Why do you feel it is so hard to be good?

[1stCenturyLady]

I remember my Bible saying “ We * MUST* be BORN AGAIN .....I don’t remember that part where it says we “MUST REPENT”.....

Have you “ Changed your mind” from NOT Believing the Gospel to BELIEVING the Gospel ? If your answer is “ yes” , you have done all the “ repenting” you ever need to do in order to GET Saved and STAY Saved.....It’s a Promise Of God....

Do you remember the last sentence of Romans 8:9? BB, until you are born again of the Spirit of Christ, you do not belong to him. If you are trying to get to heaven in your carnal nature, and using willpower to overcome sin, you'll fail and will always revert to sinning.

So how do you RECEIVE the Holy Spirit of Christ? Acts 2:38 REPENT.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

43

Once again.....let me talk to your Spouse or Best Friend......You never answer my Accusations.....you can’t.....especially those in regard to “ Sins Of Omission”.......Gods “ gotcha” when it comes to sin and you had better grab hold of His Grace with every ounce of energy that you possess.....you’re gonna need it !

BB, you don't know me, so you must be speaking from your own experience.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Yes, your “ Desires” will change , but unfortunately as Jesus said, “ the Spirit is Willing , but the Flesh is weak” .....Paul said he NEVER attained the level that he desired to , yet YOU have......lol.....yeah, right.....

Matthew 26 and Mark 14 are both talking about the unregenerated carnal nature that we are all born with. Without Christ we can never say that we have no sin, because we will only be deceiving ourselves, because the Spirit of truth is not in us. Without the Spirit of Christ in us to take away our sin, we are just lying. And the same goes for those who say they have not sinned ever, and don't even believe in sin, we make Him a liar, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and His word is not in us. The word of God is where we learn the commandments of God and they show us our failures, our sin. So an unbeliever who has never read the word can deceive themselves and just compare themselves to others who are worse than themselves.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

The False, Perverted “Gospel” Of “Sinless Perfection” is the Doctrine that is “ Straight From Hell” .....If we could overcome sin 100% in these bodies of flesh, “ Jesus died in Vain”....

You are believing the opposite of what Jesus came to do. See the post on Doctrines of Demons.

 

[Grailhunter]

@BloodBought1953
Again address the topic or leave the thread.
I would prefer you would just leave.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Strange how your Carnal Nature left you immediately and Paul had to struggle with Sin...” I do the very thing that I do NOT want to do.....”

A Christ- like life is not a Moment to achieve, but a goal to pursue......

Philippians 3:2.......” I DON’T mean to say that I have already reached PERFECTION , but I press on...”

Paul admitted that he could not reach the level that YOU claim to have attained .....its obvious that you and Mr.Bueller are mistaken.....ANSWER this charge ! Tell me why you guys do not preach a False ,Perverted Gospel.....

BB, there is a difference in timing between being made sinless and all our past sins have been cleansed by taking away our carnal nature, and giving us a divine nature that only does righteousness, until they have truly become perfect and holy. And Paul knew these steps and where he was in the process. The steps are in 2 Peter 1:5-11.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control a]">[a]perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither b]">[b]barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Paul's LAST letter he had reached it. And like Peter said, he grew and made his call and election sure and didn't stumble.

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Stop taking verses out of context and relying on them to feed your false doctrines that will cause you to never be holy, and without holiness, no man shall see God. Don't make Jesus have to say to you, "I never knew you." Ask Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit, if for nothing else like gifts, to become sinless. Then live the steps to perfection in the fruit of the Spirit.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

No dear......YOU are the one that “ doesn’t get it”...... read your Bible......the demons believe there is “ ONE GOD” .......

Some people thought they were “ hot stuff” because they BELIeVEd IN *ONE* GOD! ( the Unsaved heathen Believed in hundreds of “ gods” ) The point being made was that even the demons believed “ that” and it was worthless to use that as if that made you Worthy Of Salvation.....

Read your Bible more carefully......” Strive to be a good student of the Word, so that you will not shame yourself”...... learn how to “ Rightly Divide” the Word Of God.......or stay out of forums, perhaps....you can’t fool somebody that actually knows their Bible.....

If you believe that the demons didn't know who Jesus was you are kidding yourself.

 

[MatthewG]

Found some interesting scripture today; that has to deal with the topic of good.


“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

[Ferris Bueller]

According to Paul, concerning Abraham, was Abraham justified by works?

Paul did not talk about Abraham being justified in regard to being shown to be righteous, but rather in regard to being made righteous. That's the particular topic about Abraham that he is addressing. But we know he understands that he was justified by works, too, from the fact that he points out that the faith that makes one righteous also works obedience in that person (Galatians 5:6).

According to James, concerning Abraham, was Abraham justified by works?

Yes. James is saying that Abraham was justified by works in that his works showed him to be righteous by what he did in obedience to God. That is different than Paul who says Abraham was justified by his faith in that it made him righteous before God.

 

[marks]

@BloodBought1953
Again address the topic or leave the thread.
I would prefer you would just leave.

 

[marks]

@BloodBought1953
Again address the topic or leave the thread.
I would prefer you would just leave.

Would that be like ol' ferris that when I start pointing out his word games he stops responding to me, but continues on? Like that?

 

[Ferris Bueller]

Abraham’s “Obedience ?” You gotta be kidding, right? Once again, you show how “ poor” a Student you are of God’s Word.

"Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”" Romans 4:19-22​

Now, what were you were saying about Abraham's faith in God's promises?

he showed unbelief in regard to the Promise concerning Sarah and how she would give birth to the child Of Promise, Isaac, which lead to his Adultery with Hagar.

Did you not know that God had not yet been revealed to Abraham that the child of promise would come from Sarah when he slept with his concubine? It was actually an act of faith on Abraham's part to believe that he could father a child at his age. He hadn't been told yet that Sarah would be the one to bear the child.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Paul did not talk about Abraham being justified in regard to being shown to be righteous, but rather in regard to being made righteous. That's the particular topic about Abraham that he is addressing. But we know he understands that he was justified by works, too, from the fact that he points out that the faith that makes one righteous also works obedience in that person (Galatians 5:6).


Yes. James is saying that Abraham was justified by works in that his works showed him to be righteous by what he did in obedience to God. That is different than Paul who says Abraham was justified by his faith in that it made him righteous before God.

and @Tong2020

Paul's teaching in Romans is about the law and grace and is 8 chapters long. Taking chapter 4 or 5 out of context is the cause of many false doctrines of demons. Abraham wasn't under the law, chapter 4; and God's grace is introduced in chapter 5, but not what it actually is. Chapter 8 is the complete conclusion to all 8 chapters. THE SPIRIT. Grace is the divine power of God favored to us.

 

[BloodBought 1953]

That is correct. Because that is what James plainly says in James 2:24.
'Justified' means to be made righteous. And 'justified' also means to be shown to be righteous. So you can see that the man that is made righteous by faith can't help but to reveal that righteousness by what he does. Just as the wicked man shows he is wicked by what he does. Faith that is alone can not save a man because it is showing itself to not be genuine.

Quick! Let’s inform Jesus! He told a tale about a wicked, Sinful Publican , and all “ this” guy had to do was TURN TO GOD ( the REAL Repentance That Saves) and merely cry out, “ Lord, have Mercy on me, Sinner !” Jesus said that this man went home “JUSTIFIED” .....Perhaps He should have discussed this with you.....you know more about “ Justification” than Jesus did, after all.....There is no record of the Publican “Showing” anything to Prove His Justification....all he did was “ go home” .....is that how we prove we are Saved.......” The Righteous shall live by Going Home! “

Jesus also healed the paralytic that was lowered through the roof of a house to get to see Jesus...Jesus said that because of his FAITH ( nothing else was mentioned) his Sins were “ Forgiven”..... No “show me something now......no “sin no more” .....just “Because Of your Faith , your sins are forgiven...”

How do you account for these true facts?

 

[1stCenturyLady]

"Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”" Romans 4:19-22​

Now, what were you were saying about Abraham's faith in God's promises?


Did you not know that God had not yet been revealed to Abraham that the child of promise would come from Sarah when he slept with his concubine? It was actually an act of faith on Abraham's part to believe that he could father a child at his age. He hadn't been told yet that Sarah would be the one to bear the child.

Wow, I had not realized that Sarah didn't know. But I can see God's purpose. 2 Covenants. Galatians 4:22-36.

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Quick! Let’s inform Jesus! He told a tale about a wicked, Sinful Publican , and all “ this” guy had to do was TURN TO GOD ( the REAL Repentance That Saves) and merely cry out, “ Lord, have Mercy on me, Sinner !” Jesus said that this man went home “JUSTIFIED” .....Perhaps He should have discussed this with you.....you know more about “ Justification” than Jesus did, after all.....There is no record of the Publican “Showing” anything to Prove His Justification....all he did was “ go home” .....is that how we prove we are Saved.......” The Righteous shall live by Going Home! “

Jesus also healed the paralytic that was lowered through the roof of a house to get to see Jesus...Jesus said that because of his FAITH ( nothing else was mentioned) his Sins were “ Forgiven”..... No “show me something now......no “sin no more” .....just “Because Of your Faith , your sins are forgiven...”

How do you account for these true facts?

Justified is also when Jesus cleanses our nature of all past sins, and places a new nature in us that partakes of the divine nature of God. We don't have anything more to confess, just walk in the Spirit and not quench the Spirit. We must also grow in the fruit of the Spirit or else we could stumble and not make our election sure. 2 Peter 1:2-11.

 

[BloodBought 1953]

"Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”" Romans 4:19-22​

Now, what were you were saying about Abraham's faith in God's promises?


Did you not know that God had not yet been revealed to Abraham that the child of promise would come from Sarah when he slept with his concubine? It was actually an act of faith on Abraham's part to believe that he could father a child at his age. He hadn't been told yet that Sarah would be the one to bear the child.

Abraham having relations with Hagar was such an act of UNBELIEF in God's Promise to Abraham AND Sarah that the punishment is continuing to this day.....It’s the descendants of Hager's Son Ishmael that are responsible for all of the+trouble in the Mid- East.....Also, the Legalists Of this Day can trace their roots back to the “ Son Of The Slave Woman”...."

Had Abraham Trusted God like God wanted him to.....the world would have escaped hundreds of years of strife and misery... all traced back to Abraham’s lapse of Faith....” anything that is not of Faith is Sin” ......Abraham Sinned ......Grace Covered it .....Abraham got that Grace because he was a man of Faith.....not Perfect Faith......but superb Faith at many times....

 

[1stCenturyLady]

Abraham having relations with Hagar was such an act of UNBELIEF in God's Promise to Abraham AND Sarah that the punishment is continuing to this day.....It’s the descendants of Hager's Son Ishmael that are responsible for all of the+trouble in the Mid- East.....Also, the Legalists Of this Day can trace their roots back to the “ Son Of The Slave Woman”...."

Had Abraham Trusted God like God wanted him to.....the world would have escaped hundreds of years of strife and misery... all traced back to Abraham’s lapse of Faith....” anything that is not of Faith is Sin” ......Abraham Sinned ......Grace Covered it .....Abraham got that Grace because he was a man of Faith.....not Perfect Faith......but superb Faith at many times....

Ishmael did come from Abraham's loins, so how is that unbelief, and not belief? I think you may be so puffed up you've become blind to the truth that someone else has that you don't have. If you don't become humble you will always be blind and always stumble.

Did Abraham KNOW that his heir would come through Sarah? That is what Ferris was pointing out. What? You can't see that in black and white? Two covenants came out of Abraham. So two heirs. There were plenty of Jews from the first covenant of Ishmael that were saved before Jesus came and initiated the second covenant of promise.

 

[farouk]

Found some interesting scripture today; that has to deal with the topic of good.


“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

@MatthewG Romans is so doctrinal; that part of Romans is so practical...working out what is inwardly received about the truth of God in Christ...

 

[Tong2020]

Tong2020 said: ↑
Though you are at the same time saying concerning faith and works, that you can’t have one without the other. That would mean you can’t have faith without works and you can’t have works without faith. Is that right?

That is correct. They go hand in hand.

At least I understand what you are trying to say now, that you believe you can’t have faith without works and you can’t have works without faith.

But is that what James was really saying about faith and about works there?

What was James saying here in v.18?
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

What was James saying here in v.19?
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

What is the point James was making that he says that?

What was James saying here in v.20?
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

What was James saying in v.21-22?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

What was James saying in v.23?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.

What was James saying in v.24?
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. (James 2)

As to what James’ point in all that he said in verses 19-23, is found here in his conclusion in v.24.

Now, the question is, in what sense is a man justified by works, considering all that James said? Verse 21 should help us on this.

Tong
R4415