The Bible teaches repentance unto confession, not confession unto repentance

[Ghada]

Titus 3:
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit . . .

I'm pretty much done bothering to argue with Christian sinners, that refuse to make difference between past good deeds of our own before Christ, and present good deeds now only done from His washing and through Him.

Speaking of yourself in terms of your own righteousness, confirms your unrepented gospel of continued filthy rags with the same old heart of lust.

I have never met an honest man, including the Apostle Paul, who denied having lust in his heart.

And here we have it. Same old heart of lust, now dressed up in more whited rags.

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

You confirm the corrupt spiritual and practical result of your gospel to only repent with a change of mind about sin, but never to have the new heart of Jesus Christ given by repenting of all sinning in spirit and flesh.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Yes, Jesus told the woman to "go and sin no more." Is Jesus saying, "Go and be morally perfect?"

No.

Yep. The gospel of go and sin less in continued moral corruption.

 

[CadyandZoe]

Adding virtue, godliness, charity to our faith is not penitence, but doing good with Jesus from a pure heart, that is repented of doing dead works.

You accuse Peter of preaching penitence.

No. I accuse you of preaching penitence.

Your posts contain two common themes: repentance and works. According to your view, not only must one believe the gospel, one must perform works of repentance. And I have asked you several times to give me examples of the sorts of "works" you have in mind. So far you have not answered my question.

The underlying theme of your point of view answers to the question, "What must I DO to be saved?" with a heavy emphasis on meritorious efforts to ingratiate one's self to God. Its a very common question among new believers including myself. "Now that I have faith in Jesus, what does he want me to do?" And in our moment of weakness, someone gives us "a way" to remain in God's grace.

In your case, you have given yourself permission to force your version down everyone's throat and berate those with whom you disagree. And you are unwilling to be corrected by the scriptures.

 

[CadyandZoe]

I'm pretty much done bothering to argue with Christian sinners, that refuse to make difference between past good deeds of our own before Christ, and present good deeds now only done from His washing and through Him.

I thought you didn't believe that Christians could be sinners. But the question is whether Paul made the distinction that you claim he made. Show it from the text. In Paul's epistle to Titus, where does Paul draw a distinction between deeds of righteousness we committed before our conversion experience and deeds of righteousness after our conversion experience? He doesn't.

A careful review of Paul's letter to Titus will reveal that Paul commends those who perform good deeds whether one is a Christian or not. In light of that, Paul tells Titus that we are not saved on the basis of good deeds of righteousness. -- Period. Full Stop (as they say.)

But Paul DOES draw an important distinction between mercy and merit, which is a common theme in all of Paul's writings. Look again at what Paul writes to Titus. This time I will color code the two categories: 1) Blue = merit and 2) Red = mercy.

Titus 3:
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

A review of Paul's writing will reveal the above distinction is very common. Are good deeds valued, encouraged, and recommended? Yes. Doing good should always be the course of our lives. Even so, all aspects of salvation including justification, sanctification and glorification are acts of God's mercy -- something that HE DOES.

You want to say, I think, that faith and "repentance" (which you understand as "works) is something that we supply in order to ingratiate God to grant us salvation. And in order to maintain our salvation we must constantly prove our loyalty with obedience.

You will not find your view in the pages of the New Testament. Why? The central message of the Gospel message is this, "Good news! One does not need to ingratiate himself (or herself) to God through meritorious works. Instead, salvation is by grace and granted as an act of his love."

Speaking of yourself in terms of your own righteousness, confirms your unrepented gospel of continued filthy rags with the same old heart of lust.

False accusation again.

And here we have it. Same old heart of lust, now dressed up in more whited rags.

Square peg; round hole. I was talking about honest men in case you didn't notice. And for some reason, I assumed that you were familiar with another major theme in the Bible: proper inwardness.

The domain of lust is in the heart, hidden from view. For this reason, a man's lust remains hidden until he decides to act upon it. It isn't something to be "whitewashed" because it remains a subjective, inward experience.

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

Jesus often referred to the Pharisees as "hypocrites", which essentially means "an actor" or a "stage player." In Jesus' opinion, the Pharisees were "righteous" in name only because their version of "righteousness" was for show. These men were acting the part of a righteous person without actually being righteous on the inside.

The work of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus said, is to convict us of sin and judgment. Thus, those in whom the Spirit is at work are learning who they REALLY ARE on the inside.

In a sense, we have Christian "pharisees" living today: those who act like a Christian is supposed to act, but on the inside they are sinners at the core.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

You confirm the corrupt spiritual and practical result of your gospel to only repent with a change of mind about sin, but never to have the new heart of Jesus Christ given by repenting of all sinning in spirit and flesh.

The definition of repentance is not my idea. It simply means to "change the mind." Therefore your definition of "repentance" is a flaw in your argument and leads you to adopt a false gospel.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Yep. The gospel of go and sin less in continued moral corruption.

Here again, you fail to know or understand the difference between "inwardness" and "outwardness." Even Paul encourages his readers to submit their members as servants of righteousness, which indicates proper outwardness. But those who will not be truthful about inwardness is walking in the dark.

 

[CadyandZoe]

Bible repentance is from dead works.

Right. How does one repent from the dead works? Context is important here. The basis of Paul's statement is the search for "eudiamonia": fulfillment, happiness, well-being, and human flourishing. The question is, what is the most effective lifestyle, which will bring a person fulfillment and human flourishing? And in this context "alive works" are those works that lead to human flourishing and "dead works" are those works that remain ineffective and don't lead to human flourishing.

Now to repent is to change the mind. And so to repent of a work is to agree that such work is not conducive to human flourishing.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul spoke about the benefits of repentance.

Romans 6:20-22
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

Our desired outcome is life, and on that basis, we reject anything that is not conducive to Life, i.e. human flourishing. We reject anything that leads to death. To repent of dead works is to reject any deed or action that leads to death. We accept and embrace every deed or action that leads to life.

Changing our mind about sin, to enjoy sinning less, is not the Bible repentance of changing the heart from doing it.

You misunderstand. Repentance isn't changing the mind about sin. Repentance is rejecting false ideas or detrimental practices.

The apostles of Jesus Christ don't picture anything, but command the same as Jesus: Repent of sinning and believe God from a new heart unto His righteousness.

It is easy to repent of sin in a general way. We all do that. But true repentance involves wisdom and knowledge because as we saw above, repentance involves an evaluation process; What deeds, behaviors or ideas will ultimately lead to Life and what deeds, behaviors or ideas will lead to death?

Believing God from a new heart is an internal reality due to the involvement of his Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit's job is to help us with discernment and decision-making, helping us to see the truth and to make wise decisions with regard to whether a decision will be life-affirming or lead to death.

No man having sin can be in Christ Jesus, in whom is no sin.

Paul had sin and he was in Christ.

Because some people repent according to God's commandment to have faith toward Him, and some do not repent, and so have no faith toward God to come to His light.

According to the Bible, repenting is an aspect of believing.

Once again, I'm not interested in having sin with you in your lukewarm light of partial repentance only.

If we deny our inward sin, the light is not in us.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Adding virtue, godliness, charity to our faith is not penitence, but doing good with Jesus from a pure heart, that is repented of doing dead works.

You accuse Peter of preaching penitence.

But you falsely accuse Pewter of preaching sinless perfection in thought word and deed until one dies.

 

[Ghada]

I've told you that in a few ways a few times.

There is only way to say there are Christian saints living without sinning today.

Since you give no post of your saying so, then your accusation is of course false. No surprise here.

I'm not here to discuss myself with you, I'm here to discuss the Bible and God's teachings.

In the past few posts, you've only been here to try and make me a sinner by false accusation.

We are not fit judges of ourselves, and I'm not about to indulge in the hubris of declaring, I don't sin.

True, that would be a hubris lie of yours. 1 John 1:9 says them sinning still in darkness, cannot say they don't sin and have no sin.

However, since you speak of 'the hubris' as applying to any Christian saying they are not sinning in Christ Jesus, then you judge all Christians as sinners like you. Which of course proves your own declaration of being an unfit judge in such matters.

You also do it with your own pseudo-humility. Nice job.

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility,

Of course God is able to empower our lives that we not sin. Yet the most we will experience of that is that we will not have 'the consciousness of sin". We won't be aware of committing sin, however,

Yeah, that's that old 'sin' nature or genome that the devil slipped into your soul and/or body at birth. Jesus Christ was distracted with making something else in the universe at the time.

The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

And, like other sinful Christians, you only idealize Jesus' life on earth. You like they, only give lip service to it being possible to walk like Jesus without sinning on earth, and then just declare it impractical.

I pretty much figured that's where you were headed. Sure, sure, it's certainly 'possible', just not practical.

Just because we are not aware of sins doesn't mean we haven't committed any, we are not judges of ourselves.

What does this gobbledygook teaching matter? You know you're going to sin again, and you have no hubris in even thinking you might not sin. So just wait and you will be thankfully 'aware' of sinning again. So you can enjoy it better.

1 John 2:1 KJV
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Much love!

Finally. A Bible quote.

But since you have no hubris about sinning not, then you need to change 'if' to 'when' to better fit your own doctrine and 'humility'.

 

[marks]

Since you give no post of your saying so, then your accusation is of course false. No surprise here.

Is this why you've replied to me, to spew what is inside you to me?

However, since you speak of 'the hubris' as applying to any Christian saying they are not sinning in Christ Jesus, then you judge all Christians as sinners like you. Which of course proves your own declaration of being an unfit judge in such matters.

I think you have a need, which you try to meet by provoking others. I've seen this before.

I know for a fact that God is able to empower us to live - without the consciousness of sin. To live in a clean conscience having no awareness of any disobedience.

So just wait and you will be thankfully 'aware' of sinning again. So you can enjoy it better.

This is simply repugnant. Put off what is fleshy.

Much love!

 

[Ghada]

Scripture is referring to Christ not man. Meaning...there is no sin in Christ...the Holy Son. We are told in many ways...Christ has no sin.

Ok, since you insist.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

It is Jesus Christ and His body members in Him.

You are partly correct about man. There is no sinner man in Christ Jesus, in whom is no sin, and in whose body is no sinning nor sinners.

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

 

[Ghada]

They both work together.

This is true, but Jesus only works with our repenting, if it's of all our sinning, not only in part.

Trying to separate the need for repentance to Christ from Faith of The Gospel is a working like the seminaries try to do,

Only those seminaries that preach believing the gospel unto salvation, without repenting of all present sinning.

That's why their unrepented sinning continues and is never complete with sinning not.

One will not come to 'repentance' until they see the 'need', and by hearing The Gospel is one of the main ways seeing that need for repentance happens.

This is your version of repenting down the road, and not all right now.

No one needs to hear the gospel to know that works of the flesh are unrighteousness to be repented of.

Hearing The Word of God is what mostly calls one to repentance and belief of The Gospel.

It's the only way to be commanded to repent like all men must, so that we can believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's only those doing the word by repenting, that are chosen and recieved by God into Christ.

Those not repenting but wanting to believe unto salvation, are the hearers only whose faith is dead and not justified by God nor Christ.

Believing the gospel by faith alone unto salvation is not the repent and believe gospel of Jesus Christ.

And so now, do you agree with the gospel of being saved by faith, while still having unrepented sinning in life?

 

[Ghada]

Is this why you've replied to me, to spew what is inside you to me?

There is no reasoning with you. You called me a liar about you teaching the doctrine that all Christians are still sinners that cannot cease from all sinning. Back it up with proof or move on. No apologies needed.

Or, you can just say you know that Christians can and are in the world today, that are walking with Jesus without sinning. Are confess you are doing so. I have no problem believing you.

Otherwise, your accusation about me lying and trying to make me confess being a sinner like you, is false. I'll not respond to anything other than a proof of my lying or a clear statement of your own confession.

 

[Ghada]

I know for a fact that God is able to empower us to live - without the consciousness of sin. To live in a clean conscience having no awareness of any disobedience.

This is your lukewarm version of the Bible. The Bible good news of Jesus Christ is repenting and living without sinning.

Your 'awareness' gospel is not in the Bible.

This is simply repugnant.

Yes it is. And funny, since all humor have the element of truth in it.

 

[marks]

There is no reasoning with you. You called me a liar about you teaching the doctrine that all Christians are still sinners that cannot cease from all sinning. Back it up with proof or move on. No apologies needed.

This is your lie, which you persist in. This is your hypocracy. You need to repent.

Much love!

 

[marks]

Yes it is. And funny, since all humor have the element of truth in it.

There's no humor in your attempts to tear others down with your lies. Only sadness, but if only you would share in that, and repent!

Much love!

 

[Ghada]

Well I shall give you one last chance to acknowledge your lying about my beliefs. If your next post does not contain this, I shall shake the dust off my feet and place you on ignore.

Don't forget to shake your booty too.

You will have to answer for bearing false witness and lying about a brother.

Rather than just saying na-ah, and making accusations, you might actually consider quoting a response of mine to a quote of yours, and then we can both look at it together, to see if I got your words right.

Provide your quote first, and then quote my exact response to it, and we'll see.

 

[Ghada]

Not exactly. James was looking for evidence of faith.

Commands it to be saved by that faith. As well as justified.

Even nonbelievers "do good" as Jesus said.

Filthy rags good. It's the same with Christians continuing to have sin in life through their conversion to Christian religion. Just more filthy rags with less unrighteousness.

What evidence do you see that I am actually, a genuine believer?

That's between you and God, not me. I don't see your life, but since you claim to still be a sinner, then at least doctrinally I know you are a genuine believer of another gospel, than the one I preach from the Bible.

Repenting of sinning is every man's command from God. Believing Jesus' gospel is for repented sons and brethren to now love God and neighbors with purified hearts.

I respectfully disagree.

As I said, you preach another gospel than repenting of sinning and loving God and neighbors with pure hearts.

I'm not interested in any gospel that preaches other than that.

If I disagree with God, I am always obligated to change my mind (repent) and If I don't believe that Jesus is both Lord and Savior, I am obligated to change my mind about that also.

Believing were saved, doesn't make anyone saved. Doing the word and faith of Jesus is being saved and justified with God.

That sounds like an out. How many times a day are you not able to do so?

Once again your doctrine is not the Bible.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

I often find those who preach sinning among us, also preach self-righteousness to find fault among us.

 

[Ghada]

No. I accuse you of preaching penitence.

Ok. I'll keep preaching penitence with Peter.

Your posts contain two common themes: repentance and works.

True. With repentance first, followed with all good works through Christ.

According to your view, not only must one believe the gospel, one must perform works of repentance.

True. Repentance first. And the only 'works of repentance' are those of omission, repenting of not doing good when we know to, by doing good when we know to.

And I have asked you several times to give me examples of the sorts of "works" you have in mind.

Read James 2:14-17. You can also look at 1 John 3:17. Including Luke 10:29-)

They fall under the 2nd commandment of loving our neighbor and the brethren.

They never include unrighteous works of the flesh. You can look at James 2:1-3, Gal 5:19-, and 1 Cor 6:9- They fall under the general condemnation of being sinners in this life.

So far you have not answered my question.

The underlying theme of your point of view answers to the question, "What must I DO to be saved?" with a heavy emphasis on meritorious efforts to ingratiate one's self to God.

I don't even know what that means. You scholared theologians talk funny at times. I'm sure you think it's very scholastic.

Jesus says repent ye, and believe His gospel, because if we don't repent, we shall all likewise perish. Peter says to repent ye and be converted to God.

And so, I preach repenting from sinning and believing Jesus to walk with Him without sinning.

That's much simpler than all your theologianism of the Christian sort.

Its a very common question among new believers including myself. "Now that I have faith in Jesus, what does he want me to do?"

Repent, if you haven't yet repented of your sinning. Because no sinner has Him nor His faith living within an unrepented corrupt and lusting heart.

Be glad I'm here to instruct you strictly from the Bible while still new. It offsets the ministry of sinning, that you'll here about. Like "we all still have to sin from time to time..." Yada yada yada. Although, how does someone new learn to talk like the Bible scholarly sort so fast?

And in our moment of weakness, someone gives us "a way" to remain in God's grace.

Exactly true. His name is Jesus, and He freely gives His grace to anyone under temptation, that does not want to fall and sin with it.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

That's the only way of Jesus in life to repent of sinning and stay repented of sinning.

But if anyone sins, then well, weakness in temptation is replaced by death of sinning. But, all's not lost. If any man does sin and die to God, then the Advocate for the world is available for that person, to repent and be forgiven and be reconciled with all things now being of God.

In your case, you have given yourself permission to force your version down everyone's throat and berate those with whom you disagree. And you are unwilling to be corrected by the scriptures.

??? Excuse me? I only preach to you when you come asking for it. Just because someone disagrees with you and your partial repentance gospel, doesn't mean correction is being shoved down your throat. I mean, this is the internet, not a dungeon you are shackled in. I don't do 'inquisition'. I just do as Jesus says and leave the unrepented ditch diggers alone. But then, you have to first leave me alone and not come looking for the correction, that you so hate and don't want. I mean, that is sort of split personality, don't you think?

There was a king of Israel like that once.

And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

 

[CadyandZoe]

Commands it to be saved by that faith. As well as justified.

Let's not assume what James said. He doesn't command faith. James is writing to a group of people who already claim to have faith. He opens his letter talking about the testing of our faith, that it leads to wisdom, and that a double-minded man thinks that he can gain wisdom without suffering trials of faith.

He follows that with a critique of favoritism, critical of those who give special attention to the rich brethren while ignoring the poor brethren among them.

Let's not approach a passage of scripture looking to have our questions asked; Rather, we approach the scriptures to see what issues the apostles were addressing. Did James know about our debates: faith vs. works, and law vs. grace? Did he write in order to resolve OUR issues? No. The context of his letter comes from the immediate needs of his readers. What were their problems and concerns?

James 2:14-17

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.​

​

A brother or sister without food and clothing.
Here, we understand the subject matter of concern. James didn't set out to answer our debate concerning faith vs. works. His concern is favoritism: treating the rich with respect and honor, ignoring the poor believers that live among us. The passage I highlighted above deals with how believers should treat the less fortunate among them, specifically "a brother or sister."

The idea that wealth was an indication of God's favor and that lack of resources was an indication of God's disfavor, was a false narrative handed to believers at that time. The gospel of Jesus Christ stands in direct opposition to that narrative. Believers in Jesus Christ have communion with one another due to the fact that they all have agreed that we all stand condemned by the Law but we have all been forgiven and granted an inheritance in eternal life because of what Christ did for us on the cross.

For this reason, all believers share fundamental and eternal elements in common with each other. In a sense, we also share a common experience, having come to faith during a time of questioning and resolve. Each of these elements of our common destiny and experience, naturally lead to a significant camaraderie. The fellowship of believers is united by profound trust and friendship.

James isn't saying that one must add good works to his or her faith. No. James is saying that since those of faith share a profound trust and friendship, then why are the poor among you going without food and clothing? If the group is not willing to help fellow believers when they are in need, then how can the group claim to be counted among those who share, worldview, destiny, and experience in common?

As I said, you preach another gospel than repenting of sinning and loving God and neighbors with pure hearts.

Let's not reduce the truth down to a slogan and argue from our slogans. Let's learn from the apostles and make contact with their concerns.

 

[CadyandZoe]

Read James 2:14-17. You can also look at 1 John 3:17. Including Luke 10:29-)

They fall under the 2nd commandment of loving our neighbor and the brethren.

They never include unrighteous works of the flesh. You can look at James 2:1-3, Gal 5:19-, and 1 Cor 6:9- They fall under the general condemnation of being sinners in this life.

The passages you cite say nothing about repentance and therefore aren't the basis of your argument.

I don't even know what that means.

Why remain ignorant? Why not ask?

Jesus says repent ye, and believe His gospel, because if we don't repent, we shall all likewise perish. Peter says to repent ye and be converted to God.

And so, I preach repenting from sinning and believing Jesus to walk with Him without sinning.

You preach repentance but you don't act repentant. Why is that?

Repent, if you haven't yet repented of your sinning.

I don't think you know what it means to repent.

Be glad I'm here to instruct you strictly from the Bible while still new.

In my opinion, you don't instruct anyone. All you seem to have are slogans and surface knowledge. Jesus teaches his followers to "do business" with God and this is not possible if all we do is fill our heads with slogans and surface knowledge. Anyone can gather together a group of verses that seem to be saying similar things. But that isn't walking in faith. The walk of faith is living the faith, gaining wisdom and, apprehending the gospel at a deeper level.

Paul prayed this prayer for all believers, living during his lifetime and by extension all of us too. Let me highlight a couple of key phrases.

Ephesians 1:17-23

[I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.​

Each of us should pray this prayer for one another. We should all want to be given a spirit of wisdom, and of revelation in the knowledge of him. Also we should want God to bless our hearts with enlightenment so that we will "know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of his power toward us who believe." Knowledge isn't a bad thing if it serves God's wish to bless our hearts with enlightenment.

It offsets the ministry of sinning, that you'll here about.

I respectfully disagree. We all know what is good and bad for us. We all know that sin has consequences. However, not everyone is convinced that the consequences of sin outweigh the pleasures of sin or the sense of fulfillment they seem to provide. Most people will not take the red pill; they will take the blue pill and go back to sleep. Nothing you say here will change any of that.

Taking the "red pill" so to speak begins with a change of mind, a change of perspective, and a serious challenge to the dominant paradigm. True repentance is brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit, who frees the mind of dark and destructive perspectives and brings a profound sense of conviction and danger. That is why Jesus began his ministry with the call to "repent" -- meaning "wake up" and see the truth. "Repent" doesn't mean "stop sinning and start doing good deeds." No, only those who have been woken up will be in a position to accept the gospel and all that it implies.

It isn't our job to wake people up. My job is to explicate the scriptures to the best of my ability so that those who have taken the red pill can come to a fuller understanding.

??? Excuse me? I only preach to you when you come asking for it.

I never asked. I challenged your incorrect thinking.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Don't forget to shake your booty too.


Rather than just saying na-ah, and making accusations, you might actually consider quoting a response of mine to a quote of yours, and then we can both look at it together, to see if I got your words right.

Provide your quote first, and then quote my exact response to it, and we'll see.

Welcome to my ignore list. I gave you a chance. Now I hand you over!

Others can prove your lies and defend against you false gospel I am done.

 

[Ghada]

I thought you didn't believe that Christians could be sinners.

Of course I do. I've been a Christian sinner before, and you're still one now. There are no sinning saints in Christ Jesus, in whose body is no sin nor sinning nor sinners.

All sinners must repent and come by faith to Jesus Christ the Advocate for the whole world and be reconciled with God, whether Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, atheist, Satanist, philosopher, etc...