brotherjim
Well-Known Member
Whoever,StaySalty said:
Not true.
Paul was given the apostolic office, and included in that authority is the power to personally "betroth/espouse" individuals to the Lord (2 Cor 11:2), hence it makes them your "children" (numerous passages, as previously quoted).
Notice again how I quoted above numerous Scriptures to support this.
And as a prerequisite to being given such apostolic authority, the individual first obtained such an "insane" jealousy for only the glory of God, that to refer to their disciples in such a way as to belittle the Truth that they are first and foremost disciples of Christ Jesus Himself, is ludicrous. Paul certainly knew that he was absolutely nothing apart from Christ, and would of rather died than shared in God's glory while here. Paul's disciples were "his" only because God Himself put them, by Grace alone, in Paul's charge.
But in today's self- church where virtually everyone wants to be their own apostle, their own theologian, not really submitting to anyone except at times in lip service to a pastor or whatever, it is no wonder that very, very few are espoused/betrothed children of the bridechamber, and will find themselves without access to the Gates of the New City after their resurrection and redemption--I'm truly, truly sorrowed to say (Rev. 22:14-15, etc.).
But the Good News: ". . . He offers more Grace," including the further Graces of godly sorrow, remorse and repentance for such things as our ongoing rebellion and its refusal to submit to the God-ordained hierarchey He has in place spiritually above us.
And this all very much has to do with guilt, for we can only be free of guilt when we are truly walking in the Light (1 Jn. 1:7), as compared to living in self-justification and denial of our remaining sins and idols of our heart, for only then can we be forgiven of our sins (1 Jn. 1:9), for otherwise we have, by default, placed ourselves under the condemnation and wrath of God as He warned in Hebrews 10:26-29.
Or we can harden our heart, bury our head in the sand, and just get by the best we can, i.e., normal "Christian" procedure apart from further Grace and the Spirit.
And I, for one, allege that I Love each of you that have read this--all glory to God and Grace alone, too much to sweep it under the rug for you so that you will like me and be my friend. I much rather prefer you to hate and despise me and get in the door of New Jerusalem, for even Paul said of his childre, "The more I love, the less I'm loved." So be it, just be there (only possible if you allow God to perfect you in His Love, whereby you will find yourself living in obedience to the NT's Three Commandmensts of Love and Faith, that which is clearly said in the Word as being the requirement to inherit eternal Life (1 Jn. 2:3-5; 1 Jn. 4:16-18, Luke 10:25-28; etc. etc.)
brotherjim
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