What Shall a Christian do To Have Eternal Life

[reddogs]

Many claim they follow Christ, but show none of the Fruits of the Spirit and still have the carnal mind and hateth their brother and the love of God is not in them. We do not have the love of God in us if we hate our brother, as scripture clearly tells us 'If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?'...And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also'... Can a Christian accept Christ into his heart and still hate his brother.......? Can a Christian love sin and love Christ, or must he let go of one and embrace the other to have Eternal Life.......?


John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

John 3:15
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 

[annie1speed]

In John 5:39 who/what is the 'they' here? This is just a question - I'm not trying to stir anything up.

Good points Red, but why did you focus on these two?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Many claim they follow Christ, but . . . . still have the carnal mind.

Read the above statement carefully as it is true for every individual believer alive today.

All have sinned and fallen short. There is only One who is good. Every man who sins is a slave to sin. In fact, the whole world is a prisoner of sin. Even our righteous acts are as filthy rags. The Holy Spirit sanctifies a man; he does not sanctify himself.

Therefore, the answer to your question "what shall a Christian do to have eternal life" is full of problems. The good news of the gospel is that a man could do nothing to earn eternal life. Salvation is by grace through faith, and even that is a gift of God. Man does not deserve this gift.

May God guide each and every one of us into a full understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God bless,
BFA

 

[Lebesgue]

Read the above statement carefully as it is true for every individual believer alive today.

All have sinned and fallen short. There is only One who is good. Every man who sins is a slave to sin. In fact, the whole world is a prisoner of sin. Even our righteous acts are as filthy rags. The Holy Spirit sanctifies a man; he does not sanctify himself.

Therefore, the answer to your question "what shall a Christian do to have eternal life" is full of problems. The good news of the gospel is that a man could do nothing to earn eternal life. Salvation is by grace through faith, and even that is a gift of God. Man does not deserve this gift.

May God guide each and every one of us into a full understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God bless,
BFA

I agree. Salvation is a gift. There's nothing we can do to earn it. We CANNOT be perfect no matter how hard we try. Messiah Y'shua does for us what we CANNOT do for ourselves if we just accept His Sacrifice.

Shalom,

Lebesgue

 

[freeindeed2]

Many claim they follow Christ, but show none of the Fruits of the Spirit and still have the carnal mind and hateth their brother and the love of God is not in them.

Who are the 'many' you make reference to? Are you the final word on whether or not they have a 'carnal mind'? Are you the determining factor for whether Christ is IN them?

We do not have the love of God in us if we hate our brother, as scripture clearly tells us 'If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?'...And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also'... Can a Christian accept Christ into his heart and still hate his brother.......? Can a Christian love sin and love Christ, or must he let go of one and embrace the other to have Eternal Life.......?

God is love, and he lives IN ALL believers. We love him ONLY because he loved us first.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Jesus is eternal life. It's ALWAYS all about him.

John 3:15
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Even being angry at your brother is murder, according to Jesus. That should make us really look to see who's righteousness we're counting on.

"And this is the way to have eternal life - to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." ~Jesus Christ (John 17:3)

In CHRIST alone...

 

[reddogs]

Who are the 'many' you make reference to? Are you the final word on whether or not they have a 'carnal mind'? Are you the determining factor for whether Christ is IN them?


God is love, and he lives IN ALL believers. We love him ONLY because he loved us first.

[/i]
Jesus is eternal life. It's ALWAYS all about him.


Even being angry at your brother is murder, according to Jesus. That should make us really look to see who's righteousness we're counting on.

"And this is the way to have eternal life - to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." ~Jesus Christ (John 17:3)

In CHRIST alone...

So are you denying that Christ has the power to change a man, as if you continue in sin with no change in your life, then the power of Christ in us and we in him is made null and void. Is that what you believe?

 

[Byfaithalone1]

So are you denying that Christ has the power to change a man

I deny that man has the power to change himself.

as if you continue in sin

I do, indeed. Any man who claims to be without sin is a liar and the truth is not in him.

with no change in your life

It is the Spirit who sanctifies, not me.

then the power of Christ in us and we in him is made null and void.

It is a power unto salvation and not a power unto sinless perfection. Justified persons sin and their carnal nature remains until Christ's second coming.

BFA

 

[NightEternal]

AMEN BFA!!

 

[freeindeed2]

So are you denying that Christ has the power to change a man, as if you continue in sin with no change in your life, then the power of Christ in us and we in him is made null and void. Is that what you believe?

Honestly Red, where do you come up with ideas like this? Your very question is a denial of the power of Christ, the Gospel being the power of God for our salvation, and the Holy Spirit - God Himself - living IN us producing HIS good works and HIS good fruit CAUSING us to reflect his glory more and more. It denies that we ARE a new creation and that God is true to his promises. It instills doubt and leads one to reliance on self rather than Christ. It stems from the mindset of working TOWARD victory rather than working FROM victory. Believers are ALREADY victorious SOLELY on the basis of our Victor, Jesus Christ. He is our everything!

In CHRIST alone...

 

[reddogs]

Honestly Red, where do you come up with ideas like this? Your very question is a denial of the power of Christ, the Gospel being the power of God for our salvation, and the Holy Spirit - God Himself - living IN us producing HIS good works and HIS good fruit CAUSING us to reflect his glory more and more. It denies that we ARE a new creation and that God is true to his promises. It instills doubt and leads one to reliance on self rather than Christ. It stems from the mindset of working TOWARD victory rather than working FROM victory. Believers are ALREADY victorious SOLELY on the basis of our Victor, Jesus Christ. He is our everything!

In CHRIST alone...

So with God Himself - living IN us producing HIS good works and HIS good fruit CAUSING us to reflect his glory more and more, are you agreeing that a Christian at that point should be changed and with a mind of Christ, not hating their brother, not seeking after sin and under its domain......

 

[freeindeed2]

So with God Himself - living IN us producing HIS good works and HIS good fruit CAUSING us to reflect his glory more and more, are you agreeing that a Christian at that point should be changed and with a mind of Christ, not hating their brother, not seeking after sin and under its domain......

What do you think, red? What have I said EVER to say otherwise? We are a NEW CREATION! The Spirit controls our minds, not our old sinful nature. We aren't what we were, and we aren't the one's who made the change! God made the change. We weren't even seeking him!

In CHRIST alone...

 

[reddogs]

What do you think, red? What have I said EVER to say otherwise? We are a NEW CREATION! The Spirit controls our minds, not our old sinful nature. We aren't what we were, and we aren't the one's who made the change! God made the change. We weren't even seeking him!

In CHRIST alone...

Well then you are basically saying Justification and Sanctification are interlocked, one being part of the other, are you going that far.....

 

[Eila]

Well then you are basically saying Justification and Sanctification are interlocked, one being part of the other, are you going that far.....

I'll go that far

1 Corinthians 1 "30But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.""



Jesus is our righteousness (justification). Jesus is our sanctification! The link is Jesus. There is no justification or sanctification on our own. It is His gift to us. Boasting is in Jesus alone.

 

[ricker]

Honestly Red, where do you come up with ideas like this? Your very question is a denial of the power of Christ, the Gospel being the power of God for our salvation, and the Holy Spirit - God Himself - living IN us producing HIS good works and HIS good fruit CAUSING us to reflect his glory more and more. It denies that we ARE a new creation and that God is true to his promises. It instills doubt and leads one to reliance on self rather than Christ. It stems from the mindset of working TOWARD victory rather than working FROM victory. Believers are ALREADY victorious SOLELY on the basis of our Victor, Jesus Christ. He is our everything!

In CHRIST alone...

You nailed it. Thank you!
God bless! Ricker

 

[reddogs]

I'll go that far

1 Corinthians 1 "30But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.""



Jesus is our righteousness (justification). Jesus is our sanctification! The link is Jesus. There is no justification or sanctification on our own. It is His gift to us. Boasting is in Jesus alone.

Correct, so then Holy Spirit transforms hearts and minds and we start to show the Fruits of the Spirit, and as the result of sanctification with Christ in us and we in Him, our carnal mind is replaced with the mind of Christ ..

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Correct, so then Holy Spirit transforms hearts and minds and we start to show the Fruits of the Spirit, and as the result of sanctification with Christ in us and we in Him, our carnal mind is replaced with the mind of Christ ..

Do believe that the bolded portion happens prior to Christ's second coming?

BFA

 

[ricker]

Correct, so then Holy Spirit transforms hearts and minds and we start to show the Fruits of the Spirit, and as the result of sanctification with Christ in us and we in Him, our carnal mind is replaced with the mind of Christ ..

According to 1 Corinthians 2, having the mind of Christ means to be spiritually discerning.

Here is a good passage that speaks of the carnal mind being replaced by the Spirit. Romans 8

1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

I hope this helps. Eila may have a better answer, but I just had to butt in.
God bless! Ricker

 

[Eila]

Correct, so then Holy Spirit transforms hearts and minds and we start to show the Fruits of the Spirit, and as the result of sanctification with Christ in us and we in Him, our carnal mind is replaced with the mind of Christ ..

I agree although our definitions of some of the words you used may be different. For instance, we have the mind of Christ. Why? Because we have been given the Holy Spirit. The change is a result of the Holy Spirit and not our work. The Holy Spirit is a gift given to us.

1 Cor 2 "12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
15But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
16For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."

Because we have the mind of Christ does that mean we are sinless or perfect? Yes and no. We are sinless and perfect in that we have the righteousness of Jesus who is sinless and perfect. However, our actions may not match the righteousness given to us. That is a process of growth we go through. We live in the Spirit, but as we grow we learn to walk in the Spirit.

 

[reddogs]

I agree although our definitions of some of the words you used may be different. For instance, we have the mind of Christ. Why? Because we have been given the Holy Spirit. The change is a result of the Holy Spirit and not our work. The Holy Spirit is a gift given to us.

1 Cor 2 "12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
14But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
15But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
16For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."

Because we have the mind of Christ does that mean we are sinless or perfect? Yes and no. We are sinless and perfect in that we have the righteousness of Jesus who is sinless and perfect. However, our actions may not match the righteousness given to us. That is a process of growth we go through. We live in the Spirit, but as we grow we learn to walk in the Spirit.

I think we are pretty close here, so the Holy Spirit comes and we received the mind of Christ, but the flesh still beckons us and thus Paul says he is a slave to the law because of the desires of the flesh. But, with the mind of Christ he now understand the fullness of and delights in Gods law, which is based on His love....


14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25

 

[Eila]

I think we are pretty close here, so the Holy Spirit comes and we received the mind of Christ, but the flesh still beckons us and thus Paul says he is a slave to the law because of the desires of the flesh. But, with the mind of Christ he now understand the fullness of and delights in Gods law, which is based on His love....


14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Romans 7:14-25

Not exactly. When we are born again we are not in the flesh waring against sin. The victory has already been won. We are dead to sin when we are in Christ.

See Romans 7 "5For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. 6But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter."



We were in the flesh before we were born again.



See Romans 8 "
6For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
7because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
10If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
11But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you"

Paul tells us that we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. What does the Bible say about how we receive the Spirit?

Galatians 3 talks about that:

"2This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
4Did you suffer so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain?
5So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
6Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.
8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."
9So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.
10For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM."
11Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
12However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM."
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--
14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."