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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | God forgive no matter what | 2 Cor 5:8 | Risen | 44511 | ||
Excellent Posts ChristLifer2001!!! Welcome to the Forum! I see by your posts that you believe in the finality of the cross and the reality of His resurrection. The fullness of God's grace! It's all Him and His work. When I read Colossians 2:13 "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us All our sins." the Spirit of Christ who dwells in me, speaks to my heart and shows me that He has paid for all of my sins. Past, present and future! Like you said, "All means All in the greek :)" When I read Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." and 2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that IN Him we might become the righteousness of God." the Spirit of Christ who dwells in me, speaks to my heart and shows me, that He who had no sin became sin for us. Jesus Christ died for me, and all those who believe. His blood paid the perfect price for the sins of all. Why? So that I and all who believe could become the righteousness of God. He also shows me that this eternal life, that is only in Christ, is His free gift to me, and All who believe. His gift of life, which is eternal, is not temporary. When we sin, does He take away the gift, that is eternal? No, for the debt, the wages of sin, death, has been paid for by His blood and He is not going to shed His blood again! We read in John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." That verse ties in beautifully with Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. And 1 John 5:9-13 "We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which He has given about His Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about His Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." Christ's blood has cleansed us from all unrighteousness, He took away our sins once and for all. He gave His life for us, in order that He could give His life to us, so that He could live His life through us! I like you brother, rest in His completed work on the cross, and know that He is alive in me and all those who believe! We also know as it is written in Hebrews 13:5 "God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." When we sin, will He leave? No, if He did, He would have to shed His blood again in order for us to receive forgiveness. Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." We are alive because Christ dwells in us just as it is written in Romans 5:10 "For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!" and Ephesians 2:1 "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins." which ties in with Colossians 2:13 "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us All our sins." So all of our sins had to be dealt with once and for all, or we will die as soon as we sin again. For only by the shedding of blood is there forgiveness. YBIC Joe |
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2 | hwat does righteousness of GOD means | Bible general Archive 1 | Risen | 41407 | ||
Christ our Righteousness! The Righteousness of God Salvation requires that we be totally righteous (meaning to be holy, without blemish, and free from accusation). Jesus said in Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Only perfect righteousness will do. Since this is an impossibility for man, God in His mercy and love chose to make us righteous through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, The Righteous One. The righteousness of God that has been given through Jesus Christ is a free gift that comes by faith in Christ. By His perfect work on the cross, He has exchanged our unrighteousness for His perfect righteousness. We read in Romans 3:21,22...But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. God’s word tells us, that true righteousness comes from God through faith in Jesus. It also tells us that righteousness does not come by observing the law, but by faith to all who believe. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:21...God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Christ the sinless One, became sin for us. How many sins do you think Christ took? Because of this exchange, what do we become? Whose righteousness do we become? If we have become the righteousness of God, how righteous are we? However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:5) Who does God justify? Is a man justified by works, or trusting God? What is credited to those who believe? If we could gain righteousness by our own good works, whose righteousness would it be? Whose righteousness is it when we believe God? What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. (Philippians 3:8,9) What kind of righteousness does obedience to the law produce? What kind of righteousness does faith in Christ produce? Whose righteousness would you rather have, your own or God’s? There is only one way to receive the righteousness of God, through faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross. If Christ dwells in you, you have the Righteous One in you. Not only that, we are clothed with His righteousness. Galatians 3:27...For all you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. He is our Robe of Righteousness, Christ is our Breastplate of Righteousness, Christ is our Wedding Garment, He is our Covering. Christ is our righteousness that clothes us and indwells us. Because it is God’s righteousness, it is not subject to corruption. It is not something that we can improve upon or add to or use up; neither can we be the cause of its erosion or destruction by our own doing. It is God’s (GIFT) to us through faith in Jesus Christ! I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." (Romans 1:16,17) Joe |
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3 | Are gays/lesbians bound for hell? | Rom 5:8 | Risen | 41239 | ||
Greetings Marquita, I do not post these words from a spirit of judgement, but from a spirit of restoration in peace and love, from the heart. It is good that you are studying the Word of God. I pray that the Spirit of Truth, opens your eyes to the understanding of these words. 1 Thess 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 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. 7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. 8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. If you truly have been born again, born of the Spirit, born from above, if the Spirit of Christ truly lives in you, He will not continue to allow you to live in this ungodly lifestyle. By whatever means, He chooses. If you are a part of His body, He will not allow you to continually dishonor Him with sexual immorality. I pray that God opens your heart of understanding and gives you His grace and strength to stop practicing sexual immorality. Joe |
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4 | What's the importance of Old Testament? | Gal 3:24 | Risen | 40864 | ||
Greetings JCLT2, I believe srbaegon, and New Creature gave excellent answers to the importance of the Old Testament. Well done you two. I hope these words will help to show not only the importance, but also the authority of the Old Testament for believers today. The supreme reason for accepting the inspiration of the Bible and its authority over our lives is because of our faith in Jesus Christ and "His" testimony concerning the Word of God. Christ’s Claims About the Old Testament. We read in John 5:39,40...You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life. Why did Christ say that the Jews diligently studied the Scriptures? Because they thought, that by them, they would possess, eternal life. Who did Jesus say these Scriptures testified about? These are the Scriptures that testify about Me. What Scriptures is He talking about? The Old Testament. Does Jesus indicate in this passage that He believes the Old Testament is true? Definitely. We read in John 5:46,47...If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say? Who did Jesus say that Moses wrote about? Moses wrote about Christ! We read in Matthew 24:37-39...As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark: and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Did Jesus state this as an actual account or as a mythical or allegorical story? An actual account. If the account in the Old Testament had been wrong, do you think Jesus (who is God) would have corrected it? Most likely. Would it make sense to compare such an important event as the second coming of Christ, to a mythical story? Absolutely not. We read in Matthew 12:38-41...Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from You." He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here. Who did Jesus claim to be greater than? Jonah Would it have any meaning to claim to be greater than someone who didn’t exist? Absolutely not. Does Jesus indicate by His statement that He believed the account of Jonah in the Old Testament is true? Definitely. Since Jesus Christ is God and He said there was a flood, then there was a flood! If He said, Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish, then Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish! If Jesus is not God, then we are still lost in our sins, and whether or not there was a flood or a huge fish is completely irrevelant to our lives. There are at least 66 references to the Old Testament in Christ’s dialogues with His disciples and more than 90 references to the Old Testament in His speaking with other people. There was never any question in the mind of Christ or the writers of the New Testament about the veracity of the Scriptures. The validity and significance of these Old Testament events, rests squarely upon the validity of the testimony of Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) and the apostles. Christ is the Word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us, He knows what He is talking about, for He is the Truth and His Words are Truth. YBIC...Joe |
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5 | What was the blessing? | Matt 26:26 | Risen | 40737 | ||
Thank you Hank, That's how I saw it too, until I learned from a Jewish believer in the Messiah that the blessing practiced before the Passover meal, is a standard prayer which has been said over the bread every Seder for thousands of years. The blessing is: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth" There is a prophetic connection between the blessing and what Jesus was saying regarding "take, eat, this is my body." God has been bringing forth bread from the earth since the beginning of creation, and this bread, as He just told us, represents His body. God will bring His body forth from the earth! In effect, Jesus foretold His resurrection in that blessing over the bread! Just as He foretold His resurrection at other times prior to the supper. Christ is, the Bread of Life. When we partake of the Bread of Life, the communion for example, as a rememberence, where is that bread now? It is in us. It is a visual aid that we are the body of Christ. Christ in you, the hope of glory. 1 Cor.10:16-17...The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread and one body: for we are all partakers of that One Bread. Christ is that Bread that came down from Heaven, He is that Bread of Life that came forth from the earth. He is the Bread of Life that dwells in all those that have been born again, born of the Spirit. Can you see it? We have become the body of Christ here on earth. Christ is the Head. "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."...1 Cor.12:27 Having said that, we should look forward to each time that we can participate in the Lord's Supper. When its true meaning is celebrated while breaking off a portion of the bread and eating it with other believers, we should be reminded of Christ and His life we share as symbolized by the one loaf. It is a beautiful picture of God's plan of unification in Love and in Spirit, to make one body, or one new man, out of both Jew and Gentile. It is a celebration of what Christ has done and the "Unity" we share in Him. I felt that this was an appropriate time, for these words to be shared, to help build up and edify the body of Christ. For He is Risen, and He is alive, through the Spirit in each one of us, His body, His church, His bride! YBIC...Joe P.S. Hank...Keep up the good work that God has given you with the "Bible Answer Man" with a patient and loving heart, that comes from Him who dwells in you. |
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6 | How do you "honor" lying parents? | Bible general Archive 1 | Risen | 39342 | ||
May you find strength and encouragement in these words dear one. 1 Pet 3:9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For,"The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 "He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. 1 Pet 3:12 "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." 13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are (SLANDERED), those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 1 Thess 5:15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. |
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7 | What does "THE ARM OF THE LORD" mean? | John 12:38 | Risen | 39291 | ||
You are quite welcome Magdala, It was no trouble at all, for I know that...It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter...Proverbs 25:2 For by the searching of the Word of God, and seeking to know the One who is True (Jesus Christ the Truth), we will find the One, or shall I say, He will find us, who were lost. For it is Christ who meets all our needs. The more we are nourished by the Living Water (Jesus Christ), the more we grow in His grace and knowledge. For He has sown the Seed (the Word of God) in our heart. He also waters the Seed with His Word (the Living Water, Jesus Christ) in our heart. He also shines the Light of Life (Jesus Christ, the Living Word) in our heart to produce His fruit, in us, by His Spirit. That is to say, the Spirit of Life, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Christ. For Christ is the Life and the Truth, and His Words are Spirit, Life, and Truth. May His Peace and Joy and Love, fill your whole heart, and also, all His beloved saints. YBIC...Your Brother in Christ Joe...yep, another Joe |
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8 | What does "THE ARM OF THE LORD" mean? | John 12:38 | Risen | 39284 | ||
Peace to All in His Glorious Name The Name above all names, Jesus the Christ Exodus 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: Deut. 7:19 The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid. Deut. 11:2 And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm, Deut. 26:8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: 2 Kings 17:36 But the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice Isaiah 30:30 And the LORD will cause His voice of authority to be heard, And the descending of His arm to be seen in fierce anger, And in the flame of a consuming fire In cloudburst, downpour and hailstones. Isaiah 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not He that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Isaiah 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? John 12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Truly the Arm of the Lord or Holy Arm is none other than our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ! Hope these scriptures will water the Seed sown in your heart. YBIC |
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9 | Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil law | James 2:10 | Risen | 19277 | ||
Amen Bill From reading your posts I believe that you know, that you have died to the law, that you are no longer under the law (the old covenant) and that you are now under grace (the new covenant). I see that you understand Galatians 3:24,25...So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. It is wonderful to find a like minded brother in Christ! Romans 7:4-6...So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit to death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old ways of the written code. I, like you brother, have learned that the purpose of the law is to show us our need for salvation and to point us to Jesus Christ. The law cannot save us, it cannot give us life, it cannot forgive our sins, and the law cannot make us righteous. Only Jesus Christ can! That is why, as believers, we are no longer under the law, we are under the grace of God. In Acts 15 we read about a discussion of whether the Gentiles should be circumcised and to keep the law of Moses, or not. Hope this may help those who haven't died to the law, and to come alive, by faith in Christ,...yet. Verse 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8. God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did us. 9. He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith. 10. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke (the law) that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11. No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." Continue to live by faith brother, in the completed work of Jesus Christ, and the reality of His resurrection, for He is alive, He is risen, and He has...(2 Corinthians 3:6)...made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter (the law) but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. YBIC |
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10 | What is the best version of the Bible? | Bible general Archive 1 | Risen | 17749 | ||
Hi EdB, The point I was trying to make was, that without the Spirit of God giving you the faith to believe His words, it wouldn't matter how many versions, how many languages, nor how many words He spoke, no one would believe. That is the inheritance we all received from Adam, when he believed the father of lies, and refused to believe God and called Him a liar. That is the sin that was passed on to all of us, unbelief. The only way we can believe God's words is by God giving us the faith to believe. It is all God's work of salvation, none of ours. |
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11 | Is the Christian under Law? | Ex 1:1 | Risen | 12934 | ||
Dear Brothers and Sisters I thank God our Father for the opportunity to be able to post my comments on this forum, and I pray that those who read this may be encouraged, strengthened, and/or have their eyes of understanding enlightened. I write these words with a spirit of love and meekness.I have followed the comments of many threads in this forum and other sites. I see many are knowledgeable about the scriptures, I see plenty of arguing, and contentions over different doctrines. I see where new babes in Christ can be overwhelmed, frustrated, confused, or put in doubt of their faith. Those of us who have been born again, born of the Spirit, and have grown in His grace and knowledge, who walk in the Spirit, in faith, in our great God and Savior, know the importance of loving one another. Being patient with one another, being kind and compassionate, forgiving one another, just as Christ has forgiven us of all our sins, once and for all. As fellow laborers with God, we who have grown in Him, who are rooted and grounded in Christ's love, let us not be high minded, proud, worldly, wise in our own eyes, for we see in part. As it is written: neither he who plants the seed, nor he who waters is anything, but it is God who makes it grow! If Christ lives in us, we have His Spirit that will guide us and teach us all truth, in His perfect timing, according to His will, not ours. We know Christ Jesus is the Truth, the way and the life. We are to keep our mind and heart focused on Him, and not on how much we know or don't know. Remember, God is doing His good work through us. God is building His Church, through us who have His Spirit. That is His power, the preaching of the cross, the fullness of His gospel. Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Who here has been drawn to Christ by his own knowledge and understanding? Who here has been drawn to Christ, by the Father's rod or whip or with rude and harsh words? Was it not by His love and gentle Spirit? Did we receive Christ's Spirit by works of righteousness, keeping the whole law or parts of it? Or, did we receive His righteousness by faith? Beloved, we have the mind of Christ, we have all spiritual blessings in Christ, and we are seated with Him. We have been made holy, righteous, blameless, and perfect in Christ. We are complete in Him! How can we add to or take away from that which He has already made perfect? Each new creation in Christ Jesus, each member, each precious stone tried by fire, is built upon the solid Rock, the perfect foundation, Jesus Christ. Many newborns in Christ and unbelievers enter Christian web sites, and what do they see? Quarrelings, divisions, strife and confusion. The same that is in the world. Yes, even deception. Is Christ divided? No, we are all members one of another, if Christ lives in you. When questions are asked, we need to answer in love and gentleness, to be patient towards all people, and to remember, it is God who will open their eyes and ears and give understanding. Let us lift Christ up, and He will draw all men unto Himself. Let us remember that God has made peace with us, therefore let us be at peace with Him and others. Love cannot be perfected in fear, but perfect love casts out fear. We did not receive a spirit of fear, but of love, in Him. He loves us perfectly. God is always patient with you. God is always kind to you. God does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. God is not rude to you, He is not self seeking, He is never easily angered with you. God keeps no record of your wrongs. God does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. He always protects you, always trusts you, always hopes the best for you, always perseveres with you. God's love never fails. All men will know we are His disciples, if we love one another. John 13:34...A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Romans 15:7...Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Ephesians 4:32...Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. How are we in the body of Christ to love, accept, and forgive one another? Just as God in Christ has loved, accepted, and forgiven us. Whether we realize it or not, we will treat other people with the same measure of love, acceptance, and forgiveness that we, rightly or wrongly, think we are receiving from God. We will never love one another with a greater love, than what we think we are receiving from God. May you be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God, and to know this love and grace that is in Christ Jesus that surpasses all knowledge. May He fill you with His peace and joy and love! Your Brother in Christ |
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12 | Is the Christian under Law? | Ex 1:1 | Risen | 12888 | ||
Dear Bill Mc, Absolute truth brother! We are under His new covenant. We receive His righteousness by faith! In Him,(Christ), we have been made holy, righteous, blameless and perfect. In Him we have eternal life, we are complete in Him. We are no longer under the law. When the Bible says that we aren't under the law any more, it doesn't mean that we are left without standards. We are actually under a higher standard, called in the Scripture "the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2) and "the law of liberty" (James 1:25 NASB). Under grace, God says to us throught the apostle Paul: You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command; "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Galatians 5:13,14). This is our standard, and it is indeed a higher standard than outward conformity to rules. Romans 13:10 sums it up: "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.: It was Christ who said in Matthew 5:17... "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). And He did fulfill the law; not by what He...did not do, but by what He... did do - He lived a life of perfect love. He laid His life down for us while we were His enemies, while we were still dead in our sins. The Lord Jesus Christ said, "All men will know you that are My disciples if you love one another...(John 13:35) Love fullfills all the law. Let us love, accept, and forgive one another. Just as Christ loves, accepts, and has forgiven us...totally and completely! Let us remember, as this world grows darker and darker, we who are indwelt by the living resurrected God and Savior Jesus Christ, will shine brighter and brighter. Now we see in part, but when He returns, we shall be like Him! Your Brother In Christ |
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13 | Let us Love One Another | 1 Cor 3:3 | Risen | 12652 | ||
Grace and Peace to All, I thank God our Father for the opportunity to be able to post my comments on this forum, and I pray that those who read this may be encouraged, strengthened, and/or have their eyes of understanding enlightened. I write these words with a spirit of love and meekness. I have followed the comments of many threads in this forum and other sites. I see many are knowledgeable about the scriptures, I see plenty of arguing, and contentions over different doctrines. I see where new babes in Christ can be overwhelmed, frustrated, confused, or put in doubt of their faith. I am reminded of the above scripture. Beloved, this should not be. Those of us who have been born again, born of the Spirit, and have grown in His grace and knowledge, who walk in the Spirit, in faith, in our great God and Savior, know the importance of loving one another. Being patient with one another, being kind and compassionate, forgiving one another, just as Christ has forgiven us of all our sins, once and for all. As fellow laborers with God, we who have grown in Him, who are rooted and grounded in Christ's love, let us not be high minded, proud, worldly, wise in our own eyes, for we see in part. As it is written: neither he who plants the seed, nor he who waters is anything, but it is God who makes it grow! If Christ lives in us, we have His Spirit that will guide us and teach us all truth, in His perfect timing, according to His will, not ours. We know Christ Jesus is the Truth, the way and the life. We are to keep our mind and heart focused on Him, and not on how much we know or don't know. Remember, God is doing His good work through us. God is building His Church, through us who have His Spirit. That is His power, the preaching of the cross, the fullness of His gospel. Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Who here has been drawn to Christ by his own knowledge and understanding? Who here has been drawn to Christ, by the Father's rod or whip or with rude and harsh words? Was it not by His love and gentle Spirit? Did we receive Christ's Spirit by works of righteousness, keeping the whole law or parts of it? Or, did we receive His righteousness by faith? Beloved, we have the mind of Christ, we have all spiritual blessings in Christ, and we are seated with Him. We have been made holy, righteous, blameless, and perfect in Christ. We are complete in Him! How can we add to or take away from that which He has already made perfect? Each new creation in Christ Jesus, each member, each precious stone tried by fire, is built upon the solid Rock, the perfect foundation, Jesus Christ. Many newborns in Christ and unbelievers enter Christian web sites, and what do they see? Quarrelings, divisions, strife and confusion. The same that is in the world. Yes, even deception. Is Christ divided? No, we are all members one of another, if Christ lives in you. When questions are asked, we need to answer in love and gentleness, to be patient towards all people, and to remember, it is God who will open their eyes and ears and give understanding. Let us lift Christ up, and He will draw all men unto Himself. Let us remember that God has made peace with us, therefore let us be at peace with Him and others. Love cannot be perfected in fear, but perfect love casts out fear. We did not receive a spirit of fear, but of love, in Him. He loves us perfectly. God is always patient with you. God is always kind to you. God does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. God is not rude to you, He is not self seeking, He is never easily angered with you. God keeps no record of your wrongs. God does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. He always protects you, always trusts you, always hopes the best for you, always perseveres with you. God's love never fails. All men will know we are His disciples, if we love one another. John 13:34...A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Romans 15:7...Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Ephesians 4:32...Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. How are we in the body of Christ to love, accept, and forgive one another? Just as God in Christ has loved, accepted, and forgiven us. Whether we realize it or not, we will treat other people with the same measure of love, acceptance, and forgiveness that we, rightly or wrongly, think we are receiving from God. We will never love one another with a greater love, than what we think we are receiving from God. May you be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God, and to know this love and grace that is in Christ Jesus that surpasses all knowledge. May He fill you with His peace and joy and love! Your Brother in Christ |
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14 | How can one accurately handle the word? | 2 Tim 2:15 | Risen | 10207 | ||
Grace and Peace to All In my understanding, Christ is the Good Shepherd we are the sheep. My sheep hear My voice. If indeed one is indwelt by Christ (born again) that person is sealed by the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that will guide us into all truth (Christ is the Truth) and teaches us the meaning of His words for they are spirit, and without His Spirit we couldn't understand, see or hear . Any true understanding of scripture can only be revealed to us by His Spirit. In His perfect timing. Your Brother in Christ |
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15 | The Bible: Literal, or Symbolic? | 2 Tim 3:16 | Risen | 10203 | ||
Grace and Peace to All In my understanding, Christ is the Good Shepherd we are the sheep. My sheep hear my voice. If indeed one is indwelt by Christ (born again) that person is sealed by the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that will guide us into all truth (Christ is the Truth) and teaches us the meaning of His words for they are spirit, and without His Spirit we couldn't understand, see or hear . Any true understanding of scripture can only be revealed to us by His Spirit. Your Brother In Christ |
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