The narrow way?

[JimfromOhio]

I did not say that my flesh ALWAYS cooperates.

I agree with much of what you've said, however, I do not feel we are in bondage to our flesh. I believe the enemy would like us to believe we are but when Paul states "we are free from the law of sin and death" to me it is clear that we are NOT.

Anyway, at the end of Romans 7 Paul makes a pretty clear distinction regarding the law of the flesh and the law of the mind. Verse 24 Paul asks the question: "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" In verse 25 he answers the question: "I thank God --- through Jesus Christ our Lord!" So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin."

Two key words there are "I myself". 2 Corinthians 5:17 states "Therefore, if anyone is IN CHRIST, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

"I myself" and "in Chirst" are two opposite ends of the spectrum. We can do NOTHING of ourselves. However, "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13).

At the end of Romans 7 Paul makes it clear that he himself is helpless but his deliverance comes through Jesus our Lord who gives him strength to do all things ... and that would include overcoming the flesh. It's a battle that our Saviour helps us win not succumb to because we are still in our flesh home.

We must remember that we are still in the flesh even though we have Christ in us. Its the matter of submitting and practicing. If we get busy serving God, we will be too busy to sin. Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross have provided the solution for my salvation and the foundation for me to pursue a life that reflects Christ. I believe that the truth of God’s Word have already set me FREE from the bondage of sin. (John 8:32) I believe that Jesus and the Word of God are SUFFICIENT for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3-9) and the Holy Spirit provided me the principles and guidelines to live a life of godliness. It is the Holy Spirit's conviction that God’s design for me is to be radically TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2) My hope for this radical transformation is by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).

1 Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" MY body is "good" and wonderful gift from God. Paul said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27). The key word here is "discipline." Paul wrote, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1Tim 4:8).

In his Philippian epistle Paul declares his own determination to advance against all obstacles. He says in effect that while he is not yet perfect and has not yet attained unto the goal set before him, he is putting the past behind him psychologically as well as chronologically that he may go on to find in Christ his all in all. "I press on toward the goal," he says, "to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).

The real question is, will a Christian be a true disciple? Becoming a disciple, following Jesus Christ requires personal cost, giving up your selfish "me" and become like Christ. Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Spiritual liberty means the freedom to be all that we were designed to be, but this is not a freedom that is without restrictions or responsibilities. Grace is we live in the Spirit AND also walk in the Spirit.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Why would God tell us to do something that cannot be obtained until we reach the other side? Romans 12:2, 2 Cor 7:1, 2 Cor 13:11, Eph 4:12, Phil 3:12, 15, Col 1:28, Col 4:12, 2 Tim 3:17

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

We must remember that we are still in the flesh even though we have Christ in us. Its the matter of submitting and practicing. If we get busy serving God, we will be too busy to sin. Jesus Christ’s redemptive work on the cross have provided the solution for my salvation and the foundation for me to pursue a life that reflects Christ. I believe that the truth of God’s Word have already set me FREE from the bondage of sin. (John 8:32) I believe that Jesus and the Word of God are SUFFICIENT for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3-9) and the Holy Spirit provided me the principles and guidelines to live a life of godliness. It is the Holy Spirit's conviction that God’s design for me is to be radically TRANSFORMED by the renewing of my mind. (Romans 12:2) My hope for this radical transformation is by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13).

1 Corinthians 6:19, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" MY body is "good" and wonderful gift from God. Paul said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27). The key word here is "discipline." Paul wrote, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1Tim 4:8).

In his Philippian epistle Paul declares his own determination to advance against all obstacles. He says in effect that while he is not yet perfect and has not yet attained unto the goal set before him, he is putting the past behind him psychologically as well as chronologically that he may go on to find in Christ his all in all. "I press on toward the goal," he says, "to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).

The real question is, will a Christian be a true disciple? Becoming a disciple, following Jesus Christ requires personal cost, giving up your selfish "me" and become like Christ. Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Spiritual liberty means the freedom to be all that we were designed to be, but this is not a freedom that is without restrictions or responsibilities. Grace is we live in the Spirit AND also walk in the Spirit.

So then, it IS possible to not walk in the flesh but to walk in HIS perfection

We don't HAVE to sin. I do not succumb to the evil desires of my flesh on a daily basis. And the more frequently I overcome any evil desires it may make known the less my flesh desires what is evil.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Why would God tell us to do something that cannot be obtained until we reach the other side? Romans 12:2, 2 Cor 7:1, 2 Cor 13:11, Eph 4:12, Phil 3:12, 15, Col 1:28, Col 4:12, 2 Tim 3:17

Let's look at Romans 12:2, it is the Holy Spirit's conviction that God’s design for us is to be radically transform by the renewing of our minds. To obey Him is to enjoy the fellowship of God and true believers, a fellowship of light (1 John 1:5-7). A person's heart is always found running in the direction of his/her desires. The heart that desires often leads a person towards the wrong direction. God is always convicting us to search our hearts to follow our conscience that God have given us. Romans 12:9 (NIV) "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." God meets us in our hearts rather than our minds therefore we need to focus on the "heart of the matter". How can we distinguish our desires? Sinners (even though we are saved) we are not basically good without Christ in us because we live in a body that carries sin and our struggles will be in the core of our hearts. Obviously, our human hearts are very selfish. Our hearts are the source of my emotions, thoughts and motives. Our hearts are the place of conscience. Our hearts are the part of our being where we desire, deliberate, and decide.

1. Living in Spiritual Worship: Romans 12
2. Living in Love: 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 John 3
3. Living in Spirit: Galatians 5 and Hebrews 5 through 6
4. Living in Light: Ephesians 5 and 1 John 1
5. Living in the Armor of God: Ephesians 6
6. Living to know Christ: Phillipians 3 and 2 Peter 1
7. Living Spiritually Alert: 1 Thessalonians 5
8. Living in Faith: Hebrews 11
9. Living Close to God: James 4
10. Living in Holiness: 1 Peter 1
11. Living in Truth: 2 John

 

[JimfromOhio]

So then, it IS possible to not walk in the flesh but to walk in HIS perfection

We don't HAVE to sin. I do not succumb to the evil desires of my flesh on a daily basis. And the more frequently I overcome any evil desires it may make known the less my flesh desires what is evil.

Yes... it is possible to walk in spirit more than walking in flesh. Its up to us in our obedience to God and His Grace who gives us STRENGTH, not in our own efforts.

 

[charityagape]

I hope you're not serious Not all fat people are fat because they eat too much.

No, not serious. Just illustrating a church accepted lifestyle of sin that won't keep you out of heaven versus other church nonaccepted lifestyles of sin that will keep you out of heaven.


==PS. I know not all fat people are fat because they eat too much, but honestly the majority are, eating too much that is. And exercising too little.

 

[charityagape]

Yo! Ever heard of diabetes? Eating disorders? Lack of economic privelege sufficient to buy any food but cheap carbs?

In any event, your offensive post has been reported.

Jeez, illustration people.

 

[charityagape]

You can't go to hell because you have an addiction. All addiction is sin, not just the ones that everyone can see. Worry is just as much sin as overeating. Judging others and being rude is just as much sin as overeating. Slapping your spouse is just as much sin as overeating, and the list goes on.

An no, I'm not fat. Just making a point.

Amen. That was the point I was trying to make by posting something that I thought was obviously sarcastic.

 

[DreamerOfDreams]

Why would God tell us to do something that cannot be obtained until we reach the other side? Romans 12:2, 2 Cor 7:1, 2 Cor 13:11, Eph 4:12, Phil 3:12, 15, Col 1:28, Col 4:12, 2 Tim 3:17

Amen dear sister.
It is a mystery to me why people do not see the plain and simply truth in these clear verses.
Some will hear. Some will have eyes to see.

Some will refuse...

This verse is still in the Bible. It did not get taken away:

1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

If your theology does not match up with this... then it is time to change you theology!

 

[~RENEE~]

Why would God tell us to do something that cannot be obtained until we reach the other side? Romans 12:2, 2 Cor 7:1, 2 Cor 13:11, Eph 4:12, Phil 3:12, 15, Col 1:28, Col 4:12, 2 Tim 3:17

Amen dear sister.
It is a mystery to me why people do not see the plain and simply truth in these clear verses.
Some will hear. Some will have eyes to see.

Some will refuse...

This verse is still in the Bible. It did not get taken away:

1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

If your theology does not match up with this... then it is time to change you theology!

So then you both believe that this flesh will be saved here?

 

[DreamerOfDreams]

So then you both believe that this flesh will be saved here?

The "lust of the flesh" and the "lust of the eye" and the "pride of life" can be "overcome" here by faith.

That is what scripture says.


The world:

1 John 2:15-16
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

You can be victorious and overcome the world (lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, the pride of life) by faith:

1 John 5:4
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

That means siding with what the word says.
If He says you can overcome the lust of the flesh and be victorious... then you can.
If He says you can overcome the lust of the eye and be victorious... then you can.
If He says you can overcome the pride of life and be victorious... then you can.

But in order to do it you have to side with the word and NOT the world. BELIEVE God and you will be victorious.
If you only believe your experiences and the experiences of others, you will never live beyond those experiences. You will never overcome.

 

[Mattacious]

It means to me that out of all the 'Christians' in the world, only a few actually make it to heaven.

 

[~RENEE~]

It can be overcome but the flesh will never be saved here will it?

 

[DreamerOfDreams]

It can be overcome but the flesh will never be saved here will it?

I am not sure of what you mean by "the flesh be saved."

If you do not use scriptural terminology we cannot discuss a topic with any agreement.

 

[~RENEE~]

Your flesh got baby probs will return later

 

[jrlinz]

I am not sure of what you mean by "the flesh be saved."

If you do not use scriptural terminology we cannot discuss a topic with any agreement.

Does that little limitation hurt your witness, ever?

 

[DreamerOfDreams]

Does that little limitation hurt your witness, ever?

I have no idea what your are talking about.

 

[DreamerOfDreams]

Your flesh got baby probs will return later

?

 

[JimfromOhio]

I am not sure of what you mean by "the flesh be saved."

If you do not use scriptural terminology we cannot discuss a topic with any agreement.

Your posts are focusing on "WORKS OF FAITH" that contradicts biblical teaching of righteousness in GRACE. Faith is NOT Works: 1 Timothy 1:4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. Only God can overcome situation as long as you trust in His GRACE. Grace is having all sufficiency in everything we may have an abundance for every holy deed. The right perspective is to understand that holiness is trying to discern what God is doing in us. The Christian's aim is holiness, not happiness; and everyone who claims to be a Christian must have something of that spirit. Grace is not earned. Grace is not base on "merit". Grace is used when submitting to God in humility by putting my Faith in God's will. God has given us the grace to sanctify us.

 

[DreamerOfDreams]

Your posts are focusing on "WORKS OF FAITH" that contradicts biblical teaching of righteousness in GRACE. Faith is NOT Works: 1 Timothy 1:4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. Only God can overcome situation as long as you trust in His GRACE. Grace is having all sufficiency in everything we may have an abundance for every holy deed. The right perspective is to understand that holiness is trying to discern what God is doing in us. The Christian's aim is holiness, not happiness; and everyone who claims to be a Christian must have something of that spirit. Grace is not earned. Grace is not base on "merit". Grace is used when submitting to God in humility by putting my Faith in God's will. God has given us the grace to sanctify us.

James 2:17-20
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Pretty clear huh?