Results 361 - 380 of 380
|
||||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: biblicalman Ordered by Verse |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
361 | Is sinless perfection possible on earth? | 1 John 1:8 | biblicalman | 228752 | ||
Paul’s Self Analysis In The Light Of The Spiritual Nature Of The Law (7.14-8.4). We note that Paul now switches from the past tense, his experience of the past as an unregenerate man, to the present tense, his experience now as a regenerate man. We should note that it is a depiction of Paul as he is in himself, and especially so if he does not walk in the power of the Spirit. He recognises that he 'as he is in himself' is still fleshly, sold under sin (a slave to sin), having sin dwelling within him. In other words of himself he is helpless against sin. Left to himself he would therefore be without hope. And this in spite of being regenerate. That the description is one of a regenerate man comes out constantly. ‘I do not do what I would’ (verse 15). He wants to do good but his flesh is weak. ‘I consent to the Law that it is good’ (verse 16). He acknowledges the rightness of God’s spiritual Law. ‘It is not I who do it, but sin which dwells in me’ (verse 17). His aim is to do good, it is indwelling sin which prevents it. ‘To will is present with me’ (verse 18). His will is set on what is good. ‘I delight in the Law of God after the inward man’ (verse 22). He not only respects the Law, but like the godly Psalmist (Psalm 119.24, 35, 70, 77, 92, 97, 111, 113, 127, 143, 163, 167, 174) he rejoices in it, and he rejoices in it deep within. That Psalm is the Psalm of a regenerate man as he contrasts himself with the unregenerate. As a Pharisee Paul had respected the Law, (as interpreted by the traditions of the Elders), but it had been a burden to him. It was not something that had delighted his heart. But now deep within him he delighted in that Law. That was the difference that knowing Christ had made. Christ has given him a new view of the Law. ‘I as I am in myself serve the Law of God’ (verse 25). The problem was not that he did not want to obey God. The problem was that indwelling sin prevented it. So in this self-analysis Paul brings out the contrast between the Spirit and the flesh. On the one hand there is the Law. The Law is spiritual. It is on the side of the Spirit. It is of value to spiritual men (compare James 1.23-25). On the other there is his fleshly self. He as he is in himself is fleshly. While he delights in the Law he does not naturally respond to it. Left to himself it is a constant battle. Although thanks be to God victory is obtainable through the Lord Jesus Christ (7.25). We should note here what Paul’s purpose is. He knows that many of the Roman Christians will be struggling against sin. And having heard what he has previously said they will be saying, ‘but that is not my experience. I do constantly sin. I am constantly having to admit my sin. Although I long to be the servant of righteousness, I so often am not. I am not dead to sin. Does this mean I am not a Christian?’ Paul would have been failing in his duty if he had not dealt with this problem. But he wanted to do it gently and so he did it by describing his own experiences. I have often done the same myself, selecting experiences out of my life through which to help others. No one can accuse me of arrogance when I do that. For I am not accusing them at all. But it is my genuine hope that they will apply it to their own lives. This has caused many expositors genuine difficulties. And I will deal with that in another post. |
||||||
362 | Is sinless perfection possible on earth? | 1 John 1:8 | biblicalman | 228753 | ||
Some expositors find great difficulty in what I have said. They read the account and say, ‘Paul could not possibly be describing his own life as a Christian’. But that is because they have a low view of sin (I do not mean that in any derogatory way. Most of us have a low view of sin). They see sin in terms of what we could call gross sins, the sins Paul so often lists as typical of unbelievers (Romans 1.29-32; 1 Corinthians 6.9-10; Galatians 5.19-21; and so on). But Paul had a high view of sin. He recognised that in spite of his upward climb he was not already perfect (Philippians 3.12). He still had to keep himself constantly under control (1 Corinthians 9.9.26-27). He had not yet attained to full Christ-likeness. He acknowledged that the flesh prevented him from continually loving God with heart, soul, mind and strength. He recognised that he did not always do to others what he would have them do to him (Matthew 7.12). That he came short of the full glory of God (Romans 3.23), that glory which the Holy Spirit was working to produce within him as he was being transformed from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3.18). Thus he was constantly aware of the sin within that prevented him being what he wanted to be. Indeed the more holy a man becomes, and the nearer he gets to God, the more sinful that man sees himself to be. It is the testimony of holy men through the ages. We must remember that Paul lived constantly under the searchlight of God. He walked in the light, and had experiences of God of which we know nothing (2 Corinthians 12.2-4). And we should therefore recognise that he experienced God in similar ways to Job and Isaiah. He too could cry ‘now my eye sees you, wherefore I abhor myself and repent in sackcloth and ashes’ (Job 42.5-6). He too could cry, ‘Woe is me for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips -- for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts’ (Isaiah 8.5). He had no false illusions about himself. He was not just thinking of his long past when he spoke of ‘sinners of whom I am chief’ (1 Timothy 1 .15). There are few Christians who, if true revival comes, will not have to fall on their faces and cry out to God in despair. We can read the accounts for ourselves. And Paul experienced times of continual revival. His was no ordinary Christian life. Of course he did not mean that every day of his life was total failure. Indeed that is not true of anyone, even unregenerate people. He was simply saying that always he was conscious that sin was preventing him from being and doing what ultimately he should be and do. But he was presenting it in terms which would be helpful to his listeners. He wanted them to apply it to themselves. And he recognised that one day there would be an end to his sin. ‘Who will deliver me out of the body of this death (this dying body)?’. And his reply was, ‘I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord -- for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death -- God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and as an offering for sin, condemned sin in the flesh so that the ordinances of the Law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit’ (7.25-8.4). They are fulfilled wholly in the fact that Christ fulfilled them wholly on our behalf, and this is resulting in our also gradually fulfilling them if we walk after the Spirit. |
||||||
363 | Can we determine thr truth of the matter | 1 John 1:8 | biblicalman | 228760 | ||
When Jesus said, 'I will guide you into ALL truth' He was speaking to His disciples. These words guarantee that the New Testament revelation is reliable. No one today is led into ALL truth (not even me lol). This is evidenced by the fact that He also said, 'But the One called alongside to help, even the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things AND WILL BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THAT I HAVE SAID TO YOU' (John 14.26) Certainly the Holy Spirit leads us into truth today, but He is hindered by our presuppositions, church background and personal prejudice. Yes we have revelation knowledge if you mean by that the Holy Spirit illuminates the word to us. But we do not have revelation knowledge if you mean by that that we are guided in such a way that we are not in error. When Jesus thanked His Father for the revelation that He had given His disciples and followers He was not suggesting that at that stage they had been led into all truth. We know very well from what followed that they had not. What He was thanking God for was that they had appreciated the truth about Him while the great teachers were still in ignorance. |
||||||
364 | Can we determine thr truth of the matter | 1 John 1:8 | biblicalman | 228768 | ||
Hi Doc, I so agree with both your recent posts. I remember Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones that great reformed Gospel preacher telling how one week he had preached a stirring and very clear and detailed message about the way of salvation. When he was standing at the door afterwards a man approached him and said 'Dr Lloyd Jones, I enjoyed your message. I was so pleased to find that you agreed with me that as long as we live a good life we have nothing to worry about.' It was a clear case of someone simply hearing what they wanted to hear. I think some people read posts in the same way. Best wishes |
||||||
365 | Can we determine thr truth of the matter | 1 John 1:8 | biblicalman | 228779 | ||
Hi Doc Yes as a young man I sat under his ministry at Westminster Chapel on Sunday evenings for a number of years. With a group of friends we would preach at Speaker's Corner, Hyde Park, and then go on to the Chapel for spiritual sustenance. In fact I was married in Westminster Chapel. I was present when he told us that rather illuminating story. Best wishes. |
||||||
366 | Can a person push God too far?? | 1 John 1:9 | biblicalman | 229654 | ||
To 'fall from grace' is a doctrinal issue not a life issue. It means to have taken up a false position. It does not mean that someone is in such a position that they are no longer experiencing the grace of God, or are acceptable to Him. The Galatians had not been rejected by God, rather they had been led astray doctrinally. It means that doctrinally they have gone astray from the truth. They have taken up a position where they have begun to depend on their own righteousness rather than on the righteousness provided by God. Paul was clearly hopeful that it would only be a temporary phase. |
||||||
367 | Can a person push God too far?? | 1 John 1:9 | biblicalman | 229679 | ||
Hi, It is quite clear that Hebrews 6 refers to the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. That is the only sin for which there is no repentance. Interestingly the words in Hebrews 6 can be applied to the Scribes and Pharisees. They had been enlightened by Jesus (compare John 1.9). They had tasted of the heavenly gift, that is of Jesus. They had seen His miracles, they had heard His teaching. They had shared in the Holy Spirit, for they had experienced the Spirit-filled Jesus.(How else could they have blasphemed against the Holy Spirit?). They had tasted the good word of God spoken by the Spirit-filled Jesus. And yet they were in danger of blaspheming against the Holy Spirit by final rejection. The writer was writing to a group of Jews who had been considering the claims of Christ. Some had fully responded, others were hesitating. They too had experienced signs and wonders wrought by the Holy Spirit (Heb 2.4). They had heard the word of God spoken by those who knew Jesus (Heb 2.3). And now they were faced with a final choice. He was not speaking of born again people but of 'believers' like those in John 2.23-25. Some of them he likened to ground covered with thorns and thistles which CANNOT produce fruit (Heb 6.8). |
||||||
368 | the bible | 1 John 2:20 | biblicalman | 229675 | ||
Hi. The application of Rev 7 and 14 outside the Book of Revelation is itself unscriptural. If the 144,000 is taken absolutely literally it applies to Jews only. If as many of us believe it refers to the whole church of Jesus Christ, then it is not limited in number. 12 x 12 is simply indicating the church as founded on the Apostles and the Patriarchs (Rev 21). There are no grounds whatsoever for applying it to JWs. As Christians we are all anointed (1 John 2.20). The whole Bible has a message for us, but it must be sensibly interpreted. However Paul certainly made clear that once we were absent from the body we would be present with the Lord (2 Cor 6.8). And that was what he expected for himself (Phil 1.19-23) Best wishes |
||||||
369 | Common grounds with Muslims? | 1 John 3:13 | biblicalman | 225069 | ||
On what grounds do you say that by unbelievers the Quran meant Christians? The Quran distinguishes Jews and Christians from unbelievers. It actually encourages contact between Muslims, Christians and Jews. But Muhammad lived among heretical Christians. They would possibly have agreed with his views about Jesus as we cannot. The common ground that we have is that Muslims believe in a personal Creator, one God, and the coming judgment. But we can of course share our faith with anyone even if we have no common ground. |
||||||
370 | worship a image of god or his son? | 1 John 4:12 | biblicalman | 229267 | ||
Hi Michelle, Welcome to the Forum. God has forbidden the worship of ALL images (Exodus 20.4-5). Jesus Christ as the Son is described as 'the image of the invisible God' (Col 1.15), that is, an exact representation of Him (Heb. 1.2-3), but not in His manhood. He is in God's image as the Firstborn (the one with authority over) all creation, as the One Who made all things. As the Creator He is the image of the Creator. When man was made in God's image it does not mean that man looked like God. It means that man was given spirit, as God is Spirit (John 4.25).That is why, unlike all animals, man worships. When man sinned his spirit became corrupted, which is why it is said that Seth was made in Adam's image. But God is the invisible God Whom no man has seen nor can see, dwelling in unapproachable light. There is nothing that can truly portray Him. And to seek to do so would be to demean Him |
||||||
371 | What is sin that leads to death? | 1 John 5:16 | biblicalman | 228356 | ||
One sin which can lead to death is the partaking of the bread and wine at the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11.27, 30). Another is to continually refuse to do something which God strongly impresses on the heart over a long period e.g. Mark 3.29. |
||||||
372 | GOD/ SATAN TEETH | Revelation | biblicalman | 228898 | ||
Hi Sharan, welcome to the forum. I suspect that the TV Pastor was expressing himself vividly in order to get over his point. He was probably indicating that the Lord had made Satan relatively harmless. Scripture says the same thing when it says that The strong man has been bound by the Stronger than He (Luke 11.22). Satan is in fact a spirit being and therefore has no teeth. Best wishes |
||||||
373 | rev.7:4 | Revelation | biblicalman | 229053 | ||
Hi Dyke, Welcome to the Forum. This is a highly controversial subject and you will receive many answers. You will notice that it does not say that John saw the 144,000, who were sealed, he only heard 'the number of them'. Thus the number was important. In my view the 12 x 12 x 1000 represents the whole people of God, 12 for the 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 for the 12 Apostles. Compare for this Rev 21 where the city of God which is the bride of Christ (the church of the Messiah) has 12 gates representing Israel and 12 foundations representing the Apostles. In the New Testament the true Israel are those who believe in the Messiah (whether ex-Jew or ex-Gentile). See Rom 11.16-24; Gal 3.29; 6.16; Ephe 2.11-22; 1 Peter 2.9; James 1.1; John 15.1-6; Matt. 21 43. Furthermore those whom Scripture shows to be sealed by God are the whole church of Jesus Christ (Eph 1.13). Having heard the numbering John then saw those who were numbered. They were a multititude which no man could number (only God could number them). In Rev 6 the whole of history has been outlined in terms of Matt 24; Mark 13. False Messiahs, war, famine; earthquake and pestilence, the persecuted saints, Christ's coming. So now John is demonstrating that through all this God's people are sealed and are safe. Notice how the same description is given of the multitude as was given of the dead saints awaiting resurrection in Rev 6.11. Through history God's people have experienced great tribulation, and are still doing so. But their final security is guaranteed by the seal of God. Best wishes |
||||||
374 | rev.7:4 | Revelation | biblicalman | 229120 | ||
It should be noted that the term 'the twelve tribes of Israel' is used by James to refer to the whole church (James 1.1). It is quite clear that James is not simply addressing Christian Jews because in his letter, which is full of moral exhortation, no reference is made to how Jewish Christians should see Gentile Christians, which was a burning topic at the time. Had James been writing to Jewish Christians only he would unquestionably have dealt with this topic at least once. Furthermore it is clear that his letter would have been read out in all the churches that received it (there were no separate Jewish churches as far as we know) and had he not intended it to be a letter to all he would certainly have sent a greeting to Gentile Christans. That being so 'the twelve tribes of Israel who are scattered abroad' is a reference to the church as a whole. This ties in with the idea that the Apostles would sit on the thrones of David (Psalm 122.5) on behalf of the Messiah overseeing 'the twelve tribes of Israel' i.e. the church of the Messiah. Whilst we have lost sight of the fact the early church laid great emphasis on the fact that the true church were the true Israel. They were founded on the early believers in the Messiah who were all ex-Jews, and thus formed the true remnant of Israel (Rom 9.6; 11.1 ff). And as Paul makes clear in Romans 11.16-24 the believing Gentiles were engrafted into Israel, whilst the unbelieving among the Jews were cut off. For the teaching that the true church is the true Messiah-believing Israel see Rom 11.16-24; Gal. 3.29; 6.16; Eph 2.11-22; 1 Peter 2.9; James 1.1. The reason that the names of Ephraim and Dan were omitted is not difficult to determine. It is because those names were especially associated with idolatry in the OT. Abstention from idolatry is an emphasis of Revelation. (That Ephraim is included as Joseph indicates that the issue was over the names not over the tribes). In Rev 21.12, 14, 17, the bride of Christ (the New Jerusalem), and therefore the Old and New Testament church, combines the twelve patriarchs with the twelve Apostles, and this in connection with 144000. There could be no clearer indication that the bride of Christ is in mind in Rev 7 and 14. Best wishes |
||||||
375 | rev.7:4 | Revelation | biblicalman | 229124 | ||
hi searcher, You will note that it does not say that 'he saw' the 144,000, only that he heard their number. Thus the number was important depicting 12 x 12, the patriarchs and the Apostles (Rev 21). Then he looked, and what did he see? That what he had heard numbered was a multitude which no man could number. Thus they were the chosen of God, numbered by Him and yet innumerable. But the New Testament makes clear that the true Israel is the Israel who believed in the Messiah. They were the believing remnant. They WERE Israel and as Israel had always done they accepted Gentiles into their number. They were the olive tree which is Israel (Jer 11.16). It would be very strange if God took up the position of discounting those large number of Jews who believed in the Messiah, in order to favour the unbelieving who were accursed from Christ. Best wishes |
||||||
376 | will people be saved during tribulation? | Rev 7:14 | biblicalman | 229384 | ||
Hi Bob, Welcome to the Forum. Throughout history from Adam onwards men and women have been saved in the same way, through faith in the God provided means of salvation. That is indeed the lesson of Hebrews 11. All come to God on the same basis, though faith. In the Old Testament they accepted God's offer of mercy through His covenants, responded to Him in faith, and trusted to Him for forgiveness through the shedding of blood, in circumcision and sacrifices. Today we accept God's offer of mercy through His covnenant offered in Jesus Christ, respond to Him in faith, and trust Him for forgiveness through the offering up of Jesus Christ by the shedding of blood on our behalf once and for all. Whatever the future holds that will be God's basis of salvation. He is the unchangeable One. There are of course those of us who believe that men and women are being saved out of great tribulation today through the blood of Christ, and have been for the 1900 years, and that that is what Revelation 7 teaches. But, however that may be, God's way of salvation through faith never changes, and men will be saved in that way right through to the end. Best wishes. |
||||||
377 | what does the 144,000 mean? | Rev 14:1 | biblicalman | 227895 | ||
You have to recognise that the answer to your question is hotly disputed. In my view the 144,000 (12 x 12000) represents the Israel that Jesus founded on Peter's statement about His Messiahship, His congregation. 12 represents the 12 tribes of Israel.12 x 12 is 12 intensified. This Israel (the true Vine John 15.1-6) began to be built up by Jesus Himself, was further built up by the Apostles, expanded as a wholly Jewish believing remnant and was expanded by accepting Gentile proselytes as Israel had always done. Paul made clear that the church was the true Israel. (Romans 11.16-24; Ephesians 2.11-22; Galatians 3.29; 6.16. See also 1 Peter 2.9. James 1.1 calls the church 'the twelve tribes'. It is not a replacement Israel. That is an American conception. It acually IS Israel founded on the believing remnant of Israel who believed and followed the Messiah. Thus in my view the 144,000 represents the whole true believing church of Jesus Christ as numbered and sealed by God. |
||||||
378 | Will all have chance to accept Christ? | Rev 14:6 | biblicalman | 228553 | ||
We could also add to Romans 1.19-21, (which is confirmed in Romans 10.17-18), Romans 2.14-16. Best wishes |
||||||
379 | can some one be out of the book of life | Rev 17:8 | biblicalman | 228825 | ||
In ancient days cities retained two books, a record of the living from which names were erased on death, and a book of worthies, people who had done some great thing whose names were never erased. The second is in mind in Malachi 3.16. Moses had the first book in mind when he offered to have his name erased from the book of the living for Israel's sake (Exodus 32.32). He was not offering to suffer eternally, but indicating his willingness to die for them. The Psalmist may have had both in mind when he said, 'let them be blotted out of the book of the living, let them not be enrolled among the righteous'(Psalm 69.28). When Jesus said to His disciples, 'rejoice that your names are written in Heaven' (Luke 10.20) He had the book of the righteous in mind. This is the same book as John had in mind in Rev 17.8; 13.8 were he speaks of those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life from the foundation of the world. It is probably that same book that is in mind in Phil 2.3. It is quite clear that if someone's name has been written in a book eternally it will not be blotted out. These are the names of the redeemed. The verse that causes problems is Rev 3.5 were Jesus says, 'He who conquers will be clad thus in white garments, and I wlll not blot his name out of the book of life, I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels. This may well have been the book of the living so that Jesus is saying 'he will never die'. We do know that sometimes God does bring death on Christians as a punishment (1 Cor 11.30). The fact that it is called the book of life in contrast with the Lamb's book of life (which is clearly deliberately separately identified) is against the idea that the same book is in mind. It should also be noted that the emphasis is not on the fact that names will be blotted out, but on the fact that they will not be. The book of life in Rev 20.l5 must be the Lamb's book of life. Thus someone can be blotted out of the book of the living, but they cannot be blotted out of the Lamb's book of life. |
||||||
380 | Is judgement on judgement day private? | Rev 20:12 | biblicalman | 227929 | ||
Jesus said, 'nothing is hidden that will not be openly revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light' (Luke 8.17). This suggests that God will deal with men on an open basis. Indeed the whole point of a court is not only that justice is done, but also that it be seen to be done. Thus it would appear that we will be judged in the open publicly. That is why the books are opened. However, the observers will be our fellow accused. They will not be tut tutting at your sins. They will be facing up to their own. However, having said that we must recognise that all the pictures of judgment are given in earthly terms. What wlll actually happen will be beyond our knowledge. And the judgment might well be over in seconds. God hardly has to hear the evidence. The purpose of the books is not to assist Him but as evidence before all of what we have done. But if you are a Christian then you are being judged for your success or failure in service. Every Christan will have praise of God (1 Corinthians 4.5). Our problem may be that there is little to be praised. There will be no question of judgment and punishment (Roman 8.1). |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 ] |