Growth Breaking Free

[Sandy Zalecki]

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

The elephant is the largest land animal on earth--and one of the most powerful. Yet it takes only a strong rope to restrain one. Here's how it works. When the elephant is young, he is tied to a large tree. For weeks, he will strain and pull, but the rope holds him fast. So eventually he gives up.

Then, when the elephant reaches his full size and strength, he won't struggle to get free, for once he feels resistance, he stops. He still believes he's held captive and can't break free.

Satan can play a similar trick on us to hold us captive. The Bible assures us that there is "no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). We have been set "free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:2) But the enemy of our soul tries to make us believe we are still dominated by sin.

What shall we do then? Reflect on what Christ has done. He died for our sins and declared an end to sin's control over us (v.3). He rose from the dead and gave us the Holy Spirit. Now we are empowered to live victoriously in Him because "the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us." (Rom. 8:11)

In Christ, we are set free.
View attachment 4706

 

[Willie T]

So true. And one of the strongest ropes for us is our own guilt and feelings of shame. Somehow, although we can manage to give mental assent to at least a partial understanding of God's forgiveness, many times we seem to want to still make sure we feel some sort of degradation........... and, sadly, we seem to like to pass it along to other people in judgmental pronouncements about them.

 

[eddif]

Although the broken rope still dangles around the flesh, the new birth mind soars to the right hand of the Father through Christ Jesus our Lord.

eddif

 

[Sandy Zalecki]

So true. And one of the strongest ropes for us is our own guilt and feelings of shame. Somehow, although we can manage to give mental assent to at least a partial understanding of God's forgiveness, many times we seem to want to still make sure we feel some sort of degradation........... and, sadly, we seem to like to pass it along to other people in judgmental pronouncements about them.

How true that is. We just never seem to be able to give it all up to the Lord. He has totally forgiven us but we can't forgive ourselves.

 

[follower]

How true that is. We just never seem to be able to give it all up to the Lord. He has totally forgiven us but we can't forgive ourselves.

that reminds me more of a stronger rope that keeps multitudes away from Yhwh's Kingdom/Salvation in Yeshua -- the rope of whatever religion they grow up in. real freedom, truth, and righteousness, unshakable peace, overflowing joy are hallmarks of the ekklesia abiding in union with Yeshua in Abba. think of that surpassing grace and gift - "UNION" with Yeshua in Abba. (found about 14 times, maybe more, in Scripture, referring to true believers).

ask most churches or church goers if they are in Union with Abba the Creator in Yeshua, and they haven't got a clue - no one has shown them nor taught them nor lead them in this simple remarkable necessary truth. wasn't it like 70 (seventy) disciples who Yeshua sent out and gave them authority over demons and over sickness ? and they returned REJOICING that with a word demons were thrown out and the sick healed. so it is today. (in the small groups of ekklesia who meet together and talk about Yhwh and Yeshua , all over the earth but rare - a remnant).

 

[Roro1972]

How true that is. We just never seem to be able to give it all up to the Lord. He has totally forgiven us but we can't forgive ourselves.

thats where i am

 

[follower]

I think there are several instances/places in Scripture where Yhwh says someone is in danger of not being forgiven and to turn back to Yhwh quickly, while it is still possible, to be restored. (for examples, the sin that leads to death vs the sin that does not lead to death (to pray for one and not the other); and the letters to the angels of the ekklesia in the first few chapters of Revelation, and some of Paul's letters to the ekklesia - with results ranging from 'saving a soul as though by fire' to a brother being restored to joyful fellowship in the ekklesia by repentance)

just off hand, i think there's about 24 references with urgency to repent (fully, completely, once for all time(in original languages)) in the New Testament alone.......

 

[rthom7]

So true. And one of the strongest ropes for us is our own guilt and feelings of shame. Somehow, although we can manage to give mental assent to at least a partial understanding of God's forgiveness, many times we seem to want to still make sure we feel some sort of degradation........... and, sadly, we seem to like to pass it along to other people in judgmental pronouncements about them.

Correct Willie, guilt I indeed a strong rope

Strangely the KJV fails to translate "avon" as guilt, why I don't know....they like "iniquity" for some reason

http://spiritualsprings.org/ss-24.htm Application of guilt in our lives

Guilt or "avon" means in Ancient Hebrew "twisting strong" http://spiritualsprings.org/ss-364.htm
The first letter is a rope letter, a rope is a minimum of two strands running clockwise and counter clockwise simultaneously, so one twists tightly over the other....the other letter is a bull's head, meaning strong.

The twisting strong is indeed a major rope to Christian growth and hope....

Shalom

 

[Willie T]

I think there are several instances/places in Scripture where Yhwh says someone is in danger of not being forgiven and to turn back to Yhwh quickly, while it is still possible, to be restored. (for examples, the sin that leads to death vs the sin that does not lead to death (to pray for one and not the other); and the letters to the angels of the ekklesia in the first few chapters of Revelation, and some of Paul's letters to the ekklesia - with results ranging from 'saving a soul as though by fire' to a brother being restored to joyful fellowship in the ekklesia by repentance)

just off hand, i think there's about 24 references with urgency to repent (fully, completely, once for all time(in original languages)) in the New Testament alone.......

FYI, some facts about repentance......
There is a vast difference between what men think the Bible says about repentance and what the Bible actually says. Here are a few facts about "repent" as it is found in its various forms in both the Old and New Testaments.

The word "repent" is found forty-five times in the King James Bible; "repentance" twenty-six times; "repented" thirty-two times; "repentest" one time; "repenteth" five times; "repenting" one time; and "repentings" one time - a total of 111 times in both the Old and New Testaments. The word in its various forms is found forty-six times in the Old Testament and sixty-five in the New. Of the forty-six times the word appears in the Old Testament, twenty-eight times God does the repenting, not man.

For instance, in Exodus 32:14 the Bible says, "And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people."

In addition to the twenty-eight times that God repents in the Old Testament, there are nine other passages that tell of things about which God does not or did not repent. Of the forty-six times a form of the word "repentance" appears in the Old Testament, only nine times is man doing the repenting. Thirty-seven times it has reference to God's repenting or telling us of things about which God did not or will not repent.

Now, if "repent" means to turn from sin, we have a problem. We have God turning from sin, and that is certainly inconsistent with Bible teaching. God is sinless and has no sin to turn from. But if "repentance" means a change of mind, then it is consistent. You have God changing His mind about some things, but you have at least nine things in the Old Testament about which God says He will not change His mind.

Now that makes sense. There are many things about which I would change my mind, but there are some things about which I will not change my mind. For instance, I will not "repent" or change my mind about the fact that the Bible is the Word of God. I will not "repent" or change my mind about the fact that Jesus is the virgin-born Son of God. I will not change my mind about the fact that salvation is by grace through faith. And there are other important matters about which I will not "repent" or change my mind.

On the other hand, there are some things about which I would "repent" or change my mind. I may plan a certain activity next week, but before the time arrives, I may change my mind and decide to do something else. As a matter of fact, my wife says I change my mind often; and she is probably right. I have said that I have a clean mind; I change it often. But there are some things about which I will not change my mind.

Now if I can change my mind about some things and not about others, then God can certainly do the same.

Sometimes in the Old Testament the word carries with it the idea of feeling sorry or regretful. Sometimes where the word is used, one is said to repent from what is wrong toward what is right. Other times it speaks of repenting from what is right toward that which is wrong. It is sometimes used in connection with sin, but the Word itself does not mean turning from sin; it means a change of mind. Another time "repentance" in the Old Testament is related to one's going back on his word. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"

 

[Willie T]

I think there are several instances/places in Scripture where Yhwh says someone is in danger of not being forgiven and to turn back to Yhwh quickly, while it is still possible, to be restored. (for examples, the sin that leads to death vs the sin that does not lead to death (to pray for one and not the other); and the letters to the angels of the ekklesia in the first few chapters of Revelation, and some of Paul's letters to the ekklesia - with results ranging from 'saving a soul as though by fire' to a brother being restored to joyful fellowship in the ekklesia by repentance)

just off hand, i think there's about 24 references with urgency to repent (fully, completely, once for all time(in original languages)) in the New Testament alone.......

I think you'll find that is speaking of ignoring your own fear of getting burned, and having the compassionate guts to snatch a brother from the flames that you fear might singe you while you are doing it. In other words, braving the Hell of local unsavory neighborhoods, and gang punks to reach even just one soul for God. (Kind of the same things Jesus did)

 

[eddif]

that reminds me more of a stronger rope that keeps multitudes away from Yhwh's Kingdom/Salvation in Yeshua -- the rope of whatever religion they grow up in. real freedom, truth, and righteousness, unshakable peace, overflowing joy are hallmarks of the ekklesia abiding in union with Yeshua in Abba. think of that surpassing grace and gift - "UNION" with Yeshua in Abba. (found about 14 times, maybe more, in Scripture, referring to true believers).

ask most churches or church goers if they are in Union with Abba the Creator in Yeshua, and they haven't got a clue - no one has shown them nor taught them nor lead them in this simple remarkable necessary truth. wasn't it like 70 (seventy) disciples who Yeshua sent out and gave them authority over demons and over sickness ? and they returned REJOICING that with a word demons were thrown out and the sick healed. so it is today. (in the small groups of ekklesia who meet together and talk about Yhwh and Yeshua , all over the earth but rare - a remnant).

Luke 10:19-20
Although the demons are subject to us we are to be rejoicing that our name is written in heaven (Lambs book of life).

Ephesians 2:14-15
The wall is broken down in Christ Jesus. There may be rubble that some try to stack up and call a wall, but it is weak and we are well able to possess the spiritual union of all in Christ.

That rope dangling from our leg (previous post) is just a reminder and not a force able to stop our spirit. We are at one time wretched men and more than conquerors. The way we are more than conquerors; Christ is the champion, and we benefit from his work.

eddif

 

[follower]

we are more than conquerors once we are in Christ Jesus. before that we, like everyone else, are deceived and powerless to make our own decisions. (Paul wrote that somewhere, i'll look it up in a day or so if i remember and Yhwh permits)

 

[rthom7]

FYI, some facts about repentance......
There is a vast difference between what men think the Bible says about repentance and what the Bible actually says. Here are a few facts about "repent" as it is found in its various forms in both the Old and New Testaments.

The word "repent" is found forty-five times in the King James Bible; "repentance" twenty-six times; "repented" thirty-two times; "repentest" one time; "repenteth" five times; "repenting" one time; and "repentings" one time - a total of 111 times in both the Old and New Testaments. The word in its various forms is found forty-six times in the Old Testament and sixty-five in the New. Of the forty-six times the word appears in the Old Testament, twenty-eight times God does the repenting, not man.

For instance, in Exodus 32:14 the Bible says, "And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people."

In addition to the twenty-eight times that God repents in the Old Testament, there are nine other passages that tell of things about which God does not or did not repent. Of the forty-six times a form of the word "repentance" appears in the Old Testament, only nine times is man doing the repenting. Thirty-seven times it has reference to God's repenting or telling us of things about which God did not or will not repent.

Now, if "repent" means to turn from sin, we have a problem. We have God turning from sin, and that is certainly inconsistent with Bible teaching. God is sinless and has no sin to turn from. But if "repentance" means a change of mind, then it is consistent. You have God changing His mind about some things, but you have at least nine things in the Old Testament about which God says He will not change His mind.

Now that makes sense. There are many things about which I would change my mind, but there are some things about which I will not change my mind. For instance, I will not "repent" or change my mind about the fact that the Bible is the Word of God. I will not "repent" or change my mind about the fact that Jesus is the virgin-born Son of God. I will not change my mind about the fact that salvation is by grace through faith. And there are other important matters about which I will not "repent" or change my mind.

On the other hand, there are some things about which I would "repent" or change my mind. I may plan a certain activity next week, but before the time arrives, I may change my mind and decide to do something else. As a matter of fact, my wife says I change my mind often; and she is probably right. I have said that I have a clean mind; I change it often. But there are some things about which I will not change my mind.

Now if I can change my mind about some things and not about others, then God can certainly do the same.

Sometimes in the Old Testament the word carries with it the idea of feeling sorry or regretful. Sometimes where the word is used, one is said to repent from what is wrong toward what is right. Other times it speaks of repenting from what is right toward that which is wrong. It is sometimes used in connection with sin, but the Word itself does not mean turning from sin; it means a change of mind. Another time "repentance" in the Old Testament is related to one's going back on his word. Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"

Well said Willie

Your studying of Scripture is amiable...I have done a similar thing and found the word "repent" simple means to "return"
Perhaps you can show the verses specifically ?

For example

Jon 3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented "nacham" of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

And

Ho 14:1 ¶ O Israel, return "shuwb" unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

I do not know of any context where GOD "shuwb" or repents. The other English translation do a disservice to the Hebrew and use a different Hebrew word.

In Ancient Hebrew the word means "pressing homeward" --- that's a lovely picture of the prodigal pressing homeward, what he didn't realize was the welcome eyes of his Father....

How glad the heavenly Father is when we press homeward to Him
Shalom

 

[Angel]

Now that makes sense. There are many things about which I would change my mind, but there are some things about which I will not change my mind. For instance, I will not "repent" or change my mind about the fact that the Bible is the Word of God. I will not "repent" or change my mind about the fact that Jesus is the virgin-born Son of God. I will not change my mind about the fact that salvation is by grace through faith. And there are other important matters about which I will not "repent" or change my mind.

AMEN!

 

[jeff77]

Satan can play a similar trick on us to hold us captive. The Bible assures us that there is "no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). We have been set "free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:2) But the enemy of our soul tries to make us believe we are still dominated by sin.View attachment 4706

This is so true Sandy. I still believed my life was dominated by sin even after I was saved. I was saved at a young age and had not yet been exposed to some types of sin. Soon after I was saved I fell into these sins. I had not yet had time to grow in my relationship with Christ and was week and vulnerable to Satan's attacks. After living in sin for so long Satan had me believing I was his prisoner in chains, but it was all a lie. I had learned to believe through my own sins and lack of reading and practicing God's Word that the chains were real. I thank the Lord for His grace and patients to allow me to see that I was already set free.

There is a story about the great escape artist Houdini that I like to compare this to. Houdini had been challenged to see if he could escape from one of the most secure prison cells during his day and age. He was put in a straight jacket, feet in shackles chained to the floor in a small cell with a sophisticated lock. After easily using the paper clip to get out of the straight jacket and shackles he began to work on the lock. After working for hours trying to pick the lock he finally gave up and from exhaustion fell forward hitting his head on the door causing it to swing open. It had not even been locked all along!