Oseas I have yet to see a reply from you that's all positive and shares scripture like Phil. 4:8, James 3:17, Galatians 5:20, I'm very aware of our enemies tactics and our spiritual warfare, I choose not to give Him any more attention than He's already got besides people need to Hear more about the love of God in Christ. Remember Romans 2:4 its the goodness of God that leadeth to repentance, Jesus Christ taught and displayed Gods Love and light, that was the attraction, not if you don't believe this your toast. Something to consider. He loved the unlovable, I at one time was in that category. By His Grace I've been spared. God Bless
John 2112-17 WHO DO WE LOVE - In Reply - 2 years ago
I was responding to the posts about 1 Thess: 4:17, 18
The Rapture; Caught Up; In the Clouds
End of Days
I am an Evangelist. I see lambs, sheep, wolves, hirelings and those called to be shepherds.
I'm just going to leave it at that and ask God to raise up more shepherds who care for the Sheep. To guide, in one accord, all those who want to know what the Caught Up is, and how to be a participant in that?
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love & good works.
The desire for Jesus is in you already. The Bible is the Word of God. Like these following scriptures show us: with your own spoken words, ask the Holy Spirit to make His home within your heart, To be your Teacher. Thats his ministry to you. You will know He is teaching you. Open your mouth and speak: "Holy Spirit, come alongside and teach me what this passage means?"
Begin in the Gospels and stay in there until you know who Jesus is to you; what he likes; doesn't like; listen to his replies to people. How does he love?
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remem-brance, whatsoever I have said to you.
Luke 12:12
For the Holy Ghost shall TEACH you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
2 Timothy 2:24
And the servant of the Lord must NOT strive; but be GENTLE unto all men, APT TO TEACH, PATIENT,
1 Timothy 6:3-4
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
If we often reprove our own children; point out errors, short comings, lazy worthless etc. Their hearts will be hardened, and stolen by the Devil. Don't be that kind of teacher.
THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRT
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
1 Corinthians 13: 12-13
What Kids Want: Transparency.
NOW we see through a glass, DARKLY, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I AM KNOWN. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is Love.
I agree with Dianne that Christ never leaves us. Guilt and shame can be one of two things: God's Spirit in you bringing conviction to your heart about the sin you are/were involved in, or God's Spirit is bringing conviction to draw you closer to Him, and to cause you to surrender your life to Him. I don't know if you've received Christ. Only you and the Lord know that.
The bible teaches that a person who's been born of God's Spirit can no longer sin (Habitually) because the Spirit in them prevents that from happening. 1 John Chapter 3 Verse 9 says, and I'll give it to you literally from the Greek text. It says "Whosoever has been born of God does not (practice) sin; for God's seed remains, or abides (Permanently) in him: and he cannot sin, that is, he does not have the capacity to sin because he has been born of God.
A person's considered a sinner because the spirit of the devil energizes them to fulfil the desires of their flesh. But once that person is born of the Spirit of God, they no longer have the capacity to continue to satisfy a lifestyle of sin. It's impossible for them to continue in sin. Paul explains it partly in Galatians 5:17 where he says, "For the flesh lusts against God's Spirit, and the Spirit is against the flesh."
That tells me is that I have this conflict going on. In my spirit, I'm saved. But my flesh is not redeemed and still has the same desires it had before I was saved. For believers, there's constant conflict between the flesh and the Spirit of Christ in them. If God's Spirit did not live inside of me, I'd be gone! And that's why God puts His Spirit in a believer's life.
It's more than just in our mind that we believe the truth about Jesus. When we are born of the Spirit of God, His Spirit comes into our life and makes sure that we remain His until He comes for us because our propensity is to go out and do whatever we want. That's why people don't surrender to Christ. It's because they can't do what they want to do anymore!
Picking up with Galatians 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law;
What Christ did for you on the cross will have no effect on your life whatsoever if you're going to try to be justified by the law rather than faith in Jesus Christ.
But then it says you are fallen from grace, and this is where we sit and debate this one phrase. Please allow me to break it down for you. The word fallen is actually a nautical term. It's from the shipping industry and it's when a ship gets off course. An example would be found in Acts 27:32, when Paul and the others were involved in the ship disaster. The soldiers cut off the rope from the boat and let it fall off. The word fall is the same word for getting off course. Just let the boat drift. There's no set course.
Basically, what Paul is telling them is that they had stopped functioning in the sphere of grace. That statement is very important to understand. They stopped functioning in the sphere of grace and began functioning in legalism. The two don't match!
Some teach that this means they lost their salvation. But it means to be off course. A perfect example would be the story of the prodigal son. The prodigal son never lost his position as a son. He never lost it! He squandered much of the provision of the promises for him of his father, but he never lost his position as a son.
You see, that's what happens when a believer gets off course and follows teaching that is not correct. We get off course but we don't lose our salvation. We don't lose our son-ship as a child of God.
I'll go over with you 1 Corinthians 15:2-8 next. There's a bit to share in those seven verses.
2 Peter 2:20: For if they have escaped the pollutions of the world, and please notice this: (Through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ). They have responded to the truth, the facts about Jesus. And they've come and said yes, this is true. And they are entangled therein, and they are overcome. The concept is: the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. (Read the Parable of the Sower to see what category the "they" in verse 20 represent.
2 Peter 2:21: Notice the emphasis is on what they know. They haven't surrendered their life to Christ. But these false teachers came into the church and they latched onto false teachers that taught them how to go out into the world and get sin "In the name of Jesus." The last state is worse than the first.
2 Peter 2:22: But it happened unto them (A fulfilment of Proverbs 26:11). But it has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow, that is, the pig that is washed to the wallowing in the mire.
You can wash a pig all day long but it will always return to the mud. It's the same with people. They can be clean on the outside, but filthy on the inside. There has to be transformation and change. Cleaning people on the outside does no good. A person has to be cleansed from within.
The "them" in verse 22 are the same ones being spoken of in verse 20. These are not saved people walking away. Please read those three verses and think about it. Again, the Parable of the Sower would help in understanding who these three verses are speaking of.
Here are some scriptures I looked up that indicate that believers can fall from grace, depart from the faith, or apostatize. Once again I do not know everything and if I am wrong I appreciate insight and discussion.
james 2:6-13. but ye have despised the poor. do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
if ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
for whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
( for he that said, do not commit adultery, said also, do not kill. now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. )
so speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
for he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
1 corinthians 6:9-11. know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of god? be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of god.
and such were some of you: ( but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the lord jesus, and by the spirit of our god.
galatians 5:19-21. now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, ( and such like: ) of the which i tell you before, as i have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of god.
im sure we're all guilty of one of these.
question is
how are judged? do you feel confident enough to stand alone without the sacrificial lamb?
im not.
thank you lord for forgiving and strengthening me.
James 3:16 - For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 4:2-3 - Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (Read More...)
James 3:14 - But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Proverbs 14:30 - A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (Read More...)
Proverbs 27:4 - Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
James 3:14-15 - But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (Read More...)
1 Corinthians 3:3 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Romans 12:21 - Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (Read More...)
Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Psalms 25:4-5 - Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (Read More...)
Exodus 20:17 - Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
1 Corinthians 6:9 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,"
LITTLE FOXES in Song Of Solomon Two Fifteen - 2 years ago
This verse is very important to our future when we review its symbolic meaning. To most, a fox is a very attractive, cute little animal that some wish they could have. In reality, the fox is a very sly, sneaky, destructive animal that sneak into vineyards, eating the grades, chewing the bark, and digging up the roots.
The vineyard symbolizes our mind and the little red fox symbolizes destructive thoughts that come into our mind. Thoughts when permitted to grow can result in damaging or destroying our life and our walk with the Lord.
If we permit Satan's thoughts to remain, they can build to the point where we believe and follow them into situations that can destroy us. Or we can choose to catch and eliminate them from our mind. This verse is given as a warning to be on guard while our mind is tender in blossom, about to grow into good fruit, to review our thoughts before bad thoughts can grow and destroy.
2 Corinthians 10:5 warns us to Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that raises up against the knowledge of God. We need to examine our thoughts and cast them down if they are of Satan.
An update to Solomon' verse would be Permitting only a little sinful thought to remain can ruin the fruitfulness of your Christian life.
Existing sin, be it what we may consider to be small or big is the same to God, a sin, and it is sin that separates us from God. And what is Satan' objective, to separate us from God and God' blessings. To destroy us in HELL.
Every sin starts with a THOUGHT. It may take years for a thought to grow into a sin or it may only take a few seconds. If we flirt with a thought, like physical beauty, it can grow and lead to another thought. We need to nip a wrong thought in the bud and cast it out of our mind before it grows and takes over.
Apostle Paul asked, You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you ( Galatians 5:7-8)
It probably came from Matthew 22:37. The term "Thou shalt love" is not in command form. That is a Future Active Indicative in the Greek text. It is not a command. It is a factual statement. You will love!
Believers are supposed to love one another. But, neither in the Old Testament, nor in the New Testament, is it in command form.
As a matter of fact, the command in the Old Testament is YOU WILL love the Lord your God, and YOU WILL love your neighbor as yourself. It is a factual statement!
It all centers around where the commands came from, Deuteronomy Chapter 6 that has the SHEMA, the prayer that is prayed every morning and evening by Orthodox Jews.
In that prayer, they recite the fact that God says that I will put my Spirit in you, and I will put my laws on your heart, and YOU WILL love the Lord your God.
We are told in Galatians 5:22 that love, AGAPE, is a fruit of God's Spirit.
In 1 John Chapter 4, it tells us that God is love. Now if I focus on the fact that God is love, and I've been commanded to love, and God is love, then what am I to do? Give you God, because He is love. Love is a person. Love is the nature of God!
In my human abilities, or in my human effort, I cannot produce God's nature of love. I can't produce that!
And as I said, Galatians 5:22 tells us it is a fruit. It is produced by God's Spirit, just like faith, and all the other ingredients that make up the fruit of the Spirit.
Some continue to take scriptures out of context and put pressure on themselves to produce these things, when the bible says no.
The bible says point-blank that if you're not loving your brother, then you don't know God! If you do not have AGAPE love in you, you are not saved. That is what the bible says.
I am running out of space but want to share a little more on Matthew 22:37 from a Greek perspective. It is some pretty powerful stuff!
Answers To Anger Problems on Matthew 24 - 2 years ago
Colossians Chapter 3
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; ANGER, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the OLD man with his deeds;
Ephesians Chapter 4
24 And that ye put on the NEW man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Mishael Comment: This generation of people are very angry and do not pull back on those reins to stop it. We are to produce the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of Jesus's life being lived through us.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ephesians 5:9
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Romans 8:9
But 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.
Matthew Chapter 12
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall NOT be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Here's What being in the presence of believers want do.
Change the inner Man.
Galatians 5:22-24 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
This fruit is interior, And should be the engine that drives a Christian to serving and righteous living. This is against our nature, ( THE NATURAL MAN. )
Fruit is virtue from being born again, connected to the TRUE VINE "EVERLASTING Life".
A non born again professor / false Christian only can control the exterior, and
Tries to clothe himself with righteousness.
Try to DO the right thing, SAY the right thing, But Love for the brothern, humility, Longsuffering, ect... is absent. Void of being regenerated by the spirit. Proud of his exterior work, Nothing on the inside.
That's what the Law couldn't do!
Jesus came to CHANGE the HEART, And the spirit guides us with passion, not by command.
I am very happy that you liked the post I put together of basically "sins or evil things" we should stay away from. I added a couple things though most of it is from the NT. I actually started taking notes of these things and have all the verses that I would like to share with you as it seems you are taking notes of these things also for your sermons. This will give you all the places, and a couple more, where I got those things I posted:
Mark 7:20-23, Romans 1:21-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:16-21, Ephesians 5:5, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, James 1:19-22, Colossians 3,
As some things are noted in several places so I had to delete things so they would not show up twice.
Knowing this may help you preaching to others I am very thankful to put in my little bit to help. All glory to the Lord.
See also Mt. 13:33. Regarding Luke 13:20-21, the correct interpretation is this:
+ The Kingdom of Heaven = the combined saved on earth; particularly the church.
+ Leaven = "another gospel"; any cursed false doctrine which is added to the True Gospel to make it more receptive. (e.g. the cursed doctrine which "so soon removed [the Galatian Church] from HIM (CHRIST) unto another [false] gospel" ( Gal. 1:6-7; cp. Hos.7:4).
+ A woman = the proponent and introducer of false doctrine. The New Testament never describes the True Church generally as a "woman". Rather, the True Church is described specifically and honorably as a "chaste virgin" ( 2Cor. 11:2) and a "the Bride, The LAMB's (CHRIST's) wife" ( Rev. 21:9; cp. 19:7).
+ Three measures of meal = the true saints; the true Kingdom of GOD; False professors and hypocrites will always reside within both.
+ Till the whole {meal} was leavened = religious "leaven" will always doctrinally corrupt any local church that receives it, as well as GOD's Kingdom as much as HE permits (generally speaking).
This parable, as all parables within Matthew Thirteen, describe the progressive devolution of the Church in general, and of GOD's Kingdom until CHRIST's 2nd Coming and Judgment.
Leaven, a type of sin, always pollutes and perverts that which is Holy (cp. 1Cor. 5:8).
The wicked counterparts to "a woman"-an antitype of the True Church-are "that woman Jezebel" ( Rev. 2:20), and the global religious system described as "the great whore", and "the mother of harlots" ( Rev. 17:1 & 5).
The "measures of meal" is that which "good seed" ( Mt. 13:24) produces, only by the planting of which symbolizes the growth of True and Productive Christian believers (cp. Mt. 13:8 & 23).
The True Gospel is never "hid", but rather is preached and openly, publicly, and boldly. The "woman" secretly "hid" her leaven which speaks of deception. She deceives by making her "leaven" more palatable to her gullible audience. Apostle Peter warned, "there shall be fal
+ ( Rev. 2:9) "them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."
"Leaven" is anything extraneous which false religionists add to the True Gospel and Doctrine of CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR. That added "leaven" spreads throughout the Church and GOD's Kingdom. Compare the waywardness of the modern "church", and how far she has so removed herself from that perfect righteousness, holiness, and Godliness GOD requires. The modern church has literally removed LORD JESUS CHRIST to the back alley curbside.
CHRIST literally portrays this in HIS Proclamation, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock" ( Rev. 3:20). CHRIST, WHO is "The DOOR of the sheep" ( Jn. 10:7 & 9), now "knocks" of the "door" of the apathetic, indifferent, and backslidden church because the church has replaced the True "DOOR" with a "door" of false gospels, doctrines, and even a false lord and savior.
Of qualifications, when I speak of the modern church, I speak generally, for CHRIST will always "build" HIS True Churches. The True Church and the True Kingdom of GOD will persevere unto CHRIST comes again.
Salvation is the most important issue here and I need more than one post to give you an answer to your question, so please bear with me.
(Part 1)
There are those who believe that salvation can be lost and then there are others who believe in the permanency of salvation. I personally believe that salvation is permanent and here's why:
First of all, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is based solely on God's Spirit coming into the spirit of a human being; and in so doing, causing that person to become a new creation in Christ. A person's experience of regeneration by the Holy Spirit is an act of God, not of man.
According to the Bible, the salvation process begins with God the Father. Jesus said, in John 6:44, "No one is able to come to me unless the Father who has sent me should draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day."
In the early Church, the requirement for salvation was the presence of God's Spirit dwelling within a person. Paul said in Romans 8:9, "Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of Him." Salvation happens only when God's Spirit enters and remains (Permanently) in a person's spirit, thereby causing spiritual birth.
God is the sole source of salvation. The Bible also teaches that every saved person is KEPT by the power of God. 1 Peter 1:5 says that believers are "The ones who are BEING KEPT in the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Paul says in Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are opposing to one another; in order that you should not do what you want."
These scriptures show that believers cannot be taken away from Christ by the flesh, because the Spirit of God is dwelling within to prevent that from happening.
You quoted Exodus 20:10 to say that we must observe the sabbath. However, you quoted from the Old Testament given to the ancient nation of Israel. Could you provide me a verse from the New Testament which commands the Church to keep the Sabbath? If not, why not? Why would the Apostles never instruct or remind the Christian Church to keep the sabbath if it was that important?
You also quoted Malachi 2:6 that God never changes. But, then why did God change the law of circumcision? The Old Testament said you must be circumcised - a commandment of God at Leviticus 12:3. But, in the New Testament, we are told that circumcision is not necessary. See Galatians 5:2. Also, why does Hebrews 7:12 say the the priesthood was changed? I thought you said that God never changes. In the Old Testament, the priesthood was Levitical but in the New Testament, the priesthood is according to the order of Mechizedek - another change of God. See Hebrews 7:11.
The Apostle Paul, at Galatians 4:10, scolds the Galatians for keeping the Old Testament rituals. The brackets are mine.
Galatians 4:10
"Ye observe (sabbath) days, and (lunar) months, and (festivals) times, and (sabbatical) years."
No wonder the Apostle Paul asks the question at:
Galatians 4:21 "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the (Mosaic Old Testament) law, do ye not hear the law?"
Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"
Philip Christian Parks on Galatians 5 - 2 years ago
Of the "leaven"; Gal. 5:9 = Scriptures always typify leaven as sin and evil, and all that GOD hates and forbids (cp. Exo. 34:25).
A "little" leaven will spread throughout the substance until it pollutes the whole. This principle is proven by the rule of "first mention" as recorded in Exodus 12:15 and 19 as GOD declared regarding the Passover Meal: "Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off {eliminated; destroyed; killed} from Israel."
Leaven typifies ...
+ evil and forbidden religious traditions and practices which pervert the true Religion ( Lev. 2:11; Amos 4:5-5; Mt. 13:33; Lu. 13:21);
+ evil doctrinal errors which pervert the True Gospel ( Mt. 16:6-12; Gal. 5:9);
+ blatant sinful character ( Mk. 8:15);
+ hypocrisy (Lu. 12:1);
+ pride and boasting ( 1Cor. 5:6);
+ fornication and the fornicator ( 1Cor. 5:7); and
I agree with you on not having to keep the "7th day Sabbath". Another verse I came across tonight to back that is Galatians 4:9-11. I don't know if I understand correctly your statement of "we are commanded the opposite". As I stated, my feeling, that to follow Christ is to be Holy as He is Holy as in 1 Peter 1:14-17, Hebrews 12:14. To strive to keep every day Holy retaining the Lord in us. That following love from a pure heart is what makes God our Father and Christ happy 1 Peter 1:22-23.
To the Ten Commandments. Like I stated I believe they are good and are throughout the NT, as to follow them, though all spread out. Here is one actually discerning it as a commandment of the OT Ephesians 6:1-2. Here are the rest in different places. Romans 1:28-32, Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Colossians 3:1-10. As you are able to go through all those epistles of the NT and see it notes the same things the Ten Commandments tells to us to stay away from. Even more as some are in the Mitzvot laws. As stated there are a lot that are void though just letting the Spirit guide you, you can see the ones that are moral and righteous.
Love from a pure heart is above all and shall never fail Colossians 3:12-17. Walking in the Spirit producing good fruit for the Lord. To keep us from the temptations and lusts of the flesh which leads to sin. Which no one is perfect and may slip and fall. To be vigilant and confess our sins in prayer they shall be forgiven. Though we are to strive to stay away(repent) from sin in our walk with the Lord to be Holy in this temple He has Blessed us with.
Just to make clear if anyone may perceive I'm stating that "good works" is what saves us. That is not true and not what I'm stating. Though we are called by God through Christ to good works Ephesians 2:10. Showing our faith and newness of life in the Lord. All glory to our Father and Jesus Christ. Amen.
Jesus didn't come to destroy the law. He came to free us from the law which slew us. he came to take the penalty of not being able to keep the law. " Which freed us from the curse of the law which worked in our members.
He gave us his spirit to accomplish what the law could not do. ( Read Romans Ch 6.)
Galatians 5:13-14. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
I guess you can say he put an end of trying to live by the law for means of salvation. "Judaism"
but the commandments shows that you need a savior.
God tell us not to be conform to the ways of the carnal world!
Just because the people in the world speak a certain way doesn't, make it right!
"Therefore come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean, and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:17
Romans 13:8
You give more glory to The Lord, Jesus Christ, when you greet people with "LoveO". God Is LOVE.
Faith worketh by Love." Galatians 5:6
The powerful armor God works by Love. Love never fails!
Ephesians 6:11-17
11. "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
12. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
13. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
"
14. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place"
15. "And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace."
16. "In addition to all this, take up the Shield of Faith, with this you are able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
17. "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God.
I am honored that you shared that history of your life with us. Thank you very much. It means a lot.
I'm not sure what you mean by "I change my mine because you wont find any prophecies of free will, HELL or heaven; only a KINGDOM."
I think you are correct as the statement "free will" is not in the Bible directly. Though several verses that, I believe, point to this are: Joshua 24:15, John 7:17, Galatians 5:13, James 1:13-16. For a couple.
The word "hell" has taken over the Hebrew word "sheol" in the OT. Three Greek words "gehenna" "hades" and "tartarus" in the NT. All described as "bad" places simply.
For Heaven there are numerous as the one used the most in the NT, hundreds of times, is "ouranos". Strongs definition "the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness power: eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity)". In John 3:13, John 3:31. Kingdom used a lot together with this word as in Matthew 6:10, Matthew 18:3.
Galatians 5:4 makes it very clear that we MUST continue to abide in Christ and relay on Him for salvation by faith in his blood and what he did on the cross for us! Those who start in the faith, being justified, but, walk away from Christ to trust in their own efforts are showing that they are not relying on Christ anymore, which is a very dangerous thing to do. think about it..... If Christ, who is the only way we will be saved ( Acts 4:12), becomes to no effect to us that can only mean we are in a state of condemnation..... We are fallen from grace. Paul is clearly talking to brothers and sisters in Christ, so this is a warning to saved Christians. Yes, while we can absolutely talk comfort in our salvation based on our faith in Christ, we must always remain steadfast and never turn away from the hope of the gospel ( Colossians 1:22-23). If we do, we will be cut off. However, just as the prodigal son was dead and made alive again ( Luke 15:11-32), so can the Christians who turn from Christ if they turn back to Him with a loving heart of faith in Him alone for salvation!
Hi Willow, your absolutely right, let Jesus take the wheel, let Him be the captain of our ship.
Matthew starting at chapter 5, the Beatitudes and sermon on the mount is one of my favorites, also Galatians chapter 5 explains the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:12-18, I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
The Rapture; Caught Up; In the Clouds
End of Days
I am an Evangelist. I see lambs, sheep, wolves, hirelings and those called to be shepherds.
I'm just going to leave it at that and ask God to raise up more shepherds who care for the Sheep. To guide, in one accord, all those who want to know what the Caught Up is, and how to be a participant in that?
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Peter 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love & good works.
The desire for Jesus is in you already. The Bible is the Word of God. Like these following scriptures show us: with your own spoken words, ask the Holy Spirit to make His home within your heart, To be your Teacher. Thats his ministry to you. You will know He is teaching you. Open your mouth and speak: "Holy Spirit, come alongside and teach me what this passage means?"
Begin in the Gospels and stay in there until you know who Jesus is to you; what he likes; doesn't like; listen to his replies to people. How does he love?
John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remem-brance, whatsoever I have said to you.
Luke 12:12
For the Holy Ghost shall TEACH you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
2 Timothy 2:24
And the servant of the Lord must NOT strive; but be GENTLE unto all men, APT TO TEACH, PATIENT,
1 Timothy 6:3-4
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
If we often reprove our own children; point out errors, short comings, lazy worthless etc. Their hearts will be hardened, and stolen by the Devil. Don't be that kind of teacher.
THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRT
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
1 Corinthians 13: 12-13
What Kids Want: Transparency.
NOW we see through a glass, DARKLY, but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I AM KNOWN. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is Love.
Mishael
I agree with Dianne that Christ never leaves us. Guilt and shame can be one of two things: God's Spirit in you bringing conviction to your heart about the sin you are/were involved in, or God's Spirit is bringing conviction to draw you closer to Him, and to cause you to surrender your life to Him. I don't know if you've received Christ. Only you and the Lord know that.
The bible teaches that a person who's been born of God's Spirit can no longer sin (Habitually) because the Spirit in them prevents that from happening. 1 John Chapter 3 Verse 9 says, and I'll give it to you literally from the Greek text. It says "Whosoever has been born of God does not (practice) sin; for God's seed remains, or abides (Permanently) in him: and he cannot sin, that is, he does not have the capacity to sin because he has been born of God.
A person's considered a sinner because the spirit of the devil energizes them to fulfil the desires of their flesh. But once that person is born of the Spirit of God, they no longer have the capacity to continue to satisfy a lifestyle of sin. It's impossible for them to continue in sin. Paul explains it partly in Galatians 5:17 where he says, "For the flesh lusts against God's Spirit, and the Spirit is against the flesh."
That tells me is that I have this conflict going on. In my spirit, I'm saved. But my flesh is not redeemed and still has the same desires it had before I was saved. For believers, there's constant conflict between the flesh and the Spirit of Christ in them. If God's Spirit did not live inside of me, I'd be gone! And that's why God puts His Spirit in a believer's life.
It's more than just in our mind that we believe the truth about Jesus. When we are born of the Spirit of God, His Spirit comes into our life and makes sure that we remain His until He comes for us because our propensity is to go out and do whatever we want. That's why people don't surrender to Christ. It's because they can't do what they want to do anymore!
Picking up with Galatians 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law;
What Christ did for you on the cross will have no effect on your life whatsoever if you're going to try to be justified by the law rather than faith in Jesus Christ.
But then it says you are fallen from grace, and this is where we sit and debate this one phrase. Please allow me to break it down for you. The word fallen is actually a nautical term. It's from the shipping industry and it's when a ship gets off course. An example would be found in Acts 27:32, when Paul and the others were involved in the ship disaster. The soldiers cut off the rope from the boat and let it fall off. The word fall is the same word for getting off course. Just let the boat drift. There's no set course.
Basically, what Paul is telling them is that they had stopped functioning in the sphere of grace. That statement is very important to understand. They stopped functioning in the sphere of grace and began functioning in legalism. The two don't match!
Some teach that this means they lost their salvation. But it means to be off course. A perfect example would be the story of the prodigal son. The prodigal son never lost his position as a son. He never lost it! He squandered much of the provision of the promises for him of his father, but he never lost his position as a son.
You see, that's what happens when a believer gets off course and follows teaching that is not correct. We get off course but we don't lose our salvation. We don't lose our son-ship as a child of God.
I'll go over with you 1 Corinthians 15:2-8 next. There's a bit to share in those seven verses.
2 Peter 2:20: For if they have escaped the pollutions of the world, and please notice this: (Through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ). They have responded to the truth, the facts about Jesus. And they've come and said yes, this is true. And they are entangled therein, and they are overcome. The concept is: the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. (Read the Parable of the Sower to see what category the "they" in verse 20 represent.
2 Peter 2:21: Notice the emphasis is on what they know. They haven't surrendered their life to Christ. But these false teachers came into the church and they latched onto false teachers that taught them how to go out into the world and get sin "In the name of Jesus." The last state is worse than the first.
2 Peter 2:22: But it happened unto them (A fulfilment of Proverbs 26:11). But it has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow, that is, the pig that is washed to the wallowing in the mire.
You can wash a pig all day long but it will always return to the mud. It's the same with people. They can be clean on the outside, but filthy on the inside. There has to be transformation and change. Cleaning people on the outside does no good. A person has to be cleansed from within.
The "them" in verse 22 are the same ones being spoken of in verse 20. These are not saved people walking away. Please read those three verses and think about it. Again, the Parable of the Sower would help in understanding who these three verses are speaking of.
I go over Galatians 5:4 in another post.
2 Peter 3:17
Luke 8:5-18
1 Timothy 4:1
2 Peter 2:20-22
Hebrews 3:12
Galatians 5:4
1 Corinthians 15:2-8
It was told to me one time that "God doesn't leave us but rather we leave God" we leave as in Galatians 5:15-21,
lusts of the flesh, but we also return to God as in Galatians 5:22-26 when we seek the fruits of the Spirit. I hope this helps.
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
the lord want be singling out just murderers.
james 2:6-13. but ye have despised the poor. do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
if ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
for whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
( for he that said, do not commit adultery, said also, do not kill. now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. )
so speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
for he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
1 corinthians 6:9-11. know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of god? be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of god.
and such were some of you: ( but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the lord jesus, and by the spirit of our god.
galatians 5:19-21. now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, ( and such like: ) of the which i tell you before, as i have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of god.
im sure we're all guilty of one of these.
question is
how are judged? do you feel confident enough to stand alone without the sacrificial lamb?
im not.
thank you lord for forgiving and strengthening me.
god bless
James 4:2-3 - Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (Read More...)
James 3:14 - But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Proverbs 14:30 - A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (Read More...)
Proverbs 27:4 - Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
James 3:14-15 - But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (Read More...)
1 Corinthians 3:3 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Romans 12:21 - Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (Read More...)
Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Psalms 25:4-5 - Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. (Read More...)
Exodus 20:17 - Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
1 Corinthians 6:9 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,"
The vineyard symbolizes our mind and the little red fox symbolizes destructive thoughts that come into our mind. Thoughts when permitted to grow can result in damaging or destroying our life and our walk with the Lord.
If we permit Satan's thoughts to remain, they can build to the point where we believe and follow them into situations that can destroy us. Or we can choose to catch and eliminate them from our mind. This verse is given as a warning to be on guard while our mind is tender in blossom, about to grow into good fruit, to review our thoughts before bad thoughts can grow and destroy.
2 Corinthians 10:5 warns us to Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that raises up against the knowledge of God. We need to examine our thoughts and cast them down if they are of Satan.
An update to Solomon' verse would be Permitting only a little sinful thought to remain can ruin the fruitfulness of your Christian life.
Existing sin, be it what we may consider to be small or big is the same to God, a sin, and it is sin that separates us from God. And what is Satan' objective, to separate us from God and God' blessings. To destroy us in HELL.
Every sin starts with a THOUGHT. It may take years for a thought to grow into a sin or it may only take a few seconds. If we flirt with a thought, like physical beauty, it can grow and lead to another thought. We need to nip a wrong thought in the bud and cast it out of our mind before it grows and takes over.
Apostle Paul asked, You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you ( Galatians 5:7-8)
It probably came from Matthew 22:37. The term "Thou shalt love" is not in command form. That is a Future Active Indicative in the Greek text. It is not a command. It is a factual statement. You will love!
Believers are supposed to love one another. But, neither in the Old Testament, nor in the New Testament, is it in command form.
As a matter of fact, the command in the Old Testament is YOU WILL love the Lord your God, and YOU WILL love your neighbor as yourself. It is a factual statement!
It all centers around where the commands came from, Deuteronomy Chapter 6 that has the SHEMA, the prayer that is prayed every morning and evening by Orthodox Jews.
In that prayer, they recite the fact that God says that I will put my Spirit in you, and I will put my laws on your heart, and YOU WILL love the Lord your God.
We are told in Galatians 5:22 that love, AGAPE, is a fruit of God's Spirit.
In 1 John Chapter 4, it tells us that God is love. Now if I focus on the fact that God is love, and I've been commanded to love, and God is love, then what am I to do? Give you God, because He is love. Love is a person. Love is the nature of God!
In my human abilities, or in my human effort, I cannot produce God's nature of love. I can't produce that!
And as I said, Galatians 5:22 tells us it is a fruit. It is produced by God's Spirit, just like faith, and all the other ingredients that make up the fruit of the Spirit.
Some continue to take scriptures out of context and put pressure on themselves to produce these things, when the bible says no.
The bible says point-blank that if you're not loving your brother, then you don't know God! If you do not have AGAPE love in you, you are not saved. That is what the bible says.
I am running out of space but want to share a little more on Matthew 22:37 from a Greek perspective. It is some pretty powerful stuff!
I'll send it as Matthew 22:37 (Part 2)
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; ANGER, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the OLD man with his deeds;
Ephesians Chapter 4
24 And that ye put on the NEW man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Mishael Comment: This generation of people are very angry and do not pull back on those reins to stop it. We are to produce the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit. The evidence of Jesus's life being lived through us.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ephesians 5:9
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Romans 8:9
But 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.
Matthew Chapter 12
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall NOT be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Selah. (Pause and think on these things)
Here's What being in the presence of believers want do.
Change the inner Man.
Galatians 5:22-24 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
This fruit is interior, And should be the engine that drives a Christian to serving and righteous living. This is against our nature, ( THE NATURAL MAN. )
Fruit is virtue from being born again, connected to the TRUE VINE "EVERLASTING Life".
A non born again professor / false Christian only can control the exterior, and
Tries to clothe himself with righteousness.
Try to DO the right thing, SAY the right thing, But Love for the brothern, humility, Longsuffering, ect... is absent. Void of being regenerated by the spirit. Proud of his exterior work, Nothing on the inside.
That's what the Law couldn't do!
Jesus came to CHANGE the HEART, And the spirit guides us with passion, not by command.
God bless.
I am very happy that you liked the post I put together of basically "sins or evil things" we should stay away from. I added a couple things though most of it is from the NT. I actually started taking notes of these things and have all the verses that I would like to share with you as it seems you are taking notes of these things also for your sermons. This will give you all the places, and a couple more, where I got those things I posted:
Mark 7:20-23, Romans 1:21-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:16-21, Ephesians 5:5, Hebrews 12:14, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, James 1:19-22, Colossians 3,
As some things are noted in several places so I had to delete things so they would not show up twice.
Knowing this may help you preaching to others I am very thankful to put in my little bit to help. All glory to the Lord.
God Bless you on your journey brother Gary.
+ The Kingdom of Heaven = the combined saved on earth; particularly the church.
+ Leaven = "another gospel"; any cursed false doctrine which is added to the True Gospel to make it more receptive. (e.g. the cursed doctrine which "so soon removed [the Galatian Church] from HIM (CHRIST) unto another [false] gospel" ( Gal. 1:6-7; cp. Hos.7:4).
+ A woman = the proponent and introducer of false doctrine. The New Testament never describes the True Church generally as a "woman". Rather, the True Church is described specifically and honorably as a "chaste virgin" ( 2Cor. 11:2) and a "the Bride, The LAMB's (CHRIST's) wife" ( Rev. 21:9; cp. 19:7).
+ Three measures of meal = the true saints; the true Kingdom of GOD; False professors and hypocrites will always reside within both.
+ Till the whole {meal} was leavened = religious "leaven" will always doctrinally corrupt any local church that receives it, as well as GOD's Kingdom as much as HE permits (generally speaking).
This parable, as all parables within Matthew Thirteen, describe the progressive devolution of the Church in general, and of GOD's Kingdom until CHRIST's 2nd Coming and Judgment.
Leaven, a type of sin, always pollutes and perverts that which is Holy (cp. 1Cor. 5:8).
The wicked counterparts to "a woman"-an antitype of the True Church-are "that woman Jezebel" ( Rev. 2:20), and the global religious system described as "the great whore", and "the mother of harlots" ( Rev. 17:1 & 5).
The "measures of meal" is that which "good seed" ( Mt. 13:24) produces, only by the planting of which symbolizes the growth of True and Productive Christian believers (cp. Mt. 13:8 & 23).
The True Gospel is never "hid", but rather is preached and openly, publicly, and boldly. The "woman" secretly "hid" her leaven which speaks of deception. She deceives by making her "leaven" more palatable to her gullible audience. Apostle Peter warned, "there shall be fal
+ ( 2Cor. 11:13) "deceitful workers."
+ ( Eph. 4:14) "they lie in wait {use trickery} to deceive."
+ (2Thes. 2:9) "him {apocalyptic antichrist}, whose coming is after the working of Satan (the definitive deceiver)."
+ ( 1Tim. 4:1-2) "seducing spirits ... speaking lies in hypocrisy."
+ ( 2Tim. 3:5) "Having a form of Godliness, but denying the Power thereof."
+ ( Tit. 1:11) "who subvert {overthrow} whole houses."
+ ( 1Jn. 2:26) "them that seduce {deceive} you."
+ ( Rev. 2:9) "them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."
"Leaven" is anything extraneous which false religionists add to the True Gospel and Doctrine of CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR. That added "leaven" spreads throughout the Church and GOD's Kingdom. Compare the waywardness of the modern "church", and how far she has so removed herself from that perfect righteousness, holiness, and Godliness GOD requires. The modern church has literally removed LORD JESUS CHRIST to the back alley curbside.
CHRIST literally portrays this in HIS Proclamation, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock" ( Rev. 3:20). CHRIST, WHO is "The DOOR of the sheep" ( Jn. 10:7 & 9), now "knocks" of the "door" of the apathetic, indifferent, and backslidden church because the church has replaced the True "DOOR" with a "door" of false gospels, doctrines, and even a false lord and savior.
Of qualifications, when I speak of the modern church, I speak generally, for CHRIST will always "build" HIS True Churches. The True Church and the True Kingdom of GOD will persevere unto CHRIST comes again.
Salvation is the most important issue here and I need more than one post to give you an answer to your question, so please bear with me.
(Part 1)
There are those who believe that salvation can be lost and then there are others who believe in the permanency of salvation. I personally believe that salvation is permanent and here's why:
First of all, the Bible clearly teaches that salvation is based solely on God's Spirit coming into the spirit of a human being; and in so doing, causing that person to become a new creation in Christ. A person's experience of regeneration by the Holy Spirit is an act of God, not of man.
According to the Bible, the salvation process begins with God the Father. Jesus said, in John 6:44, "No one is able to come to me unless the Father who has sent me should draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day."
In the early Church, the requirement for salvation was the presence of God's Spirit dwelling within a person. Paul said in Romans 8:9, "Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this one is not of Him." Salvation happens only when God's Spirit enters and remains (Permanently) in a person's spirit, thereby causing spiritual birth.
God is the sole source of salvation. The Bible also teaches that every saved person is KEPT by the power of God. 1 Peter 1:5 says that believers are "The ones who are BEING KEPT in the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Paul says in Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are opposing to one another; in order that you should not do what you want."
These scriptures show that believers cannot be taken away from Christ by the flesh, because the Spirit of God is dwelling within to prevent that from happening.
More to follow:
Thank you for your comments.
You quoted Exodus 20:10 to say that we must observe the sabbath. However, you quoted from the Old Testament given to the ancient nation of Israel. Could you provide me a verse from the New Testament which commands the Church to keep the Sabbath? If not, why not? Why would the Apostles never instruct or remind the Christian Church to keep the sabbath if it was that important?
You also quoted Malachi 2:6 that God never changes. But, then why did God change the law of circumcision? The Old Testament said you must be circumcised - a commandment of God at Leviticus 12:3. But, in the New Testament, we are told that circumcision is not necessary. See Galatians 5:2. Also, why does Hebrews 7:12 say the the priesthood was changed? I thought you said that God never changes. In the Old Testament, the priesthood was Levitical but in the New Testament, the priesthood is according to the order of Mechizedek - another change of God. See Hebrews 7:11.
The Apostle Paul, at Galatians 4:10, scolds the Galatians for keeping the Old Testament rituals. The brackets are mine.
Galatians 4:10
"Ye observe (sabbath) days, and (lunar) months, and (festivals) times, and (sabbatical) years."
No wonder the Apostle Paul asks the question at:
Galatians 4:21 "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the (Mosaic Old Testament) law, do ye not hear the law?"
Colossians 2:16 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:"
I welcome your comments, Bridget.
Good day.
If leaven ALWAYS represents sin and evil; explain:
Luke 13:21 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of GOD (CHRIST IN YOU)?
Luke 13:22 It (CHRIST IN YOU) is like LEAVEN ........
A "little" leaven will spread throughout the substance until it pollutes the whole. This principle is proven by the rule of "first mention" as recorded in Exodus 12:15 and 19 as GOD declared regarding the Passover Meal: "Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off {eliminated; destroyed; killed} from Israel."
Leaven typifies ...
+ evil and forbidden religious traditions and practices which pervert the true Religion ( Lev. 2:11; Amos 4:5-5; Mt. 13:33; Lu. 13:21);
+ evil doctrinal errors which pervert the True Gospel ( Mt. 16:6-12; Gal. 5:9);
+ blatant sinful character ( Mk. 8:15);
+ hypocrisy (Lu. 12:1);
+ pride and boasting ( 1Cor. 5:6);
+ fornication and the fornicator ( 1Cor. 5:7); and
+ malice and wickedness ( 1Cor. 5:8).
I agree with you on not having to keep the "7th day Sabbath". Another verse I came across tonight to back that is Galatians 4:9-11. I don't know if I understand correctly your statement of "we are commanded the opposite". As I stated, my feeling, that to follow Christ is to be Holy as He is Holy as in 1 Peter 1:14-17, Hebrews 12:14. To strive to keep every day Holy retaining the Lord in us. That following love from a pure heart is what makes God our Father and Christ happy 1 Peter 1:22-23.
To the Ten Commandments. Like I stated I believe they are good and are throughout the NT, as to follow them, though all spread out. Here is one actually discerning it as a commandment of the OT Ephesians 6:1-2. Here are the rest in different places. Romans 1:28-32, Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Colossians 3:1-10. As you are able to go through all those epistles of the NT and see it notes the same things the Ten Commandments tells to us to stay away from. Even more as some are in the Mitzvot laws. As stated there are a lot that are void though just letting the Spirit guide you, you can see the ones that are moral and righteous.
Love from a pure heart is above all and shall never fail Colossians 3:12-17. Walking in the Spirit producing good fruit for the Lord. To keep us from the temptations and lusts of the flesh which leads to sin. Which no one is perfect and may slip and fall. To be vigilant and confess our sins in prayer they shall be forgiven. Though we are to strive to stay away(repent) from sin in our walk with the Lord to be Holy in this temple He has Blessed us with.
Just to make clear if anyone may perceive I'm stating that "good works" is what saves us. That is not true and not what I'm stating. Though we are called by God through Christ to good works Ephesians 2:10. Showing our faith and newness of life in the Lord. All glory to our Father and Jesus Christ. Amen.
God Bless you Michael.
Jesus didn't come to destroy the law. He came to free us from the law which slew us. he came to take the penalty of not being able to keep the law. " Which freed us from the curse of the law which worked in our members.
He gave us his spirit to accomplish what the law could not do. ( Read Romans Ch 6.)
Galatians 5:13-14. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
I guess you can say he put an end of trying to live by the law for means of salvation. "Judaism"
but the commandments shows that you need a savior.
God bless
Thanks for your comments!
God tell us not to be conform to the ways of the carnal world!
Just because the people in the world speak a certain way doesn't, make it right!
"Therefore come out from their midst and be separate, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean, and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:17
Romans 13:8
You give more glory to The Lord, Jesus Christ, when you greet people with "LoveO". God Is LOVE.
Faith worketh by Love." Galatians 5:6
The powerful armor God works by Love. Love never fails!
Ephesians 6:11-17
11. "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
12. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
13. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
"
14. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place"
15. "And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of Peace."
16. "In addition to all this, take up the Shield of Faith, with this you are able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."
17. "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God.
I am honored that you shared that history of your life with us. Thank you very much. It means a lot.
I'm not sure what you mean by "I change my mine because you wont find any prophecies of free will, HELL or heaven; only a KINGDOM."
I think you are correct as the statement "free will" is not in the Bible directly. Though several verses that, I believe, point to this are: Joshua 24:15, John 7:17, Galatians 5:13, James 1:13-16. For a couple.
The word "hell" has taken over the Hebrew word "sheol" in the OT. Three Greek words "gehenna" "hades" and "tartarus" in the NT. All described as "bad" places simply.
For Heaven there are numerous as the one used the most in the NT, hundreds of times, is "ouranos". Strongs definition "the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness power: eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity)". In John 3:13, John 3:31. Kingdom used a lot together with this word as in Matthew 6:10, Matthew 18:3.
Thanks for your replies Earl.
God Bless.
Matthew starting at chapter 5, the Beatitudes and sermon on the mount is one of my favorites, also Galatians chapter 5 explains the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:12-18, I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.