching Perfection | 1 John 3:2 | DocTrinsograce | 222893 | ||
Hi, Inquisitor... That website simply presented the perspectives that are extant on moral perfectionism. Some scholars and teachers, by the test of time, have come to be recognized in the church for their sagacity, piety, and wisdom. We are told that such men are gifted to the church by Christ for our good (Ephesians 4:8-14). We do not hold faith in them, but we learn from them insofar as they consistently teach the truth based on the authority of Scripture. The greater we know our Lord, the more we see our utter inadequacy in the face of His holiness. Indeed, we do not ever clearly see the depth of our depravity. In my lifetime I have conceived of far more sin than I have been able to instigate, simply because of lack of opportunity. (God is merciful in His limitation of our ability to commit more than a few sins at once.) As we increase in our understanding of our sinfulness, we are in greater appreciation of the unspeakable gift we receive through Christ. Paul's assertion most assuredly is often expressed by those who know our Lord in grace and in truth. In Him, Doc |
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4745 | Reaching Perfection | 1 John 3:2 | DocTrinsograce | 222903 | ||
Dear Inquisitor, Language is a wonderful thing. God invented words and He has revealed Himself through words. How is it not possible to love language? If we are to give an account for every word we speak (Matthew 12:36), should we not take care that what we say gives grace to the hearer (Ephesians 4:29), giving glory to the Lord, the Father of Truth (John 17:17b)? I apologize if I have been less than clear, though I do take great care in choosing my words (Titus 2:1), although my ability in that area may be lacking. Again, however, you are taking unwarranted liberties with what I have been saying. The pastors, teachers, scholars, theologians that God has gifted the church are not inerrant or inspired as are the Scriptures. However, if one of them speaks rightly, according to sound doctrine, based upon the sole authority of the Word, then they speak with that same authority. Even you and I have a right to bind one another's conscience from the Word. Here is what the old divines from my own tradition said about the Scriptures: "The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith is finally resolved. (Matthew 22:29, 31, 32; Ephesians 2:20; Acts 28:23)" This is from chapter 1 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith: http://www.vor.org/truth/1689/1689bc01.html Yes, the authority of the Word is paramount. God even holds it above His own name (Psalm 138:2b). A believer will always respond lovingly and longingly for the Word (John 10:27). They recognize it whenever it is well and rightly expounded; it is fire in their bones (Job 32:18-20; Jeremiah 20:9; 23:28-29). You do well to study and hold a high view of the Word of God. If you continue to study you will see that many others have gone before who have pursued the Lord in just that way. Some of them have given their entire lives to that pursuit. If you love what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you, then love what He has revealed to others. In Him, Doc |
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4746 | Will God forgive me? | 1 John 3:2 | DocTrinsograce | 235026 | ||
Dear Nathan, Interesting that you should ask about this. Recently I read again the wonderful book “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners” by John Bunyan (1628-1688). Bunyan speaks of going through the same experience that you have described. I have noticed in your questions since joining the forum that you have some presuppositions that will need to be ferreted out a la Ephesians 4. You are frequently looking to your own performance to merit or to demerit your salvation. This blinds you to what God is doing in your life, and opens you up for much deception. Salvation is not about what I have done, said, felt, or believed; it is about what God has done (Hebrews 12:2a). We do not see His work in a visible fashion, yet it begins with His changes the very nature – the DNA if you will – of who we are (Luke 6:43-45; cf 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15). Furthermore, you must learn that the Gospel is not the A-B-C's of our faith, but the A through Z of our faith. We have needed a Savior and we will always and ever need a Savior – even on through eternity. Nonetheless, what I do, say, feel, and believe are impacted by this salvific work of God. It cannot be hidden. The internal truths will always have external manifestations. A true believer are characterized by and growing in the following: ...loves God (Matthew 22:37) ...loves the Word (John 14:21; 1 John 2:5) ...no longer finds joy in in his former sins (Ephesians 4:17-24); ...loves other believers (1 John 4:20; John 13:35) ...delights in the things of God (Psalms 37:23) ...etc. Taking your post at face value, I see some of these things. They have nothing to do with your performance or your innate goodness, son. No, rather they are evidences that God has begun the work of redemption in your life. Because He has already done it, persevere in it with hope. This is called progressive sanctification. Now, relative to the passing thoughts, let me assure you that we all have them. They arise from our fallen nature or are dropped into our minds from outside of us. They are continual reminders that we still need a Savior (2 Corinthians 10:5). I am made mindful of how Martin Luther responded to a question about how he responded to the thoughts that would pass through his mind when seeing a pretty maiden. He said, “I cannot help the birds flying over my head, but I can prevent them from making a nest in my hair.” In other words, when thoughts pop into your mind that are not Godly (Scriptural), shrug them off by placing them on an internal alter to God. We still need a Savior. Yes, our walk in Christ is a continual struggle. The wonderful thing, though, is that we have a hope (in Bible terms it means a confident expectation) of the consummation of all these things in Glory (1 John 3:2). All love for Him, our love for the brethren, our obedience to Him, our worship of Him, our fellowship in Christ, will all be perfect. So, Nathan, be encouraged and persevere! "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!" In Him, Doc |
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4747 | SEARCHING OR THE TRUTH | 1 John 3:2 | DocTrinsograce | 242419 | ||
Hi, FytRobert... Final or ultimate sanctification is the last stage of the overall process of redemption. This occurs for the elect either at the Return of Christ (1 John 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15) or upon death (2 Corinthians 2:5-10). For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? (Romans 8:18-24) Baptism is not a condition of redemption (Ephesians 2:8), rather it is an expression of what God has done in us, before the congregation of saints. In Him, Doc |
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4748 | Distinctly devil work destroying | 1 John 3:8 | DocTrinsograce | 221252 | ||
Context, Chris... Every word is in the context of a sentence, every sentence in the context of a passage, every passage in the context of a book. | ||||||
4749 | Matt 7:21 criteria for heaven | 1 John 3:9 | DocTrinsograce | 144343 | ||
No, this is a descriptive statement, not a prescriptive statement. In Him, Doc |
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4750 | 1st John 3:9 | 1 John 3:9 | DocTrinsograce | 180572 | ||
Dear Dima_, John's first epistle has several of these sorts of statements. It can be fairly clearly demonstrated that John was writing to believers. Therefore, it must necessarily apply to the regenerate. Note that John does not say that the believer does not sin at all, for he writes "If we claim, 'We do not have sin,' we lead ourselves astray (fig., deceive ourselves), and the truth is not in us. If we are confessing our sins, He is faithful (or, trustworthy) and righteous that He shall forgive us our sins and cleanse (or, purge) us from all unrighteousness. If claim, 'We have not sinned,' we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10 ALT) Furthermore, the phrase begotten is exactly this concept of the work of God in regeneration. John uses that word quite a number of times in his epistle. By the way, note that John speaks of the same idea that the believer is not one who practices sin (1 John 3:9), but stated differently, when he writes, "If you know that He is righteous, you know (or, be knowing) that everyone practicing righteousness has been begotten from Him." (1 John 2:29 ALT) The believer practices righteousness but does not practice sin. John goes on to say in 1 John 5:3-4 that the believer overcomes the world. Further, that the believer is protected from Satan (1 John 5:18). Paul mentions other benefits of regeneration when he talks about the fruit of the Spirit. The true believer will demonstrate this fruit more and more in His life. See Post #151466. In Him, Doc |
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4751 | does God hear a sinner's prayer? | 1 John 3:9 | DocTrinsograce | 195963 | ||
Dear Halle, Welcome to the forum! Habitual sin is a characteristic of lost people. Part of the blessing of salvation is freedom from the slavery of sin. The Holy Spirit changes the heart of the believer such that they desire to live lives of holiness. A believer who fails to repent of known sin may well face corrective punishment from God (Hebrews 12). However, what may well be more serious, is that such a person might well not be saved at all (Luke 6:43-44). In Him, Doc |
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4752 | Sinning against the Holy Spirit | 1 John 3:9 | DocTrinsograce | 197328 | ||
Dear jesus1km, When I hear this kind of question, I always think of a soldiers. Soldiers strive to not be shot! They do not strive to be only be shot a little bit! You see, the fact that you care about sin and love the Lord is an indication of the Holy Spirit's work. Why not honor the Lord, and the great debt He paid for you, by avoiding all sin? After all, redemption is not just about being freed from the penalty of sin, but freed from the power of sin as well! Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:34-36 ESV) In Him, Doc |
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4753 | Additional question! | 1 John 3:9 | DocTrinsograce | 197400 | ||
Hi, jesus1km... See my answer #197268. Although you may not have one of the specific problems for which these courses were designed, they will teach you the Scriptural principles of living life in Christ. http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/ Alternatively, I highly recommend the book by Jerry Bridges entitled "The Pursuit of Holiness." In Him, Doc |
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4754 | would u still go to hell | 1 John 3:9 | DocTrinsograce | 235644 | ||
Dear Amanda, Sin is "any lack of conformity, active or passive, to the moral law of God." Notice that it isn't just doing something wrong, but also failing doing what is right, or failing to do good perfectly. More than that, it is failing to conform to perfection. How would any of us be able to confess our every sin, even if we could list them? We know that any of this sin, merits always one thing from a holy God: eternal death (Romans 6:23). The debt of our sin is weighty no matter who we are. There are only two possibilities: Either we pay the debt, or Christ pays the debt. Now think about it carefully: If Christ does not pay the debt of all our sin -- past, present, and future -- who would ever be saved? In Him, Doc |
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4755 | Sharing my faith | 1 John 3:13 | DocTrinsograce | 153855 | ||
Hi, Brenda... The best way to share your faith is to live it. That means you don't ever stop being a student of the Word. It means you follow our Lord no matter the cost. It means you love Him with every fiber of your being. It means you fight for purity and holiness right to your last breath. God will take care of all the rest. People will be offended and will be indifferent... we are even promised that they will be... and worse. Pray for them and know that they were that way with our Savior. In Him, Doc |
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4756 | Common grounds with Muslims? | 1 John 3:13 | DocTrinsograce | 225065 | ||
Dear Justme, The unregenerate will always hate the believer. According to Christ, this hatred is a natural response to the elect (John 15:19; 17:14-16). I do not believe that we need methods, mechanisms, or mannerisms to spread the Gospel. The "common ground" is already there, for we all have the same Creator, and we are all in need of a Savior. In Him, Doc |
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4757 | to hate someone is to wish them dead | 1 John 3:15 | DocTrinsograce | 238558 | ||
Hi, GFerguson... Welcome to the forum! You are probably thinking of the Sermon on the Mount. See in particular Matthew 5:19-22. The apostle John reiterates something similar in 1 John 3:15. In Him, Doc |
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4758 | DOES GOD KNOW ALL THINGS BEFORE IT OCCUR | 1 John 3:20 | DocTrinsograce | 147078 | ||
Hi, Natalie... Yes, God knows all things. This attribute of God is called "omniscience." Dr. Wayne Grudem defines it as follows: "God fully knows Himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act." I wondered about the same kind of questions you have asked here. Then one day I read where John Calvin said, "God speaks baby talk to us." God is utterly different from us. If He did not take specific action to reveal Himself to us, we could never even begin to understand Him. Even what He reveals about Himself is difficult to understand. So He makes it easy and simple for us by speaking and manifesting Himself in human terms. God is not human at all, but He talks to us often as though He were. God certainly knew that men would sin. (We're even told that His plan of redemption began before the foundations of the earth.) God also knew exactly what He would do. Nevertheless, He explains the situation in terms we can understand, so that we can get the sense of the enormous heinousness of sin and God's enormous holiness. Here are a few Scriptures that might help: Job 37:16, 1 Cor 2:10-11, 1 John 1:5, Heb 4:13, Job 28:24, Matt 10:29-30, Is 46:9-10, Psalm 139:1-2. In Him, Doc |
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4759 | Hereing from God | 1 John 3:22 | DocTrinsograce | 177673 | ||
Dear Blazer, Most of the time what we think is important is not important to God. He is loving Father. Have you ever noticed that a child may think it is important to play, when the parent knows that it is not time to play but it is time to sleep? In the same way, sometimes the questions we have and the things we want are not what are best for us. So, the question is this: How do we tell what is important? God has provided the answer! He has given us the Word of God. You can study the Bible to understand how He wants you to live and what He wants you to believe. You see, as you focus on the things that are important to God, the other things of life will properly come together. He promises us that in Romans 8:28. By the way, don't bother looking for voices, dreams, or experiences. God's message to you in the Bible is much more precise than any of those other things. Besides, those other things are most often completely wrong. But the Word of God is something you can count on! In Him, Doc |
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4760 | How do we know that we are truly saved? | 1 John 3:24 | DocTrinsograce | 141234 | ||
Hi, Pastor Glenn! Good discussion question! Note that any of the answers that I give below are not absolute guarantees of salvation. They are gleaned from the scriptures. They may not be exhaustive, partly due to my memory, but also because I may not have thought of everything! :-) Anyway, I hope this helps. 1. Have I called upon the Lord for salvation? (Acts 2:21) 2. Have I recognized my sin and need for God, repenting demonstrating repentance in my life (i.e., is my life changed)? (Luke 13:3, Matthew 3:8, 1 John 1:8-9) 3. Have I the confidence of the Spirit that I am saved? (Romans 8:16) 4. Do I have a zeal for good works? (Titus 2:14) Is work of God in my life demonstrated by my deeds? (James 3:13, Titus 1:16) 5. Do people around me know of my faith? (Matthew 5:16, Romans 10:9) 6. Do I love my fellow believers and demonstrate that love? (John 13:35, 1 John 3:18) 7. Do I love the word of God and do I seek to keep it? (Psalm 119, 1 John 2:5) Well, let's see... I would have to throw in something about sound doctrine, too. But I've had a long day and I'm running out of steam! I would say, in general, that our faith must be manifest in three broad areas (Luke 10:27): (1) cognitive (what we believe), relational (where our heart is), and volitional (what we choose to do). But, as always, I maintain that we are saved by works... yes, works... but works done by God, not us. It is all His doing! Sorry for dumping these thoughts with so little organization. But maybe they will get the discussion going. :-) In Him, Doc |
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