TRUE HOLINESS

[Jethro Bodine]

We are vessels of the Lord.

On one hand we are vessels that have been 'set apart' for special service to God, in the same way that mom's fine china is 'set apart' for a more noble purpose than the other common, everyday vessels in the household.

On the other hand, knowing we are indeed set apart for a noble purpose (not a base or common purpose) we have a responsibility to act in accordance with the 'setting apart' we have graciously and un-meritoriously received from God. This means not eating chili dogs off of mom's fine china. We are holy when we are careful to not profane (desecrate) that which God has set apart as holy.

God made us holy and set apart. Our responsibility is to act like it.

Yes we are "holy" because the Blood of Christ and the Spirit of God made us that way. And only by walking in the Spirit can we say we are walking in holiness. It is the HOLY Spirit that makes us separate from this world.

Did someone suggest that acting like the set apart, holy vessels we are is not also by the Spirit of God? If so, show me who said this so I can understand why you're bringing this up. If not, don't start riding a doctrinal hobby horse over something no one has brought to the discussion, okay?

That is the point of the thread, maybe I assumed you where trying to take a contrary position? If I have made a false assumption of your post? Please forgive me? I am glad that you do not promote a holiness of the flesh, if in fact that is your postion?

Holiness by the Spirit of God. That is my position.

I just thought it good that we all recognize that there is the positional holiness that God has given us through our faith in Christ, and there is our behavioral holiness which is also wrought through our faith in Christ. The church seems to not get the behavioral part of it too well. What do you think?

 

[George Muller]

Yes, I'm sick of it too. Somehow any and all mention of 'works', or 'law' immediately equates the damnable works gospel...no matter how hard and eloquent or articulate you try to make your explanation. I share your frustration.

Well I see now, just ignore the other post. AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR OF ALL THESE "HOLY" WORKS.

 

[George Muller]

Did someone suggest that acting like the set apart, holy vessels we are is not also by the Spirit of God? If so, show me who said this so I can understand why you're bringing this up. If not, don't start riding a doctrinal hobby horse over something no one has brought to the discussion, okay?

That is the point of the thread, maybe I assumed you where trying to take a contrary position? If I have made a false assumption of your post? Please forgive me? I am glad that you do not promote a holiness of the flesh, if in fact that is your postion?

Holiness by the Spirit of God. That is my position.

I just thought it good that we all recognize that there is the positional holiness that God has given us through our faith in Christ, and there is our behavioral holiness which is also wrought through our faith in Christ. The church seems to not get the behavioral part of it too well. What do you think?

Well I don't know where you attend church? But The most unholy Christians I have ever met was those who claim to be "holy". For the strength of sin is the law, legalism and works of mans flesh never produce Godly results. These are the people who are always caught in vulgar sins and such.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Holiness by the Spirit of God. That is my position.

I just thought it good that we all recognize that there is the positional holiness that God has given us through our faith in Christ, and there is our behavioral holiness which is also wrought through our faith in Christ. The church seems to not get the behavioral part of it too well. What do you think?

Well I don't know where you attend church? But The most unholy Christians I have ever met was those who claim to be "holy".

Did you really just say this?

Those of you who read his posts, did he really just say this?

For the strength of sin is the law, legalism and works of mans flesh never produce Godly results. These are the people who are always caught in vulgar sins and such.

Why are you bringing this into the discussion?

Holiness is by the Spirit of God through faith in Christ. Is there somebody here that is saying that is not true that you need to bring this up?

 

[Messenger]

TRUE HOLINESS IS ALL THE WORK OF GOD


The qualifications for a person to become Holy, Set-Apart, Sanctified unto God,
is that God first had to have chosen and predestinated them to become His children.

Eph. 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus,
and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father,
and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The saints are those who have been internally sanctified (made holy; hagiazo) by God's Spirit.
saints; hagios - most holy thing, a saint

Eph.1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

God gives them His grace: The effectual working of His Spiritual Power in them (Eph. 3:7);
strengthening them according to His Glorious power (Col. 1:11); the Power that God works in them
is the same power that raised Christ from the dead! (Eph.1:19-20) God gives them an enlightened understanding of His will, and to the hope of their calling, and of the marvelous inheritance He has given them! (Eph. 1:18). The Father gave them to Christ (John 6:37), Who gave Himself for their sins! (John 17:2)

Eph. 1:4
According as He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.

God saves them, and calls them with a holy calling, not because of anything they did or would do,
but according to His own Sovereign will (Rom. 9:11); according to His purpose and His grace,
before the world began (2 Tim. 1:9). They are a chosen generation; His Seed; His Offspring (Psalm 22:30), a royal priesthood (Rev. 1:6), a holy nation, a peculiar people (Titus 2:14), who God called out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

Eph. 1:5-9
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; Wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself

predestinated; proorizo (Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29-30; 1 Cor. 2:7)
1) to predetermine, decide beforehand
2) in the NT of God decreeing from eternity
3) to foreordain, appoint beforehand

God predestinated certain ones to be adopted as His children, to be set apart, to live unto holiness; not because He foresaw what choices they would make. But, God had determined in Himself what they would be and how that they would concur with His Sovereign Will and Eternal Purpose!


Eph. 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ,
both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.


Eph. 4:21-24
If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him (Psalm 25:14; Prov. 25:2; Luke 24:45),
as the truth is in Jesus: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; That ye put off concerning the former conduct the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (2 Cor. 5:17)

(It's important to note that, "put off" and "put on" are works they do after they become saved:
for they are the evidence of true salvation; but never the cause.)

1 Peter 1:15-16
But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conduct;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

TGBTG!

 

[Ryan]

God made us holy and set apart. Our responsibility is to act like it.

:amen but is frustrating when there are teachers who preach there is no responsibility to act in a way and manner God defined we are to live our life. I am a sinner, but love covers a multitude of sins 1 Peter 4:8. To love is TO DO!

Sick and tired of hearing a lazy brand of Christianity that is taught to an unsuspecting flock.

Yes, I'm sick of it too. Somehow any and all mention of 'works', or 'law' immediately equates the damnable works gospel...no matter how eloquent or articulate you try to make your explanation. I share your frustration.

I was feeling kinda sick one morning as some eggs didn't agree with me, but they weren't coming up. So I thought to help along the process, I would turn on one of the prominent prosperity teacher's on TV and listen to their message.

Well, it began with having to acknowledge the presence of Oprah Winfrey in the crowd, who is one of the biggest new agers, and although I don't know her heart, her fruit bears everything that is contrary to the Word of God. But, whatever. So the next hour was the most nauseating, watered down rendition of the Gospel message which was exactly the antidote for what ailed me. However, people in the audience were lapping it up in droves and buying into let's just believe in Jesus and we have nothing further to do other then maybe say something nice to someone at work, tell someone I believe in God, buy someone a coffee, and of course, come back next week and contribute financially to our ministry.

IMO a good message would be teaching about loving our neighbour, family, children, God, but knowing I will often fail in that regard, reassure me we have a loving and forgiving Father whose Son died for all of us so our mistakes can be forgiven.

 

[iLOVE]

A highway shall be there, and a road,
And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean shall not pass over it,
But it shall be for others.
Whoever walks the road, although a fool,
Shall not go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
It shall not be found there.
But the redeemed shall walk there, Isaiah 35:8-9 NKJV

This God's promise to the Holy only!

 

[iLOVE]

Now that you are saved, you should ask the Lord to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).

While it is certainly true the Holy Spirit came into your heart and life the moment of your Salvation, still, He now wishes to endure you with power from on high. Consequently, Jesus told all of His followers immediately before His Ascension, that they should "wait for the Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4). he was speaking of being "Baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).

You must understand that there is a great difference in being "born of the Spirit" than being " Baptized with the Spirit." They are two different works altogether.

To be "born of the Spirit" is that which took place at your conversion, as the holy Spirit brought you to Christ and performed the work of regeneration within your heart and life. To be "Baptized with the Spirit" is in order that you may have Power with God (Acts 1:8). Every Believer should ask the lord to fill them with the Holy Spirit, and expect to receive (Luke 11:13).

 

[George Muller]

God made us holy and set apart. Our responsibility is to act like it.

:amen but is frustrating when there are teachers who preach there is no responsibility to act in a way and manner God defined we are to live our life. I am a sinner, but love covers a multitude of sins 1 Peter 4:8. To love is TO DO!

Sick and tired of hearing a lazy brand of Christianity that is taught to an unsuspecting flock.

Yes, I'm sick of it too. Somehow any and all mention of 'works', or 'law' immediately equates the damnable works gospel...no matter how eloquent or articulate you try to make your explanation. I share your frustration.

I was feeling kinda sick one morning as some eggs didn't agree with me, but they weren't coming up. So I thought to help along the process, I would turn on one of the prominent prosperity teacher's on TV and listen to their message.

Well, it began with having to acknowledge the presence of Oprah Winfrey in the crowd, who is one of the biggest new agers, and although I don't know her heart, her fruit bears everything that is contrary to the Word of God. But, whatever. So the next hour was the most nauseating, watered down rendition of the Gospel message which was exactly the antidote for what ailed me. However, people in the audience were lapping it up in droves and buying into let's just believe in Jesus and we have nothing further to do other then maybe say something nice to someone at work, tell someone I believe in God, buy someone a coffee, and of course, come back next week and contribute financially to our ministry.

IMO a good message would be teaching about loving our neighbour, family, children, God, but knowing I will often fail in that regard, reassure me we have a loving and forgiving Father whose Son died for all of us so our mistakes can be forgiven.

Well please keep to the topic of the thread, and your attempts to vomit are not holy conversation, nor are they polite discussion, so please keep your personal habits, personal.

 

[George Muller]

Now that you are saved, you should ask the Lord to baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).

While it is certainly true the Holy Spirit came into your heart and life the moment of your Salvation, still, He now wishes to endure you with power from on high. Consequently, Jesus told all of His followers immediately before His Ascension, that they should "wait for the Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4). he was speaking of being "Baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).

You must understand that there is a great difference in being "born of the Spirit" than being " Baptized with the Spirit." They are two different works altogether.

To be "born of the Spirit" is that which took place at your conversion, as the holy Spirit brought you to Christ and performed the work of regeneration within your heart and life. To be "Baptized with the Spirit" is in order that you may have Power with God (Acts 1:8). Every Believer should ask the lord to fill them with the Holy Spirit, and expect to receive (Luke 11:13).

Thank you Ilove, no doubt the Holy Spirit in and upon, is the Holiness that God desires. For it was by this that Peter recognized that the Gentiles had been made acceptable "holy" unto God.

Ac 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Ac 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

[George Muller]

Holiness by the Spirit of God. That is my position.

I just thought it good that we all recognize that there is the positional holiness that God has given us through our faith in Christ, and there is our behavioral holiness which is also wrought through our faith in Christ. The church seems to not get the behavioral part of it too well. What do you think?

Well I don't know where you attend church? But The most unholy Christians I have ever met was those who claim to be "holy".

Did you really just say this?

Those of you who read his posts, did he really just say this?

For the strength of sin is the law, legalism and works of mans flesh never produce Godly results. These are the people who are always caught in vulgar sins and such.

Why are you bringing this into the discussion?

Holiness is by the Spirit of God through faith in Christ. Is there somebody here that is saying that is not true that you need to bring this up?

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

 

[reba]

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

So the guy who see the pretty girl and tells himself 'don't go there' is unholy? The lady that sees the neighbours house and deeply wishes she had it then that ' little small voice' reminds her not to covet is unholy? If that is not what your saying I sure don't understand what your saying.

 

[Elijah674]

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

So the guy who see the pretty girl and tells himself 'don't go there' is unholy? The lady that sees the neighbours house and deeply wishes she had it then that ' little small voice' reminds her not to covet is unholy? If that is not what your saying I sure don't understand what your saying.

The guy does not know the difference between the motive of LOVE & that of legalism is all. Most of the posting is of the latter mindset.

--Elijah

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

So the guy who see the pretty girl and tells himself 'don't go there' is unholy? The lady that sees the neighbours house and deeply wishes she had it then that ' little small voice' reminds her not to covet is unholy? If that is not what your saying I sure don't understand what your saying.

There is this distorted thinking in the church that says if you purposely make yourself do right it isn't accepted by God. Somehow walking by the Spirit came to be understood as some kind of lofty ecstatic experience where you just kind of check out and the Spirit takes over your body, then you wake up later and go 'wow'. And without that experience it was just your evil fleshly effort trying to please God. (GASP! How dare someone actually try to please God on purpose!)

Perhaps we should all wait around for the ecstatic experience of the Spirit before we are tempted to fly off in a rage, or something like that. Because, after all, that is the only time our obedience would count, right?

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

So the guy who see the pretty girl and tells himself 'don't go there' is unholy? The lady that sees the neighbours house and deeply wishes she had it then that ' little small voice' reminds her not to covet is unholy? If that is not what your saying I sure don't understand what your saying.

The guy does not know the difference between the motive of LOVE & that of legalism is all. Most of the posting is of the latter mindset.

--Elijah

I think the motive in question has more to do with whether or not the person thinks he is being justified by his obedience or not. You know...if he's earning his justification before God by doing right things. That's the self-righteous person. Not the person who does right on purpose because he knows what the requirements of God are. Somehow obedience has come to be understood as legalism in the church. We are a sad bunch indeed these days. A sad bunch.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Did you really just say this?

Those of you who read his posts, did he really just say this?

For the strength of sin is the law, legalism and works of mans flesh never produce Godly results. These are the people who are always caught in vulgar sins and such.

Why are you bringing this into the discussion?

Holiness is by the Spirit of God through faith in Christ. Is there somebody here that is saying that is not true that you need to bring this up?

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

I wish this were the problem in the church today. Instead we have a 'do nothing' attitude in the church (fueled by several very bad doctrines presently embraced by the church). Because any purposeful effort is labeled 'that of the flesh and not spiritual' and discarded. It's a convenient excuse to not obey what we know to be right and expected of us. It's pathetic.

 

[jasoncran]

Did you really just say this?

Those of you who read his posts, did he really just say this?

For the strength of sin is the law, legalism and works of mans flesh never produce Godly results. These are the people who are always caught in vulgar sins and such.

Why are you bringing this into the discussion?

Holiness is by the Spirit of God through faith in Christ. Is there somebody here that is saying that is not true that you need to bring this up?

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

I wish this were the problem in the church today. Instead we have a 'do nothing' attitude in the church (fueled by several very bad doctrines presently embraced by the church). Because any purposeful effort is labeled 'that of the flesh and not spiritual' and discarded. It's a convenient excuse to not obey what we know to be right and expected of us. It's pathetic.

not at my church. the church of god that is the pentacostal one preaches holiness

one must be told what is sin and then whom to go to get the power to stop sinning. that is what the bible is for the saved Christian to do with. read it and then see where he needs to change. not that im perfect, but that is what is in there.

 

[George Muller]

Did you really just say this?

Those of you who read his posts, did he really just say this?

For the strength of sin is the law, legalism and works of mans flesh never produce Godly results. These are the people who are always caught in vulgar sins and such.

Why are you bringing this into the discussion?

Holiness is by the Spirit of God through faith in Christ. Is there somebody here that is saying that is not true that you need to bring this up?

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

I wish this were the problem in the church today. Instead we have a 'do nothing' attitude in the church (fueled by several very bad doctrines presently embraced by the church). Because any purposeful effort is labeled 'that of the flesh and not spiritual' and discarded. It's a convenient excuse to not obey what we know to be right and expected of us. It's pathetic.

Yes "the strength of sin is the law", the more legalism is taught the more ungodly and unholy the church becomes. "THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH" The more legalism is taught the power of a living faith is destroyed and the members of a legalistic church have no power to do the works of faith.

 

[George Muller]

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

So the guy who see the pretty girl and tells himself 'don't go there' is unholy? The lady that sees the neighbours house and deeply wishes she had it then that ' little small voice' reminds her not to covet is unholy? If that is not what your saying I sure don't understand what your saying.

Who said that? you? The desire to covet is the condition of the flesh, the law only makes this condition worse and produces sinful desires. as the scriptures declare in clear and plain words;

Ro 7:7 ¶ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

I know this seems hard for the carnal mind to understand, but legalism only produces more ungodly behavior. Although religion may cover this in figs leaves, these evil desires and lust are only strengthen through the law. The heart is purified by "dying to the law" being set free from the law, and living in the holiness of the Spirit. Now I can teach this to the honest and those who desire to have their heart purified through faith, but those who are just trying to make religious debate cannot understand the mystery of godliness.

The "little small voice" is not the Holy Spirit pointing to the law of Moses. The Holy Spirit points to Christ crucified. The conscience of one who is under the law, is always in bondage to sin. The solution to covetousness is to be so filled with the knowledge of Gods blessings and promises that the things of this world have no effect upon the believer. Those who walk in the "law written upon the heart" do not envy the wealth of those in this world. Nor would a young man or woman go around lusting after the pleasures of this world, for their heart is set upon the pleasures of heaven.


It is legalism, that promotes ungodliness, it is GRACE that teaches true holiness.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Ro 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The reason so many are in bondage to sin in the church is because the law has been brought in and has been taught and grace has not been taught in its truth.

Grace is not a doctrine, its a Spirit, that empowers us to live godly lives.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

Yes Jethro it is through legalism that many are claiming to be "holy" and in fact they are the most "unholy" of all people. For they are under the bondage of sin due to their legalism. "for the strength of sin is the law" of course legalism relates directly to the discussion of TRUE HOLINESS, for until one sees the false they cannot understand the true.

So the guy who see the pretty girl and tells himself 'don't go there' is unholy? The lady that sees the neighbours house and deeply wishes she had it then that ' little small voice' reminds her not to covet is unholy? If that is not what your saying I sure don't understand what your saying.

Who said that? you? The desire to covet is the condition of the flesh, the law only makes this condition worse and produces sinful desires. as the scriptures declare in clear and plain words;

Ro 7:7 ¶ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

I know this seems hard for the carnal mind to understand, but legalism only produces more ungodly behavior. Although religion may cover this in figs leaves, these evil desires and lust are only strengthen through the law. The heart is purified by "dying to the law" being set free from the law, and living in the holiness of the Spirit. Now I can teach this to the honest and those who desire to have their heart purified through faith, but those who are just trying to make religious debate cannot understand the mystery of godliness.

The "little small voice" is not the Holy Spirit pointing to the law of Moses. The Holy Spirit points to Christ crucified. The conscience of one who is under the law, is always in bondage to sin. The solution to covetousness is to be so filled with the knowledge of Gods blessings and promises that the things of this world have no effect upon the believer. Those who walk in the "law written upon the heart" do not envy the wealth of those in this world. Nor would a young man or woman go around lusting after the pleasures of this world, for their heart is set upon the pleasures of heaven.


It is legalism, that promotes ungodliness, it is GRACE that teaches true holiness.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Ro 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The reason so many are in bondage to sin in the church is because the law has been brought in and has been taught and grace has not been taught in its truth.

Grace is not a doctrine, its a Spirit, that empowers us to live godly lives.

Legalism is not the problem in the church today. Hyper-grace is.

Of the two problems, I wish more people would have some kind of 'law' to die to so they could be born again. But as it is, hyper-grace makes people think they are already born again and/or persevering to the end in faith.