What is the Gospel
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Jim, I think you misunderstood what I meant when using 1st John 2:12-14.
1st John 2:12-14
“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”What meant was that in the church family, there are babes, little children, young men and fathers, all are not on the same level of understanding, we go from babes in Christ to fathers, or at least we should if we are progressing accordingly as we should.
Is this acceptable:
He was referencing to my post to Jim. Which I had no problem with him doing so, only if he can take what he was dishes out. He also misunderstood where I was coming from, and never made an attempt to prove what he was saying about me by using the scriptures.
Nevertheless, I will abide by the rules, please accept my apology. I should not had posted what I posted, it was uncalled for.
I would agree with the bulk of what all you have said there. I would, however, take a mild objection to your thoughts concerning reading the scriptures "in faith". It is in reading the scriptures that we come to faith. I would argue that the great bulk of scripture has been given us so that we can see and understand the truth that is portrayed there and believe, then, in the wondrous reality that salvation is available to us by that belief, that faith.
That is entirely possible. At least once before in my life I misunderstood someone.
Yes. And as an aside and for what it is worth, that progressing is called sanctification. For Christians there are two main aspects of sanctification, corresponding to the two senses in which God is holy. The first aspect may be called initial sanctification, which refers to the onetime event in which the unsaved person joins the ranks of the saved, the moment in which he is set apart from the world as such, from his old way of life, and from “this present evil age” (Gal 1:4). It is a change of status or change of position in relation to God and in relation to the world. It transfers the sinner from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13). Just as God in his ontological holiness is ever set apart from and distinct from the creation as such, so does the sinner in his conversion transcend the old (sinful and condemned) person and become identified with the new creation (2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:10).
The second aspect of sanctification may be called progressive sanctification, because it is the ongoing process in which the Christian becomes more and more separated from sin itself. This aspect of sanctification is not a change in status or relationships, but a continuing transformation of our inward character and mental attitudes, as well as our outward behavior and conduct. This is how we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18), and “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In this aspect of sanctification we become more and more like God in righteousness and holiness of truth (Eph 4:22-24). Our pattern and goal are God’s own ethical holiness, as we are commanded to imitate his perfect moral character: “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pet 1:15-16). As Jesus says it, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). Our goal is to “share His holiness” (Heb 12:10) or to “become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet 1:4) in this moral sense. We are to purify ourselves, even as he is pure (1 John 3:3). See Luke 1:75; Rom 6:19,22; 2 Cor 6:14–7:1; 1 Thess 3:13; 4:7.
It most assuredly is that second aspect that I personally have had so much difficulty with throughout my life. I keep thinking it should get easier in time, but that is not the case - at least in my case.
We are when saved once and forever Justified, but sanctification is a process then started with no ending until death or second comingThat is entirely possible. At least once before in my life I misunderstood someone.
Yes. And as an aside and for what it is worth, that progressing is called sanctification. For Christians there are two main aspects of sanctification, corresponding to the two senses in which God is holy. The first aspect may be called initial sanctification, which refers to the onetime event in which the unsaved person joins the ranks of the saved, the moment in which he is set apart from the world as such, from his old way of life, and from “this present evil age” (Gal 1:4). It is a change of status or change of position in relation to God and in relation to the world. It transfers the sinner from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13). Just as God in his ontological holiness is ever set apart from and distinct from the creation as such, so does the sinner in his conversion transcend the old (sinful and condemned) person and become identified with the new creation (2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:10).
The second aspect of sanctification may be called progressive sanctification, because it is the ongoing process in which the Christian becomes more and more separated from sin itself. This aspect of sanctification is not a change in status or relationships, but a continuing transformation of our inward character and mental attitudes, as well as our outward behavior and conduct. This is how we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18), and “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). In this aspect of sanctification we become more and more like God in righteousness and holiness of truth (Eph 4:22-24). Our pattern and goal are God’s own ethical holiness, as we are commanded to imitate his perfect moral character: “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Pet 1:15-16). As Jesus says it, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). Our goal is to “share His holiness” (Heb 12:10) or to “become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet 1:4) in this moral sense. We are to purify ourselves, even as he is pure (1 John 3:3). See Luke 1:75; Rom 6:19,22; 2 Cor 6:14–7:1; 1 Thess 3:13; 4:7.
It most assuredly is that second aspect that I personally have had so much difficulty with throughout my life. I keep thinking it should get easier in time, but that is not the case - at least in my case.
My intention was to express my understanding that If I am reading Scriptures, I should "Believe" what I read to the point where I submit to or commit to the correction, reproof or instruction in Righteousness revealed therein, towards my inward self. I used the example of a thief, perhaps a poor example, but the intent was to express my understanding that if we don't direct God's Word towards us, toward our inward self, and continue stealing in this example, we will not profit from what is written. I believe this because of Jesus' Words.
Matt. 7: 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, "and doeth them", I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, "and doeth them not", shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
So in both cases, it was the sayings of Same Christ, that was heard "by both examples" of men. The only difference between them, was that one committed themselves and their bodies to the Word of God which became Flesh. While the other one, although he heard the same Words from the Same Christ, didn't commit themselves or their bodies to the Word of God that became flesh.
So for me, it seems like this Christ Jesus was defining the important difference between men of Faith, and men in which is no Faith. Since it seems the house that stood, can only stand by Faith. According to the rest of the Bible.
But Perhaps Faith was the wrong word to use. Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply and critique. I believe it is good for men to have these discussions.
Probably 25 years ago now, we had gathered with some brothers and sisters and were studying Scriptures together. My friend has just read where Jesus said to Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and HIS Righteousness. My 12 year old daughter asked me the question. "What do we do when we find God's Righteousness"? (out of the mouth of babes) It seems Jesus answer to that question is, "Become a doer" of His sayings, not a hearer only. So the thief reading scriptures, would hear, "Let him that stole steal no more", and if he believed God and stopped stealing, would it not be through faith that he was renewed in the sprit of his mind? But if he just continued hearing the Sayings of the Word of God that became Flesh, but "doeth them not", is that not because he really doesn't believe the Christ?
Anyway, I've been wrong before, I welcome your continued thoughts.
Amen Jim.
True enough!
@Studyman
Studyman, seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness could mean either: seeking God's truth concerning how to righteously do his commandments instead of adding to his word by our own doctrines of what constitutes true holiness/sanctification; or, the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel concerning how one is made the righteousness of God freely by grace through the faith and obedience of Jesus Christ, or it could includes both.
That was indeed a wise question coming from children's mind. I once was teaching my second daughter Psalm 23, and when we came to ~"my cup runneth over" ~she looked at me and said daddy, he had too much in his cup ~ she was around seven, that was around fifty years ago! She's now a college professor, and still calls me to get certain answers she looking for from the scriptures. I am sure your daughter does the same if trained properly which I'm sure overall she was. Any child brought up teaching them to love and fear God had a great headstart over those who were not, even with our shortcoming in training properly.
Studyman, seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness could mean either: seeking God's truth concerning how to righteously do his commandments instead of adding to his word by our own doctrines of what constitutes true holiness/sanctification; or, the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel concerning how one is made the righteousness of God freely by grace through the faith and obedience of Jesus Christ, or it could includes both.
Even here the main focus of your post is to justify an adopted religion, one that existed in the world God placed us in. To frame every sentence, every word to justify an adopted philosophy.
We taught our child that her relationship with the God and Father of all and His Son, Christ Jesus, once she was an adult, is between her and Them. And to place her faith and trust, not in her dad for answers, or some preacher that transformed himself into an Apostle of Christ, but to seek her answers through study of His Word in belief from the heart, that They will as promised, reveal Themselves to her.
In this way she learned not to follow the religious traditions of this world, as shown clearly in the NT, of adopting a religious sect promoted by men who "profess to know God", and then trusting them for answers to questions regarding Scriptures. Since she has been married, she has never called me and asked me to answer her Biblical questions. Her husband and her study the Holy Scriptures God gave us "for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
In this way they are not influenced by the Pharisees, Sadducees, Calvinists, Armenians, JW's, SDA, RCC or any of the "many" religious sects that come in Christ's Name, which exists in the world God placed them in. Nor do they placed their faith in me for answers, whose love for them is only exceeded by the Lord's Christ Himself. And she will be tested in this matter, As it is written:
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
In this way also, they are not always seeking justification for an adopted religious philosophy like those who walk in the same traditions of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Calvinists, Armenians, JW's, SDA, RCC or any of the "many" religious sects who "come in Christ's Name" that Jesus warned about, that exist in the world God placed them in.
They are free to believe and discuss freely "Every Word" that proceeds from the mouth of God, and be corrected, reproved by them, and become learned of God concerning HIS Righteousness that HE before ordained that we should walk in them. And anyone who had adopted this world's religious philosophies can do the same, if they so choose.
Then we all gather together each week, sharing our studies and our crosses, to the edification of all, being united with the Church of God from Cornelius to Abel, who being dead, yet speaketh.
As you said, "Any child brought up teaching them to love and fear God had a great headstart over those who were not, even with our shortcoming in training properly".
This sentence posted by you is the same absolute truth that I too, have come to believe.
My point was that according to Scriptures, in my view, we are to SEEK to know God to understand "the way that we should go". Not by the religious tradition of this world of Seeking carefully selected Scriptures for the purpose of Justifying popular religious philosophies which exist in the world God placed us in, that we, like our fathers, have adopted as our own. Religious philosophies that differ according to the name written above the door of their man-made shrines of worship.
"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
But if Jesus doesn't know us, that means we have not been learned of the Father, and were not given to Christ. We may call Him Lord, Lord, and preach in His Name, but if we are not "Doers" of His Sayings, we are not part of His Body, according to His Own Words. From the very beginning God placed mankind, just like Adam and Eve, a world in which "other voices" who profess to know God, even quoting "some" of God's Word, exists. And we have been given the choice to choose one or the other. I chose the easy path, a religion that implies that the Word of God lied to me. But I have heard the Gospel of Christ, and have chosen to believe Him, not as before when I gave Him lip service only, "Wherein in time past I walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience".
This is why I posted His Words that you didn't acknowledge, that we might believe and become renewed in the spirit of our mind, and deny ourselves and the traditions of our fathers, and choose instead to " put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness". Instead of justifying ourselves by carefully selected "Words of God".
Everyone has listened to the "other voice", except for Jesus. He "Lived by" EVERY Word that proceeded from the mouth of God. And even though Paul had sinned, and even though Paul was not yet perfect, He still, forgetting those things which were past, (even a second ago) he pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God which is in Christ Jesus. And he directed, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you". How else can the Prize of the High Calling be achieved, but by being a "Doer" of the Christ's Sayings, not a hearer only.
@Studyman
What determines whether one has the true gospel of Jesus Christ, is determined by the scriptures only, mainly to be found in Paul's writings, yet supported by the scriptures overall, since they teach one cohesive doctrine, that cannot be broken. Galatians 2:16-Galatians 5:4 is found the main source of what constitutes the gospel of Christ, of the true grace of God versus works.
Studyman, you quoted the whole of my post in your first quote, so can you say my main focus was to justify an adopted religion. All I said was:
And I took my thoughts from your post:
So, pray to tell me how was I seeking to justify an adopted religion, and how do you know 100% that what I said was not the truth, and it is adopted outside of the word of God, How do you know that your religion is not a cult, regardless if it goes by a name or not.
What determines whether one has the true gospel of Jesus Christ, is determined by the scriptures only, mainly to be found in Paul's writings, yet supported by the scriptures overall, since they teach one cohesive doctrine, that cannot be broken. Galatians 2:16-Galatians 5:4 is found the main source of what constitutes the gospel of Christ, of the true grace of God versus works.
I replied twice to your post, my intent was to delete the first reply, it was written in frustration of your perpetual refusal to discuss what was actually posted. I thought I deleted it.
It was my mistake to post it. Although it's true, it gave you the occasion to ignore what you replied to, in order to defend and justify yourself.
In this world's religions, their interpretation of Galatians 2:16 and 5:4 wipes out many of Jesus Own Teaching, the entire Law and Prophets, and Paul's other words that he spoke. (Rom. 2:13, 25,26). No different than a preacher long ago, who also professed to know God, referenced the following to promote his religion. " Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”, And behold, it is written:
Gen. 2: 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden "thou mayest freely eat":
Eve was placed in a world in which these other voices, that profess to know God, exist, same as you and me. So if anyone opposed this preacher's religious philosophy, He just referred to this sentence and then accuses those who oppose him of not believing God's Word.
Now he could have sought out and considered "Every Word" that proceeded from the mouth of God, but he wasn't interested in Seeking God's Truth, he was only seeking Justification. And Eve was convinced as well, not to seek God's Truth, but self justification "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat".
That is why, in my view, you didn't actually address the Words of Christ I posted, nor engaged in a discussion about them, but only referenced a couple of scriptures that you could use to justify yourself. We were trained to do this by the religious system of this world God placed us in. Jesus was placed in the same world and said, " It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God". But in the religions of this world that men come to adopt, they don't SEEK out every Word of God in search of His Truth. They Seek justification of their adopted religion, by a careful selection of God's word that they can misrepresent, to justify themselves.
In my understanding Moses, Jesus, Peter, Paul, and the Prophets all taught the exact same Gospel. That the mainstream religion of Paul's time rejected God's Judgments concerning clean, holy and righteousness, and went about to establish there own judgments. They full well rejected God's Commandments and statutes and created their own high days, rejecting the Feasts of the Lord and the message of God to His people thought them. And yet every week they would offer to God for their sinful behavior, the unblemished blood of an innocent life, "as per the Law" to justify themselves.
No sinful flesh is justified by "works of the Law". Repent, turn to God and bring forth works worthy of repentance. As Paul teaches, "(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified". As I posted below but you didn't even acknowledge.
Matt. 7: 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, "and doeth them", I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, "and doeth them not", shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
So you are right to say the Gospel of Christ "is determined by the scriptures only,". But you are not right to "omit, reject and/or ignore" Scriptures that can't be twisted to support a religious philosophy that can't stand when "Every Word of God" is considered.
@Studyman
Studyman, if you would just present your scriptural understanding in a systematic and orderly manner to defend it as you understand it to be the gospel of Christ, then I would have something to go on, but, no, you start down the same old path of saying the what you have been saying since I first met you back on Mountain Retreat forum fifteen years ago, and then on Grace Centered, and one other one I cannot think of at the moment~and it is these words:
I'll be quite and not even post if you will start at Galatians 2:16 and go to Galatians 5:4, and present your understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and after you have finished then I will comment only on what your present good or bad. I would just one time love to hear it in a systematic and orderly fashion, just one time. Do you have it in you is my question, I'm not convinced that you do. You can prove me wrong.
Why would a man seeking to know the true message of a book that contains 66 chapters, start reading in the 2nd Chapter of the 48th Book?
And even in this last post, you refuse to acknowledge any of my post, any of the Scriptures posted, or the points made, nor do you answer my questions when I ask them. I would love to have a Biblical discussion with Scriptures Red. But you are held captive by a religion it seems, and are not allowed to freely discuss every Word of God. I wish it wasn't so. I wish we could ask and answer each other questions about the Meaning of Scriptures, not based on tradition or popular philosophy or self justification, but based on what is actually written in Scriptures. Then seek to understand why we disagree, if we do.
I'll tell you what, since you are reaching out, I will ask you one question, and if you answer my question according to what is written, I will share with you my understanding of Gal. 2:16.
Here is my question.
According to the Priesthood Covenant God made with Levi, when a common man sinned, what did God's Law require of him, before the remission or forgiveness of his sin was provided for? You can quote Scriptures if you want.
@Studyman
Galatians is given to the church to help her to know the difference between the true grace of God, and those who have fallen from grace, or the doctrine of grace. So, why are you evading laying out to us your understanding of these all important scriptures that would either vindicate you, or expose you? I know why, and so do others, if any are following these posit,
”
You reject the word of God, yet made loud speeches that you are not following other voices yet you are those other voices in this world!
So, what is your point for desiring to ask this question?
It was there that Paul addressed the true gospel of Jesus Christ in detail as he exposed the gospel preached by ministers of Satan.
Galatians is given to the church to help her to know the difference between the true grace of God, and those who have fallen from grace, or the doctrine of grace. So, why are you evading laying out to us your understanding of these all important scriptures that would either vindicate you, or expose you? I know why, and so do others, if any are following these posit,
Sir, I do not want to continually address your opening dialogue that you use over and over in your post, that most could quote word by word since they hear it over and over again from you:
You think that you by your own power of your sinful will have determined to not listened to other voices other than God's voice. We know that God alone made the difference between Jacob and Esau, before they had done any good or evil by the grace alone!
Romans 9:11
“(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth”You reject the word of God, yet made loud speeches that you are not following other voices yet you are those other voices in this world!
"and the priest shall make an atonement for him"~ For his sin which he had sinned, and it shall be forgiven him; upon the atonement made; and so forgiveness of sin with God proceeds upon the atonement made by the blood of Christ, Hebrews 9:22. God never took one step towards it, without a regard to Christ the propitiation for sin; he promised it with a view to him; there is "no instance of pardon under the Old Testament but in this way", and God always has respect to Christ in pardon, it is for his sake; and this way of forgiveness best provides for the glory of the divine perfections; there can be no better way, or infinite wisdom would have used it; there could be no other way, considering the council and covenant of peace; to pardon, without atonement and satisfaction, is not consistent with the purity, justice, and veracity of God; and to observe this great truth, the phrase is afterwards frequently repeated.
So, what is your point for desiring to ask this question?
Good morning Red. I hope things are going well for you and your family.@Studyman
It was there that Paul addressed the true gospel of Jesus Christ in detail as he exposed the gospel preached by ministers of Satan.
Galatians is given to the church to help her to know the difference between the true grace of God, and those who have fallen from grace, or the doctrine of grace. So, why are you evading laying out to us your understanding of these all important scriptures that would either vindicate you, or expose you? I know why, and so do others, if any are following these posit,
Sir, I do not want to continually address your opening dialogue that you use over and over in your post, that most could quote word by word since they hear it over and over again from you:
You think that you by your own power of your sinful will have determined to not listened to other voices other than God's voice. We know that God alone made the difference between Jacob and Esau, before they had done any good or evil by the grace alone!
Romans 9:11
“(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth
You reject the word of God, yet made loud speeches that you are not following other voices yet you are those other voices in this world!
"and the priest shall make an atonement for him"~ For his sin which he had sinned, and it shall be forgiven him; upon the atonement made; and so forgiveness of sin with God proceeds upon the atonement made by the blood of Christ, Hebrews 9:22. God never took one step towards it, without a regard to Christ the propitiation for sin; he promised it with a view to him; there is "no instance of pardon under the Old Testament but in this way", and God always has respect to Christ in pardon, it is for his sake; and this way of forgiveness best provides for the glory of the divine perfections; there can be no better way, or infinite wisdom would have used it; there could be no other way, considering the council and covenant of peace; to pardon, without atonement and satisfaction, is not consistent with the purity, justice, and veracity of God; and to observe this great truth, the phrase is afterwards frequently repeated.
So, what is your point for desiring to ask this question?
I will wait to see @Studyman's response to your post before I weigh in to correct what you have posted there.
Actually I asked the question; "According to the Priesthood Covenant God made with Levi, when a common man sinned, what did God's Law require of him, before the remission or forgiveness of his sin was provided for? You can quote Scriptures if you want.
You could have answered with God's Word defining the requirement of the Law for "a Common Man" whose sin had been revealed to him. Here is Scriptural Answer to my simple question.
Lev. 4: 27 And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty; 28 Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned. 29 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering. 30 And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar. 31 And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat is taken away from off the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD; and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.
Nevertheless, you did post some of the works of God's Law that were required in the Old Priesthood, "After the Order of Aaron", for the remission of sins. So I will fulfill my vow.
Paul is speaking about "works of the Law" for remission of sin. When a common man, like me for instance, had a sin revealed to me, what did God command me to "Do" in the Priesthood Covenant God made with Levi? Did HE say, "Love your neighbor as thyself, and the priest will take your "work" and offer it to God on the alter, and then "the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him."? Did God say, "if a man sins, he shall keep the Sabbath Holy, and then the priest shall make an atonement for him, and it shall be forgiven him.? No, it is essential to study the Scriptures to find out what "Works of the LAW" were required by Moses, in the Old Priesthood, before the anointed priest would provide for the forgiveness of their sin.
Paul is speaking both in Romans and Galatians, to a religious sect that existed in the world God placed him in. For many years he had adopted their religion's philosophies, who promoted for doctrines the commandments of men, not God. These men had corrupted the Priesthood Covenant God had made with Levi, "After the Order of Aaron".
Mal. 2: 7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; "ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi", saith the LORD of hosts. 9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been "partial in the law".
This was the same people Isaiah spoke about in chapter 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. (Joshua and Caleb didn't) 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the *** his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
And yet every week they would offer to God the Blood of an unblemished, innocent life, as per the requirements of the Law, to justify their religion.
10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
These are the men who were "Bewitching the Galatians", and who had falsely accused Paul in Romans 3, who David said in Ps. 5 that Paul referenced, "their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:"
They had rejected the Prophesied Messiah whose appearance would have marked the end of their religious sect and the business it had become selling their twisted version of the "works of the Law" for the remission of sins. Works they proclaimed included the presence of a Levite Priest, the blood of an animal, and physical circumcision, but not Circumcision of the heart. Claiming that God would not save a man unless he first cuts the loose skin off his penis. Which is not taught in the Law and Prophets, as Abraham's story and many other stories clearly show.
Now, loaded with this undeniable Truth of Scriptures we come to Galatians 2:16, Which Paul already showed us in Romans 3
"Knowing that a man is not justified "by the works of the law", but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by "the works of the law": for by "the works of the law" shall no flesh be justified."
And the Spirit of Christ in Isaiah already showed us what God desires in Isaiah 1.
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
And Paul teaches the exact same thing as Isaiah
Rom. 2: 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Not the "doers" of the temporary "works of the law" of an old Priesthood Covenant with Levi, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins".
Gal. 5: 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, (Paul called the Pharisees, "The Circumcision", so men who were of the Circumcision, relied on the Priests and the "works of the Levitical Priesthood" for the remission of sins) that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (He can't sin, because there is no remission of Sin through the Old Priesthood "Works of the Law", he is cursed above all men, because he has already sinned, and has rejected the only Priest that can save him)
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified "by the law"; ye are fallen from grace.
It's the same today in my understanding. In the world God placed me in there are "many" religious sects and businesses and men who "Come in Christ's Name" who despise and mock God's Judgments, His definition of Holy, Just and good and have gone about establishing their own righteousness. They have rejected God's Holy Feasts, and created their own high days that have created untold riches for this world's merchants. They have full well rejected His Commandments by their own religious traditions. They have created their own image of God in the likeness of the sacrifice God made for them, in the same way Israel did on Mt. Sinai.
Yet every week they gather together in their man-made shrines of worship, built to be seen of men, and they offer the Blood of the perfect, unblemished, innocent Lamb of God, "as per His Law", to justify themselves of their rebellious religion. But as it is written, " by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight".
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civic
Active Member
how do you know you are saved ?
I can't "KNOW" through Faith, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I hope and believe because "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder "of them" that diligently seek him.
That is why Paul teaches, in my view, "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For "we must all appear" before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
And why Peter teaches: 2 Pet. 3: 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent "that ye may be found of him" in peace, without spot, and blameless.
And the Jesus "of the Bible" teaches, Matt. 24: 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and "shall" deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure "unto the end", the same shall be saved.
And I "believe" what the Holy Scriptures teach.
Rom. 11: 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou "standest by faith". Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed "lest he also spare not thee".
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, "if thou continue" in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
So there is no doubt that if a semi truck runs over me today, I will die. And I will remain dead until a Power greater than I raises me from the dead. This is because I am not immortal, but mortal.
So I would be foolish to go around saying, "I know I am saved", according to what is actually written in Scriptures. Instead I will say, it is my belief that if I spend my life seeking to know Him, and place my trust and Faith in HIM alone, and not listen to all the other voices in the garden God placed me in that profess to know God, HE is faithful to abide by His Promises.
So I have Faith that I shall be saved.
