Biblical Repentance

[MennoSota]

The problem lies in our Adamic nature that doesn't want to die. We want to be "saved" and still do things that will "not inherit the Kingdom."

What is truly 'very troubling and problematic' (to quote one of the nay-sayers) is that the church at large simply cannot accept the Biblical Truth that God will hold us (especially church-goers) accountable for their unrepentant sins in that Day. So, we've concocted several false doctrines and myths that will allow people to continue to sin in this life and still look forward to 'heaven' when they die because of what Jesus did. Problem is… the Scripture does not support that. Jesus bore His Cross; and although the modern songs may sing otherwise, He did NOT bear our cross. We must bear our own cross – proving ourselves worthy – or we will miss out on the promises of God to “those who overcome.” ( see Matt 10:38)

The prophecy of Isaiah is coming to pass in our day -
"That this is a rebellious people,
Lying children,
Children who will not hear the law of the Lord;
10 Who say to the seers, “Do not see,”
And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things;
Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
11 Get out of the way,
Turn aside from the path,
Cause the Holy One of Israel
To cease from before us.”
- Isaiah 30:9-11

In the context of God's discipline on those He loves and the admonishment to "strive against sin, resisting it even to bloodshed" (Heb 12:4) that God might "receive us as sons" (Heb 12:5-8), the Holy Spirit instructs us to "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." (Heb 12:14-15) And of course all this is written ONLY to "saved" people, not those in the world. And the Kingdom will not be comprised of a single "defiled" person, not a single 'sinner-saved-by-grace' that is still a sinner. Period. End of story. This IS Scripture that cannot be broken.

We love Jesus as our “Savior” but really don’t want to submit to Him as “Lord.”

Now That is very troubling and problematic.

Romans 7:14-25
For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Romans 8:1-4
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

 

[Michael]

You don't believe all your sins were forgiven at the cross because of Jesus according to the above post.

Oh, indeed all my "past sins" were forgiven, the slate wiped clean in God's eyes, when I came to the Cross of Christ and received of His mercy and grace! Amen!
Jesus set me free from having to sin again. How then can I now allow myself to keep sinning? Am I supposed to just believe that He will keep on forgiving me when I continue doing the things He set me free from? Am I immature enough to believe that even if I am disobedient to Him His grace will somehow just cover my sins? Hmmm… Paul addressed this back in the First Century, writing to 'Christians' who mistakenly thought that Jesus would automatically keep forgiving them even when they kept sinning, just because they had ‘been saved’ and God’s Grace was sufficient and all they needed. Their understanding was off a bit…

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For IF we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” - Rom 6:1-13 NKJV

Are we “slaves of sin” still allowing ourselves to behave in ways that we know God disapproves of, thinking that He doesn’t see our sin anymore?

Or are we actually “walking in newness of life” because we have “been united with Him in the likeness of His death”, now dead to sin in reality not just some abstract mental state in which we still sin?

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. “ (Rom 6:12)
Truly, if we do not believe this command and strive to live by it, then we really don’t believe, we are not a True “believer.” To “believe” in the Scripture implies we “obey” to prove what we claim with our mouth.
And again, for those fuming at their screens right now at Paul’s words, I am NOT saying I have arrived at this point in my walk with the Lord yet. YET. But to accept anything less than what the Holy Spirit teaches us is to already mark ourselves as “disqualified” to obtain the promises of Rev 2 & 3. For these promises are given ONLY to those who “overcome” by Repentance, Surrender & Obedience.

May this Truth spur us on to walk in a way that truly pleases God. And remember, Jesus did not come to set us free IN our sin, but FROM our sin. Let us know the difference saints, for our Eternal lot is at stake.

Peace & Blessings to all who walk with Jesus and “have been baptized into His death.”

Amen.

 

[zecryphon_nomdiv]

You're trying so hard to separate that which can not be separated. You are the one that is a bit off with your understanding. As long as you still have a sinful nature, you will continue to sin. You can't stop it. With everything you say, your sinful nature is evident. With all you write about pressing on and overcoming, I notice that you never say you do this for the glory of God or for your neighbor.

You say you press on and overcome so that on the last day you will be rewarded with life on the new earth. That is sinful, because the good deeds you talk about doing benefit no one but you. You don't do these things so others will benefit or see God's love at work in you. You do these things for what God can give you. Those are not fruits of the Spirit, but self-preservation at it's worst and most vile.

 

[Michael]

Oh, indeed all my "past sins" were forgiven, the slate wiped clean in God's eyes, when I came to the Cross of Christ and received of His mercy and grace! Amen!
Jesus set me free from having to sin again. How then can I now allow myself to keep sinning? Am I supposed to just believe that He will keep on forgiving me when I continue doing the things He set me free from? Am I immature enough to believe that even if I am disobedient to Him His grace will somehow just cover my sins? Hmmm… Paul addressed this back in the First Century, writing to 'Christians' who mistakenly thought that Jesus would automatically keep forgiving them even when they kept sinning, just because they had ‘been saved’ and God’s Grace was sufficient and all they needed. Their understanding was off a bit…

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For IF we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” - Rom 6:1-13 NKJV

Are we “slaves of sin” still allowing ourselves to behave in ways that we know God disapproves of, thinking that He doesn’t see our sin anymore?

Or are we actually “walking in newness of life” because we have “been united with Him in the likeness of His death”, now dead to sin in reality not just some abstract mental state in which we still sin?

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. “ (Rom 6:12)
Truly, if we do not believe this command and strive to live by it, then we really don’t believe, we are not a True “believer.” To “believe” in the Scripture implies we “obey” to prove what we claim with our mouth.
And again, for those fuming at their screens right now at Paul’s words, I am NOT saying I have arrived at this point in my walk with the Lord yet. YET. But to accept anything less than what the Holy Spirit teaches us is to already mark ourselves as “disqualified” to obtain the promises of Rev 2 & 3. For these promises are given ONLY to those who “overcome” by Repentance, Surrender & Obedience.

May this Truth spur us on to walk in a way that truly pleases God. And remember, Jesus did not come to set us free IN our sin, but FROM our sin. Let us know the difference saints, for our Eternal lot is at stake.

Peace & Blessings to all who walk with Jesus and “have been baptized into His death.”

Amen.

Indeed, Paul mentions many of the sins we see rampant in our churches today, and in online Christian groups; sins that unless repented of will bring about the wrath of God, not His grace & forgiveness.

"For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced." - 2Cor 12:20-21

Just sharing what the Word of God declares.

 

[Lamb]

Oh, indeed all my "past sins" were forgiven, the slate wiped clean in God's eyes, when I came to the Cross of Christ and received of His mercy and grace! Amen!

You don't believe ALL your sins were forgiven at the cross. You just said right there that God has been selective in which sins (you state the ones before you came to faith) were forgiven and that's not what the bible says. It says Jesus died for the sin of the world.

As Zec stated, you are working for your salvation because you aren't trusting that Jesus forgives all your sins. Repentance is coming to God in faith that your sins are forgiven. AMEN!

 

[Michael]

You don't believe ALL your sins were forgiven at the cross. You just said right there that God has been selective in which sins (you state the ones before you came to faith) were forgiven and that's not what the bible says. It says Jesus died for the sin of the world.

As Zec stated, you are working for your salvation because you aren't trusting that Jesus forgives all your sins. Repentance is coming to God in faith that your sins are forgiven. AMEN!

Wow! We really are on totally different pages here. And that's OK. God calls us to different things and we are on different stages of our journey.
btw, I added Zec to my "ignore" list. His comments and attitude toward me have not been Christ-like.

As I have said many times in this thread- I HAVE BEEN SAVED! I trust Jesus sacrifice on the Cross 100% for my salvation! Hallelujah!

But, since the promises of God in Revelation 2 & 3 are only given to "those who overcome", not to 'saved sinners', and since the Scripture clearly states numerous times that God will recompense ALL (especially 'saved' people) "according to their works" then YES, I am going to follow the leading and instruction of the Spirit and strive daily (as did Paul) to exersize "self control", "denial of self", "obedience" to the commands of Christ, daily strive to "repent" (actually turn away from sin), and "walk worthy" of His calling on my life.

Why would I settle for anything less than what God desires?
Why would I purposely choose to ignore most of the New Testament writings just to grasp at a belief that God will allow me to sin and still see me as perfect.

It is sad to see how much deception is in the churches today.

But God will have His remnant.

 

[zecryphon_nomdiv]

Aww, another false teacher and denier of Christ's truth puts me on ignore. He asked if he's supposed to just believe that Christ will keep on forgiving him if he sins, as if that's not what the Bible teaches. Here it is, right there in verse 9.

1 John 1:8-10 (New American Standard Bible)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.*9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.*10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

 

[psalms 91]

Aww, another false teacher and denier of Christ's truth puts me on ignore. He asked if he's supposed to just believe that Christ will keep on forgiving him if he sins, as if that's not what the Bible teaches. Here it is, right there in verse 9.

1 John 1:8-10 (New American Standard Bible)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.*9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.*10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

You are using a stand alone verse, it must be combined with all the others that talk about walking and living a victorious life and to obey. Yes we all sin but that does not mean that we dont get better as we progress. If you are not moving forward then you are going backward

 

[zecryphon_nomdiv]

You are using a stand alone verse, it must be combined with all the others that talk about walking and living a victorious life and to obey. Yes we all sin but that does not mean that we dont get better as we progress. If you are not moving forward then you are going backward

No, a stand alone verse is a single verse, there are three verses here. But putting the obvious aside, what Michael promotes is based on a false dichotomy and you've bought into it. The Christian faith is one of daily repentance. When we sin, Christ is faithful to forgive us. Michael doesn't believe this, he even denies it is taught in Scripture, yet you just read it.

According to Michael if you commit a single sin, "you're walking in darkness, doing whatever you want" and that just isn't true. We sin because of the sinful nature. YOU will never put it to death as it is with you until the day you die. Through faith in Christ, while wearing the whole armor of God we must do battle with our two natures: the sinful and the new nature in Christ.

Michael denies there is any forgiveness for sin after being saved, which he always puts in quotation marks, as if the word is simply a buzz word that doesn't mean anything. The above verses and many others show that what he is teaching directly contradicts what Christ taught. Also take notice that all his good deeds, benefit only him. He doesn't teach doing God's will for the glory of God and benefit of his neighbor, he does them for what he thinks he can get from God on the last day. For what he thinks he is owed.

Be very careful whom you listen to. Scripture or a man who has rejected the Scriptures, the leaders God has chosen to teach him and the gathering together of the saints, all the while claiming to do all that God has commanded him to do. Also, with the exception of you, everyone on this board has condemned his teaching as wrong, people who normally don't agree on matters of doctrine have all come together to denounce him. Personally, I think Satan has led him astray and counts Michael as a victory and a tool to use to lead others down the path of destruction, by rejecting what Christ did and taught in favor of what you can do for yourself.

 

[psalms 91]

No, a stand alone verse is a single verse, there are three verses here. But putting the obvious aside, what Michael promotes is based on a false dichotomy and you've bought into it. The Christian faith is one of daily repentance. When we sin, Christ is faithful to forgive us. Michael doesn't believe this, he even denies it is taught in Scripture, yet you just read it.

According to Michael if you commit a single sin, "you're walking in darkness, doing whatever you want" and that just isn't true. We sin because of the sinful nature. YOU will never put it to death as it is with you until the day you die. Through faith in Christ, while wearing the whole armor of God we must do battle with our two natures: the sinful and the new nature in Christ.

Michael denies there is any forgiveness for sin after being saved, which he always puts in quotation marks, as if the word is simply a buzz word that doesn't mean anything. The above verses and many others show that what he is teaching directly contradicts what Christ taught. Also take notice that all his good deeds, benefit only him. He doesn't teach doing God's will for the glory of God and benefit of his neighbor, he does them for what he thinks he can get from God on the last day. For what he thinks he is owed.

Be very careful whom you listen to. Scripture or a man who has rejected the Scriptures, the leaders God has chosen to teach him and the gathering together of the saints, all the while claiming to do all that God has commanded him to do. Also, with the exception of you, everyone on this board has condemned his teaching as wrong, people who normally don't agree on matters of doctrine have all come together to denounce him. Personally, I think Satan has led him astray and counts Michael as a victory and a tool to use to lead others down the path of destruction, by rejecting what Christ did and taught in favor of what you can do for yourself.

I know balance and I accept that Christ died for the sins of the world, do all get forgiveness and accept Christ and the answer is no. Are we instructed to obey and to walk as a disciple and not as we were before being saved? Yes. If we sin which we will does Christ forgive of course He does if we ask. See I have no problem with either but I do have a problem with all is forgiven no matter what just as I have a problem with one sin and your out. Neither is correct it is that middle that is correct. Only by incorporating all the verses into the picture can you draw a right conclusion.

 

[zecryphon_nomdiv]

I know balance and I accept that Christ died for the sins of the world, do all get forgiveness and accept Christ and the answer is no. Are we instructed to obey and to walk as a disciple and not as we were before being saved? Yes. If we sin which we will does Christ forgive of course He does if we ask. See I have no problem with either but I do have a problem with all is forgiven no matter what just as I have a problem with one sin and your out. Neither is correct it is that middle that is correct. Only by incorporating all the verses into the picture can you draw a right conclusion.

I have drawn the right conclusion. My problem is I'm posting this from a phone and can't copy and paste every single thing you'd like addressed or cited. Both you and Michael are projecting a position onto others that no one has put forth. That we walk as if all is forgiven and can do whatever we want. I haven't seen anyone who is participating in these threads say that. But if you don't believe Michael and what he says is the word of God, as it has been revealed to him, outside of church, away from the gathering together of the saints, then you obviously believe all is forgiven and you can do whatever you want. Like I said, be careful whom you believe.

 

[Lamb]

No, a stand alone verse is a single verse, there are three verses here. But putting the obvious aside, what Michael promotes is based on a false dichotomy and you've bought into it. The Christian faith is one of daily repentance. When we sin, Christ is faithful to forgive us. Michael doesn't believe this, he even denies it is taught in Scripture, yet you just read it.

According to Michael if you commit a single sin, "you're walking in darkness, doing whatever you want" and that just isn't true. We sin because of the sinful nature. YOU will never put it to death as it is with you until the day you die. Through faith in Christ, while wearing the whole armor of God we must do battle with our two natures: the sinful and the new nature in Christ.

Michael denies there is any forgiveness for sin after being saved, which he always puts in quotation marks, as if the word is simply a buzz word that doesn't mean anything. The above verses and many others show that what he is teaching directly contradicts what Christ taught. Also take notice that all his good deeds, benefit only him. He doesn't teach doing God's will for the glory of God and benefit of his neighbor, he does them for what he thinks he can get from God on the last day. For what he thinks he is owed.

Be very careful whom you listen to. Scripture or a man who has rejected the Scriptures, the leaders God has chosen to teach him and the gathering together of the saints, all the while claiming to do all that God has commanded him to do. Also, with the exception of you, everyone on this board has condemned his teaching as wrong, people who normally don't agree on matters of doctrine have all come together to denounce him. Personally, I think Satan has led him astray and counts Michael as a victory and a tool to use to lead others down the path of destruction, by rejecting what Christ did and taught in favor of what you can do for yourself.

Well, said.

Denying Jesus' forgiveness of sins is a true sin against God. It's one that has potential dangers for the Christian who then relies on trying to be sinless in order to gain eternal life with God.

In Michael's case, he's using the term "salvation" in a different way than Lutherans because he thinks it's some one time event where he gave his heart to Jesus or some other decision theology man-made event. That's part of the problem in communications with him in that he has limited the actual word compared to what it is biblically.

 

[Michael]

Well, said.

Denying Jesus' forgiveness of sins is a true sin against God. It's one that has potential dangers for the Christian who then relies on trying to be sinless in order to gain eternal life with God.

In Michael's case, he's using the term "salvation" in a different way than Lutherans because he thinks it's some one time event where he gave his heart to Jesus or some other decision theology man-made event. That's part of the problem in communications with him in that he has limited the actual word compared to what it is biblically.

:smile: It's funny how wrong you are about what I actually think, believe and teach. Wouldn't it be easier just to ask me? I had a instructor decades ago who had a meaning for the word 'assume' that I won't repeat here.

And actually, I've expanded the True meaning of the word "salvation" to use it as the Scripture clearly teaches. The problem is that too many think the word "salvation" in the Bible means the same thing in every occurrence. It doesn't; not by a stretch.
Do you realize that Jesus is bringing "salvation" to "saved" people when He comes again. That is because as He, and the Apostles, taught, "being saved" is only the very first step in our Journey. If we do not "walk worthy", "repent" and "obey" we will miss out on that "salvation" the Lord is bringing with Him when He comes again to establish the Kingdom on the Earth.

So many are stuck at "being saved", thinking that that is all there is. Man, let's move on past the "milk" of the Word which is the "elementary principles" of God, and partake of the "meat", that "solid food", the "hidden manna" of the Word and Truth of God that He reserves only for those who are striving to "overcome."

Are we striving today? Or have we become comfortable and stagnant in our walk? I must choose the former.

Peace & Blessings.

 

[Lamb]

Michael, here is a question for you since you don't believe that I understand you when you say "salvation".

Do you believe salvation means that you will have eternal life with God?

 

[zecryphon_nomdiv]

Michael, here is a question for you since you don't believe that I understand you when you say "salvation".

Do you believe salvation means that you will have eternal life with God?

Don't ask him questions. He'll block you for not talking to him in a Christ-like way.

 

[Josiah]

Sometimes it's possible for two things to BOTH be true.... albeit in different aspects. They should both be affirmed. The problem comes with they are both put into a blender, watered way down, mixed up on high forever, and then poured out over everything. That simply makes both truths wrong.... and often creates a horrible falsehood. Blue is blue, yellow is yellow.... green is neither. Let blue be blue and yellow be yellow. Throw away the blender.

Law is law.... Gospel is gospel, BOTH are fully true. They just aren't the same thing. A weak, watered-down, blended concoction of the two is unbiblical, unchristian, and only leads to either Phariseeism or a "terror of the conscience" and in both cases, means Jesus isn't the Savior since He doesn't save.




.

 

[psalms 91]

If you go to the rotts of the word salvation in the bible you will find a very rich and more complete understanding of the word as it encompasses so much more than just being saved, it includes so much more yet most are ok with stopping right there. The promises in the bible are many for believers and it is a shame that we either dont believe or else dont seek them

 

[Lamb]

If you go to the rotts of the word salvation in the bible you will find a very rich and more complete understanding of the word as it encompasses so much more than just being saved, it includes so much more yet most are ok with stopping right there. The promises in the bible are many for believers and it is a shame that we either dont believe or else dont seek them

Okay, how about you answer this:

Do you believe salvation means that you will have eternal life with God?

 

[Josiah]

[MENTION=11]Lämmchen[/MENTION]

Okay, how about you answer this: Do you believe salvation means that you will have eternal life with God?

Your question, Lamm, is EXACTLY on target and gets to the reality.


I affirm again...

Sometimes it's possible for two things to BOTH be true.... albeit in different aspects. They should both be affirmed. The problem comes with they are both put into a blender, watered way down, mixed up on high forever, and then poured out over everything. That simply makes both truths wrong.... and often creates a horrible falsehood. Blue is blue, yellow is yellow.... green is neither. Let blue be blue and yellow be yellow. Throw away the blender.

Law is law.... Gospel is gospel, BOTH are fully true. They just aren't the same thing. A weak, watered-down, blended concoction of the two is unbiblical, unchristian, and only leads to either Phariseeism or a "terror of the conscience" and in both cases, means Jesus isn't the Savior since He doesn't save.

When Law is destroyed.... and Gospel is destroyed.... and some watered-down, humanly created, blended concoction is created (Blue and Yellow MIXES to make something entirely new and different: Green) we end up destroying Christianity. And one way to tell is that Jesus ceases to be the Savior. He may be an example, a teacher, a model.... He may be a Law Giver... He may be a helper, an enabler, a "door-opener", a possibility-maker.... but not the Savior. As one of my Catholic teachers VERBATIM said to us, "Jesus technically saves no one, He makes it POSSIBLE for everyone to save themselves." That (not really Catholic) position is what happens when Law and Gospel are both watered WAY down, put into a human blender, mixed on high for centuries, concocting a new thing - then poured out. Often, the result is Jesus ceases to be The SAVIOR - and thus Christianity is destroyed.


What our friend is saying is often true... the problem is in the watering down and blending together: the result is no longer blue or yellow but a new concoction, a new religion. I 'get' it because we want to "get it", we have this desire to "connect the dots" and answer all our own questions, to see how everything works TOGETHER... we love blenders. But we need to leave things as God said (even if we can't answer our own questions, connect the dots, make everything "understandable"). Our assignment is to be "stewards of the MYSTERIES of God" (why "theology" was called "Divine Mysteries" for some 1700 years), nowhere are we told to mix stuff up, water things down, make everything "understandable" until Jesus is destroyed as THE SAVIOR.


- Josiah




.

 

[psalms 91]

Okay, how about you answer this:

Do you believe salvation means that you will have eternal life with God?

Yes, providing we are not like the foolish virgins, as statede before I do not believe in once saved always saved any more than I believe anyone can know but God for only He knows the heart of man so He alone is the judge of this. Answer me this then Lamm someone goes to the alter and gets saved yet continues to live life as he did before he got saved, is this person going on to eternal life with God?