Subject: And can we accept this challenge? |
Bible Note: Hank - as you have noted, SBF is not a church - but it is a place where we do "fellowship" - if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, 1 John 1:7. SBF is a place of contribution, sharing and participation (koinônia) - at least I have found this here. If you are IN Christ and I am IN Christ, then we are BOTH part of His Body. It was not God's design for there to be divisions, but one Body, (1 Cor 12 v 25) and we do have a responsibility toward one another as part of that Body. Right or wrong, I have considered you, brother Hank, to be my elder in the Lord and I thank God for you. There are many on this Forum whom I believe God has granted much wisdom and knowledge and I avidly seek out their posts when I have questions. According to Ez 36:26 God has given us a new heart and a new spirit. What kind of new spirit would He give to us? The Holy spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. Because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit we are sanctified (made holy) by His presence. Romans 8:16, 1 Peter 1:2, Col 1:22 I am in no way suggesting that the regenerated believer is without sin! But indeed he is set apart unto God - the believer is called holy by the writer of Hebrews (3:1), identified as being built into a holy preisthood and part of a holy nation (1 Peter 2) Paul (Col 1:22) tells us that we are reconciled to God through the death of Jesus "in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach." Interestingly, Paul describes an unmarried woman or virgin as holy in BOTH body and spirit (1 Cor 7:34). This makes sense to me, and affirms that who we are IN Christ is wholly a work of God. Grace, period. 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. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thess 5:23-4 Grace to you, mommapbs |