Bible Study The Flesh Is Left Out of the New Covenant

[Jim Parker]

No one can work for their salvation as it only comes by faith first.

Doing the works which God prepared for you to do (Eph 2:10) is not "working for salvation." It is being obedient to the one whom you call "Lord."
Doing works won't get anyone saved.

And, according to Jesus, NOT doing the works WILL result in condemnation and an eternity in hell whether you "believed" or not. (Mat 25:31-46) Note that the condemned called Jesus "Lord." They just didn't do as He commanded. (Luke 6:46)

The two parables Jesus told in Mat 25 are about being found ready and doing the work to which you have been called when the Lord comes to judge mankind. The consequence for being found lacking is to be cast into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

So, no, works do not save us because we were created to do good works. Doing good works should be our normal way of life. We don't "deserve" anything and don't "earn" anything for doing them.

Luke 17:10 (RSV) So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."

If we do those works, we will be rewarded by being received into eternal communion with the Trinity.

Mat 25:34-36 (RSV) Then the King will say to those at his right hand, "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

And, if we do NOT do the works which the Father has given us to do then we will NOT inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world.

Mat 25:41-43 Then he will say to those at his left hand, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."

So, no one will "earn" salvation by doing good works. Salvation is a gift which God graciously bestows. But we'd best be about doing the good works for which God created us if we want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.


iakov the fool




By reading the words posted above, you have chosen to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. (HIyah! )
The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that may result.
No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. Enjoy the rest of your life. (BYE! )

 

[Jim Parker]

Gods will is for us to love as God is love and not works as works are that of Matthew 25:34-40

The way you love is to do the works described in Mat 25:31-46.

That's why Jesus said that if we don't do those works; we're going to hell.

Love is expressed by what you DO.

Jesus expressed God's love for His creation by giving His life (in a very brutal manner) so that the world (kosmos), including His enemies, could be saved.

We love by imitating Jesus.

 

[for_his_glory]

The way you love is to do the works described in Mat 25:31-46.

That's why Jesus said that if we don't do those works; we're going to hell.

Love is expressed by what you DO.

Jesus expressed God's love for His creation by giving His life (in a very brutal manner) so that the world (kosmos), including His enemies, could be saved.

We love by imitating Jesus.

Please use my full quote as I said: Gods will is for us to love as God is love and not works as works are that of Matthew 25:34-40 that we do in love for others as God loves us.

Many believe it is by good works that they will go to heaven as they love others even their enemies, but if they are not Spiritually born again and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior all their good works will only send them to the lake of fire, John 3:3-6; Romans 10:9,10; Matthew 25:41-46.

 

[Malachi]

Jesus sanctifies, not your good works.

As though the two were contrary or contradictory to each other.

Sanctification is progressive, and good works are a part of that progressive sanctification which is a work of the Holy Spirit. At the same time sanctification is also positional in that indwelling the Holy Spirit positionally sanctifies the believer.

And doing God's will is firstly believing on the One whom He has sent, then doing the good works which He has ordained. When the Jews asked Jesus as to what work God wanted them to do, Christ said "This is the work of God, THAT YE BELIEVE on Him whom He hath sent" (John 6:29).

GOOD WORKS NEVER SAVED ANYONE, AND NEVER WILL SAVE ANYONE. But false religions and false Christianity teach that good works can save.

 

[Jim Parker]

Please use my full quote as I said: Gods will is for us to love as God is love and not works as works are that of Matthew 25:34-40 that we do in love for others as God loves us.

What you said is unclear. It is a run-on sentence which renders your meaning obscure.

What is clear is the Jesus will determine who is saved and who is condemned based on whether they did or did not do those works of love. So, I suggest that doing the "good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them"and for which we specifically "were created in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:10) should be at the top of a believer's "to do" list.

Otherwise, instead of hearing Jesus say, "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;" (Mat 25:34) he will hear, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Mat 25:41)

Many believe it is by good works that they will go to heaven as they love others even their enemies, but if they are not Spiritually born again and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior all their good works will only send them to the lake of fire,

Rom 2:13-16 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Thus Paul answers the question of what will happen to those who die without having heard the Gospel.

I'm not sure what you mean by "spiritually born again." Jesus didn't say we needed to be "spiritually" born again. He said we needed to be born again "of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5)

As I said, I don't believe that we can "Earn" salvation by doing good works. Doing good works is what we were created to do according to the (intentionally???) much ignored verse; Eph 2:10. Jesus said He would judge all mankind by their works. (Mat 25:31-46 and John 5:28-29 ) And Paul said the same thing at Ro 6:2-10.

So, I don't get why people get their nickers in a knot every time someone points out that failure to do good works (ie: perform according to the manufacturer's design specifications given at Eph 2:10) will be the clearly stated and widely published (own a Bible?) cause for condemnation at the judgment. WE are told that is the case multiple times in parable and in plain statements.

A brief dialogue:
Self-declared disciple: "But, LORD, It's by Faith we're saved, not by works! I really had FAITH in you!"
The LORD: "Then why weren't you really FAITHFUL to do the works I created you to do?
Why didn't you have enough faith to really do what I told you to do?
Get outta here you worker of iniquity. I don't know you."
Self-declared disciple: "Dang! iakov the fool warned me and I didn't listen!"

iakov the fool




By reading the words posted above, you have chosen to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. (HIyah! )

The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that may result.
No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. Enjoy the rest of your life. (BYE! )

 

[Jim Parker]

At the same time sanctification is also positional in that indwelling the Holy Spirit positionally sanctifies the believer.

What do you mean by "positional"?

GOOD WORKS NEVER SAVED ANYONE, AND NEVER WILL SAVE ANYONE. But false religions and false Christianity teach that good works can save.

True.
And false religions and false Christianity teach that good works are not necessary for salvation.

Jas 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; (see Mat 25: 41-44) yet mercy triumphs over judgment.
Jas 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?

No. It can not save him.

Jas 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.

The evidence of your "saving faith"is your works.

iakov the fool

 

[for_his_glory]

What you said is unclear. It is a run-on sentence which renders your meaning obscure.

What is clear is the Jesus will determine who is saved and who is condemned based on whether they did or did not do those works of love. So, I suggest that doing the "good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them"and for which we specifically "were created in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:10) should be at the top of a believer's "to do" list.

Otherwise, instead of hearing Jesus say, "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;" (Mat 25:34) he will hear, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." (Mat 25:41)

Rom 2:13-16 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Thus Paul answers the question of what will happen to those who die without having heard the Gospel.

I'm not sure what you mean by "spiritually born again." Jesus didn't say we needed to be "spiritually" born again. He said we needed to be born again "of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5)

As I said, I don't believe that we can "Earn" salvation by doing good works. Doing good works is what we were created to do according to the (intentionally???) much ignored verse; Eph 2:10. Jesus said He would judge all mankind by their works. (Mat 25:31-46 and John 5:28-29 ) And Paul said the same thing at Ro 6:2-10.

So, I don't get why people get their nickers in a knot every time someone points out that failure to do good works (ie: perform according to the manufacturer's design specifications given at Eph 2:10) will be the clearly stated and widely published (own a Bible?) cause for condemnation at the judgment. WE are told that is the case multiple times in parable and in plain statements.

A brief dialogue:
Self-declared disciple: "But, LORD, It's by Faith we're saved, not by works! I really had FAITH in you!"
The LORD: "Then why weren't you really FAITHFUL to do the works I created you to do?
Why didn't you have enough faith to really do what I told you to do?
Get outta here you worker of iniquity. I don't know you."
Self-declared disciple: "Dang! iakov the fool warned me and I didn't listen!"

iakov the fool




By reading the words posted above, you have chosen to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. (HIyah! )

The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that may result.
No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. Enjoy the rest of your life. (BYE! )

You said and I quote you:
I'm not sure what you mean by "spiritually born again." Jesus didn't say we needed to be "spiritually" born again. He said we needed to be born again "of water and the Spirit." (John 3:5)

You claim people leave out Ephesians 2:10, but it is you that does not put together verses 8-10 just as you said you do not know what it means to be Spiritually born again you have to understand that water here means the living word not actual water, John 3:5,6; John 4:12-14. Spirit part means the Holy Spirit that indwells in us when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We have to renew, rebirth - born again, Gods Spirit within us in order to be called a child of God and see the kingdom of heaven. We now put off the old man (flesh) and put on the new man (Spirit). We are renewed by the word of God and through the Holy Spirit teaching us of all things.John 14:26 Colossians 3:1-17; John 1:14; 10:9; 14:6.

It is not by our works or good deeds that save us for if that was all it would take then Gods word would be made void in our lives and Jesus would have died in vain, but because we are all sinners, it is by Gods grace and mercy that forgives our sins and washes us clean by the atoning blood of the Lamb (Jesus) so we can be made renewed again and free from our old sin nature.Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5-7. We can do nothing through the flesh because our flesh is as a filthy rag to God and produces vanity which is not of God, but of self. Isaiah 64:6-8. The continued works we do displays the fruits of Gods Spirit working in us and through us that others will see the light of Christ shine through us, Galatians 2:16,5:22-26; Matthew 5:16; 16:27; John 6:28,29; 14:12; Romans 3:26-28; 11:5-7; James 2:14-26; Revelation 20:13,13

 

[Jim Parker]

You claim people leave out Ephesians 2:10, but it is you that does not put together verses 8-10

You had quoted vs. 8 & 9 in your post #6 but left out verse 10. That's why I originally asked the question as to why folk (primarily folk who seem to have an irrational fear of the word "works") make it a habit to ignore verse 10.

you have to understand that water here means the living word not actual water

Paul refutes that notion. He said that, in baptism we are united with Christ in His death and in His resurrection to new life. So we die to sin and are buried in the waters of baptism and are raised again to new life in Christ Jesus.
Rom 6:3-8 (RSV) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.

Spirit part means the Holy Spirit that indwells in us when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Believers are baptized in the Holy Spirit. That is being "born again" in Spirit.
The entire Trinity indwells the believer. John 17:20-23 tells us that the Father and the Son is in believers and John 14:16-17 says that the Spirit dwells in us.

It is not by our works or good deeds that save us

I didn't say it was. It is by grace we are saved through faith. Salvation is a gift.
But, as I have repeatedly pointed out to you and other works-phobic believers, you will be judged by your works. So, if you say you have faith, then demonstrate that faith by your works because faith without works is dead faith and it will not save anyone. (James 2)

We can do nothing through the flesh because our flesh is as a filthy rag to God and produces vanity which is not of God, but of self.

We were created IN OUR FLESH to do good works. (Eph 2:10 AGAIN!) And, knowing our own sinfulness and God's great mercy should produce humility, not vanity.
Luke 17:10 (RSV) So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."
The good works are our duty before God. That's why He will judge you according to whether you did or did not do your duty. (Mat 25)
If we have faith that He is God then we should do what He commanded. Otherwise, we are no better than the demons who also believe the He is God but have sense enough to tremble at their coming judgment. (Jas 2:19)

The continued works we do displays the fruits of Gods Spirit working in us and through us that others will see the light of Christ shine through us

We must exercise our free will and choose to do those works. If it is only God working through us without our active co-operation then we are just puppets and it would be unjust for God to judge us according to our works as Jesus said He would do. If the Holy Spirit is doing the works "through us" without our active participation, then it is God who does or does not do the works for which we were created. And we have no guilt for God not doing the works through us.
Jesus said "let your light so shine..." not "I will shine through you." It is OUR responsibility to shine OUR light. We are to shine OUR light for HIS glory.

It is by grace we are saved through faith.
We are not saved by our good works.
But, we are created TO DO good works which God has personally assigned us to do.
Don't call Him "LORD"if you don't do what HE commands.
It is God's will that we all do good works. Are you going to do God's will or not?
If not, then, at the judgment, be prepared to hear, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

iakov the fool

 

[for_his_glory]

You had quoted vs. 8 & 9 in your post #6 but left out verse 10. That's why I originally asked the question as to why folk (primarily folk who seem to have an irrational fear of the word "works") make it a habit to ignore verse 10.

Paul refutes that notion. He said that, in baptism we are united with Christ in His death and in His resurrection to new life. So we die to sin and are buried in the waters of baptism and are raised again to new life in Christ Jesus.
Rom 6:3-8 (RSV) Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.

Believers are baptized in the Holy Spirit. That is being "born again" in Spirit.
The entire Trinity indwells the believer. John 17:20-23 tells us that the Father and the Son is in believers and John 14:16-17 says that the Spirit dwells in us.

I didn't say it was. It is by grace we are saved through faith. Salvation is a gift.
But, as I have repeatedly pointed out to you and other works-phobic believers, you will be judged by your works. So, if you say you have faith, then demonstrate that faith by your works because faith without works is dead faith and it will not save anyone. (James 2)

We were created IN OUR FLESH to do good works. (Eph 2:10 AGAIN!) And, knowing our own sinfulness and God's great mercy should produce humility, not vanity.
Luke 17:10 (RSV) So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."
The good works are our duty before God. That's why He will judge you according to whether you did or did not do your duty. (Mat 25)
If we have faith that He is God then we should do what He commanded. Otherwise, we are no better than the demons who also believe the He is God but have sense enough to tremble at their coming judgment. (Jas 2:19)

We must exercise our free will and choose to do those works. If it is only God working through us without our active co-operation then we are just puppets and it would be unjust for God to judge us according to our works as Jesus said He would do. If the Holy Spirit is doing the works "through us" without our active participation, then it is God who does or does not do the works for which we were created. And we have no guilt for God not doing the works through us.
Jesus said "let your light so shine..." not "I will shine through you." It is OUR responsibility to shine OUR light. We are to shine OUR light for HIS glory.

It is by grace we are saved through faith.
We are not saved by our good works.
But, we are created TO DO good works which God has personally assigned us to do.
Don't call Him "LORD"if you don't do what HE commands.
It is God's will that we all do good works. Are you going to do God's will or not?
If not, then, at the judgment, be prepared to hear, "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

iakov the fool

I have always agreed with you and never said different that we are saved by grace and not by works. Just because I did not post Ephesians 2:10 doesn't mean that I omit it as we need to study above and below the verses that are being presented so we understand the full message we are being taught.

Paul teaches that in baptism we are united with Christ in His death and in His resurrection to new life as we now have new life in Him.

You need to read the whole of what Paul said as one needs to read the full in Romans 6:1-14. Understand that the word baptized means we have died to self and have risen with Christ and sin no longer reigns in our mortal body as it no longer has dominion over us for we are no longer under the law, but under Gods grace. If you are serving sin then you are none of God as only those who are alive unto God through Christ Jesus are dead to this sinful flesh, Colossians 3:1-4.

Yes the entire Trinity is all that of Gods Spirit and that is what we are baptized into. This is what is called being Spiritually renewed or for another word Spiritually born again.

If we have faith then the works are that light of Christ displayed in us and through us as we display the fruits of His Spirit. Faith has to be followed by Gods work or we are hiding the light under a bushel.

Yes, we were created as flesh with the very breath of God that made us a living soul. We were created for good works until sin entered by the flesh that cause spiritual death that separated the Spiritual fellowship we had with God. It is by Gods grace that He gave us His only begotten Son Christ Jesus that through His humility we humbled ourselves before Him and have died to this flesh and live by His Spirit as we have picked up our cross to follow Him.

It's no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me and continues the works of God as I being a vessel of honor unto Him. This is not a freewill choice, but a choice of live or death that I have made as I died to self and live for Christ Galatians 2:20.

 

[Jim Parker]

We were created for good works until sin entered by the flesh that cause spiritual death that separated the Spiritual fellowship we had with God.

That did not change the purpose for which we were created.
And, being born again to e life in Christ Jesus we are to do those good works fro which we have been created and for which we have been renewed into newness of life.

It's no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me and continues the works of God as I being a vessel of honor unto Him. This is not a freewill choice, but a choice of live or death that I have made as I died to self and live for Christ Galatians 2:20.

It is precisely your free will choice to do God's will or not. Otherwise, God would be unjust to judge you by your works.

 

[smaller]

This is a scriptural fact that has no remedy for any of us:

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

This contrary state can not be remedied, nor was it meant to be remedied. This conflict exists and will remain with the flesh of every believer.

Trying to remedy this contrariness is not possible. It also means that "works" will avail the flesh absolutely nothing to resolve or remediate/remedy what the Spirit is and remains against.

We do our works in this contrary state.

Paul describes this exact situation for himself, here:

Romans 7:21
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Whatever we do, we do in the same state, with evil present with us. And this is the contrary state of the flesh, with sin dwelling in it, and evil present with us,

Which the Spirit will oppose til the day we "really" die a physical death.

There is not a believer among us who has removed or eliminated this contrary state of the flesh by THEIR WORKS, ever.

 

[for_his_glory]

That did not change the purpose for which we were created.
And, being born again to e life in Christ Jesus we are to do those good works fro which we have been created and for which we have been renewed into newness of life.

It is precisely your free will choice to do God's will or not. Otherwise, God would be unjust to judge you by your works.

I never said it changed the purpose and of course we are to continue in those good works if we are in Christ and He in us through the Spiritual renewal. If I have completely died to self then free will no longer reigns as the life I now live is no longer mine, but Christ who lives in me.

 

[for_his_glory]

This is a scriptural fact that has no remedy for any of us:

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

This contrary state can not be remedied, nor was it meant to be remedied. This conflict exists and will remain with the flesh of every believer.

Trying to remedy this contrariness is not possible. It also means that "works" will avail the flesh absolutely nothing to resolve or remediate/remedy what the Spirit is and remains against.

We do our works in this contrary state.

Paul describes this exact situation for himself, here:

Romans 7:21
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Whatever we do, we do in the same state, with evil present with us. And this is the contrary state of the flesh, with sin dwelling in it, and evil present with us,

Which the Spirit will oppose til the day we "really" die a physical death.

There is not a believer among us who has removed or eliminated this contrary state of the flesh by THEIR WORKS, ever.

There is no one the doesn't know the flesh is sinful and contrary to the Spirit even being a hostile enemy, but we have overcome the flesh by the blood of Jesus as we no longer allow sin to reign in our mortal body as it is no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me. If the Holy Spirit is dwelling in me then the flesh is dead to me.

 

[smaller]

There is no one the doesn't know the flesh is sinful and contrary to the Spirit even being a hostile enemy, but we have overcome the flesh by the blood of Jesus as we no longer allow sin to reign in our mortal body as it is no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me. If the Holy Spirit is dwelling in me then the flesh is dead to me.

There remains the contrariness of the flesh regardless of considering it dead or not. Just thinking it so doesn't make it so. It is real contrariness with real activity. And it is an active contrary state or condition of every believer, as much as we like to pretend it isn't the case.

Most believers read this:

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

And their fleshy contrariness will claim to them, you ain't got any lusts in your flesh. And that is an active lie of the flesh.

 

[for_his_glory]

There remains the contrariness of the flesh regardless of considering it dead or not. Just thinking it so doesn't make it so. It is real contrariness with real activity. And it is an active contrary state or condition of every believer, as much as we like to pretend it isn't the case.

Most believers read this:

Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

And their fleshy contrariness will claim to them, you ain't got any lusts in your flesh. And that is an active lie of the flesh.

Do you allow the lust of your flesh control you or do you control the lust of the flesh by walking in the Spirit so you do not fall to the temptations that are always present in it?

 

[smaller]

Do you allow the lust of your flesh control you or do you control the lust of the flesh by walking in the Spirit so you do not fall to the temptations that are always present in it?

I'll not be made a liar or a hypocrite by my contrary to the Spirit, against the Spirit flesh by claiming the flesh, or the LUSTS therein do not exist. Saying otherwise is a lie of the flesh and in that WE LOSE the battle to be TRUTHFUL and have not the FRUIT of HONESTY.

Isaiah 63:8
For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

 

[smaller]

Let's ask ourselves some HONEST questions.

Would you sit under any preacher who claimed:

that sin indwelt his flesh, which he could not rid himself of? Romans 7:17-20
that evil was always present with him? Romans 7:21
that he had lustful thoughts that were prompted by Gods Own Words of LAW? Romans 7:7-13
that he had a messenger of Satan in his flesh? 2 Cor. 12:7
that had temptation in his flesh? Gal. 4:14
that had flesh contrary to and against the Spirit? Gal. 5:17
that he was the chief of sinners AFTER salvation? 1 Tim. 1:15

I'd dare say that if the Apostle Paul showed up in any pulpit on earth today the believers therein would either throw him out the door post haste with a dictate to never return, or they would run out of the building screaming, holding their hands over their ears and gnashing their teeth.

We simply will not TOLERATE the TRUTH.

That is how far down the ladder of faith we have fallen in the churches of today. We'll NEVER hear the above by ANY person in the pulpit, personally applied.

We can't handle the TRUTH.

IF Jesus Himself showed up, and declared that the works of Satan were in every church and in every member, just as He DID in Rev. 2-3, would we listen, or toss Him out?

There is no question in my mind that "believers" will not and can not listen. Because the contrariness of the flesh is the over riding factor today.

 

[for_his_glory]

Let's ask ourselves some HONEST questions.

Would you sit under any preacher who claimed:

that sin indwelt his flesh, which he could not rid himself of? Romans 7:17-20
that evil was always present with him? Romans 7:21
that he had lustful thoughts that were prompted by Gods Own Words of LAW? Romans 7:7-13
that he had a messenger of Satan in his flesh? 2 Cor. 12:7
that had temptation in his flesh? Gal. 4:14
that had flesh contrary to and against the Spirit? Gal. 5:17
that he was the chief of sinners AFTER salvation? 1 Tim. 1:15

I'd dare say that if the Apostle Paul showed up in any pulpit on earth today the believers therein would either throw him out the door post haste with a dictate to never return, or they would run out of the building screaming, holding their hands over their ears and gnashing their teeth.

We simply will not TOLERATE the TRUTH.

That is how far down the ladder of faith we have fallen in the churches of today. We'll NEVER hear the above by ANY person in the pulpit, personally applied.

We can't handle the TRUTH.

IF Jesus Himself showed up, and declared that the works of Satan were in every church and in every member, just as He DID in Rev. 2-3, would we listen, or toss Him out?

There is no question in my mind that "believers" will not and can not listen. Because the contrariness of the flesh is the over riding factor today.

Jesus taught us how to overcome the flesh by walking in the Spirit not according to our will but that we always remain in Gods will. Are you saying no one can do this...............God forbid. Everyone knows the flesh is contrary to the Spirit there is no doubt there, but do we live in the flesh...............God forbid.................We who are in Christ and He in us have crucified the flesh as it is now dead to us as we have taken part of the death and the resurrection of Christ. This is the victory we now have over the flesh as it no longer has reign over us.

 

[smaller]

Jesus taught us how to overcome the flesh by walking in the Spirit not according to our will but that we always remain in Gods will. Are you saying no one can do this...............God forbid.

Walking in the Spirit never makes the flesh sinless. Jesus saves sinners. That's what today is all about. We die because of sin, and are saved, resurrected by our Savior into a New Body.

Can sinners love one another? Hardly when we are constantly condemning each others to potential hell over sin. Walking in the Spirit is to love one another as Jesus loved us SINNERS. And yes, we can very very easily do that because He Is in us to do so.

The flesh does not cooperate with this walk, and that shows in condemnations to one another.

Everyone knows the flesh is contrary to the Spirit there is no doubt there, but do we live in the flesh...............God forbid.................We who are in Christ and He in us have crucified the flesh as it is now dead to us as we have taken part of the death and the resurrection of Christ. This is the victory we now have over the flesh as it no longer has reign over us.

When we lie about our status as sinners, then the flesh is the victor. When we condemn one another, then the flesh is the victor.

Do I think any of these kinds of claims will prevail in the end? Absolutely not. Jesus will resurrect believers. Every last one of us, even those blinded to our present reality in the flesh. If I didn't believe this, I wouldn't bother sharing the Good News of Christ.

I very much enjoy sharing Paul's sights of himself, his own flesh, his own lusts, his evil present with him, a messenger of Satan in his own sorry hide, with unbelievers. They never hear these facts. When I share these things of Paul with "unbelievers" they are AMAZED. And they understand then that GOD SAVES SINNERS.

We often get an opposite picture from the pulpits. That the Apostles were super human non sinners imbued with Gods Super Powers. They were not. They were ordinary sinners in the flesh just like we are. They did not pretend otherwise. And they entered into the LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST by faith.

It's a beautiful place to abide, in Him. But it's no fun whatsoever to have to lie, to be hypocrites, even though we appear to live better lives than maybe the average joe sinner. That's not the point of our faith or our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:19
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

And happy Easter/Ressurection celebration day everyone. Go share a slice of Jesus' Love with the world!

 

[smaller]

The way you love is to do the works described in Mat 25:31-46.

That's why Jesus said that if we don't do those works; we're going to hell.
.

I'm sorry you were taught that Jim. I really really am. Anyone who is honest will discover quite quickly, when they examine their own "works" in the LIGHT of Matt. 25, that they do sheep works SOMETIMES and when they DON'T they are doing GOAT WORKS.

No one does sheep works 24/7. They just don't. And that's the truth.

So, are we honest about this or not? That's really the question. It's a question of honesty.