Adding this new piece here. The reference is the book of Romans.
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I have often said where believers disagree i mainly just see a problem with understanding where each piece fits into the larger picture of Christ.
My belief is that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus and what Father God has done in Him. That is very clear to me in scripture when i take it in context of each book, and the scriptures as i know them as a whole.
Of course we don't continue sinning, and the fact that we are grieved by our sin gives witness that we are his. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ so it is not a matter of condemnation, but Godly sorrow that moves beyond ourselves into love for God and others. Condemnation brings death. His Spirit of Love brings life.
We can slip and sin, but the believer does not practice sinning. It is no longer who you are.
Faith in Jesus and what God has done in Him comes first, and good works follow.
Sure we deny the flesh. We have been empowered to live that life now because Jesus died and rose again.
If you are living a life of habitually practicing sin, you need to take it to the Lord so He can reveal to you if you are indeed in the faith. Let Him reveal it to you.
Just remember, from start to finish you do not earn eternal life in Christ by works. Works is the evidence that we have faith so if you don't have works, examine your faith with the Lord.
And, if you don't have faith, ask Him for it for you cannot get that on your own. We do know that He uses his Word there too so seek Him and his Word and wait on Him to awaken your heart and mind to Him. Sometimes He works on others before He works on us, but He has promised if we seek Him with all our hearts we will find Him.
Anyone can pull scriptures from here and there to suit their beliefs, therefore, I would advise all to pray and read scripture for yourself in context, each book from start to finish. I recommend starting with Romans as it does a great job of summing it up.
It also speaks of God choosing for his purpose and committed to us called by Him to see us through. Nothing will separate us from his love. Nothing.
And his purpose overall is to reveal Himself, his goodness, and love, and his glory, through his people, so all will be drawn and come to Him.
No one was seeking Him. No one. Therefore, He chose a people to do that through and He will finish what He started.
Even if we are unfaithful, God is not.
Read the scriptures for yourself, with prayer, asking the Lord to open your mind and heart to his Word.
We are all still learning and growing, including me, but i refuse to see God as some being just hammering me to obey Him rather than beautiful, generous, wonderful being who is crazy in love with me and inviting me into his arms of love.
I won't stay in the minor story that was a temporary measure to keep us from totally destroying ourselves until our leading Man Jesus came into the World to transport us to the higher dimension and the main story of God's love. The main story is too irresistible and what Jesus died to give me, and you. It was always where we were meant to be.
Keep asking, seeking, knocking.
And for the love of God, don't get stuck in the minor story. Let us move on with our Leading Man into the main story that He died to give us.
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I have often said where believers disagree i mainly just see a problem with understanding where each piece fits into the larger picture of Christ.
My belief is that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus and what Father God has done in Him. That is very clear to me in scripture when i take it in context of each book, and the scriptures as i know them as a whole.
Of course we don't continue sinning, and the fact that we are grieved by our sin gives witness that we are his. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ so it is not a matter of condemnation, but Godly sorrow that moves beyond ourselves into love for God and others. Condemnation brings death. His Spirit of Love brings life.
We can slip and sin, but the believer does not practice sinning. It is no longer who you are.
Faith in Jesus and what God has done in Him comes first, and good works follow.
Sure we deny the flesh. We have been empowered to live that life now because Jesus died and rose again.
If you are living a life of habitually practicing sin, you need to take it to the Lord so He can reveal to you if you are indeed in the faith. Let Him reveal it to you.
Just remember, from start to finish you do not earn eternal life in Christ by works. Works is the evidence that we have faith so if you don't have works, examine your faith with the Lord.
And, if you don't have faith, ask Him for it for you cannot get that on your own. We do know that He uses his Word there too so seek Him and his Word and wait on Him to awaken your heart and mind to Him. Sometimes He works on others before He works on us, but He has promised if we seek Him with all our hearts we will find Him.
Anyone can pull scriptures from here and there to suit their beliefs, therefore, I would advise all to pray and read scripture for yourself in context, each book from start to finish. I recommend starting with Romans as it does a great job of summing it up.
It also speaks of God choosing for his purpose and committed to us called by Him to see us through. Nothing will separate us from his love. Nothing.
And his purpose overall is to reveal Himself, his goodness, and love, and his glory, through his people, so all will be drawn and come to Him.
No one was seeking Him. No one. Therefore, He chose a people to do that through and He will finish what He started.
Even if we are unfaithful, God is not.
Read the scriptures for yourself, with prayer, asking the Lord to open your mind and heart to his Word.
We are all still learning and growing, including me, but i refuse to see God as some being just hammering me to obey Him rather than beautiful, generous, wonderful being who is crazy in love with me and inviting me into his arms of love.
I won't stay in the minor story that was a temporary measure to keep us from totally destroying ourselves until our leading Man Jesus came into the World to transport us to the higher dimension and the main story of God's love. The main story is too irresistible and what Jesus died to give me, and you. It was always where we were meant to be.
Keep asking, seeking, knocking.
And for the love of God, don't get stuck in the minor story. Let us move on with our Leading Man into the main story that He died to give us.