Selah
Active Member
Yes, but the elect’s ministry as well. We were chosen for a purpose.
Excellent Discussion on OSAS
- Thread starter civic
- Start date
GodsGrace
Active Member
I guess you could say that...but it's really adding, but OK.
God has given to each of us a ministry....that of proclaiming His word and spreading it to a lost world...
and also to debate between ourselves !
But, yes, 2 Timothy 1:12 is Paul referring to the work that God has given to him...
his missionary work to the Gentiles.
God can complete what He has trusted Paul to do.
When in doubt,,,check out the Common English Bible.
It's easier than checking out the Greek and it's always right.
(so far!).
Selah
Active Member
See?
1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) But you [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
GodsGrace
Active Member
Agreed Selah.
We are to witness to a fallen world.
To proclaim the good news to whomever will listen...
that we are lost and in need of a savior and God so loves us that
we will be saved by believing in God and obeying Him, as best we can.
Easy as that.
But not every single word in the NT is for everyone.
Jesus sent out the Apostles on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19...
He doesn't expect all of us to go out into the world into evey nation....
I just believe that God gave to Paul a special job to do, and he did it well, just like
2 Tim 1:12 states....God was able to keep him.
We do the best we can...when we can.
Blessed
Active Member
Abide in Christ is where it's at.
To “abide” is to live, continue, or remain; so, to abide in Christ is to live in Him or remain in Him. When a person is saved, he or she is described as being “in Christ” (Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17), held secure in a permanent relationship (John 10:28–29). Therefore, abiding in Christ is not a special level of Christian experience, rather, it is the position of all true believers. The difference between those abiding in Christ and those not abiding in Christ is the difference between the saved and the unsaved.
Abiding in Christ is taught in 1 John 2:5–6, where it is synonymous with “knowing” Christ (verses 2 and 3). Later in the same chapter, John equates “remaining” in the Father and the Son with having the promise of eternal life (verses 24 and 25). Biblically, “abiding in,” “remaining in,” and “knowing” Christ are references to the same thing: salvation.
The phrase abiding in Christ pictures an intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance. In John 15:4–7, Jesus tells His disciples that drawing life from Him is essential, using the picture of branches united to a vine: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Without that vital union with Christ that salvation provides, there can be no life and no productivity. Elsewhere, the Bible likens our relationship with Christ to that of a body with a head (Colossians 1:18)—another essential union.
Some people take the warning of John 15:6 (branches that do not abide in the vine are thrown away and burned) to mean that Christians are always in danger of losing their salvation. In other words, they say it’s possible to be saved but not “abide,” in which case we would be cast away. But this could only be true if “abiding” were separate from salvation, referring to a state of intimacy with Christ we must strive to attain post-salvation. The Bible is clear that salvation comes by grace and is maintained by grace (Galatians 3:2–3). Also, if a branch could somehow fall away from the vine, resulting in the loss of salvation, then other, very clear passages of Scripture would be contradicted (see John 10:27–30).
It is best to interpret the True Vine metaphor this way: Jesus is the True Vine, obviously. The branches who “abide” in Him are the truly saved—they have a real and vital connection to the Savior. The withered branches who do not “abide” in Him are the unsaved pretenders who feigned an attachment to the Vine but drew no life from Him. In the end, the pretenders will be seen for what they were: hangers-on who had no authentic attachment to Jesus. For a while, both Peter and Judas seemed identical in their walk with Christ. But Peter was attached to the Vine; Judas was not.
John restates the withered-branch principle this way: “They [people now opposed to Christ] went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us” (1 John 2:19).
One of the proofs of salvation is perseverance, or sustained abiding in Christ. The saved will continue in their walk with Christ (see Revelation 2:26). That is, they will “abide” or remain in Him. God will complete His work in them (Philippians 1:6), and they will bring forth much fruit to the glory of God (John 15:5). Those who fall away, turn their backs on Christ, or fail to abide simply show their lack of saving faith. Abiding is not what saves us, but it is one of the signs of salvation.
Proofs of abiding in Christ (i.e., proofs that one is truly saved and not just pretending) include obedience to Christ’s commands (John 15:10; 1 John 3:24); following Jesus’ example (1 John 2:6); living free from habitual sin (1 John 3:6); and the awareness of a divine presence within one’s life (1 John 4:13).
Got?
Blessed
Active Member
And this one.
Answer
In John 8:31, Jesus identifies the mark of genuine disciples: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (NKJV, emphasis added). This suggests that everyone who calls himself a disciple is not truly a disciple. A true disciple is someone who abides in the word of Jesus.
In John 8:31, Jesus directs His words to a group of Jews “who had believed in Him” (ESV). He challenges them, however, with the statement, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,” and He immediately follows that with, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (verse 32, ESV). The Jews to whom He spoke “believed” in Him on some level—they had made a profession of faith. Jesus gives them encouragement along with a warning against making a superficial commitment. An impulsive moment will not lead to true discipleship. A steady, dedicated obedience to Jesus’ commands will be the proof of discipleship. A tree is known by its fruit (see Matthew 12:33).
The word abide (Gk. menō) frequently appears in the Gospel of John. To “abide” in the word of Jesus is to have the kind of faith that perseveres and clings to His teachings. A genuine disciple will remain in the Word, meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8), obey it (John 15:14), and share it with others (Matthew 28:18–20). Discipleship, then, is more than intellectual assent to Jesus’ teachings. It involves continuance.
On the night of His arrest, Jesus likened Himself to the True Vine and His followers to the branches attached to the vine. In that context, He said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Earlier, Jesus had spoken of those who did not abide in God’s Word. To the Pharisees who desired to kill Him, Jesus said, “And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent” (John 5:37–38).
In John 8:31, the call to “abide in my word” refers to the entirety of His teachings. Disciples must internalize the word, allowing it to take root within their hearts: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).
The Gospel writers repeatedly stress the connection between discipleship and obedience. In John 14:23, for example, Jesus says, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” Total obedience, then, is the natural outflow of genuine love and faith.
When we abide in the word of Jesus, the Holy Spirit reshapes our character, values, and priorities: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, ESV).
There is nothing temporary about true discipleship. Those who abide in the word of Jesus will persevere to the end, and they will find spiritual freedom (John 8:32). True disciples will bear the Spirit’s fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
GOT?
What did Jesus mean when He said, “if you abide in my word” in John 8:31?
Answer
In John 8:31, Jesus identifies the mark of genuine disciples: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (NKJV, emphasis added). This suggests that everyone who calls himself a disciple is not truly a disciple. A true disciple is someone who abides in the word of Jesus.
In John 8:31, Jesus directs His words to a group of Jews “who had believed in Him” (ESV). He challenges them, however, with the statement, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,” and He immediately follows that with, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (verse 32, ESV). The Jews to whom He spoke “believed” in Him on some level—they had made a profession of faith. Jesus gives them encouragement along with a warning against making a superficial commitment. An impulsive moment will not lead to true discipleship. A steady, dedicated obedience to Jesus’ commands will be the proof of discipleship. A tree is known by its fruit (see Matthew 12:33).
The word abide (Gk. menō) frequently appears in the Gospel of John. To “abide” in the word of Jesus is to have the kind of faith that perseveres and clings to His teachings. A genuine disciple will remain in the Word, meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8), obey it (John 15:14), and share it with others (Matthew 28:18–20). Discipleship, then, is more than intellectual assent to Jesus’ teachings. It involves continuance.
On the night of His arrest, Jesus likened Himself to the True Vine and His followers to the branches attached to the vine. In that context, He said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Earlier, Jesus had spoken of those who did not abide in God’s Word. To the Pharisees who desired to kill Him, Jesus said, “And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent” (John 5:37–38).
In John 8:31, the call to “abide in my word” refers to the entirety of His teachings. Disciples must internalize the word, allowing it to take root within their hearts: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).
The Gospel writers repeatedly stress the connection between discipleship and obedience. In John 14:23, for example, Jesus says, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” Total obedience, then, is the natural outflow of genuine love and faith.
When we abide in the word of Jesus, the Holy Spirit reshapes our character, values, and priorities: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2, ESV).
There is nothing temporary about true discipleship. Those who abide in the word of Jesus will persevere to the end, and they will find spiritual freedom (John 8:32). True disciples will bear the Spirit’s fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
GOT?
GodsGrace
Active Member
Was going to shut down, but wanted to comment on the above.....
You posted this because you had just said.
"Yes, but the elect’s ministry as well. We were chosen for a purpose."
Actually, Selah, every Christian believes that we are chosen for a purpose.
The NT does speak about election and it does speak about predestination.
Just not how Calvinists understand it.
God doesn't choose who will be saved or lost.....(that would be unjust and God cannot be unjust)...
but we are chosen for purpose...just like you stated.
So the predestination is always for:
HOW...METHOD
or
WHY....PURPOSE.
So maybe you sounded like a calvinist....
but you weren't wrong!
'night.
Blessed
Active Member
Good night. Stay safe. Don't let the bed bugs bite.
GodsGrace
Active Member
Agreed.
But I don't see any "level" to Christianity.
One is either a Christian or they are not.
We can say that we're at different levels of understanding, but this has nothing to do with our salvation.
Right.
We have eternal life as long as we're abiding in Christ.
If we're living with God...we absolutely have eternal life.
John 15:1-6 happens to be one of the most important scriptures in the NT, IMO.
You've said a lot up there and I don't know if you care to keep discussing this....
IF we abide in Christ....we are always safe.
The branch that gets cut away, that is not producing fruit....is the branch that is not obeying God.
Now, the branch was IN THE VINE....it was attached to Jesus....the person is represens is a saved person.
The branch is cut away....because of not producing.
Producing what?
A life pleasing to God.
This does not mean that we have to be perfect because no one is.
Jesus said Only our Father in heaven is good.
God knows our faults and weaknesses.
But we must hang in there....
we must abide.
Agreed?
This sounds rather silly.
If we're abiding how could we not be saved?
If we're abiding we're IN CHRIST...
if we're IN CHRIST...we're saved.
Also, we're not in danger of losing our salvation at every turn.
Where would the joy be ?
The NT does teach, however, that some persons decide to leave the faith....
they decide they no longer want to serve God. These are the persons who could lose their salvation.
Also, some believe they could call themselves a Christian and then keep on living as before when they were lost...
this is wrong to. This is what repent means....to change direction.
The change could happen overnight - I've seen this - or it could take years...
justification is instantaneous...
sanctification is a process that is on-going.
LOL
The branch doesn't just fall away!
It WANTS to leave...
it disobeys God.
If God is disobeyed, just like Adam did,,,then of course we will not be abiding IN CHRIST.
WE will have abandoned HIM.
This is not possible Blessed.
How could any branch be a pretender?
If it was IN THE VINE....and the VINE GIVES LIFE...it was a saved branch/person.
Branches draw life from vines.
Jesus used this type of metaphor for a reason....
People back then grew grape to make wine...they knew what the metaphor means.
Why do we need to resort to this type of incorrect understanding?
Are we so afraid to displease God?
Are we so legalistic that we feel we need to be perfect?
I'm secure in Jesus.
As long as I WANT to be saved...
I will be saved.
This is the verse that is always used.
It's actually John stating that some of the persons following Jesus were some type of gnostics...those he called wolves in sheep's clothing.
We have to reconcile all scripture with other scripture.
It all has to agree.
You got this from QotQuestions?
It's a calvinist site and I don't care for it but sometimes the answers are really good.
I'd say that OSAS is not taught in the bible.....
I also don't understand why this should be a problem...
it's just Paul teaching us to stay close to God and to not deny Him so that He will not deny us.
I think we should be happy to know God and consider it a blessing and know that HE will never leave US.
Sorry for all the I's....
You can write back...I may not answer till tomorrow morning...
almost midnight here.
Blessed
Active Member
@GodsGrace
Right... no special level to Christianity. Christ is the head and we are the body of believers. Now there will be difference rewards when we get to heaven. Rewards in heaven glorify God and provide us with joy, peace, and wonder as we consider God’s work in us and through us. The closer we were to God during this life, the more centered on Him and aware of Him, the more dependent on Him, the more desperate for His mercy, the more there will be to celebrate.
Therefore, abiding in Christ is not a special level of the Christian experience. It is the experience.
Right... no special level to Christianity. Christ is the head and we are the body of believers. Now there will be difference rewards when we get to heaven. Rewards in heaven glorify God and provide us with joy, peace, and wonder as we consider God’s work in us and through us. The closer we were to God during this life, the more centered on Him and aware of Him, the more dependent on Him, the more desperate for His mercy, the more there will be to celebrate.
Therefore, abiding in Christ is not a special level of the Christian experience. It is the experience.
civic
Active Member
Just pointing out that an actual branch on a fruit tree or grape vine has no say so in its production of fruit. The vine nourishes the branches. If it never produced fruit it was never abiding. The abiding ones produce fruit.
Agreed.
But I don't see any "level" to Christianity.
One is either a Christian or they are not.
We can say that we're at different levels of understanding, but this has nothing to do with our salvation.
Right.
We have eternal life as long as we're abiding in Christ.
If we're living with God...we absolutely have eternal life.
John 15:1-6 happens to be one of the most important scriptures in the NT, IMO.
You've said a lot up there and I don't know if you care to keep discussing this....
IF we abide in Christ....we are always safe.
The branch that gets cut away, that is not producing fruit....is the branch that is not obeying God.
Now, the branch was IN THE VINE....it was attached to Jesus....the person is represens is a saved person.
The branch is cut away....because of not producing.
Producing what?
A life pleasing to God.
This does not mean that we have to be perfect because no one is.
Jesus said Only our Father in heaven is good.
God knows our faults and weaknesses.
But we must hang in there....
we must abide.
Agreed?
This sounds rather silly.
If we're abiding how could we not be saved?
If we're abiding we're IN CHRIST...
if we're IN CHRIST...we're saved.
Also, we're not in danger of losing our salvation at every turn.
Where would the joy be ?
The NT does teach, however, that some persons decide to leave the faith....
they decide they no longer want to serve God. These are the persons who could lose their salvation.
Also, some believe they could call themselves a Christian and then keep on living as before when they were lost...
this is wrong to. This is what repent means....to change direction.
The change could happen overnight - I've seen this - or it could take years...
justification is instantaneous...
sanctification is a process that is on-going.
LOL
The branch doesn't just fall away!
It WANTS to leave...
it disobeys God.
If God is disobeyed, just like Adam did,,,then of course we will not be abiding IN CHRIST.
WE will have abandoned HIM.
This is not possible Blessed.
How could any branch be a pretender?
If it was IN THE VINE....and the VINE GIVES LIFE...it was a saved branch/person.
Branches draw life from vines.
Jesus used this type of metaphor for a reason....
People back then grew grape to make wine...they knew what the metaphor means.
Why do we need to resort to this type of incorrect understanding?
Are we so afraid to displease God?
Are we so legalistic that we feel we need to be perfect?
I'm secure in Jesus.
As long as I WANT to be saved...
I will be saved.
This is the verse that is always used.
It's actually John stating that some of the persons following Jesus were some type of gnostics...those he called wolves in sheep's clothing.
We have to reconcile all scripture with other scripture.
It all has to agree.
You got this from QotQuestions?
It's a calvinist site and I don't care for it but sometimes the answers are really good.
I'd say that OSAS is not taught in the bible.....
I also don't understand why this should be a problem...
it's just Paul teaching us to stay close to God and to not deny Him so that He will not deny us.
I think we should be happy to know God and consider it a blessing and know that HE will never leave US.
Sorry for all the I's....
You can write back...I may not answer till tomorrow morning...
almost midnight here.
A branch cannot give itself light
A branch cannot prune itself
A branch cannot pollinate its buds
A branch cannot prevent frost damage
A branch cannot nourish itself
A branch cannot control insects, diseases
I been through this a few times and they say they are not a Calvinist site. If they were I think they would shout it from the rooftops. See Below.
Welcome to GotQuestions.org, the flagship website of Got Questions Ministries, a network of sites with a shared mission: to glorify God and reach people for Christ by providing biblical answers to spiritually related questions.
We are Christian, evangelical, theologically conservative, and nondenominational. As a parachurch ministry, our purpose is to come alongside the Church, joining in the Great Commission Jesus entrusted to His followers, by offering support and answers to those seeking clarity on spiritually related questions.
Whether you are seeking guidance, looking for answers, or are curious about spiritual matters, we are here to serve you, support you, and share the profound truths of God’s Word with you. Got questions? The Bible has answers. We’ll help you find them!
GotQuestions.org was launched in February of 2002. The past 20+ years are an amazing account of God exploding and amplifying GotQuestions.org into one of the most frequently visited Christian websites in the world. We are currently averaging 22,000,000 pageviews per month and have received over 2,500,000,000 pageviews in our history. Click here for more information about our history.
About GotQuestions.org
What is GotQuestions.org all about? What is the mission, purpose, and goal of Got Questions Ministries?
www.gotquestions.org
They are even on LOGOS now. Do a search on LOGOS for anything and they pop up a lot.I been through this a few times and they say they are not a Calvinist site. If they were I think they would shout it from the rooftops. See Below.
Welcome to GotQuestions.org, the flagship website of Got Questions Ministries, a network of sites with a shared mission: to glorify God and reach people for Christ by providing biblical answers to spiritually related questions.
We are Christian, evangelical, theologically conservative, and nondenominational. As a parachurch ministry, our purpose is to come alongside the Church, joining in the Great Commission Jesus entrusted to His followers, by offering support and answers to those seeking clarity on spiritually related questions.
Whether you are seeking guidance, looking for answers, or are curious about spiritual matters, we are here to serve you, support you, and share the profound truths of God’s Word with you. Got questions? The Bible has answers. We’ll help you find them!
GotQuestions.org was launched in February of 2002. The past 20+ years are an amazing account of God exploding and amplifying GotQuestions.org into one of the most frequently visited Christian websites in the world. We are currently averaging 22,000,000 pageviews per month and have received over 2,500,000,000 pageviews in our history. Click here for more information about our history.
About GotQuestions.org
What is GotQuestions.org all about? What is the mission, purpose, and goal of Got Questions Ministries?www.gotquestions.org
Johann
Active Member
Well said brother. A site well worth perusing from time to timeI been through this a few times and they say they are not a Calvinist site. If they were I think they would shout it from the rooftops. See Below.
Welcome to GotQuestions.org, the flagship website of Got Questions Ministries, a network of sites with a shared mission: to glorify God and reach people for Christ by providing biblical answers to spiritually related questions.
We are Christian, evangelical, theologically conservative, and nondenominational. As a parachurch ministry, our purpose is to come alongside the Church, joining in the Great Commission Jesus entrusted to His followers, by offering support and answers to those seeking clarity on spiritually related questions.
Whether you are seeking guidance, looking for answers, or are curious about spiritual matters, we are here to serve you, support you, and share the profound truths of God’s Word with you. Got questions? The Bible has answers. We’ll help you find them!
GotQuestions.org was launched in February of 2002. The past 20+ years are an amazing account of God exploding and amplifying GotQuestions.org into one of the most frequently visited Christian websites in the world. We are currently averaging 22,000,000 pageviews per month and have received over 2,500,000,000 pageviews in our history. Click here for more information about our history.
About GotQuestions.org
What is GotQuestions.org all about? What is the mission, purpose, and goal of Got Questions Ministries?www.gotquestions.org
J.
Johann
Active Member
Bob Carabbio
Active Member
If "apostacy" wasn't possible, there wouldn't be WARNINGS about it!!!
GodsGrace
Active Member
Agreed.
That's why we need to REMAIN IN THE VINE.
So we can have light....
So we can be pruned so our fruit can increase.
The Holy Spirit comforts us and helps us along.
So we do not get frost damage.
So we can be nourished by God Himself.
So we do not get (spiritual) diseases that can cause us to depart from God.
GodsGrace
Active Member
This is also for @TobyI been through this a few times and they say they are not a Calvinist site. If they were I think they would shout it from the rooftops. See Below.
Welcome to GotQuestions.org, the flagship website of Got Questions Ministries, a network of sites with a shared mission: to glorify God and reach people for Christ by providing biblical answers to spiritually related questions.
We are Christian, evangelical, theologically conservative, and nondenominational. As a parachurch ministry, our purpose is to come alongside the Church, joining in the Great Commission Jesus entrusted to His followers, by offering support and answers to those seeking clarity on spiritually related questions.
Whether you are seeking guidance, looking for answers, or are curious about spiritual matters, we are here to serve you, support you, and share the profound truths of God’s Word with you. Got questions? The Bible has answers. We’ll help you find them!
GotQuestions.org was launched in February of 2002. The past 20+ years are an amazing account of God exploding and amplifying GotQuestions.org into one of the most frequently visited Christian websites in the world. We are currently averaging 22,000,000 pageviews per month and have received over 2,500,000,000 pageviews in our history. Click here for more information about our history.
About GotQuestions.org
What is GotQuestions.org all about? What is the mission, purpose, and goal of Got Questions Ministries?www.gotquestions.org
Try asking QotQuestions:
WHAT IS PREDESTINATION?
Some members on these forums will state they are not Calvinist in theology.
Then, every concept they post is calvinist.
Same for GotQuestions.
Doesn't matter what they say or how they define themselves.
What matters is WHAT THEY BELIEVE and teach.
CALVINISM.
@GodsGrace
Fran, I clearly said:
The duty of every man/woman of God is to read the word of God distinctly, and THEN apply the true biblical sense to what you are reading, SO THAT the hearers thereof can understand properly what the Spirit intended to be meant to be understood from His word. It is not that difficult, but few practice this biblical methodology of teaching the word of God to others; most just run with the sound bites and create a false meaning in order to support their heresy ~ some knowing and some no doubt do this unknowingly. God is their Judge, not me while living in this body of sin and death; one day I'll be free from this body, and then I will judge angles, but not until then.
No problem for the Lord Jesus to communicate to his very own sheep.
A brother, or sister that err from the truth and one converts him back into the way, much like Paul rebuking Peter and converting him back into the paths of the true gospel of Christ; or Christ looking at Peter when he sinned, causing him to go out and wept bitterly over his sin of denying Christ, or it could be any sin a brother or sister commits and one convert him from the err of his way, he does two things for that erring brethren: 1) he saved him from death, which could be intrepreted in more than one way ~ one would be a literal death of the body much like those at Corinth that had fallen asleep from misusing the Lord's supper, etc.; or, could save a erring brethren from spiritual living among those profess believers that do nothing more than go through the motion of being religious, when their heart is not fully engaged in serving God and loving his word, people, etc. 2) such people add sin to sin while they live such a life of not fully serving Christ, but their own lust...but if converted then a MULTITUDE of SINS that they would commit while living such a life, those sins are covered by not being committed by the fact they were converted by another brother.
Greetings Fran, trust you got a good night of sleep, it does indeed help us to think much better, and to reason with others as we do here on the forum.
Fran, I clearly said:
Fran, I think I have used Nehemiah 8:8 with you before, but in case I have not, then please consider:
Nehemiah 8:8
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”The duty of every man/woman of God is to read the word of God distinctly, and THEN apply the true biblical sense to what you are reading, SO THAT the hearers thereof can understand properly what the Spirit intended to be meant to be understood from His word. It is not that difficult, but few practice this biblical methodology of teaching the word of God to others; most just run with the sound bites and create a false meaning in order to support their heresy ~ some knowing and some no doubt do this unknowingly. God is their Judge, not me while living in this body of sin and death; one day I'll be free from this body, and then I will judge angles, but not until then.
If dead always means spiritual death, then that would be very true, and that's not my personal opinion but Jesus' very own teaching, so be careful not to mock truth!
John 10:26-28
“But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”No problem for the Lord Jesus to communicate to his very own sheep.
No Fran, I know well what I was doing, even though you do not, the problem is yours, not mine.
James 5:19,20
“Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."A brother, or sister that err from the truth and one converts him back into the way, much like Paul rebuking Peter and converting him back into the paths of the true gospel of Christ; or Christ looking at Peter when he sinned, causing him to go out and wept bitterly over his sin of denying Christ, or it could be any sin a brother or sister commits and one convert him from the err of his way, he does two things for that erring brethren: 1) he saved him from death, which could be intrepreted in more than one way ~ one would be a literal death of the body much like those at Corinth that had fallen asleep from misusing the Lord's supper, etc.; or, could save a erring brethren from spiritual living among those profess believers that do nothing more than go through the motion of being religious, when their heart is not fully engaged in serving God and loving his word, people, etc. 2) such people add sin to sin while they live such a life of not fully serving Christ, but their own lust...but if converted then a MULTITUDE of SINS that they would commit while living such a life, those sins are covered by not being committed by the fact they were converted by another brother.
Explained above!
Absolutely!
Explained above.
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