Results 1 - 5 of 5
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | bronx hulk | 94433 | ||
Dear Baptistbred, You have brought out a very detailed question. I think I might be able to help. First, I would like to address the scripture you mentioned in Romans 7. In this passage, your answer might be found. Before I get into it, I'd like to explain how to read it. I know you have been studying for a long time, so I don't want to sound demeaning. But sometimes we forget how to properly read the Word of God. I say that in all humbleness and respect for you and your service to God. I don't know how much you know, so I will start from the beginning as if you know nothing. It's easier that way. So don't take that as disrespect. Remember that the epistles are letters written to people. With that, we should try to always read above and below, sometimes even into the next chapter. In Romans 7:15-24, Paul is speaking as someone who is not covered by the blood of Christ. He does that alot in his letters, giving the hypothetical opinion of a non believer or is sarcastic in his words. It is important to recognize when he is doing that. So in this passage, he is trying to explain what happens when someone without Christ tries to follow the law of God. And he is putting himself in that person's shoes, describing the confusion and the battle that happens inside that person. How can I follow the law of God? I try to but fail every time because I am carnal!! He then sums it up with one question...vs 24. "Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Then he steps out of that persons shoes, becomes the apostle Paul again, and answeres his own questions in vs 25. "Through Christ!!" But it doesn't stop there. The same train of thought continues into chapter 8 up to vs 14. In vs 1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." So now we have the Spirit of God and we have no condemnation as long as we are walking after the Spirit. Then the rest of that passage up to vs. 13 is explaining why we must walk after the Spirit. Because even though we have the Spirit, we must still use it and follow it if we want to inherit eternal life. Because in Vs 14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Which leads us into your original question in 1 John 3:9. If we are born of God (His sons), then we are following His Spirit and not commiting sin. Now as far as every little sin that we do, and the remainder of your question. In Ps 130:3,4 it says "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, WHO SHALL STAND? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." We have faith to know that God does not charge each little sin that we do against us. In Matt 18:21,22 it says "21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until SEVENTY times seven." He wasn't saying to do forgive only 490 times, but saying to be limitless in our forgiveness. If that is our charge, how much more is God able to forgive us of our sins? But it all comes down to the matter of the heart. Are you trying to serve God with your all? Rev 3:15,16. From what you said about your background, I think you should be able to piece it all together from here. Take into consideration how the rest of the Word ties into this undersstanding. What I mean is how we must forgive or we won't be forgiven, how we must love one another, how we must love God, pray, serve, be holy, be a new creature, etc. Which brings us up to 1 John 3:10. If you are not doing the things you are taught and following the standards and commandments of God, then you are not one of His. You are just in it for yourself. It is obvious to me who is of God and who isn't. The problem you might be facing is that you have seen many bad examples of Christians who claim that they are Christians, but are not completely sold out to God. They will be known by their fruits. Are they being dilligent and serving the Lord with their all, or are they just riding the wave and going to church for that pat on the back? The truth is that there are many tares in the house of God. You must be able to recognize them. Matt 13:25-30 Rom 16:17. As far as your friend who is an overeater... Mark 7:15-23 And as far as commiting sins and repenting of every one. We are covered by the blood, but where is your heart in the matter? If you are just using that as an excuse to sin, then you will not be forgiven. But if you are trying to serve God with your all, then you will be. God looks at the heart. David did some pretty bad things, but God called him a man after His own heart. Hope this helps, Sal |
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2 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | Baptistbred | 94493 | ||
I really appreciate your humble spirit and thoughts on the matter. I still have a question, if "By this the children of God and the children of the devil are OBVIOUS" , and your statement "And as far as commiting sins and repenting of every one. We are covered by the blood, but where is your heart in the matter? If you are just using that as an excuse to sin, then you will not be forgiven. But if you are trying to serve God with your all, then you will be. God looks at the heart. If it ultimately is a heart matter, how can it be obvious? |
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3 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | bronx hulk | 94555 | ||
Brother Baptistbred, I speak for me and this might not be true for everyone. But I have the spiritual gift of Discernment of spirits. That helps me to know who is who and what is what. That scripture says "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." See the colon after "devil"? That means the next statement will explain the previous one. So someone who is not doing righteousness is not of God. Let's dig into that statement because it's alot more than doing good deeds. What is righteousness? -- Right standing with God So if you are not doing things that are pleasing to God, then you are not one of His. Just because someone goes and feeds the hungry or something doesn't make them righteous. Read Matt 7:20-23. The key to that passage is that who does the Will of the Father will enter into heaven. Did God tell you to feed the hungry or was it your own idea? Have you not heard the Lord speak to you before? Try to use that same type of communication to recieve who is who. If you really pay attention, you can see who is trying with their heart to please God, and who is just playing at this game. Your Spirit should be able to tell you. Pray on this matter for wisdom and sight and God will reveal it to you. Especially if you are in a leadership position, God will reveal these things to you. He will need you to use that information to make righteous judgements. I hope that helps some. Please let me know if you want me to elaborate any more. God bless, Sal |
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4 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | Ray | 94589 | ||
Hi bronx hulk, You wrote, "If you really pay attention, you can see who is trying with their heart to please God, and who is just playing at this game. Your Spirit [sic] should be able to tell you." I wonder if a lower case "spirit" would be more in order here. You are talking about ones paying attention to his spirit. I am thinking about Romans 8:15 where it says in the NASB that "you have received a spirit [sic] of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." I can see the Holy Spirit but I also see the spirit that He has given us. "The spirit that He has given us should be able to tell you." That is what I would say; do you agree at all? Romans 8:14, "For all who are being led by the *Spirit of God, these are sons of God." 1 John 3:9, "...because His *seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious:..." In comparing/contrasting these verses I see being led by the Spirit and also having His seed [spirit] abiding in us. From the heart, Ray |
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5 | Who makes the rules? | 1 John 3:9 | bronx hulk | 94695 | ||
Hi Ray, Actually, I probably should have said "The Spirit God has given you (Holy Ghost)" instead of "Your Spirit". It is through the Spirit of God that all things spiritual are revealed to us. Discerning who is a child of God would be a spiritual revelation. In Christ, Sal |
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