Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Justification for non-Christian Living?? | Gal 5:24 | TheCurtMan | 87396 | ||
My Sunday School lesson for tomorrow is taken from Eph. 4:1-3, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." My question is not so much on the 'interpretation' of this verse as it is in the 'application' of this verse. How do I apply this verse to my life in light of Gal. 5:16-17 that informs me that I have two natures that is consistantly going to war with one another; and in light of James 1:14-15 that tells me that my ungodly actions are a result of personal desires?? I believe the verses in Eph.4:1-3 are commandments to, 1. Participate in each other lives; 2. For proper Christian relationships; and 3. To encourage a commitment to the well being of others. So how do I pull all this off if it isn't something I desire to do?? Please provide every day living examples to help get your point across. TheCurtMan |
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2 | Justification for non-Christian Living?? | Gal 5:24 | prazn | 87397 | ||
Good question! All believers have two natures: the self-nature (flesh) and the divine nature (spirit). The less mature you are in the Lord, the more difficult it is to crucify the "flesh". This is where belief in the cross of Christ comes in. We cannot, in our own strength, overcome the "flesh". All that we can do, and MUST do, is to submit ungodly desires to the Lord. We do this by confessing our desires to the Lord and relying upon His power to overcome whatever we are struggling with. For example, suppose that you are a very impatient person. But, you desperately want the spiritual fruit of patience to be manifested within you. Simply go to the Lord in prayer and tell him all about your struggle (be specific; "I'm impatient with so-and-so" or "I'm impatient waiting for the pastor to finish his sermon". Tell him that you don't want to be impatient and confess that you need His help to be patient. Then allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you. Look up and meditate on scripture that speaks to patience (you're now feeding the spirit). At first, it may seem that you are fighting the battle alone. But, our Lord is faithful and He will not tarry to cleanse you of your unrighteousness, nor to relieve you of your burden. Hope this helps. This act of confession and repentance to the Lord (i.e., cleansing) is continual. Everytime that "impatience" rears its ugly little head, go through the process again. As long as we live in these earthen vessels, we will have struggles with the "flesh". However, as we learn to rely upon the Lord, we will find ourselves walking more according to the spirit, rather than the flesh. |
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3 | Justification for non-Christian Living?? | Gal 5:24 | TheCurtMan | 87441 | ||
Thanks for your reply Prazn, Very simply put. I find that alot of times Christians like to use terminology that is only known to us. For those who isn't familar with our terminology, they tend to loose focus of the point. How would you respond to the christian that makes light of this struggle do to the fact that we are suppose to have the Holy Spirit living within us?? Ever encountered the type?? |
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4 | Justification for non-Christian Living?? | Gal 5:24 | prazn | 87443 | ||
Based upon my own experience, there are many Christians who do not understand the struggles of those who were not raised in the church. When a Christian has been in the world most of his or her life, the struggle between the spirit and the flesh is much more pronounced, even though we have the Holy Spirit living within us. The Christians that profess to be mature in the Lord seem to be the very ones who least exhibit the character and nature (i.e., spirit) of Christ. Christ told us not to judge. Christ told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Yet, the supposedly mature believers, that I have encountered, are more unloving and intolerant than non-believers. It takes time for the Holy Spirit to conform us to the image of Christ. The very fact that there are no perfect Christians on this planet, as far as I know, is proof of that. God bless you! |
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5 | Justification for non-Christian Living?? | Gal 5:24 | EdB | 87445 | ||
prazn I agree with what you said except Jesus never said do not Judge. He said don't be hypocritical in your judgement. And that in fact is exactly what your complaining about. hypocrites in the church. However on the other side of the coin there are those that want to live like demons never letting the Holy spirit transform them. EdB |
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6 | Justification for non-Christian Living?? | Gal 5:24 | prazn | 87471 | ||
Hi EdB, Thanks for your comments. I'm wondering, who on earth, after having an encounter with our Risen Lord, and confessing they need Him to save them, would want to continue to live like a demon? If a follower of Christ wanted to live like a demon, they would never admit their need for Jesus in the first place, they could just keep on the path of destruction laid by the enemy; am I right?!? Concerning our Lord's admonition about judging others, check out the following words, which Jesus Himself spoke: Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned." Respectfully, prazn |
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7 | Justification for non-Christian Living?? | Gal 5:24 | Radioman2 | 87476 | ||
Do not judge? When taken as a whole and diligently compared one to another, the Scriptures do NOT prohibit all types of judging. Do not judge??? Anyone? Anything? Ever? A careful reading of the NT and a study of the passages in which the English word "judge" appears may surprise you. You will find that Christians are to judge between dogs and swine. Also, according to the Scriptures (see below), Christians are to judge: all things, those who are inside the church, the world, angels, what is said or taught, and ourselves. So believers are to judge at least seven different things or groups of people. Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. Matthew 7:1 Amplified New Testament "7:1 Judge not. As the context reveals, this does not prohibit all types of judging (v. 16). There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise with careful discernment (John 7:24). Censorious, hypocritical, self-righteous, or other kinds of unfair judgments are forbidden; but in order to fulfill the commandments that follow, it is necessary to discern dogs and swine (v. 6) from one's own brethren (vv. 3-5)" (1997, Word Publishing). Other Scriptural examples of Christians judging are presented below. (The following Scripture quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Words in parentheses ( ) or brackets [ ] are from the text of the Amplified New Testament.) 1 Co 2:15 (ANT)But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one . . . 1 Co 5: 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge (pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]) those who are inside [the church]? 1 Co 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge (and govern) the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge (try) the smallest matters? 1 Co 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels (and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them])? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 1 Co 6:5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge ( to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels]) between his brethren? 1 Co 10: 15 I speak as to wise men; judge (think over and make up your minds) for yourselves [about] what I say. 1 Co 11:31 For if we would judge (searchingly examine) ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we would not be judged. 1 Co 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge (pay attention and weigh and discern what is said). 2 Co 13:5 (ANT) Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - NASB 1 Thessalonians 4:8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. |
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