Results 461 - 480 of 500
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Reformer Joe Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
461 | Why keep the Moral Law? | James 2:10 | Reformer Joe | 19232 | ||
Because God says so. "Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler" --1 Peter 4:15 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH." --Ephesians 6:1-3 "For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." --Ephesians 5:5 "If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,' you are doing well" --James 2:8 "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" --1 John 2:3,4 "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality" --1 Thessalonians 4:3 On a side note, it really bothers me to see so many people who claim to have faith in Christ with the seeming attitude of "How LITTLE can I do for God?" I do not for one second believe that we are saved by works, but I wholeheartedly agree with James when he says "No works means no faith." --Joe! |
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462 | Joe, who is ya, man? | James 2:10 | Reformer Joe | 19327 | ||
Before we start traversing through all your pet verses in the New Testament, let's stick with Ephesians 4. If the old self is no longer existant, how can Paul tell Ephesian believers to put it away? That would be akin to a "watch out for the cliff" sign in Kansas. I am simply asking why Paul tells us to "put away" the old self and its lusts, and to "put on" the new one if the new self is the only one left, according to you. How can one put away something that isn't even there? --Joe! |
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463 | Where will you get your righteousness? | James 2:10 | Reformer Joe | 19333 | ||
Circumcision and the Law as a means to justification is precisely "the yoke of slavery" being discussed, as we see in the first four verses of Galatians 5. If you take my whole commentary into account, you see idea that clearly developed. The problem Paul was dealing with in Galatia was not merely fondness for the Law. The Judaizers were telling them that in addition to Christ's atonement, justification must still be sought in keeping the Law, which begins with circumscision. We see Paul soundly refuting justification of any sort via the works of the Law (Galatians 2:16, 3:3, 3:11, 3:24,and 5:4 in this book alone) and I stand with you and Paul in condemning this idea. No one was EVER justified by Law-keeping: "Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law." --Galatians 3:21 We see Abraham is justified by faith 430 years before the Law is given. However, James also points out the argument I have been making: that Abraham's faith was demonstrated by OBEDIENCE to God. The faith in God's covenant of grace is what saved Abraham, but it was a faith that resulted in works. The moral commandments found in the Law correspond to the obedience that God seeks for us, and Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5 sum up the Law, which are still commandments for believers. Why do you ignore Paul's clear profession that our own righteousness is something we HOPE for, and therefore do not currently possess? I will stand righteous on my own before God when He completes my sanctification, which will not occur until the end of this existence. Until that point, it is Christ who is my advocate before the Father, the great High Priest who always lives to make intercession for me (Hebrews 7:25). But back to Galatians 5...other than your misunderstanding of my point about circumcision (which indeed is the seal of our entrance into the Mosaic Covenant), where else was I "wrong" in my exegesis? I would especially like your take on Paul's exhortation for us to use our freedom for servanthood, how the truth is something not simply to be believed but also obeyed, and how practicing Leviticus 19:18 is fulfillment of the Law. This is a Bible study forum, so let's study Galatians 5 in-depth. --Joe! |
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464 | Are Galatians seeking sanctification? | James 2:10 | Reformer Joe | 19342 | ||
Perhaps, which is also in error. We are not sanctified by the Law any more than we are justififed by it. Sanctification is a work of God's free grace. However, those being sanctified will exhibit the moral behavior prescribed in the Law in their conduct. The horse is sanctification by the Spirit. The cart is God-pleasing works. The Galatians were getting things backwards. One must also fully take into account what Paul was arguing against here. He was not challenging the idea that Christians should do SOME things which are found in the Law. What the Galatians were falling into was the complete external trappings of the Law and its regulations. Notice again that Paul does not tell the Galatians that the prohibition on murder, covetousness, lying, and adultery are invalid for believers. What he challenges is that the Law itself is a means to attaining a righteousness of our own either in addition to or apart from Christ's work of atonement. --Joe! |
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465 | Joe, I agree with you here. | James 2:10 | Reformer Joe | 19362 | ||
Bill: Perhaps we can get to the core of the disagreement by looking at the answer to these two questions: What is the ultimate reason for God saving us? In other words, was God's highest motive for saving us just to get us to heaven and bless us (which is certainly a part of it), or is there a "bigger picture"? Secondly, since we agree that works are not the ground of our salvation, but rather faith in Christ's completed work on the cross, what is the purpose and place of works in the Christian's life? Is discipleship a nice "extra" that makes us more fulfilled, or is it something that is an essential trait of all whom God saves? I hold that God's highest passion is to glorify Himself, since he is the epitome of all that is holy and just and morally upright. Simply put, you can't get better than God, and He knows it. Therefore, if he honors what is most perfect, He must have the place of highest honor. Even our salvation, while it is a blessing to us, has the ultimate purpose of manifesting God's mercy and love, just as the damnation of the unregenerate demonstrates God's justice. The atonement of Christ demonstrates both. Therefore, I am not the center of God's creation; He is. As far as works go, I hold that good works ALWAYS accompany the transforming presence of Christ in those who have true faith. The Bible makes clear that there are those who claim to be Christian, but really aren't of us at all. God-honoring traits and actions are the work of God in the lives of every believer to demonstrate that we truly are his. In my view, that is the only way we can reconcile Ephesians 2 and James 2. Works are important, and God will require them and motivate and enable believers to accomplish them, not to GAIN nor to MAINTAIN salvation, but to make evident to men our salvation and again, to be an instrument for the glorification of Himself. That is why, as a believer, I delight in the moral commandments of God found in the Law. I know that these commands are what God wants His children to do, and law still serves the purpose of showing how we fall short in our daily lives and reminds us of how glorious the gospel truly is. It is not a means to salvation, but it isn't to be tossed out the window in its entirety as completely irrelevant in the life of the believer. This is the division between law and gospel we find in the entire Bible. Law (in the general sense) is the righteous requirements of a holy God upon his creation. Of course, we have and always will fall short of those requirements. Gospel is the proclamation of God's grace and mercy extended to us who fall short of fulfilling God's demand of absolute holy conduct, through the work of Christ Jesus, who did indeed fulfill the Law in his sinless life on earth. --Joe! |
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466 | Empty inside being a Roman Catholic? | James 2:17 | Reformer Joe | 24789 | ||
Hello, Catrose: I would recommend two books that are excellent for examining how one can delight in one's relationship to God and make it a vital part of one's life. They are both by John Piper. The first and longer one is called "Desiring God" and it is destined to become a classic in the order of Mere Christianity and Pilgrim's Progress, in my opinion. The other, shorter version just came out, and it is called "The Dangerous Duty of Delight." Both have as their premise that we are most satisfied in life when we are doing what we were created to do: glorifying God. It is a worthwhile and doctrinally sound book which I would encourage you and your husband to read together with the Bible, which is God's prime means of communicating His truth and changing hearts and lives. I pray that your husband may become a partaker of the joy that only comes from a thriving relationship with Christ. "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his DELIGHT is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night." --Psalm 1:1-2 --Joe! |
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467 | Why do we try to do something for God? | James 2:17 | Reformer Joe | 29917 | ||
Bygraceyearesaved (that's quite a mouthful!): Because looking at that whole section of Scripture, we are indeed saved by grace through faith, and both of those are the gift of God. Then we are told that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Therefore, the grace, the faith, and the God-honoring works are all gifts of God. It is like a domino effect. God's grace leads to true saving faith which results in works. Likewise, if the God-honoring works are completely absent, that could be a sign of a lack of true saving faith and absence of God's saving grace in that individual's life The fact is that we exist for God's glorification, so everything we as believers do should ultimately be "for God." That is not to say that God "needs" us to do something or that he is incomplete if we do not serve Him. However, that is precisely the end for which God created everything including us. And, that is the reason that God saved us. Yes, we have blessings here and an inheritance to come, but God did all of that for us ultimately so that HE would be glorified through our lives. It is our chief end to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. And it is the grace of God which enables fallen humanity to accomplish that at all. --Joe! |
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468 | If they teach to their own destruction, | James 3:1 | Reformer Joe | 55505 | ||
The ones "teaching to their own destruction" are not saved in the first place. They are promoting a false gospel, one that does not save. --Joe! |
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469 | sin :it's complete meaning. 72hours of | James 4:17 | Reformer Joe | 26714 | ||
Sin is any lack of complete conformity to the law of God, or any transgression of the law of God. --Joe! |
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470 | WHY DOES GOD WANT US TO BE HOLY? | 1 Pet 1:16 | Reformer Joe | 49180 | ||
Because God is holy Himself. God being the single example in existence of infinite goodness and moral perfection, there is no other goal we should have than to pursue that same moral perfection. God knows that there is no one or nothing that is better than Himself, so we should reflect God's glory as humanity was created to do. --Joe! |
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471 | How was Jesus slain 'before' ? | 1 Pet 1:20 | Reformer Joe | 81598 | ||
"I am just puzzled about the concept of Jesus being slain 'before the foundations of the world'. If I understand this right, I am hearing that He was already in the process of being slain before the world was ever formed. What exactly is meant here by this Scripture and what is it really saying?" Even though Christ was put to death in human history, at a specific place and time, the act has always been a part of the eternal decree of God. It was as certain of an event as Jesus' second coming, as far as God's eternal purpose is concerned. Additionally, the redemption purchased by Jesus on the cross benefits all of God's people from the Fall to the end of the age. Jesus died for Abraham's sins and David's sins just as surely as He did for mine, despite the fact that they lived before the Crucifixion. --Joe! |
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472 | Why so many destined for Hell? | 1 Pet 2:8 | Reformer Joe | 70354 | ||
"My sister is just marveling over her new baby girl (number four child for her!) and the idea that any of our children would not be saved is just too painful to think about." I would recommend reading Deuteronomy 6 and Acts 2:39. I believe God works covenantally, in that if your sister and her husband are faithful to keep God's commandment -- and some would go so far as to say that such includes baptizing the girl (attention, other readers: please do not turn this thread into something it is not) -- to raise the girl as a Christian, praying for her and teaching her all of God's truth and living it out and encouraging her to embrace Jesus Christ in faith, that in the normal operation of things, God will bring their daughter to Himself. This is more than simply taking her to church with them, of course, but a lifelong commitment to nurture and shepherd a soul that will never, ever cease to exist. --Joe! |
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473 | Are we at the mercyof Gods moodswings? | 1 Pet 2:24 | Reformer Joe | 82547 | ||
You wrote: "That reminds me of a story I heard of God aand Jesus sitting in heaven. God turns to Jesus and says what shall we do today? and Jesus says well lets heal this one give this one cancer make that one rich and take that ones home. That will cause them to worship us big time." Very simplistic view of the interaction between the Father and Jesus. Did they share some peach cobbler after this exchange? Toss some horseshoes? The fact is that God has brought individuals to Himself by means of unpleasant circumstances. Both Scripture and church history attest to this fact. Mocking God's sovereign interaction with humanity because you are not omniscient enough to fully grasp it is quite immature. "God says He is no respecter of persons so how can He heal at the same time as caausing sickness?" Where does Scripture say that God is not a "respecter of persons"? According to the context of that statement, in what regard is God not a respecter of persons? --Joe! |
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474 | We may be missing something here | 1 Pet 3:20 | Reformer Joe | 6365 | ||
Well, on these forums, all of us are "butting in"! Your comments are most welcome. Yes, Noah was preacher of righteousness. I didn't mean to suggest that he kept silent during this time (or even before God instructed him to build the ark). What I do contend is that God purposed to desroy humanit with the exception of eight people. Proclaiming God's truth is to reveal Him, not only to "convince" others of the truth. We see this in Philippians 1:27-28, where the Phiplippians' unity in preaching the gospel served as a "sign of destruction" for the unbelievers persecuting them. Likewise, Noah's preaching (whatever form it took -- the Bible is silent on this) could also be considered to be God's "sign of destruction" for the rest of the world. My real argument against the study materials was not that Noah preached, but rather that God was unsuccessful in convincing the unbelieving world to repent. As far as God's patience in 2 Peter 3:9, let's take a look at why he is patient. It has to do with whom he is addressing. God is patient toward "you". To whom did Peter address his letter (v. 1:1)? Other believers. Therefore, God is not being patient here toward the non-elect, but rather toward the elect who have not been regenerated (including those who had not been born like you and me). There would be no other reason for God to be patient toward believers, since those already saved would not need God to hold back the second coming of Christ and destruction of the world (which is the context of 2 Peter 3:9). The "all" here is not all mankind (since no one but universalists argue that ALL will ever be saved), but rather all of God's elect (1 Peter 1:1-5). Likewise, was God being patient toward the rest of the world, or toward Noah in the time he was building his ark? God's wrath will be poured out on sinful humanity at some point in the future, just like it was poured out on those in Noah's day. At what point does an omniscient God "decide" that enough is enough, since both Arminians and Calvinists both argue that God KNOWS who will repent? Thanks for your comments! --Joe! |
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475 | What is the entire Christian walk proces | 2 Pet 1:8 | Reformer Joe | 11618 | ||
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." --1 Peter 1:14-16 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. --Romans 12:1-2 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from usinstruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. --1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. --Deuteronomy 6:5 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. --Romans 8:12-13 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. --Philippians 2:12-13 Short answer? Glorify God by being sanctified by the Holy Spirit and through the Bible. --Joe! |
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476 | When did the wicked laugh at Noah? | 2 Pet 2:5 | Reformer Joe | 41524 | ||
The verse above refers to Noah as a "preacher of righteousness." That is the only indication in Scripture that gives a sense that he said anything to those around him about the coming flood. Of course, it is only reasonable to think that a man building an ark far away from sea would bring some serious scoffing! --Joe! |
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477 | Never had a chance to reject Christ | 2 Pet 3:1 | Reformer Joe | 41107 | ||
Arnie: You wrote: "These suicide bombers have been taught from the time they have been little children to hate Israel and the western way, they have been taught a very radical veiw of Islam. They have never had a chance to come to know Christ as you or I have. Do you think you or I, brought up in those same circumstances, would choose Christ? I don't think so." Do you think that anyone brought up in a "Christian nation" would choose Christ apart from the Holy Spirit's intervention? I don't think so, either. The radical Muslim fundamentalists are indeed products of their environment to a great extent, but first and foremost they are products of their own sin nature. Their environment simply helps determine what form their rebeliion against God the Father will take. "THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." --Romans 3:11-12 --Joe! |
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478 | Is today the only day of salvation for a | 2 Pet 3:1 | Reformer Joe | 41109 | ||
Arnie: No it would not make God a failure. Humanity chooses to rebel against God. It is our very nature to do so (Romans 3:9-18). God's judgment of some glorifies Him as a just and holy God, and His redemption of others glorifies Him as a merciful God who redeems His creation and defeats Satan. 'Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. Why should the nations say, "Where, now, is their God?" But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.' --Psalm 115:1-3 --Joe! |
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479 | Who are the "any" and "all" in verse 9 | 2 Pet 3:9 | Reformer Joe | 53005 | ||
I say the same thing as ye. :) If God is waiting for all to come to repentance, the world is never going to end. --Joe! |
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480 | He does not wish for any to perish... | 2 Pet 3:9 | Reformer Joe | 81249 | ||
A covenant theology perspective on Scripture eliminates the "problems" with the predominant Reformed understanding of this verse. Peter can be addressing the covenant people of God with the implicit understanding that not all of God's covenant people are true believers (and therefore objects of God's patience). --Joe! |
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