Growth How do I do what the scriptures say do?

[JLB]

The Foundation of the Faith, which is "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified" (1 Cor. 1:23). The evidence of true Faith is the fact of the Love which emanates from such Faith. True Faith expresses itself through Love, and is done through the power of the Holy Spirit. If our Faith in Christ does not produce the Love of God within us, that's a sure sign, that whatever Faith we are proclaiming, is not the type of Faith which places one "in Christ."

Faith in the Cross, automatically centers up on the Love of God. For Calvary was the greatest act of love that humanity has ever know and ever will know. So, if the Believer anchors his Faith in the Cross, the outcome cannot be anything but Love as well as Victory. Otherwise, it produces a stern self-righteousness, which is the bane of True Christianity.

JSM

Somehow I get the impression from you, that our faith in Christ and what He did for is on the cross is somehow equal to demonstrating our love for God by giving food to our hungry neighbor or giving water to our thirsty neighbor or clothing or whatever we have that they might need.


Is that what your saying?



JLB

 

[iLOVE]

Somehow I get the impression from you, that our faith in Christ and what He did for is on the cross is somehow equal to demonstrating our love for God by giving food to our hungry neighbor or giving water to our thirsty neighbor or clothing or whatever we have that they might need.


Is that what your saying?



JLB

How do we Love God? How are the works of a Christian produced and manifested? Our cross is spelled this way. His Cross is spelled that way. They are not equal.

 

[TheGoldenThread]

How do we obey God?

By obeying Him.

 

[iLOVE]

By obeying Him.

Any Believer who uses the flesh in any capacity enters the work of the flesh and frustrates grace (Galatians 5:19-21; Galatians 2:21). This is why the scripture says, "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor (Galatians 2:18)." If you do not understand "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2)," you enter "The Law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in Romans 8:10 that the physical body, mind / intellect, and the heart (which is evil - Jeremiah 17:9) has been rendered helpless because of the original sin; consequently, the Believer trying to overcome by willpower presents a fruitless task. Only the Holy Spirit can mortify the deeds of the flesh and make us what we ought to be (Romans 8:13). This means we cannot do it ourselves. Once again, He performs all that He does within the confines of the Finished Work of Christ (Romans 8:2).

If a Christian will and their efforts to live for God is in anything except Christ and the Cross, i.e., Finished Work, The Blood of Jesus (Romans 8:2), Satan can override your will and force you to do things you don't want to do and trying not to do (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus said deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow me (Luke 9:23).

Remember our bodies are dead and useless to God. The heart is prone to wander away from God's love and eat from "The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." The reason why the body is dead is because of the effects of the fall has made us totally incapable of yielding spiritual obedience on a regular basis (Jeremiah 13:23). So there must be a source outside of myself that helps me to enter into sanctification which is the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13).

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

 

[iLOVE]

Faith placed exclusively in Christ and His Finished Work, i.e., The Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus, will always produce proper works by the Holy Spirit. This is the only Faith God will recognize. Anything and everything that is not of the Spirit is "dead faith." Lifeless Faith is profitless (rotten fruit). James 2:14-18

The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-2, 11)
Results: Victory (Romans 6:14)

Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!

The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)...the only way to Jesus Christ is by the Means of the Cross (Luke 14:27). The only way to the Cross is a denial of self (Luke 9:23). If any person tries to come any other way, Jesus says, "they are a thief and a robber" (John 10:1).

1. Jesus Christ is the source of all blessings.
2. The Cross is the means by which all blessings are given.
3. The object of our faith must be Christ and the Cross.
4. That being done, the Holy Spirit will greatly help us.

JSM

 

[Who Me]

25 In meekness instructing those who oppose themselves (refers to those who place themselves in opposition to the true servant of the Lord and to True Doctrine); if God peradventure will give them Repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth (hoping those in error will repent and come to the Truth, and we might quickly say, “The Truth of the Cross”);”

How?
You have rejected the idea of Christians reading the bible, of studying the bible, of reading and learning from the writings, sermons etc of other christians.
Do you really think that God will give knowledge to those who will not read his word.

 

[iLOVE]

How?
You have rejected the idea of Christians reading the bible, of studying the bible, of reading and learning from the writings, sermons etc of other christians.
Do you really think that God will give knowledge to those who will not read his word.

Those good works must be produced and birth by the Holy Spirit only! Any other works is dead works (rotten fruit). The story of Martha and Mary teaches us that Martha was doing a good thing but not the best thing. Many Christians are eating from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil [Gen. 2:17] (doing a good thing but not the best thing). We must understand that Christian disciplines does not give the Christian victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Faith that is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and the Cross, i.e., The Finished Work, i.e., The Blood of Jesus, will allow the work of the Holy Spirit to produce proper works and righteousness [1 Cor. 3:11-15]. This is why it is called "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2)."

 

[TheGoldenThread]

Any Believer who uses the flesh in any capacity enters the work of the flesh and frustrates grace (Galatians 5:19-21; Galatians 2:21). This is why the scripture says, "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor (Galatians 2:18)." If you do not understand "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2)," you enter "The Law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in Romans 8:10 that the physical body, mind / intellect, and the heart (which is evil - Jeremiah 17:9) has been rendered helpless because of the original sin; consequently, the Believer trying to overcome by willpower presents a fruitless task. Only the Holy Spirit can mortify the deeds of the flesh and make us what we ought to be (Romans 8:13). This means we cannot do it ourselves. Once again, He performs all that He does within the confines of the Finished Work of Christ (Romans 8:2).

If a Christian will and their efforts to live for God is in anything except Christ and the Cross, i.e., Finished Work, The Blood of Jesus (Romans 8:2), Satan can override your will and force you to do things you don't want to do and trying not to do (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus said deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow me (Luke 9:23).

Remember our bodies are dead and useless to God. The heart is prone to wander away from God's love and eat from "The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." The reason why the body is dead is because of the effects of the fall has made us totally incapable of yielding spiritual obedience on a regular basis (Jeremiah 13:23). So there must be a source outside of myself that helps me to enter into sanctification which is the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13).

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

The general spirit of what you are saying is this: By trying to obey Jesus and teach others to do so somehow frustrates God. Does that sound accurate?

Throughout your reply it seems you are promoting for people not to obey Jesus because it displeases God. I find this theology hard to believe.

The scriptures you quoted from Paul are in relation to the OT laws (Torah) not in relation to obeying Jesus. Paul wouldn't promote disobedience to Jesus, if he does, then let him be accursed! (Galatians 1:8)

I agree that there is nothing we can to do earn salvation. I am strongly opposed to the idea that God doesn't want us to at least try and obey Him. I don't find any evidence in the Bible that what God wants are disobedient people that choose not to obey Him. I find evidence for the exact opposite!

If we go to Jesus, then we find it is made clear that God wants us to do good works. Take the teaching of the sheep and the goats. One group were allowed into heaven because of their good works, and one group is cast out because of their lack of good works (Matthew 25: 31-36).

I'll be careful in believing that God will still allow us into heaven if we choose to willfully disobey His son Jesus. God will judge us on Jesus' words (John 12:48), so I suggest you start familiarizing yourself with what Jesus taught, and start trying your best to implement these teachings in your life.

 

[iLOVE]

The general spirit of what you are saying is this: By trying to obey Jesus and teach others to do so somehow frustrates God. Does that sound accurate?

Throughout your reply it seems you are promoting for people not to obey Jesus because it displeases God. I find this theology hard to believe.

The scriptures you quoted from Paul are in relation to the OT laws (Torah) not in relation to obeying Jesus. Paul wouldn't promote disobedience to Jesus, if he does, then let him be accursed! (Galatians 1:8)

I agree that there is nothing we can to do earn salvation. I am strongly opposed to the idea that God doesn't want us to at least try and obey Him. I don't find any evidence in the Bible that what God wants are disobedient people that choose not to obey Him. I find evidence for the exact opposite!

If we go to Jesus, then we find it is made clear that God wants us to do good works. Take the teaching of the sheep and the goats. One group were allowed into heaven because of their good works, and one group is cast out because of their lack of good works (Matthew 25: 31-36).

I'll be careful in believing that God will still allow us into heaven if we choose to willfully disobey His son Jesus. God will judge us on Jesus' words (John 12:48), so I suggest you start familiarizing yourself with what Jesus taught, and start trying your best to implement these teachings in your life.

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:5 NLT

The works of any Believer is to fight the good fight of Faith. God will not accept anything else from any man or woman but faith (and praise) in His Son Jesus. The scripture says, "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASE, AND LISTEN TO HIM." God never said that about any Believer. Psalm 39:5 says, "...every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah." In other words we are all wretched and vile, daily. Anything and everything that is not Faith in Christ and Him Crucified is judge as iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).

Very - Very Important: If any Believer try's to do what the scripture says do in their own will-power, strength, and ability, the sin nature that was made dormant (not eliminated) when you where born-again, will be activated (the works of the flesh will manifest - Gal. 5:19-21). The Law says do - Grace says done. This is why I stated only the Holy Spirit can do what the scriptures ask of us through Faith in Christ and the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won.

The Holy Spirit keeps all commandments for the Believer by delivering us into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord when our Faith is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won (2 Cor. 4:11). That is why it is called the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2). Jesus said, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross.

Question? How do I deny myself and take up my cross daily so that the I (Believer) my receive all the benefits of this resurrection life (Luke 9:23)?

 

[iLOVE]

The sin nature has been separated, not eliminated in a Christian life. This evil nature is always present in our current bodies. Victory only comes by Faith in Christ and the Cross. We must acknowledge that we need the GRACE of God to overcome the sins we repeat. The operation of the Holy Spirit is accomplished through Faith and Grace.

Every failure in a Christian life is caused by us resulting to the flesh and trying to do what needs to be done by the means of the flesh, which is guaranteed to fail. When the Believer attempts to function outside of the Cross, the situation becomes impossible. Sin and failure are the constant results, no matter how hard one may try otherwise.

 

[TheGoldenThread]

This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. Jeremiah 17:5 NLT

I am not sure why you used this as a way to say I am putting my trust in humans? I said to put our trust in Jesus by listening to His words. Do you think we should trust Jesus and follow His voice; as a sheep would His shepherd?

The works of any Believer is to fight the good fight of Faith. God will not accept anything else from any man or woman but faith (and praise) in His Son Jesus. The scripture says, "THIS IS MY BELOVED SON IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASE, AND LISTEN TO HIM." God never said that about any Believer. Psalm 39:5 says, "...every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah." In other words we are all wretched and vile, daily.

How do we fight the good fight of the faith? James says that faith without works is dead (2:14-24). Do you believe this scripture?

Agreed. We all sin everyday. God hates sin.

Anything and everything that is not Faith in Christ and Him Crucified is judge as iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).

As I shared above: How is listening to Jesus considered iniquity in God's eyes? Those people that are cast out according to the scripture you quoted are those that had faith in God (at least faith enough to profess him as Lord), but that wasn't enough to save them. Can you see this?

Very - Very Important: If any Believer try's to do what the scripture says do in their own will-power, strength, and ability, the sin nature that was made dormant (not eliminated) when you where born-again, will be activated (the works of the flesh will manifest - Gal. 5:19-21).

It is very important for us to disobey Jesus. Is this what you are saying? I find that hard to believe when Jesus repeatedly asked us to obey Him. NOTE: Paul was talking about the Law of Moses, not Jesus' commands. If He taught us not to obey Jesus then let him be accursed! (Galatians 1:8)

Law says do - Grace says done. This is why I stated only the Holy Spirit can do what the scriptures ask of us through Faith in Christ and the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won.

Jesus says do. Grace picks us up when we fall. The Holy spirit points us back to obedience to Jesus (John 14:26). We shouldn't 'quench' the Holy spirit by thinking we shouldn't try to obey Jesus.

You keep using the word 'faith' without applying it correctly. Faith leads to action. Scriptures are clear about that. THe actions we are suppose to do is follow Jesus and His commands. Scripture is also clear about that (John 15:1-13) If the only action we need to do is confess Jesus as Lord to be saved, then you don't believe what Jesus spoke in (Matthew 7:21-23).

The Holy Spirit keeps all commandments for the Believer by delivering us into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord when our Faith is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won (2 Cor. 4:11).

The Holy spirit guides us to obey the commands. How is this not clear? Again the word faith is thrown around, but without applying it to obedience to Jesus.

Jesus said, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross.

Question? How do I deny myself and take up my cross daily so that the I (Believer) my receive all the benefits of this resurrection life (Luke 9:23)?

You don't have a will anymore when you become Christ's. Your flesh wants to do one thing, while the spirit tells you to do another. The more we listen to Jesus' spririt (the same spirit that reminds us of Jesus' teachings), the closer we get to carrying our real cross and dying alongside our Lord. When you listen to Jesus you deny yourself and pick up your own cross.

One interesting observation is how you are using scripture to try and negate what Jesus said. Can you see this is what you are doing? Shouldn't we use scripture to exhault Jesus, rather than muzzle His mouth and tell people to listen to Paul? This statement is equivalent to what you are doing to Jesus every time you look for somewhere else in the Bible to prove Jesus didn't know what He was talking about.

Jesus says," If you love me, keep my commandments."
You say," We don't have to keep His commands, all we need to do is have faith in Jesus."

Jesus says," Not everyone saying to me Lord, Lord, has faith in me"
You say," Those that profess Jesus has faith in Him."

If I am looking at this conversation as a spectator, then my decision is simple: Follow Jesus and not someone that is telling me to throw out everything Jesus said for us to do.

What is your decision?

In peace

 

[Who Me]

Those good works must be produced and birth by the Holy Spirit only! Any other works is dead works (rotten fruit). The story of Martha and Mary teaches us that Martha was doing a good thing but not the best thing. Many Christians are eating from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil [Gen. 2:17] (doing a good thing but not the best thing). We must understand that Christian disciplines does not give the Christian victory over sin, the world, the flesh, and the Devil. Faith that is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and the Cross, i.e., The Finished Work, i.e., The Blood of Jesus, will allow the work of the Holy Spirit to produce proper works and righteousness [1 Cor. 3:11-15]. This is why it is called "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2)."

I reject 'super spiritual fluffy ideas' that don't help us practically live for our Lord.

You've rejected the idea of Christians using Christian disciplines in there place you would have Christians doing the same thing but somehow doing it in a spiritual manner.

Get real, Christians zeal and motivation for the Lord fluctuates so saying read the bible when you are 'spiritual' rather than always reading the bible, does not help anyone growing the Lord.

 

[iLOVE]

The above two post are during the same as Aaron's sons (Nadab & Abihu) by offering strange fire (Lev. 10:1). Christians offer strange fire when they change God's prescribe order of victory for sanctification. We can not live for God by the flesh. It is enmity against God.

Most Christians are blinded with a veil over their face by the misinterpretation of the scriptures as Israel was and is to the very day (a evil spirit is behind this - that puts the Christian in bondage). They make the scriptures as a duty, instead of faith alone. It has always been hard for a Christian man/woman then and now to give up the works of the flesh. They want to do what the scriptures says to do with the flesh (Romans 8:13), instead of following Gods prescribe order of victory which is placing Faith exclusively in Christ and His Finished Work, i.e., The Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus; which then allows the Holy Spirit to accomplish and bring victory and do what needs to be done in the Christian life. The Holy Spirit only works in the perimeters of Christ and the Finished Work. (Romans 8:2). "The Law of the Spirit of Life In Christ Jesus."

The letter kills (i.e., reading the scriptures and understanding the scriptures are two different things), but the Spirit brings life: This is why Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they have missed their opportunity (Luke 19:41-44).