Foolish Galatians

fli · Aug 23, 2021

Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: NKJV

When Paul address a church he is not speaking to people who meet in a building called a “church.” John 12:24 This is after Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus is the seed of God and can produce a fruit. Paul is talking to people who have been born again.

Gal 3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? NKJV

Those in Galatia began by faith in Jesus but some Judaizers had convinced them that it was necessary to be circumcised to be saved. This is different from Timothy's being circumcised. Timothy was circumcised so he could enter Jewish synagogues with Paul. He knew that it had nothing to do with his salvation. The Galatians believe that they were not saved until they were circumcised. In other words they need to help Jesus save them by doing an act of the law.

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. NKJV

The only way someone can be estranged (severed, separated) from Christ is to be in Christ. The only way they can fall from grace is to be in God's grace. 1John 3:9 How can someone who cannot sin with God's seed (Jesus) in him fall from grace?

Adam in the garden was told not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He had no knowledge of good and evil. With no knowledge of good and evil he could not sin. When Adam ate the fruit he did not sin. Adam could not sin until he had knowledge of good and evil. Once Adam ate the fruit he had knowledge of good and evil he sinned. Adam could not sin as long as he believed God. He did not sin by not believing. Once he did not believe and did what he knew was wrong he sinned.

We like Adam cannot sin. We do have knowledge of good and evil. Here is the testimony of God.

John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. NKJV

God told the Galatians that they were righteous when they believed in Jesus. As long as we believe God we cannot sin. Why would they fall from grace if they become circumcised?

Hebrews 11:1 faith is the substance of what you hope for. The definition of substance is : 1. That which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena
from Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language

The phenomena in faith is hope. Jesus gives us hope and that hope gives birth to saving faith. Without Jesus we have no hope to attain heaven. When our hope is born we get the Spirit of Jesus. The Galatians started with saving faith. Then the Judaizers convinced them they needed to be circumcised. If the Galatians got circumcised in the hope of salvation then Jesus is not the cause of their hope. Their saving faith would change to faith in self work. Without faith in Jesus His Spirit would depart. Then they, like Adam, could sin.

Can I get another witness?

Gal 2:17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. NKJV

People sin while in Jesus but they are not sinners.

Rom 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin." NKJV

Verse 5 faith in Jesus is what gives Christians righteousness. Verse 6 works have nothing to do with their righteousness. Verse 8 God does not impute sin to Christians.

As Paul stated in Galatians 2: 18 if he rebuilt his reliance on works he would become a transgressor of the law. One cannot transgress the law unless they are under the law. He would no longer have faith in Jesus .

spiritfilledjm · Aug 23, 2021

Romans 3:23

Mark Quayle · Aug 23, 2021

fli said:
Adam in the garden was told not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He had no knowledge of good and evil. With no knowledge of good and evil he could not sin. When Adam ate the fruit he did not sin. Adam could not sin until he had knowledge of good and evil. Once Adam ate the fruit he had knowledge of good and evil he sinned. Adam could not sin as long as he believed God. He did not sin by not believing. Once he did not believe and did what he knew was wrong he sinned.

We like Adam cannot sin. We do have knowledge of good and evil.

Huh?

fli · Aug 23, 2021

Mark Quayle said:
Huh?

Rom 4:15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. NKJV

Unless one is under the law God does not impute sin.

Rom 7:9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived (came to life) and I died. NKJV

Paul was not under the law until the age of accountability. Until a child is able to discern good and evil they are not under the law. Until Paul was 13 any sin he committed was not counted against him. He could not sin in God's eyes.

Deut 1:39 'Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. NKJV

God did not hold those who had no knowledge of good and evil guilty in the rebellion when Israel refused to go into the land.

2 Sam 12:23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." NKJV

David knew that both he and the child would see each other in the resurrection of the righteous. The child died before he had knowledge of good and evil.

Adam could not have knowledge of good and evil until he ate of the fruit. He was as innocent as David's baby. Once he had that knowledge God would impute sin to him.

Adam rebelled against being naked. If you will remember God pronounced His creation good while they were naked. Not only did he rebel against being naked he killed some plants, meant for food, to cover his sin. This threw the balance of creation out of whack. Sin has been ruining creation ever since.

Mark Quayle · Aug 23, 2021

fli said:
Rom 4:15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. NKJV

Unless one is under the law God does not impute sin.

Rom 7:9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived (came to life) and I died. NKJV

Paul was not under the law until the age of accountability. Until a child is able to discern good and evil they are not under the law. Until Paul was 13 any sin he committed was not counted against him. He could not sin in God's eyes.

Deut 1:39 'Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. NKJV

God did not hold those who had no knowledge of good and evil guilty in the rebellion when Israel refused to go into the land.

2 Sam 12:23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." NKJV

David knew that both he and the child would see each other in the resurrection of the righteous. The child died before he had knowledge of good and evil.

Adam could not have knowledge of good and evil until he ate of the fruit. He was as innocent as David's baby. Once he had that knowledge God would impute sin to him.

Adam rebelled against being naked. If you will remember God pronounced His creation good while they were naked. Not only did he rebel against being naked he killed some plants, meant for food, to cover his sin. This threw the balance of creation out of whack. Sin has been ruining creation ever since.

You need a good stout course in logic and another in language theory and another in hermeneutics and another in Hamartiology, all taught via Romans.

spiritfilledjm · Aug 23, 2021

fli said:
Adam could not have knowledge of good and evil until he ate of the fruit. He was as innocent as David's baby. Once he had that knowledge God would impute sin to him.

Adam rebelled against being naked. If you will remember God pronounced His creation good while they were naked. Not only did he rebel against being naked he killed some plants, meant for food, to cover his sin. This threw the balance of creation out of whack. Sin has been ruining creation ever since.

Adam had a simple command that he chose to disobey. It was at that point that he sinned. Having knowledge of good and evil had nothing to do with it. Adam chose to disobey God, that is when Adam sinned.

spiritfilledjm · Aug 23, 2021

As far as your claim that one who is saved no longer sins, that is completely false. That is why Jesus warns the people in Matthew 7:21-23 and why Paul warns the church in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 that those believers who continue to practice wickedness will not see the kingdom of God and why the writer of Hebrews warned against willfully sinning in Hebrews 10:26-27.

fli · Aug 24, 2021

spiritfilledjm said:
As far as your claim that one who is saved no longer sins, that is completely false. That is why Jesus warns the people in Matthew 7:21-23 and why Paul warns the church in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 that those believers who continue to practice wickedness will not see the kingdom of God and why the writer of Hebrews warned against willfully sinning in Hebrews 10:26-27.

God determines sin. No human determines what sin is. The angels do not determine what sin is. God alone determines what sin is.

John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. NK

John 16:8 is the message from the Helper. The Helper has gone out into the world since Jesus died. People are convicted of sin, righteousness and judgment. What is the sin they are convicted of? Their sin is not believing in Jesus. That is the message of God. People are sinners because they do not believe in Jesus.

John 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. NKJV

Here is the same message in expressed another way. If a person believes in Jesus they are not condemned. If a person does not believe in Jesus they are condemned. If one is not condemned it means no sin was charged against them. If one is condemned it means they are guilty of committing sin.

1 John 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains (abides) in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. NKJV

Here is the same message in another form. If one is born of God they does not sin as long as God's seed remains in them.

1 John 3:5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. NKJV

Here is the same message expressed another way. In Jesus there is no sin. All Christians are in Jesus. As long as we abide in Him we cannot sin. That is because God says in Him there is no sin and His opinion is the only one that matters. If anyone is in sin they are not in Jesus. That is because God says if you are not in Him you are in sin. Are people in Him sinning? Yes we are. But the only opinion that matters is God's. Are those not in Jesus sinning more than those in Jesus? Yes because God says so. Since the only opinion that matters is God's, their sin counts against them. God does not remember ours.

spiritfilledjm · Aug 24, 2021

Interesting, then by your definition, nobody is saved, because everyone who believes in Jesus and has accepted Him as Lord and Savior still commits sin daily.

HIM · Aug 24, 2021

fli said:
Gal 3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? NKJV

Those in Galatia began by faith in Jesus but some Judaizers had convinced them that it was necessary to be circumcised to be saved. This is different from Timothy's being circumcised. Timothy was circumcised so he could enter Jewish synagogues with Paul. He knew that it had nothing to do with his salvation. The Galatians believe that they were not saved until they were circumcised. In other words they need to help Jesus save them by doing an act of the law.

.

Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

What is Hearing of Faith?

First thing to consider it is being said in context to having begun in the Spirit.

Second thing to consider is it is being said in context to verse 2:20.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The hearing of Faith is the Hearing of Christ's Spirit in us. We now live by the Faith of Christ through Him living in us. It is How God's Laws are in our hearts and minds, His Word in our hearts and mouth. The hearing of Faith is listening to this, His Spirit that He has given.

ViaCrucis · Aug 24, 2021

spiritfilledjm said:
Interesting, then by your definition, nobody is saved, because everyone who believes in Jesus and has accepted Him as Lord and Savior still commits sin daily.

That's the reasonable conclusion.

But most "I'm not a sinner" sorts usually come up with clever word games and mental gymnastics to get around having sin being sin. And thus their sins aren't "really sins". And therefore they argue there is no need for drowning the old man in repentance.

-CryptoLutheran

fli · Aug 24, 2021

HIM said:
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

What is Hearing of Faith?

First thing to consider it is being said in context to having begun in the Spirit.

Second thing to consider is it is being said in context to verse 2:20.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The hearing of Faith is the Hearing of Christ's Spirit in us. We now live by the Faith of Christ through Him living in us. It is How God's Laws are in our hearts and minds, His Word in our hearts and mouth. The hearing of Faith is listening to this, His Spirit that He has given.

What is hearing of faith?
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. NKJV

Faith comes by hearing the gospel of God and believing it. Can I get another witness?

Acts 10:5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do." NKJV

God told Cornelius that Peter would tell him what he must do.

Acts 10:43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." NKJV

You can read the entire gospel message in Acts 10. When Peter told him that all he had to do for the remission of sins was believe in Jesus he received the Holy Spirit. Cornelius heard the gospel. Cornelius believed the gospel. That is hearing of faith. Cornelius began in the Spirit. Can I get another witness?

1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. NKJV

Peter preached the gospel to the Corinthians and those who believed were saved. Here is one more gospel message that you will probably want to discuss.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." NKJV

Peter's first gospel message to the Jews who had crucified Jesus. He told them to repent and be baptized. Then they would receive remission of sins. He named the sins that they must repent of in the message.

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; NKJV

Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." NKJV

These people had openly and violently rejected Jesus as their savor and King. They had to repent of their rejection of Him.

All the elect after receiving the Spirit live our life in the flesh by faith in Jesus.

Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. NKJV

We continue to live in the flesh by walking in the Spirit. When one walks in the Spirit they are living their faith. Therefore, we continue to live in the flesh by our faith. If we do not walk in the Spirit then the Father disciplines us until we repent or die temporally

fli · Aug 27, 2021

There is two ways to lose faith in Jesus. But first let's look at another case of earning salvation in Hebrews. We do not know exactly what they were doing but they wanted the old way back. Whatever it was in addition to losing faith in Jesus they were saying to those who killed Jesus they were correct. Every time they returned to the temple (priests) for whatever Jesus was being put to shame again.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. NKJV

They cannot be renewed to repentance. This does not say they cannot repent. It says they cannot be renewed.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." NKJV

The fact is our repentance does not qualify us to be saved. The “they” in the above is the apostles and Jerusalem Church. They did not claim that they repented. Their repentance came from God. I am sure being good Jews that they did repent of known sins, as we should. The truth is all we absolutely have to repent of is unbelief. God takes it from there. Once God has granted repentance we begin to pick up repentance to be obedient children. Other wise we are building our house with straw instead of gold.

So the reason people who apostatize cannot be renewed is because God will not grant repentance to those who have who have shammed Jesus and insulted His grace.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? NKJV

Notice it says they were sinning willfully. Jesus' blood had sanctified them. They were in covenant and Jesus' blood had covered their sins. They were in Jesus.

1 John 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. NKJV

John 17: 20 the elect have seen Jesus. John 10:14 the elect know Jesus. Therefore; those who apostate are not the elect. This agrees with the dragnet parable, Matt 13:47-50, that the kingdom gathers both good and bad fish.

Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. NKJV

Another lesson from Hebrews. Even with rebellious children God grants a certain amount of grace for prior obedience before letting them go.

Now the second way to lose faith. 2 Peter 2:18-22 Their problem is they loved the world so much they did not want what heaven offered. Their hope in Jesus was replaced by hope for more worldly pleasures.

fli · Aug 27, 2021

Some people might say “Since only the elect can make it, why should I try? If I'm of the elect I'm in and if not I'm out.” It is true one can't change what God's knows is true.

Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; NKJV

God's advice is priceless. Nothing could be better than to take God's advice. I would say that most of the elect are elect because they worked it out to ensure they were in the elect. If your not positive you are in; there are ways that you can know you are elect.

Matt 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." NKJV

Jesus is the foundation of our spiritual house. Part of the foundation of a house is the ground that the foundation sits on. No one builds in a swamp or on sand unless they sink poles down to bed rock.

Jesus knows the kind of ground that makes a good foundation. Since Jesus is the word of God the foundation needs to be on His word. No other foundation can be laid to ensure one is of the elect. Do not build on another man's interpretation of what God has said. You have to work out your plan to make Jesus happy. Adam pointed his finger at everyone in the hopes that the blame could be laid on anyone but him. It didn't work. Don't even try. If you are diligent in your study of His word He will give you insight.

2 Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. NKJV

I guarantee if you make yourself useful for every good work you are building your house up as well as building your foundation down to rock. Be blessed.

Mark Quayle · Aug 29, 2021

fli said:
Some people might say “Since only the elect can make it, why should I try? If I'm of the elect I'm in and if not I'm out.” It is true one can't change what God's knows is true.

Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; NKJV

God's advice is priceless. Nothing could be better than to take God's advice. I would say that most of the elect are elect because they worked it out to ensure they were in the elect. If your not positive you are in; there are ways that you can know you are elect.

Matt 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." NKJV

Jesus is the foundation of our spiritual house. Part of the foundation of a house is the ground that the foundation sits on. No one builds in a swamp or on sand unless they sink poles down to bed rock.

Jesus knows the kind of ground that makes a good foundation. Since Jesus is the word of God the foundation needs to be on His word. No other foundation can be laid to ensure one is of the elect. Do not build on another man's interpretation of what God has said. You have to work out your plan to make Jesus happy. Adam pointed his finger at everyone in the hopes that the blame could be laid on anyone but him. It didn't work. Don't even try. If you are diligent in your study of His word He will give you insight.

2 Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. NKJV

I guarantee if you make yourself useful for every good work you are building your house up as well as building your foundation down to rock. Be blessed.

Your response is pretty typical of most Christians' point of view. But that's the problem. The reasoning you show DEPENDS on human thinking (not that of or in itself that is wrong, except where it contradicts Scripture or good reason.)

When God determines something will happen, that does not mean that our choices have nothing to do with producing that end. It is NOT simply automatic that it will happen. It is only a sure thing that it will happen. We must choose, and, as it turns out, we always choose, and so what God has determined, and caused, from the beginning indeed does turn out precisely as God decreed, though we were not privy to the details beforehand.

fli · Sep 7, 2021

Under the law of Moses there were thirty some sins without a sacrifice. In other words they could not be forgiven of those sins. Numbers 15;30 One of those sins was wanton disregard for the law. In addition the only way to receive forgiveness for any sin was to repent and make a sacrifice. In Jesus all those unforgivable sins are forgiven without asking for forgiveness. However, God does rebuke and discipline His children. Without repentance He will discipline the unruly child to temporal death.

2 Tim 2:11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. 12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. NKJV

If anyone is in Jesus his blood remains a covering for their sins.

1 John 5: 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born (begotten) of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. NKJV

John 3: 16 Jesus is the only begotten of God. As it states in 2Timothy Jesus keeps himself. He cannot deny himself. Jesus will keep anyone who remains in Him.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. NKJV

If the blood of the covenant sanctified them they were in covenant. If there is now no covering for their sin they are not in Jesus any more. Jesus has denied them.

Clare73 · Sep 7, 2021

fli said:
There is two ways to lose faith in Jesus. But first let's look at another case of earning salvation in Hebrews. We do not know exactly what they were doing but they wanted the old way back. Whatever it was in addition to losing faith in Jesus they were saying to those who killed Jesus they were correct. Every time they returned to the temple (priests) for whatever Jesus was being put to shame again.

Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. NKJV

They cannot be renewed to repentance. This does not say they cannot repent. It says they cannot be renewed.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." NKJV

The fact is our repentance does not qualify us to be saved. The “they” in the above is the apostles and Jerusalem Church. They did not claim that they repented. Their repentance came from God. I am sure being good Jews that they did repent of known sins, as we should. The truth is all we absolutely have to repent of is unbelief. God takes it from there. Once God has granted repentance we begin to pick up repentance to be obedient children. Other wise we are building our house with straw instead of gold.

So the reason people who apostatize cannot be renewed is because God will not grant repentance to those who have who have shammed Jesus and insulted His grace.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? NKJV

Notice it says they were sinning willfully. Jesus' blood had sanctified them. They were in covenant and Jesus' blood had covered their sins. They were in Jesus.

1 John 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. NKJV

John 17: 20 the elect have seen Jesus. John 10:14 the elect know Jesus. Therefore; those who apostate are not the elect. This agrees with the dragnet parable, Matt 13:47-50, that the kingdom gathers both good and bad fish.

Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. NKJV

Another lesson from Hebrews. Even with rebellious children God grants a certain amount of grace for prior obedience before letting them go.

Now the second way to lose faith. 2 Peter 2:18-22 Their problem is they loved the world so much they did not want what heaven offered. Their hope in Jesus was replaced by hope for more worldly pleasures.

They were foolish because they were returning to salvation by works (circumcision) because the judaizing teachers were preaching this, when they had been saved by faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:3).

They had fallen from (salvation by) free grace and back into (salvation by) works of the law.

misput · Sep 11, 2021

Clare73 said:
They were foolish because they were returning to salvation by works (circumcision) because the judaizing teachers were preaching this, when they had been saved by faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:3).

They had fallen from (salvatin by) free grace and back into (salvation by) works of the law.

Has there ever been salvation by works of the law?

Mark Quayle · Sep 11, 2021

misput said:
Has there ever been salvation by works of the law?

She didn't say there had been. She said they were returning to that false teaching.

HIM · Sep 11, 2021

fli said:
What is hearing of faith?
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. NKJV

Faith comes by hearing the gospel of God and believing it. Can I get another witness?

Acts 10:5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do." NKJV

God told Cornelius that Peter would tell him what he must do.

Acts 10:43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." NKJV

You can read the entire gospel message in Acts 10. When Peter told him that all he had to do for the remission of sins was believe in Jesus he received the Holy Spirit. Cornelius heard the gospel. Cornelius believed the gospel. That is hearing of faith. Cornelius began in the Spirit. Can I get another witness?

1 Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. NKJV

Peter preached the gospel to the Corinthians and those who believed were saved. Here is one more gospel message that you will probably want to discuss.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." NKJV

Peter's first gospel message to the Jews who had crucified Jesus. He told them to repent and be baptized. Then they would receive remission of sins. He named the sins that they must repent of in the message.

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; NKJV

Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." NKJV

These people had openly and violently rejected Jesus as their savor and King. They had to repent of their rejection of Him.

All the elect after receiving the Spirit live our life in the flesh by faith in Jesus.

Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. NKJV

We continue to live in the flesh by walking in the Spirit. When one walks in the Spirit they are living their faith. Therefore, we continue to live in the flesh by our faith. If we do not walk in the Spirit then the Father disciplines us until we repent or die temporally

What does Galatians say the hearing of faith is.
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

What is Hearing of Faith? The hearing of Faith is the Hearing of Christ's Spirit, the word in us. Faith is a gift through Christ Spirit.

First thing to consider it is being said in context to having begun in the Spirit.

Second thing to consider is it is being said in context to verse 2:20.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The hearing of Faith is the Hearing of Christ's Spirit, the Word in us. We now live by the Faith of Christ through Him living in us. It is How God's Laws are in our hearts and minds, His Word in our hearts and mouth. The hearing of Faith is listening to this, His Spirit that He has given.

Foolish Galatians

Active Member

Well-known Member

Monergist; and by reputation, Reformed Calvinist

Active Member

Monergist; and by reputation, Reformed Calvinist

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Active Member

Well-known Member

Friend

Confessional Lutheran

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Monergist; and by reputation, Reformed Calvinist

Active Member

Blood-bought

JimD

Monergist; and by reputation, Reformed Calvinist

Friend

Similar threads