Results 81 - 100 of 119
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Unanswered Bible Questions Author: Bill Mc Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | Are you forgiven? | Matt 6:15 | Bill Mc | 15242 | ||
Dear Debbie, I humbly ask, if the foot-washing episode is about more forgiveness and more cleansing, are you going to ask the King of kings and Lord of lords to strip, don a robe, and wash you again when He said that, "It is finished." Permit me to ask, who initiated the foot-washing? Did Peter ask for it? Did he come to God (Jesus) and say, 'Lord, I need cleansing. Please make a servant of Yourself and wash my feet.' Hardly, Christ initiated it. Peter just responded to what Christ was doing. This passage is not about forgiveness, this passage is about servanthood. This passage is about serving one another in Christian love. As for 1 John 1:9, see my other post. Dear Debbie, where do you see in scripture that "the wages of sin is broken fellowship" or that the wages of not sinning is fellowship. If you believe that your fellowship with God is dependant on what you do or don't do, then you are saying that you are stronger than what Christ has done. The Bible says that we HAVE BEEN reconciled to God. That means that ALL hostilities between us and God have ceased. Do you believe that God was in Christ, not holding our sins against us? Do you believe Heb 10:17,18? Christ has brought us into fellowship with God by His blood. The veil was torn in two. We can now enter into God's presence (indeed, He is IN us) through the blood of Christ. I agree that we should thank Him for His forgiveness. And you yourself said that we WERE forgiven. So, are we or not? Either Christ forgave us ALL our sins, as the scripture references I cited earlier say, or He didn't. ALL your sins (and mine) were future when He died on the cross. His blood covers the mercy seat in heaven and it keeps on cleansing us continually from every sin. Not because we ask, but because He offered. You are not out of fellowship with God when you sin, but you are walking after the flesh. See 1 Cor 1:9; 2 Cor 13:14; Phil 2:1; 1 John 1:3. Even 1 John 1:3 says, "our fellowship IS with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ." John does not say, "our fellowship is with the Father...as long as we don't sin." Or "our fellowship is with the Father...as long as we keep on, day after day, time after time, keeping short accounts with God." 1 John 1:7 says that Christ blood cleanses us from ALL sin. This is something He initiated. Confession of sin doesn't KEEP you reconciled to God, only the blood of Christ KEEPS us in fellowship. Forgiveness, for the believer, is something we HAVE, not something we GET. What do you think? In Him, Bill Mc |
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82 | Is 1 John 1:9 for Christians? | Matt 6:15 | Bill Mc | 15238 | ||
Hi Tim, Thanks for the response. To answer your questions, in my opinion: Matthew 6:15 means that, before Christ died to provide the 'taking away of sin' and reconciliation with God that we now enjoy, if you didn't forgive others, then God would not forgive you. This verse is pretty clear. Jesus cited another example of this economy - the man who was forgiven much. 1 John 1:9 answers 1 John 1:8. Look at the charateristics that Paul cites there in verse 8. These people 1) say they have no sin and are 2) thereby self-decieved and 3) the truth is not in them. Verse 10 adds further clarification. These people again 1) say they have not EVER sinned and are 2)thereby calling God a liar (because Rom 3:23 says ALL have sinned) and 3) His word (Who is the Word?) is not in them. Do these characteristics define believers in Christ? Now that the Holy Spirit indwells you, would you: 1) Say you have NO sin? 2) Not have the truth (the Spirit of Christ) in you? (See 2 John 1:2 - the truth abides in us forever) 3) Say you have NEVER sinned? 4) Call God a liar? 5) Not have His Word in you? (Again, see 2 John 1:2) I don't believe that these are characteristics of a Christian. In fact, in order to become a Christian, we must: 1) Agree (confess) with God that we have a sin nature. 2) Accept the truth (what God says about us) and be indwelt by the Spirit of truth. 3) Agree (confess) with God that we have sinned, all have (except Christ). 4) Recognize that God is the source of all truth and that He is not a liar. 5) Accept His Word and, thereby, allow it to dwell in us. So, Tim, I believe that 1 John 1:9 addresses these people described in verses 8 and 10. John says, "If you confess (agree with God) about your sin nature and your acts of sinning, then God is faithful and just to forgive (why? because of Christ's shed blood) you and He will cleanse you from ALL (not just past, but past, present, future) unrighteousness (sin). Obviously, Tim, I am NOT saying that a Christian does not confess their sins. Confession is agreeing with God. A Christian, by his partaking of the new divine nature, we MUST agree with God concerning the sin issue. But we confess our sins to allow God to renew our minds, not to seek further forgiveness. Please permit me to ask, what is the ONLY thing, in scripture, that provides for the remission (removal) of sin? Hebrews says that without the shedding of blood, there is NO forgiveness. So, if you require further forgiveness of sin between you and God, what will need to happen? Was Christ blood sufficient to forgive ALL your sins or only some? In Him, Bill Mc |
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83 | Are we forgiven? Does anyone know? | Matt 6:15 | Bill Mc | 15206 | ||
Dear Sandman, Thanks for your comment but I still do not think that it applies after the cross. While we were yet sinners, Christ reconciled us to God, not holding our sins against us - 2 Cor 5:19. Is God still holding your sins against you, Sandman? He says that He is not. Why? Because He held them against Jesus Christ. My Lord became sin for me so that I could become His righteousness. I am not denying my common ground that I was a sinner and needed God's forgiveness. But now, because I am born again from above, I am no longer a sinner, I am a saint who still sins. I know it sounds sacriligeous, but it's not. Most of Paul's letters were written to churches that had severe problems and had "sin in the assembly". But you never see Paul saying, "To the sinners saved by grace at Corinth," "To the sinners saved by grace at Ephesus." I am a new creation in Christ. The old Bill Mc without God's spirit was crucified and I am now a saint, not because of my actions, but because of my new birth. I am a forgiven person in Christ, just as I am a redeemed person in Christ. Forgiveness is not something that we can have apart from Christ. If we have Him, we have forgiveness of sins. Look again at Eph 1:7 and Col 1:14. How is redemption defined there? Forgiveness of sins. It says that we HAVE (present tense) redemption, the forgiveness of sins, does it not? Would I have faith in God if, everytime I sinned, I asked God to redeem me? Would I have faith in God if, every time I sinned, I asked God to save me? No. Faith is taking God at His Word. All I can do is receive it and spend the rest of eternity thanking Him for it. Neither is it faith to ask God to keep forgiving me when He says that, in Christ, He has already done it. That's not faith, that's negating the cross. That's relegating Christ's blood to that of a bull or goat, that can only 'cover' sin until the next time. That's living under the old covenant where you have to keep coming to God and asking for more and more forgiveness and never realizing what He has done. So, could you do me a big favor and respond to my questions? (See my prior post and the associated verses) I would appreciate it. You can't say that 1. God only forgives us IF we forgive others AND 2. All of our sins are forgiven. Both of these statements cannot be true at the same time. They are mutually exclusive. Do you believe Heb 10:17 - that our sins are remembered no more? Let me offer a note of clarification here. I am not saying that because my sins are forgiven, that I can just go on willfully 'sinning' with no consequences. Paul addresses this in Romans 6. If I continue 'practicing sin' I will become a slave to it. Sin will affect my soul (behavior), my body, and most of all, others who I love. It will also misrepresent the wonderful grace in which I stand and exhibit a poor witness to others. So, sin DOES have consequences. I will suffer them if I walk after the flesh and fulfill its lust. BUT, sin does not affect my spiritual relationship to God. My Lord and Savior shed every precious drop of His blood to take away the sin issue between me and God so that I could be reconciled to Him. I DO NOT take that lightly. I've been accused of being 'light on sin.' Hardly, I know exactly what it cost my Lord to purchase my salvation and my ONLY righteousness is that which He gives me. So my goal now is to let Christ live through me and present myself to Him as a living sacrifice. I'm not 'light on sin.' But I can tell you that where sin abounds, grace MUCH MORE abounds. I'm big on God's grace. If that is perceived as a fault or heresy, so be it. In closing, please answer my questions. Me and my convictions are always up to questioning. But God's Word is pretty plain on this issue. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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84 | Is God's forgiveness conditional? | Matt 6:15 | Bill Mc | 15195 | ||
Dear forum members, What do you think? Is Matthew 6:15 for Christians? Is forgiveness conditional after the cross? Or is it unconditional? |
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85 | What is eternal life? What is saved? | John 6:37 | Bill Mc | 15157 | ||
Dear Sister, I said what I said because I don't believe you understand what salvation really is. Did you read my other post? I agree, 'No unclean thing shall enter the kingdom of heaven.' So, the question is, did Christ make you clean or not? See Hebrews 7:25 - He saves us FOREVER. Ezekiel 18, while being holy scripture, is written to the house of Israel. Are you under the New Covenant or the Old, Sister? Dear one, if you think you are 'prone to lose your salvation' or 'prone to lose out with God' you have become victim to some erroneous teaching. Proof of this is in your statement, "if we turn from our righteousness..." That is exactly what Christ wanted the Pharisees to turn from. We have no righteousness. Our righteousness is God's righteousness - 'the righteousness that is FROM God' and it is a gift, it can't be earned. If you are IN CHRIST, you are His righteousness before God. So, Sister D, would you be so kind as to answer my question? What are you saved from? How can eternal life be eternal if it can be lost? In Him, Bill Mc |
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86 | What are you saved from? | John 6:37 | Bill Mc | 15145 | ||
Dear Sister D, 'Once saved, always saved' is NOT dependant upon your ability to live to God. 'Once saved, always saved' reflects a correct understanding of what salvation is and what it is not. If we could 'live to God', we would not need a Savior. We cannot live APART from God. He ALONE is the source of life. The repentant heart that God seeks is concerning what you believe about His Son. Jesus said that the world's sin is that they do not believe in Him. That is the only sin that remains 'unforgiven' and that must be repented of. Christ has forgiven the believer ALL of their sins. The cross was an ETERNAL act of God. It took away ALL sins - past, present, and future. If all of your sins are NOT forgiven, then how are you going to get more forgiveness? Without the shedding of blood, there is NO forgiveness. Are you going to ask Christ to come and die for you so that you can have more forgiveness? God NEVER calls you to live for Him. He calls you to come to Christ and find LIFE. Then He calls us to live out His life in our bodies - Romans 12:1. Please read my other post, dear one. Do you understand what you are "saved" from? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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87 | What you are saved from? | John 6:37 | Bill Mc | 15144 | ||
Dear Sister D, 'Once saved, always saved' is NOT dependant upon your ability to live to God. 'Once saved, always saved' reflects a correct understanding of what salvation is and what it is not. If we could 'live to God', we would not need a Savior. We cannot live APART from God. He ALONE is the source of life. The repentant heart that God seeks is concerning what you believe about His Son. Jesus said that the world's sin is that they do not believe in Him. That is the only sin that remains 'unforgiven' and that must be repented of. Christ has forgiven the believer ALL of their sins. The cross was an ETERNAL act of God. It took away ALL sins - past, present, and future. If all of your sins are NOT forgiven, then how are you going to get more forgiveness? Without the shedding of blood, there is NO forgiveness. Are you going to ask Christ to come and die for you so that you can have more forgiveness? God NEVER calls you to live for Him. He calls you to come to Christ and find LIFE. Then He calls us to live out His life in our bodies - Romans 12:1. Please read my other post, dear one. Do you understand what you are "saved" from? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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88 | Greek scholars, please help. | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 14716 | ||
Brothers and sisters in Christ, Does anyone have any insight into the Greek behind Revelation 3:10? Debbie cites this verse as a comfort that Christians will not have to go THROUGH the great tribulation. My understanding is that the phrase "from the hour of testing" can also be interpreted "through the hour of testing". Would any of you Greek scholars care to share your view on this verse's tranlation? Thank you. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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89 | Sir Pent and GeneralWas, notice please. | Bible general Archive 1 | Bill Mc | 14515 | ||
Sir Pent and GeneralWas, I'm responding to this thread in order to clarify a possible misconception - mainly because my online ID was used. If you have read any of my postings, you'll find that, except for scripture, I refrain as much as possible from "cut and paste" responses. I feel that if I can't explain my opinion with my own words or thoughts, then I should not respond to a question. Your question seems to imply that possibly GeneralWas and Bill Mc are the same person. I assure you, they are not. Unfortunately, there is no profile for GeneralWas so I couldn't email him. While, I did post the link in a previous thread (responding to a question from JVH0212) I will not "copy and paste" theological points of view to this forum. In fact, if you check some of my prior discussions with other members, you'll see that I have asked others to use that technique sparingly. I would also NEVER create a false online ID to mask my identity. GeneralWas, could you please confirm this? Christians on this forum can follow the link as curiosity and the Spirit leads. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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90 | What are the provisions of the NC? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14429 | ||
That's true. Unfortunately our Bibles put the NEW TESTAMENT heading before the gospels when it should be before Acts. Christ taught under the Old Covenant (law) but proclaimed that the New was coming. (No, all other readers, this does not affect the inerrancy of the Bible) Steve, do you know what the provisions of the New Covenant are? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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91 | Will you enter God's rest? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14418 | ||
Dear Steve, I do understand what you are saying. I was bound for 30 years, as you say, 'trying to obey them ALL.' And, you're right, brother, it is a struggle. Always trying to keep short accounts with God, even though God had said that the account was 'paid in full - it is finished.' If you are being honest with yourself, you KNOW that you can't obey them all. No one ever has EXCEPT Christ. He fulfilled ALL of the Law. Then, He caused us, through our union with Him, to die to it. Why? Because we are now joined to Him. Brother, I love you in the Lord. I have been where you are now. You're right - under law, the Christian life is a struggle. But Christ said, "My yoke is EASY, My burden is LIGHT. Come to me and you will find REST (not struggle) for your soul." Would you describe your Christian life as easy, light, and restful? I couldn't. After 30 years, I felt no more 'perfected' than the day I began my walk with Christ. I could still think the same sinful thoughts and act out the same sinful patterns of my 'old man.' I was miserable. I, too, wanted to obey all the laws of God. I knew that they were holy, good, and righteous. But I couldn't find LIFE there. Scripture says that no law was ever given which could IMPART LIFE or righteousness. All the Law could do was show me my sinfulness. I was like Paul in Romans 7. I wanted to obey with all my heart but I always, somewhere, fell short. No matter how much I repented and confessed my sins, no matter how much I attended church, no matter how much I prayed, no matter how much I tithed, no matter how much I witnessed, no matter how many times I rededicated myself (I wore my rededicator out), I NEVER felt like I measured up to the Christian I ought to be. In frustration, I was ready to bail out, and I cried, "What a wretch I am!" Then, through a series of events, and the help of some wonderful Christians, I began to understand my identity in Christ. Christ, my brother, is the ONLY one who can ever live the Christian life as it is meant to be lived. He alone is acceptable to God. Through are spiritual union with Him, we are MADE acceptable and righteous before God. At our deepest level of being, our spirit has been joined to Christ's Spirit. That is how the scripture can say we HAVE BEEN (past tense) perfected. As I now live by His Spirit (remember, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me), I am BEING perfected (present tense) in my soul (my behavior). And, one day I WILL BE perfected (future tense) COMPLETELY, spirit, soul, and body, when I inherit my redeemed body. But, Steve, my identity, who I am at the spirit level is a new creation in Christ. My spirit IS perfect before God. Why? Because it is joined with His Spirit. How could it be otherwise? That is where I rest. Yes, I still commit sins, my behavior (soul) is not perfect. But that is not who I am. As Paul says in Romans 7, sin dwells in my body, but it is NOT ME. I am a new creation created to, yes, do good works. But why? Look at Christ's life, Steve. Did He do good works to be made righteous? No, He did good works because He WAS righteous. He did do good works to be made acceptable to His Father? No, God said that He was acceptable BEFORE Christ ever started His public ministry (remember, 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.') Christ was righteous, holy, acceptable because He and His Father were one. There were united. Jesus said, "I only do what the Father tells Me to do. I only say what the Father tells Me to say." Are you united with Him, dear brother? The Bible says you are. Then how can your identity (not your performance) be anything less than what He IS. Your performance will catch up (become sanctified) as you live out of your new identity with Him. He wants you to live out of a vital, pulsating, life-filled, abundant relationship with Him, not rules. Steve, this is the only place I know where there is rest. There is no rest under the Law. But, "there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God (that's you, brother). For the one who has entered (past tense) His rest has himself also rested from his works (before salvation or after), as God did from His. Therefore let us be deligent to enter that rest..." - Hebrews 4:9-11 You must rest from YOUR works. Let God do the good works through you. He predestined them, He will be faithful to do them. He ALONE will finish the good work He has begun in you. Trust Him, Steve. I pray, dear brother, you will enter HIS rest and there find YOUR OWN. In Christ, Bill Mc BTW, Yes, Jesus did proclaim the New Covenant (remember His blood at the Lord's Supper?) but, you're right, it did not go into effect until He died.) |
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92 | How are you being perfected? Law? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14398 | ||
Steve, Let's use yours (some of them contradict quite nicely). See my comments in :: Define "the Law." … a rule that was parceled by God (authority) to give me direction, having positive or negative consequences. ::You said in your prior post that you don't have to experience the consequences of not keeping the Law - no judgement:: For the Jews, it is the Law of Moses. There are 613 laws. While some people want to categorize them, the Bible does not ::true - so look up all the references that says that we, Christians, are no longer under law. Please let me know how many you find.:: For us gentiles, God still gives us laws, ::true, the law of Christ, not the laws of Moses:: including those He gave Noah in Genesis 9 ::Nope:: and the New Testament ::look up the greek for 'testament' - it is the same as covenant:: Define "grace." … His willingness to provide us with His enablement to find favor in God's eyes (Gen 6:8). Grace does not overlook sin ::Hold this thought - GRACE DOES NOT OVERLOOK SIN - your statement. Hebrews 10:17 says that God does:: Rather, it is grace that is needed to bring righteousness into action in our lives (Rom 5:20-21) ::These verse are describing what Christ has done-His actions, our actions, righteousness is imparted, then lived out::. Mercy forgives us of sin, but it is grace that enables us not to sin. ::true:: What is the relationship between the two? ... For Christianity, the concept of grace has to do with God's willingness to overlook our breaking His law under the condition that we have accepted the atonement of Christ's death in our place. ::OK, the thought I asked you to hold onto - GRACE DOES NOT OVERLOOK SIN - is contradicted right here. Now does it or doesn't it? You can't have it both ways.:: Without any law, there would be no need for grace. With law, there is need for grace. ::The question is, with grace, is there need for law? No. Why? Because we have something better. We have the indwelling Spirit of God to lead us. We are to be lead by the Spirit not the law.:: What is the purpose of the Law? ... To restrain sinfulness (Gal 3:19) ... To rebuke sin (Gal 3:22) ... To reveal our need for Christ (Gal 3:24) ::true, and, in my life, it has done that. It did reveal my need for Christ. I am now joined to Him, not the law (Romans 7 - first part):: How does "the Law" or any law effect our lives, today? ...Therefore, the abolition of the Mosaic Law code in no way leaves us in a state of lawlessness (Rom 6:1,14; 7:6). ::true, we are not left in a state of lawlessness. We are left with the Spirit of God - the law of Christ, a higher law - love, ruling in our hearts.:: Are we told we don't have to follow "the Law"? ... Nowhere tells us gentiles that they are not to keep the covenant of God. ::That is because the Gentiles were NEVER given the Law (Mosaic). Instead, Paul has to try to show the Jews, who were given the Law, that they are no longer under it.:: Paul says that we should not expect atonement for sin based solely on obedience to some of the commandments. The law itself says blood sacrifice brings atonement...Our faith in God's laws cause us to receive the atonement of Christ's blood sacrifice atones for sin. ::FALSE - our faith in the SACRIFICIAL DEATH OF CHRIST causes us to receive the forgiveness of sins. His death alone reconciled us to God. His death took sins away, NEVER atoned (covered) them. Try to find the word atonement used of Christ's sacrifice in the NT:: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome," (1 John 5:3) ::true, the law of Christ - love is never burdensome:: People that mix law and grace do not understand them. Have you noticed that your Bible is divided into 2 sections? … Yes. It is there are two Testaments, not covenant. ::Again, check the word:: The Old Covenant and the New? … Did you know there are more than two? Do you understand the difference between them? … Yes, I understand the difference between them all. ::Your position shows that, indeed, you do not. You mingled them together:: If you do, explain. ::I have been trying to:: Look at Galatians 3:2,3 … By hearing with faith. ::right, so...:: Then, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected (Mat 5:48) by the flesh (trying to establish your own righteousness apart from God's)?" How would you answer this question? … You mixed Scripture and changed what Matthew 5:48. I suggest you repent. ::Already have:: Answer my questions, since I answered yours. ::Not my last one, are you being perfected (made complete, righteous in God's sight) by the flesh? Yes or No. Easy question.:: In Christ, Bill Mc |
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93 | Where does your righteousness come from? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14384 | ||
Dear Steve, I did cite the scripture - Galatians 3:10. It was right there in the body of my post. We are perfect (spiritually - our standing before God). Look at Matthew 5:48. How perfect are we to be? As perfect as our Father in heaven. How are you going to get it? As a gift. Righteousness is received as a gift from God - the righteousness from God that is received by faith. I have a good understanding of law, grace, and mercy. People that mix law and grace do not understand them. Have you noticed that your Bible is divided into 2 sections? The Old Covenant and the New? Do you understand the difference between them? Look at Galatians 3:2,3 - Paul says, "This is the only thing I want to find our from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" How would you answer this question, Steve? Then, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected (Mat 5:48) by the flesh (trying to establish your own righteousness apart from God's)?" How would you answer this question? Check verse 21 - "for is a law had been given which was able to impart life (it could not), then righteousness would indeed have been based on law." The whole thrust here, brother, is that righteousness, before salvation or after, NEVER comes from the law. Why? Because the law condemns. Only Christ imparts life. Righteousness is not based upon the law but upon Christ. Check verse 24,25 - the Law was given to lead us to Christ. If you have truly come to Christ as your ONLY righteousness, you are no longer under the law. Where are you? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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94 | Is Galatianism alive and well? | Rom 7:4 | Bill Mc | 14361 | ||
Dear Steve, You write, "We still have to obey the Law, but are we condemned by it? (implied, no)" I strongly disagree. To say that disobedience to the Law has no punishment belittles it and robs it of it's power. It was given to show that the wages of sin (disobeying the law) is death (the punishment for disobedience) - Romans 6:23. Your statement is analogous to saying, "I will no longer get a speeding ticket if I go over 65 MPH, because of grace, but I still HAVE to go 65 MPH." Law without punishment is meaningless. Paul writes in Galatians 3:10 - "For as many as are of the works of the Law (whether you are a Christian or not, brother) are under a curse:" Why? "For it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who does not abide by ALL things written in the book of the Law, to perform them." Do you want to be under the Law? Fine. That is your choice. But, according to scripture, you need to be under ALL of it and PERFORM it 100 percent. You can't pick and choose. The Law is not some a la carte buffet where you can pick out what you want to keep and what you don't. You can't say, "I'll be under this part but not this part" or "I have to obey it but God will not punish me if I disobey it." God does not leave that option open for you, brother. James says that "whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." Can you keep it perfectly, Steve, the whole Law? If not, what are you going to do? Will you then ask Christ, in His grace, to cover your sin? Grace covers it ALL, brother. Christians who mix law and grace do a grave injustice to both. They rob the Law of it's punishment (death) and they rob grace of it's result (life, though we deserve death). The wages of sin is ALWAYS death. That is what sin deserves each and every time. But Christ took that for us and gave us His righteousness. How are you going to improve on that. Stop mixing Law and grace. Stop trying to put new wine into old wineskins. Stop trying to weaken the law and cheapen God's grace. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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95 | Why are we so quick to take offense? | 1 Thess 5:23 | Bill Mc | 14232 | ||
Hi Nicodemus, Brother, perhaps you misunderstood my posting. I was not 'belittleling' anyone. I was not dismissing anyone 'on a whim.' I was not saying not to use resources that you are comfortable with. I was not saying that these theologians were not LIVE Christians. I was trying to get some input and opinions from fellow believers. I can consult my commentaries anytime. They are a great resource to me, especially at trying to understand the meaning behind the original languages. But are we becoming like many believers in the church at Corinth? (I am of Apollos, I am of Cephas, I am of Paul). Questions are posted and many answers are "Ryrie says," "Scofield says," - end of subject - no further discussion. Yes, these men have spent great portions of their lives studying the Bible. But they do, at times, disagree. (See Scofield's creation 'gap' theory) So what do we do when they disagree or say that they are not sure of the exact meaning or give us a range of interpretations? Or, as many Catholics believe, are we not allowed to interpret the scriptures for ourselves? Permit me to reverse the questions: (Please use scripture to support your answer) What qualifications do I need to understand God's Word for what it says? How prepared do I need to be to answer specific Bible questions? How much of my life do I need to spend interpreting scripture before I can know it's meaning? Nicodemus, you did answer my question. You said you agreed with Scofield. Thank you. That was what I was seeking. I did not intend to offend you. In Christ, Bill Mc |
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96 | What do YOU think, fellow Berian? | 1 Thess 5:23 | Bill Mc | 14115 | ||
Hi Nicodemus, Thanks for your input, brother. Although I greatly respect Charles C. Ryrie (I, too, have one of the study Bibles), I believe we need to excercise caution when refering to the study notes. Yes, Ryrie does make the statement: "5:23-24 spirit and soul and body should NOT be understood as defining the parts of man, but as representing the whole man." (1 Thess. 5:23) (emphasis mine) My question is, upon what evidence does he base his conclusion? Please don't misunderstand me. I have nothing against Ryrie. What I don't understand is - what has happened to critical thought in the 'Christian community'? Many questions on this forum are answered with 'copy and paste' answers out of one study Bible or another. And, while I agree that a good study Bible is a fine supplement to understanding scripture, I don't believe that it's commentary ever carries the divine inspiration we have in the Word of God. I believe that the scripture we have is our sole source for God's revelation to men. Yes, I believe that God, in His grace, has 'illumined' scripture down through the ages through various Christians. But I view their contributions as supplementary, not substitutionary. All that being said, the Greek DOES make a distinction in these two passages between spirit and soul as you have noted, the spirit (pneuma) and the soul (psuche). Ryrie says that he feels that a destinction SHOULDN'T be made, Nelson's says that a distinction is IMPLIED, and the Scofield says they ARE divisible and distinguished (in certain cases). It seems our 'theologians' are not in agreement. So, brother, what do YOU think? I can read my Ryrie, Nelson, Scofield, NIV Study, Matthew Henry, etc. for myself. But what do YOU think? I would appreciate LIVE interaction with fellow brothers and sisters on these issues. One last disclaimer (humor me). I am just as guilty. The web address that I posted does have a 'theologian's' interpretation there. I understand and accept that that is what it is. I'm just curious as to what other 'live' Christians may think? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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97 | What is the composition of man? | 1 Thess 5:23 | Bill Mc | 13943 | ||
What is man's composition? Spirit, soul, and body? This is primarily a response to a question asked by JVH0212, although all comments are welcome. You asked, brother, for some reference to substantiate the difference between spirit and soul. Along with the references I used (1 Thess 5:23, Heb 4:12), here is a link that further explains (using scripture and logic) the composition of man as God created Him. Let me know what you think. Is this what you have been searching for? http://www.christinyou.net/constman.html In Christ, Bill Mc |
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98 | Am I still a sinner? | Heb 10:14 | Bill Mc | 13158 | ||
Nolan, so, if God sees Christ in me, or maybe better, me in Christ, am I still a sinner? In Him, Bill Mc |
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99 | Spirit, soul and body? 1 Thess 5:23 | Rom 7:17 | Bill Mc | 13157 | ||
Dear JVH0212, 1 Thess 5:23 says, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you ENTIRELY; and may your SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul here seems to make a distinction, does he not, between spirit, soul, and body? Or Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is...piercing as far as the DIVISION of soul and spirit..." I must admit that I cannot offer scriptures to say, "spirit is...soul is...body is..." As I stated in my question, my definitions are as I understand them, gleaned from my study of scriptures. I may be wrong, that is why I ask questions. But even though I cannot site a specific scripture, the Bible does use these terms and I am seeking to understand what our God is refering to. I'm not sure if I answered your question or not. What do you think of the 2 scriptures I reference to here? In Christ, Bill Mc |
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100 | After Christ, are we back under the law? | Rom 10:4 | Bill Mc | 13009 | ||
Thanks, Nolan, for your answer. So, when we come to Christ for salvation, it's clear that it is apart from sinner's efforts to obey the law? But, as soon as we accept Christ as our righteousness, does God put us back under the law to maintain that righteous standing with Him? In Him, Bill Mc |
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