Satan's most effective weapon exposed...... (good stuff)

sparow

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I apologize if iv misread ..rather tired at present.

But this individule post makes sense to me.
Because
By Grace are you saved
THROUGH faith.

Never just Grace
Never just faith.
Always both.

And faith...is a verb.
It is what we do in response to what God has graciously done.

I use a different theology premise to you; while you have expressed your theology well I cannot agree with it.

Grace is an attribute of God. There is a false doctrine where Grace relieves mankind of his responsibilities under the covenant; and so we have the Law abrogated. Faith is more than a verb; faith can be objective or subjective; that is faith can lead as in false doctrine or faith can follow God's doctrine.
 
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Presbyterian Continuist

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I apologize if iv misread ..rather tired at present.

But this individule post makes sense to me.
Because
By Grace are you saved
THROUGH faith.

Never just Grace
Never just faith.
Always both.

And faith...is a verb.
It is what we do in response to what God has graciously done.
The Jews, even many of the Christian ones, had great difficulty in accepting Paul's teaching about justification. You can see that in Philippians 3. The Jews could not conceive of justification by God coming through a completely free gift through faith in Christ alone. Their mind set was that to be justified, one had to be circumcised and keep the law. Paul, in Philippians, called those people "dogs", in other words, the most contemptible thing that he could think of. He was not referring to the nice cuddly spaniels that we have today. These were wild dogs which roamed the streets of Jerusalem and fed on garbage. They were hated as the most detestable creatures in God's creation. This is how Paul saw those who taught that one had to cut their bodies (ie: mutilate themselves) and follow the moral law, which was set out in the Mosaic Law. Paul would not have a bar of any belief that a person could be made right with God by following a set of external rules, because for him that was trying to earn something that was already given as a free gift.

But he did say that we must walk worthy of the calling that we have received and the free gift of Christ's righteousness. When we receive the new heart that has come to us through the free gift, our wants and desires change. Our minds are no longer compliant to the world's standards, but we are seeking a better city whose maker and builder is God.

No person has the right to judge another according to the moral law. Every person has to walk according to their own new heart and conscience in Christ. We cannot impose our standards on others. You have your standards and I have mine. We may have different ways of walking worthy in our calling. No one is perfect, we all have failures and shortcomings. But because we are already justified, our failures and shortcomings do not separate us from Christ.

It is not right to say to another believer, "You are committing such and such a sin, therefore you are not a good Christian." No one has the right to say that of anyone else, because when we point the finger at someone else, three fingers are pointing right back at us. If someone tries to pass judgement on me because of my failures and shortcomings I ask the question, "Are you totally free from sin? Or are you still committing sins?" If the person answers yes, I say, "Get behind me you lying dog!" If he answers yes, then I say "On your bike and stick your judgment where the sun don't shine!"
 
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sparow

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I've found that practically, you can make indeed good progress in sanctification by believing that you can win over sin and that it is God's will for you. I just ask Him for help, and it is given me.

I like how you say it is something we ought to trust God with and stop "trying". For me it is similar to the Israelites - you have to just wait and see how God fights for you. Of course that does not exempt me from watchfulness!

Only God can sanctify regarding salvation and a person without faith would not be considered, but faith is indefinite; some will not have sufficient faith, other will have faith in false doctrines.

The big issue facing pretending Christians is the Law which is also the covenant. We can be sure that nobody is righteous such that they do not need salvation; the whole purpose of the covenant also called the Law is to provide salvation; the covenant allow a sinner to repent. I do not know what it is you are trying to do but if you are trying to be righteous, don't stop trying; if you are trying not to sin you will fail but if you apply the Law to your life and the Law defines everything you do sin wont get close; if you walk with God you will find it very hard to sin with God standing beside you.

Jesus confirms the covenant by His presence and fulfilling all those things the Law and the Prophets have said He would do; He confirms the covenant by fulfilling God's responsibilities under the covenant. Not all the things Jesus is prophesised to do are visible; for example, from Isaiah the Messiah is to be a stumbling block by stretching the Law tight; If Jesus hasn't done this or doesn't do it in the future then He would fail the Messiah test. If you are stumbling at the Law it could be you have been deceived by men and their false teachings.
 
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Alithis

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The Jews, even many of the Christian ones, had great difficulty in accepting Paul's teaching about justification. You can see that in Philippians 3. The Jews could not conceive of justification by God coming through a completely free gift through faith in Christ alone. Their mind set was that to be justified, one had to be circumcised and keep the law. Paul, in Philippians, called those people "dogs", in other words, the most contemptible thing that he could think of. He was not referring to the nice cuddly spaniels that we have today. These were wild dogs which roamed the streets of Jerusalem and fed on garbage. They were hated as the most detestable creatures in God's creation. This is how Paul saw those who taught that one had to cut their bodies (ie: mutilate themselves) and follow the moral law, which was set out in the Mosaic Law. Paul would not have a bar of any belief that a person could be made right with God by following a set of external rules, because for him that was trying to earn something that was already given as a free gift.

But he did say that we must walk worthy of the calling that we have received and the free gift of Christ's righteousness. When we receive the new heart that has come to us through the free gift, our wants and desires change. Our minds are no longer compliant to the world's standards, but we are seeking a better city whose maker and builder is God.

No person has the right to judge another according to the moral law. Every person has to walk according to their own new heart and conscience in Christ. We cannot impose our standards on others. You have your standards and I have mine. We may have different ways of walking worthy in our calling. No one is perfect, we all have failures and shortcomings. But because we are already justified, our failures and shortcomings do not separate us from Christ.

It is not right to say to another believer, "You are committing such and such a sin, therefore you are not a good Christian." No one has the right to say that of anyone else, because when we point the finger at someone else, three fingers are pointing right back at us. If someone tries to pass judgement on me because of my failures and shortcomings I ask the question, "Are you totally free from sin? Or are you still committing sins?" If the person answers yes, I say, "Get behind me you lying dog!" If he answers yes, then I say "On your bike and stick your judgment where the sun don't shine!"
Firstly no .not all jews held to that concept at all in regard to justification by faith..and faith is not a thing but an action. Grace and faith are inseparable.there's is no salvation without both.
What we Do in response to what God has graciously done ..is faith. Not just what we say.
The Jews enforcing circumcision were not converts but plants trying to pervert .the true converts in spirit fully accepted justification by faith.

In the latter part of your reply I would ask ..
What sin am I so enslaved to as a new creation in Christ that I cannot forbid it's dominion over me?
“Let not sin have dominion.”
How can I forbid it's dominion if I am not free from its dominion.

Am I free from sin?
The answer is always Yes. Jesus set me free .
So do I have the ability to sin ?yes.
Do I “have to “ as if I have no choice in the matter? Absolutley not.

-John says if I continue to practice sin I am of the devil.
-Peter says of whom we are overcome we are servants to.
-Paul says to whom he yeild your members to his servants you are..
-Jesus says ..you cannot serve Two masters.
-James says a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
All this is the holy spirit speaking.
Paul says if you walk in the spirit you will NOT fulfil evil desire of the flesh
.
Am I free from the power of sin ?
In Christ Jesus YES Amen.
He has made that fully available to me.
Now it's up to me to walk in it.
To repent and not go back.
Or to go back like lots wife.
And perish.
 
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Presbyterian Continuist

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Firstly no .not all jews held to that concept at all in regard to justification by faith..and faith is not a thing but an action. Grace and faith are inseparable.there's is no salvation without both.
What we Do in response to what God has graciously done ..is faith. Not just what we say.
The Jews enforcing circumcision were not converts but plants trying to pervert .the true converts in spirit fully accepted justification by faith.

In the latter part of your reply I would ask ..
What sin am I so enslaved to as a new creation in Christ that I cannot forbid it's dominion over me?
“Let not sin have dominion.”
How can I forbid it's dominion if I am not free from its dominion.

Am I free from sin?
The answer is always Yes. Jesus set me free .
So do I have the ability to sin ?yes.
Do I “have to “ as if I have no choice in the matter? Absolutley not.

-John says if I continue to practice sin I am of the devil.
-Peter says of whom we are overcome we are servants to.
-Paul says to whom he yeild your members to his servants you are..
-Jesus says ..you cannot serve Two masters.
-James says a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
All this is the holy spirit speaking.
Paul says if you walk in the spirit you will NOT fulfil evil desire of the flesh
.
Am I free from the power of sin ?
In Christ Jesus YES Amen.
He has made that fully available to me.
Now it's up to me to walk in it.
To repent and not go back.
Or to go back like lots wife.
And perish.
Tell me just for information: What standard do you adopt to determine whether a believer practices sin leading to a loss of salvation, or not?
 
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Alithis

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Tell me just for information: What standard do you adopt to determine whether a believer practices sin leading to a loss of salvation, or not?
Same as scripture.
The ONGOING practice of sin we know to be sin.
And the ONGOING disobedience of not doing what Jesus has told us to do (because we are entangled in the cares of this world and don't actually believe that where ones treasure is..there will their heart be also)
Refer 1 John ...all of it .:) 22nd Matt 6..
 
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Gideons300

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Tell me just for information: What standard do you adopt to determine whether a believer practices sin leading to a loss of salvation, or not?
The word is pretty darned specific here.

If we sin willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful looking for of judgment.

We want to lump willful sin in with lack of fruitfulness as if the two are the same. They are not. And since we believe we cannot stop sinning, then we reason that willful sin is quite all right. It is not.

When Paul was caught up in self effort in the misery called Romans 7, what was his attitude? Was he content to remain there since "no one is perfect"? No, he had great remorse for his lack of victory. It was here that he learned to hate his self nature, and to realize that no matter the effort he expended in fighting sin in his life, there simply was no hope to set himself free. He needed a deliverer. And he got one, amen?

Should we not all adopt HIS standard and resist steadfastly anything that openly contradicts what our God has told us? And what has He told us?

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 10:26-29

If a man finds himself imprisoned in Romans 7, it is not the time to sit down, justify his actions because "no one is perfect" and try to walk out his life here on earth as if grace makes this all possible. This is nothing less than turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, a free license to sin with no consequences. Danger, great danger lies here.

In truth, grace makes it possible to escape this misery! When Paul found himself trapped in sin, it is here that he learned to truly hate his self nature. It is here he learned that without Christ living in us, through us, victory by self effort is an impossibility.

Rest content here?
God forbid! Paul did not give up because it was impossible. It drove him to his knees for the miracle he so desperately needed. He cried out for the deliverer to come and set him FREE INDEED.

So what is the line that must not be crossed, lest salvation can be lost? It is simply the state of a man's heart towards his sin.
We must all examine our hearts and ask ourselves this heart searching question.

Do I truly want to stop sinning?

I have said repeatedly that if a man is trapped in sin in his life, wants to be free but simply does not know how to stop, I believe God will move mountains to get to him and show him how to be planted on the highway of holiness. God longs to give us victory and make us overcomers, but first we must WANT IT, more than our next breath.

However, if a man finds himself in the prison of Romans 7 and begins to decorate his prison cell, settle in comfortably with no remorsefor his continued sin, with no hunger for victory, because after all, no one is perfect, this man has built his house on sand, not the solid rock of our Lord. Oh, all will look fine outwardly in fair weather, but a storm IS coming, and our foundation had better be Christ in us.

Paul saw himself as a wretched man....wretched. Do we? If the answer is yes, we are about to see.... no... BE a miracle that will leave us speechless.

Blessings Oscar,

Gideon
 
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Gluttonous Winebibber

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Shields up, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is time we started believing our God. What He is about to reveal to us, IN us, is going to blow our ever loving minds. We, the real body of Christ, are about to awake and light our lamps.

Light the lamps!!
 
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Same as scripture.
The ONGOING practice of sin we know to be sin.
And the ONGOING disobedience of not doing what Jesus has told us to do (because we are entangled in the cares of this world and don't actually believe that where ones treasure is..there will their heart be also)
Refer 1 John ...all of it .:) 22nd Matt 6..
Still very general. Who has the authority here to say whether a person is committing sin or not and whether that sin is fatal? When Jesus was confronted with a mob wanting to stone an adulteress, He said that the one who had no sin in his life could cast the first stone. Not one of them could cast the first stone. So, is there anyone here who has no sin at all to be able to set a standard of holiness for anyone else? Because as soon as you say to another person, "You are sinning [in such and such a manner], you may be hypocritical in your comment because you might be implying that you are sinlessly perfect to be able to point the finger at another person and say they are sinning.
 
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The word is pretty darned specific here.

If we sin willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sin, but a fearful looking for of judgment.

We want to lump willful sin in with lack of fruitfulness as if the two are the same. They are not. And since we believe we cannot stop sinning, then we reason that willful sin is quite all right. It is not.

When Paul was caught up in self effort in the misery called Romans 7, what was his attitude? Was he content to remain there since "no one is perfect"? No, he had great remorse for his lack of victory. It was here that he learned to hate his self nature, and to realize that no matter the effort he expended in fighting sin in his life, there simply was no hope to set himself free. He needed a deliverer. And he got one, amen?

Should we not all adopt HIS standard and resist steadfastly anything that openly contradicts what our God has told us? And what has He told us?

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 10:26-29

If a man finds himself imprisoned in Romans 7, it is not the time to sit down, justify his actions because "no one is perfect" and try to walk out his life here on earth as if grace makes this all possible. This is nothing less than turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, a free license to sin with no consequences. Danger, great danger lies here.

In truth, grace makes it possible to escape this misery! When Paul found himself trapped in sin, it is here that he learned to truly hate his self nature. It is here he learned that without Christ living in us, through us, victory by self effort is an impossibility.

Rest content here?
God forbid! Paul did not give up because it was impossible. It drove him to his knees for the miracle he so desperately needed. He cried out for the deliverer to come and set him FREE INDEED.

So what is the line that must not be crossed, lest salvation can be lost? It is simply the state of a man's heart towards his sin.
We must all examine our hearts and ask ourselves this heart searching question.

Do I truly want to stop sinning?

I have said repeatedly that if a man is trapped in sin in his life, wants to be free but simply does not know how to stop, I believe God will move mountains to get to him and show him how to be planted on the highway of holiness. God longs to give us victory and make us overcomers, but first we must WANT IT, more than our next breath.

However, if a man finds himself in the prison of Romans 7 and begins to decorate his prison cell, settle in comfortably with no remorsefor his continued sin, with no hunger for victory, because after all, no one is perfect, this man has built his house on sand, not the solid rock of our Lord. Oh, all will look fine outwardly in fair weather, but a storm IS coming, and our foundation had better be Christ in us.

Paul saw himself as a wretched man....wretched. Do we? If the answer is yes, we are about to see.... no... BE a miracle that will leave us speechless.

Blessings Oscar,

Gideon
It's what I said in my previous post. Which one of us has the right or authority to point the finger at any other person? We can say what we like in general, but putting one's views into actual practice by button holing another person whom one thinks is sinning may be hypocritical in that the one pointing the finger is imply that they have no sin and therefore has the right to play the Holy Spirit for another person.
 
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Alithis

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Still very general. Who has the authority here to say whether a person is committing sin or not and whether that sin is fatal? When Jesus was confronted with a mob wanting to stone an adulteress, He said that the one who had no sin in his life could cast the first stone. Not one of them could cast the first stone. So, is there anyone here who has no sin at all to be able to set a standard of holiness for anyone else? Because as soon as you say to another person, "You are sinning [in such and such a manner], you may be hypocritical in your comment because you might be implying that you are sinlessly perfect to be able to point the finger at another person and say they are sinning.
This is an odd reply from you.
Being that the apostles blatantly did this in their letters.
I mean it's not ambiguous not difficult.
If joe in your congregation has left hand his wife and us now living with sue ..Joe and sue are in a continued unrepentant state of adultery.
If we can't say so ..how are we to correct them admonish them warn them and put them out from fellowship by your standard.
Its not scriptural.

If Bill and his wife attend church but continuously refuse to testify of Jesus to any one ..they are in a continued unrepentant state of disobedience displaying No love for the Lord Jesus..
John states they are walking in darkness and are of the devil...

John must be perfect and sinless to say such things huh..?
.. But then I'm not living in adultery so I can point it out.nor do I steal so I can point out thieves.nor do I covet ,so I can point out idolatry .not do I bear false testimony so I can point out liars ,
..let Not sin have dominion...
Why..?because we can let it have No dominion.
Jesus set us free.

We cannot judge the world in this regard..but the called ones..we are supposed to.
When Jesus told those witout sin to cast the first stone to whom did he speak?
People born again with the very nature of Jesus in them by the power of the holy Spirit who a few forgiven cleanser set free and now called to be holy and live in righteousness..nope.

He was speaking to people still in their sins.
Jesus came to save us from our sin ..not leave us in them .
He did so.
If we now remain in them we will reap the end of living by the flesh... Death.
 
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Gideons300

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It's what I said in my previous post. Which one of us has the right or authority to point the finger at any other person? We can say what we like in general, but putting one's views into actual practice by button holing another person whom one thinks is sinning may be hypocritical in that the one pointing the finger is imply that they have no sin and therefore has the right to play the Holy Spirit for another person.
Oscar, no one here is trying to draw a line in the sand saying that if you sin this much or that much, you will lose your salvation.

But is it not strange to us that we get our feathers ruffled when a warning comes forth that simply repeats what the word tells us? Is it not strange to you that there are almost no posts at all dealing with how to overcome sin in ones life? And if someone does post a warning to all who follow the Lord not to be deceived into thinking that continuing in sin is ok, some immediately want to say that this is judging.

How much sin is necessary for one to be in danger? What type of sin is the type one must steer clear of? Should our answer not be ALL sin? Is it not God's plan for each one of us, that we walk in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives? Are we not told that we are to know how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor? Is not the purpose of grace not just to forgive us again and again, but to teach us that denying ungodliness, we are to live soberly, righteously and justly? Are we not called to warn, exhort, admonish and teach one another how to walk in holiness so that our hearts do not become hardened by the deceitfulness of willful sin?

It is not a case of how much sin is dangerous. It all is. But in this day and age, we have become hard of hearing concerning sin. Why? Because no one has ever been taught HOW to walk in victory. The only way we know is legalistic self effort. No wonder so many have no ears to hear.

It is time we returned to the word of God, understanding that our sanctification is God's plan for us. It is not done by law, nor by self effort. Lile justificstion, it is all done by faith. It is not for the strong, the "super-Christian". In truth, it is when we finally are exhausted in our continued failure that we cry out to God to show us the easy yoke. We must understand that siccess will only be found when we hunger for righteousness like men starving for living water.

When we finally learn to hate our self life, our old nature, our unavoidable propensity to sin, and cry out with all that is within us for God to free us, change us, cause us to walk worthy of our high calling, it is then that our God will respond to our cries. There is a way, an easy, wonderful way, to see din, ALL sin rendered dead to us. A moracle awaits us. When will we see it? Only when we long to please and honor our God in everything we do.

How far we as His people have drifted from this mindset. Thank God, He has promised to awaken us in these last days, and plant all of our feet on the highway of holiness. But until we want to truly overcome the world, the flesh and the devil in every area of our lives, we will blindly march on, defensive when it comes to sin, and more arguing for our right to do so, than crying out like Paul did for the deliverer to do what He clearly promised to do, set us free indeed.

A new day is dawning, my dear brother in the Lord. We will not meet the Lord in shackles of sin still clinging to us. God has a miracle with each one of our names on it, but we must know, we must WANT it more than life itself.

Blessings to you brother,

Gideon
 
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Alithis

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I use a different theology premise to you; while you have expressed your theology well I cannot agree with it.

Grace is an attribute of God. There is a false doctrine where Grace relieves mankind of his responsibilities under the covenant; and so we have the Law abrogated. Faith is more than a verb; faith can be objective or subjective; that is faith can lead as in false doctrine or faith can follow God's doctrine.
What good is that if it does not result in the works of righteousness..
It is useless.
There is no vacume ..if we are not doing rightousness
We can guarantee we will be doing Unrighteousness.
 
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sparow

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What good is that if it does not result in the works of righteousness..
It is useless.
There is no vacume ..if we are not doing rightousness
We can guarantee we will be doing Unrighteousness.


I am not sure that I understand what you mean; it is necessary that we be righteous; but doing righteous work does not mean we are righteous; in the same way, keeping the Law does not mean we have entered into the covenant.
 
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Alithis

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I am not sure that I understand what you mean; it is necessary that we be righteous; but doing righteous work does not mean we are righteous; in the same way, keeping the Law does not mean we have entered into the covenant.
IF your not doing righteousness your not righteous.
Thats like saying I'm a painter that never paints.
Words with out deeds.
Hearers but not doers.
Clouds without rain
 
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Oscar, no one here is trying to draw a line in the sand saying that if you sin this much or that much, you will lose your salvation.

But is it not strange to us that we get our feathers ruffled when a warning comes forth that simply repeats what the word tells us? Is it not strange to you that there are almost no posts at all dealing with how to overcome sin in ones life? And if someone does post a warning to all who follow the Lord not to be deceived into thinking that continuing in sin is ok, some immediately want to say that this is judging.

How much sin is necessary for one to be in danger? What type of sin is the type one must steer clear of? Should our answer not be ALL sin? Is it not God's plan for each one of us, that we walk in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives? Are we not told that we are to know how to possess our vessels in sanctification and honor? Is not the purpose of grace not just to forgive us again and again, but to teach us that denying ungodliness, we are to live soberly, righteously and justly? Are we not called to warn, exhort, admonish and teach one another how to walk in holiness so that our hearts do not become hardened by the deceitfulness of willful sin?

It is not a case of how much sin is dangerous. It all is. But in this day and age, we have become hard of hearing concerning sin. Why? Because no one has ever been taught HOW to walk in victory. The only way we know is legalistic self effort. No wonder so many have no ears to hear.

It is time we returned to the word of God, understanding that our sanctification is God's plan for us. It is not done by law, nor by self effort. Lile justificstion, it is all done by faith. It is not for the strong, the "super-Christian". In truth, it is when we finally are exhausted in our continued failure that we cry out to God to show us the easy yoke. We must understand that siccess will only be found when we hunger for righteousness like men starving for living water.

When we finally learn to hate our self life, our old nature, our unavoidable propensity to sin, and cry out with all that is within us for God to free us, change us, cause us to walk worthy of our high calling, it is then that our God will respond to our cries. There is a way, an easy, wonderful way, to see din, ALL sin rendered dead to us. A moracle awaits us. When will we see it? Only when we long to please and honor our God in everything we do.

How far we as His people have drifted from this mindset. Thank God, He has promised to awaken us in these last days, and plant all of our feet on the highway of holiness. But until we want to truly overcome the world, the flesh and the devil in every area of our lives, we will blindly march on, defensive when it comes to sin, and more arguing for our right to do so, than crying out like Paul did for the deliverer to do what He clearly promised to do, set us free indeed.

A new day is dawning, my dear brother in the Lord. We will not meet the Lord in shackles of sin still clinging to us. God has a miracle with each one of our names on it, but we must know, we must WANT it more than life itself.

Blessings to you brother,

Gideon
What I oppose are people who go around playing God for others and requiring that others conduct themselves according to their standards. The scripture supports a person, seeing another in a fault, to go to that person with great humility and gentleness while pointing out the fault. But what happens in reality that many are not gentle and kind in the way they deal with the faults of others. Our own standard of holiness and how we live it is personal to ourselves. We are accountable to our own consciences, and we don't need, and the Scripture does not support other arrogant religious folk running around being consciences for others.
 
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Alithis

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What I oppose are people who go around playing God for others and requiring that others conduct themselves according to their standards. The scripture supports a person, seeing another in a fault, to go to that person with great humility and gentleness while pointing out the fault. But what happens in reality that many are not gentle and kind in the way they deal with the faults of others. Our own standard of holiness and how we live it is personal to ourselves. We are accountable to our own consciences, and we don't need, and the Scripture does not support other arrogant religious folk running around being consciences for others.
What happens in reality ,is just such man-made rules are so imposed that every one is to afraid to offend and sin has become socially acceptable in congregations in a manner that is utterly shameful.
Sin is the manner by which death came to all.
We don't treat it gently.
We abhor it shun it eschew it.

Its not judgment..it is love to point it out , reject it and deal with it.
It is not love to tolerate any form of it.
Even the appearance of it us to be avoided
 
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Gideons300

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What I oppose are people who go around playing God for others and requiring that others conduct themselves according to their standards. The scripture supports a person, seeing another in a fault, to go to that person with great humility and gentleness while pointing out the fault. But what happens in reality that many are not gentle and kind in the way they deal with the faults of others. Our own standard of holiness and how we live it is personal to ourselves. We are accountable to our own consciences, and we don't need, and the Scripture does not support other arrogant religious folk running around being consciences for others.
Oscar, I agree that we cannot personalize standards on individual believers. But may I ask you a question. When was the last time you heard a warning from your pastor as to the dangers of sin? When was the last time you heard an urging on to holiness?

We have become the generation spoken of that have ears to hear and hear not. We are saying, in essence, that we have need of nothing, when, in truth, we are totally ill prepared to meet the Lord.

Are we not
What I oppose are people who go around playing God for others and requiring that others conduct themselves according to their standards. The scripture supports a person, seeing another in a fault, to go to that person with great humility and gentleness while pointing out the fault. But what happens in reality that many are not gentle and kind in the way they deal with the faults of others. Our own standard of holiness and how we live it is personal to ourselves. We are accountable to our own consciences, and we don't need, and the Scripture does not support other arrogant religious folk running around being consciences for others.
There is no doubt that holiness has become almost a dirty word among believers because of the harshness and line in the sand mentality of some who preach it, yes, even most of those who preach it. And that is sad indeed.

Holiness, at its root, means becoming wholly set apart to the Lord. Our goal for each one of us is to be able to say "It is no longer I that live but Christ who now lives in me". But Oscar, if we are honest, we must admit that the entire church, by and large has drifted far, far from this standard.

Holiness is not just the absence of sin, but it is our learning to abide in His presence, centered on the master potter's wheel, as He fashions us, transforms us into children laden with the fruits of the Spirit. But make no mistake, unless we learn the secret of overcoming willfull sin in our lives, we will not endure to the end.

We have been taught a half gospel..... forgiveness, but oh, what we are missing if we do not embrace the other half! He promises to not only forgive us of our sins, but to free us from the very power of darkness. We are warned in scripture that willful sin hardens hearts, and if persisted in, actually moves us out from under the covering of the blood. Grace is not a free pass to sin occasionally. Grace promises to teach us HOW to walk as overcomers of the world, the flesh and the devil, amen? Is that what anyone of us hear from our pastors and teachers? When was the last time you heard a warning as to the danger of willful sin continuing in our lives? For most here, the answer might be nearly "never".

We as God"s church are in a place of great danger. We have been healed only slightly, forgiven, yes, but liberated from sin's power? We both know that answer. We say 'peace, peace' but there is no peace in our hearts as long as satan's arrow still find their mark. How many say that we have need of nothing, while sin still clutches onto areas of our lives? Are we not doing exactly as the Laodecians did?

Those right now who seek to truly be pure in heart are few, as we go week after week, hearing te same basic message of forgiveness, but never hear how to finally get free of sin's grasp? Is this a time to be quiet, lest we 'offend'? Is it love to know danger lurksfor our brothers and sisters, and not to raise a voice of concern?

Shall we gently walk with those who are now deceived into thinking willful sin is quite alright, knowing in our hearts that the end that this path this leads to will yield only weeping, and wailing and gnashing of teeth?

Holiness is not a hard, legalistic walk of 'touch not, taste not, handle not'. It is an easy yoke. In truth, it is the very essence of heaven here on earth, sweet, gentle and pure. But.... it is getting our hearts to the point that we want to be free indeed, want to see every sin we indulge in defeated, that is the hard part. And as long as we do not hear there is danger, why should any seek to be different?

With few exceptions, we have become dull of vision, with no fire burning in our bones, visionless and passionless. The world mocks our hypocrisy, as we do many of the very same things that they do, yet tell the world we are still destined for heaven, while fire awaits them. We should weep at this, but how few the tears right now.

But a new day is dawning as ALL will awake to righteousness and learn HOW to walk with the old us put off, with self reckoned dead. But not all will embrace that call. The wheat is about to be separated from the tares, and in the end, it will be our attitude about whether we want us to still reign in our lives, or whether we want Him to make us wholly His, wholly holy, that will determine our eternal fate.

Each one of us will soon have to be confronted with that choice. We will each walk through our own valley of decision, and it pains me to say so, but not all will come out the other side as saved children of God.

Blessings,

Gideon
 
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