The Prodigal Son

[Walpole]

Actually he told the saved:

For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”​

Galatians 5:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians 5:14&version=LEB

Yes, of course.

Why do you think he says “they” instead of “you”?

Because that's the pronoun the particular translators of the English version you are referencing chose to use. For example, in the version you used to quote Galatians 5:14 in your same post (the "LEB"), the translators do not use the pronoun, "they", but rather "the ones"...

"...things which I am telling you in advance, just as I said before, that the ones who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:21, LEB)

Source

The Apostle was writing his epistle to the faithful at Galatia, not to the unbelievers of Galatia (cf. Gal 1:2).

 

[Walpole]

Yes, thank you ... but, the above is a kindergarden Scripture,
which every BAC should (and must) be aware of!

The parallel verses are Ephesians 5:3-6 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

What is a "kindergarten [sic] Scripture"?

But, alas, they are NOT taught in your churches.
Ergo, GET OUT OF THEM ... and get set up in a home church
where you (all BACs) can honestly learn from the Scriptures!

Actually it is taught in my churches. Antinomianism is condemned by my church.

 

[chessman]

The Apostle was writing his epistle to the faithful at Galatia, not to the unbelievers of Galatia (cf. Gal 1:2).

Yes, writing to the faithful who were baptized in Christ (3:27) and who therefore belong to Christ (5:24) certain things that will occur to others in Galatia who do not belong to Christ (the sons of disobedience).

 

[Senior]

The Apostle was writing his epistle to the faithful at Galatia,
not to the unbelievers of Galatia (cf. Gal 1:2).

Yes, writing to the faithful who were baptized in Christ (3:27) and who therefore belong to Christ (5:24) certain things that will occur to others in Galatia who do not belong to Christ (the sons of disobedience).

Whose nice little private translation is this (above)?

The only times Paul was writing ONLY to the "faithful"
was to Ephesus and to Colossae.
(Please note the content of those 2 epistles.)

Do you have any idea what being "faithful" really means?

 

[chessman]

Whose nice little private translation is this (above)?

Nobody’s. It’s you mangling up two different people’s posts. I didn’t say:”The Apostle was writing his epistle to the faithful at Galatia,
not to the unbelievers of Galatia (cf. Gal 1:2).” yet your mangled up backquote makes it look as if I did.

Here’s how you properly quote a person and ask them a relevant question about their statement:

N. A. churches are filled to over-flowing with people
who are disobedient to Jesus and the gospel.
Many of these are BACs.

What Scripture says N. A. churches are overflowing (sic) with people who are disobedient to Jesus and the gospel?

 

[JLB]

No it doesn’t. That’s simply you adding your empty words to what Paul literally said.

I have added nothing to the scripture.


“partakers with them”, is what is written.


Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:6-7

• Therefore do not be partakers with them.

What is it, Paul is warning us not to be partakers with the sons of disobedience?







JLB

 

[JLB]

What Christians (who are not the “them” in the passage but are rather the “us” Paul speaks of (the loved of Christ, v1-2) are told is to not partake of “these things” (plural verbs) with “them” (the non-Christians) not the wrath of God. Provably so, not just my opinion!

The “these things” are plural verbs listed in the previous verses and is not “the wrath of God” (a singular noun, a thing, not a verb) falling upon the disobedient/disbelievers. Wrath is a thing, a noun, that “comes upon”, falls down on, the sons of disobedience not upon the loved sons of God. You’re mixing up what Paul said, once again.

The wrath of God comes upon the sons disobedience.

Paul warns us not to be partakers of God’s wrath along with the sons of disobedience.

• because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:6-7







JLB

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

To lisa-in-FL and JLB, thank you both for your replies in posts 52 and 54.

Lisa-in-FL. What you wrote is a great encouragement, and I agree with you on the understanding of the parable of the Pharisee and the sinner. However, whether a sinner is still saved or not though has become part of this discussion with Senior saying that habitual sin is a sign of not being saved. It is to this point that I'd like a solid response from anyone on how to over come addiction, lust, or any other habitual sin.

To Senior. Regardless whether people are saved or not, some sins for some people are very difficult to let go of. Even if we hope on God, and believe in Jesus, and even if our sins are privite and not seen by anyone else, there are still the sins that are hard to remove.

That's why I wanted to approach the topic on not just being saved or not, but in looking at how to remove habitual sins. Otherwise what's the point of talking about it adding a burden on a brother or sister struggling in sin if we don't know how to help them out of it.

To JLB. I like your answer and it does offer an answer to getting away from sins, by focusing on the Spirit instead of the flesh. Which I suppose translates to focusing on Jesus, praying more, reading the bible more, and acting on His teachings more by going into a ministry for those who need us (or even just by putting Jesus's teachings into practice more often). I honestly think this is a topic that needs a spotlight. Because too often people believe in Jesus but are still trapped in their ways, and either unknowingly stay in their sins thinking they are following God, or they are convicted of their sins but repeatedly fail to get away from them. Thanks for the answer to spend more focus and energy on the things from the Holy Spitit, and choosing to express them. It's a good answer.

 

[JLB]

. It is to this point that I'd like a solid response from anyone on how to over come addiction, lust, or any other habitual sin.

Repent, turn to God.

Humble oneself before God.

Confess your sin.

Receive forgiveness and cleansing.

Stay away from people who live sinful lifestyles.

Practice sowing to the Spirit.

Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit, if not already.




JLB

 

[JLB]

I honestly think this is a topic that needs a spotlight. Because too often people believe in Jesus but are still trapped in their ways, and either unknowingly stay in their sins thinking they are following God, or they are convicted of their sins but repeatedly fail to get away from them.

You are so right.


I have learned the hard, from many years of struggle with sin.




JLB

 

[chessman]

What is it, Paul is warning us not to be partakers with the sons of disobedience?

Setting aside your false assumption that it’s a ‘warning’ passage to begin with vs an instruction on how to live as someone beloved by Christ should live, it’s just what he said it was not to partake of. Namely the unfruitful “deeds of darkness” (the verbs in the passage). God’s Wrath isn’t a verb and it sure isn’t a deed of darkness.

And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even expose them.​

Ephesians 5:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians 5:11&version=LEB

BTW, Paul never even uses the word “warning” in this letter to the beloved in Christ. But you do.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Repent, turn to God.

Humble oneself before God.

Confess your sin.

Receive forgiveness and cleansing.

Stay away from people who live sinful lifestyles.

Practice sowing to the Spirit.

Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit, if not already.




JLB

I know this is drawing away from the topic even more. But can someone choose to be baptized by the Holy Spirit? We can be baptized by water, and baptized with a minister saying "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," but is that just being baptized or is it being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The issue for me is how does someone know that they are baptized in the Holy Spirit? Believing in God, trusting Him and obeying Him are all one thing, even to hold a faith to trust Him without knowing the outcome. But I've always struggled with the talk of being filled with the Holy Spirit, and being baptized by the Holy Spirit. I don't think this is a choice of our own, like the choice to believe and obey are our actions that we do, or being baptized in water is an action we can choose to take part in.

 

[JLB]

Setting aside your false assumption that it’s a ‘warning’ passage to begin with vs an instruction on how to live as someone beloved by Christ should live, it’s just what he said it was not to partake of. Namely the unfruitful “deeds of darkness” (the verbs in the passage). God’s Wrath isn’t a verb and it sure isn’t a deed of darkness.

And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even expose them.​

Ephesians 5:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians 5:11&version=LEB

BTW, Paul never even uses the word “warning” in this letter to the beloved in Christ. But you do.

Who said anything about God’s wrath being a verb?



The wrath of God comes upon the sons disobedience.

Paul warns us not to be partakers of God’s wrath along with the sons of disobedience.

• because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:6-7



What is it, Paul is warning us not to be partakers with the sons of disobedience?



JLB

 

[JLB]

Let no one be deceived. The verse says “the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” not upon Christians.

Paul writes to them warning them not to partake of God’s wrath, that come upon the sons of disobedience.


Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:6-7

• do not be partakers with them.

Who is Paul warning not to partake of God’s wrath, with the sons of disobedience?





JLB

 

[Senior]

The issue for me is how does someone know that they are baptized in the Holy Spirit?
... I've always struggled with the talk of being filled with the Holy Spirit, and being baptized by the Holy Spirit..

Please refer to this thread ...
http://christianforums.net/Fellowsh...-understand-the-2-holy-spirit-baptisms.78323/
.

 

[JLB]

I know this is drawing away from the topic even more. But can someone choose to be baptized by the Holy Spirit? We can be baptized by water, and baptized with a minister saying "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," but is that just being baptized or is it being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The issue for me is how does someone know that they are baptized in the Holy Spirit? Believing in God, trusting Him and obeying Him are all one thing, even to hold a faith to trust Him without knowing the outcome. But I've always struggled with the talk of being filled with the Holy Spirit, and being baptized by the Holy Spirit. I don't think this is a choice of our own, like the choice to believe and obey are our actions that we do, or being baptized in water is an action we can choose to take part in.

Did you choose to be baptized in water, or were you forced?


The baptism with the Holy Spirit comes through those who God has chosen to administer this gift, or it can come sovereignly upon a person.


Here is one example -


Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:4-8


Phillip has great success preaching the gospel and getting people saved, casting out devils, healing the sick and lame, even those who were paralyzed.

• However, when it came to the baptism with the Holy Spirit -

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-19

• they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them.

• For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

• Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

• when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given

What did Simon see?





JLB

 

[Walpole]

Yes, writing to the faithful who were baptized in Christ (3:27) and who therefore belong to Christ (5:24) certain things that will occur to others in Galatia who do not belong to Christ (the sons of disobedience).

Galatians 5 is a warning to the faithful at Galatia. Paul is not writing to the unbelievers of Galatia. The 5th chapter even opens by the Apostle telling them some of the faithful have already "fallen from grace."

Here again is his preface to them about the consequences of breaking the commandments of God and thereby not inheriting the kingdom of God...

"But I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another, so that whatever you want, you may not do these things. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." (Gal 5:16-18, the LEB translation you used)

He extols the faithful to live by the Spirit, lest they will end up living by the flesh, which he says will result in them breaking the commands of God and not inheriting the kingdom of God...

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are sexual immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, things which I am telling you in advance, just as I said before, that the ones who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:19-21, the LEB translation you used.)

 

[chessman]

Galatians 5 is a warning

Paul, never, not once, used the word “warn” or “warning” in either Galatians or Ephesians.

But I say, live by the Spirit, and you will never carry out the desire of the flesh.

Amen! Live by the Spirit and you “will never” carry out the desires of the flesh. Some people like myself simply read it and believe it wholeheartedly. And then there are some people who add ‘it’s a warning’ to what Paul wrote.

He extols the faithful to live by the Spirit,

“Extol” means to honor or glorify, something the Bible only gives to God.

Did you mean exhort (I comfort, encourage, console) by chance??? Which also doesn’t mean to “warn”.

 

[WIP]

Paul, never, not once, used the word “warn” or “warning” in either Galatians or Ephesians.

Paul did say that he was afraid for the Galatians. Why would he say that? What would be so frightening?

But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. Galatians 4:8-11 NKJV

 

[Walpole]

Paul, never, not once, used the word “warn” or “warning” in either Galatians or Ephesians.

FYI, Paul wrote to the faithful at Galatia and to the faithful at Ephesus. His epistles are not addressed to the unbelievers there...

"...to the churches of Galatia...I am astonished that you are turning away so quickly from the one who called you by the grace of Christ to a different gospel, not that there is a different gospel, except there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ." (Gal 1:2; 6-7,"LEB" translation)

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ...Therefore become imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell. But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints), and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving. For this you know for certain, that every sexually immoral person, or unclean person, or greedy person (who is an idolater), does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be sharers with them, for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." (Eph 1:1-2; 5:1-7, "LEB" translation)

To warn = to give notice, advice, or intimation to (a person, group, etc.) of danger, impending evil, possible harm,or anything else unfavorable

A warning = the act or utterance of one who warns or the existence, appearance, sound, etc., of a thing that warns; something that serves to warn, give notice, or caution:

Clearly St. Paul is giving notice, advice of danger, impending evil, possible harm and something unfavorable (i.e. he is warning them of the consequences of committing sins)

Amen! Live by the Spirit and you “will never” carry out the desires of the flesh. Some people like myself simply read it and believe it wholeheartedly. And then there are some people who add ‘it’s a warning’ to what Paul wrote.

And when you cease living by the spirit, you begin to live by the flesh. Living by the flesh will result in not inheriting the kingdom of God.

“Extol” means to honor or glorify, something the Bible only gives to God.

God loved man so much he became one. He thus shared His life with man and now, by grace, we can share in the life of God, including his glory...

John 17:22
Ephesians 3:13
1 Peter 5:10

Did you mean exhort (I comfort, encourage, console) by chance??? Which also doesn’t mean to “warn”.

No, but it fits as well.