propitiation by His blood, through faith

[Episkopos]

Nothing can be added to the finished work of Christ.

2 Peter 1:5 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, 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 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.

 

[Dave L]

Good works are a byproduct of being saved. To me, obedience is a huge part OF good works in His name. Belief in what He did for us and FAITH IN IT is what saves us. The rest WILL follow NATURALLY-IF one truly has received His offering-free gift-salvation. And, one has to receive a gift, no?

The way I understand is that God regenerates us spiritually so that we can believe in the true Christ. Without this we always believe in a false Christ. And this faith produces a saved lifestyle of good works motivated by love. They are not legalistic but happen spontaneously in love. The gospel is not an offer as originally preached, but an announcement that whosoever believes in Christ has eternal life. In essence, you believe because God saved you, he did not save you because you chose to believe.

 

[Dave L]

That's not true either. The Doobie brothers did a song called "Jesus is just all right". That's proof right there!

How many versions of Jesus can you count?

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:15–17)

 

[Episkopos]

How many versions of Jesus can you count?

“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:15–17)

What you are missing the the breadth of God. I will not question your depth perception as of yet.

Do you know what I mean by breadth? (width)

Eph. 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

So many limit God to their very limited perceptions. They filter out God as He is into what they are making of Him. So they bind up God for themselves and for others....as they are bound up.

No one is taught about humility anymore....or the fear of the Lord. So, sadly, people walk in the power of opinions...not the grace or love of God.

 

[Dave L]

What you are missing the the breadth of God. I will not question your depth perception as of yet.

Do you know what I mean by breadth? (width)

Eph. 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

So many limit God to their very limit perceptions. No one is taught about humility anymore....or the fear of the Lord. So, sadly, people walk in the power of opinions...not the grace or love of God.

Did the Doobie Brothers live as Christ and his followers do?

 

[Episkopos]

Did the Doobie Brothers live as Christ and his followers do?

Do you know any of them?

 

[Dave L]

Do you know any of them?

Arthur Reid Reynolds, who also wrote The Byrds 1971 song "Glory, Glory," wrote "Jesus Is Just Alright." It's one of the few Doobie Brothers songs the band didn't write.

Jesus Is Just Alright by The Doobie Brothers - Songfacts

 

[Episkopos]

Arthur Reid Reynolds, who also wrote The Byrds 1971 song "Glory, Glory," wrote "Jesus Is Just Alright." It's one of the few Doobie Brothers songs the band didn't write.

Jesus Is Just Alright by The Doobie Brothers - Songfacts

And yet they sang it.

 

[Dave L]

And yet they sang it.

Bands play whatever sells. At the time there was a huge market of "Jesus Freaks".

 

[Episkopos]

Bands play whatever sells. At the time there was a huge market of "Jesus Freaks".

There is that religious cynicism again. If someone smiles at me...should I assume he has evil intent...as you do?

A person with a dark eye sees everything as dark. So then you are moving into the wrong kingdom.

 

[Episkopos]

That song was also covered by DC Talk. Since they go to church....(no idea how religious THEY are)...is the song ok then?

You should go and learn ..."he who is not against us is for us."

Do you know who said that?

Do you care?

 

[Dave L]

There is that religious cynicism again. If someone smiles at me...should I assume he has evil intent...as you do?

A person with a dark eye sees everything as dark. So then you are moving into the wrong kingdom.

Just sayin' they were not a "gospel group" per see. If they were, perhaps we could see a better motive than business behind their efforts.

 

[Dave L]

That song was also covered by DC Talk. Since they go to church....(no idea how religious THEY are)...is the song ok then?

You should go and learn ..."he who is not against us is for us."

Do you know who said that?

Do you care?

If you knew them personally I would delight in what you say.

 

[Episkopos]

Just sayin' they were not a "gospel group" per see. If they were, perhaps we could see a better motive than business behind their efforts.

Are you so naive that you think the Christian music industry is not as corrupt as it's worldly counterpart? It's about the bottom line.

What planet are you living on?

 

[Episkopos]

If you knew them personally I would delight in what you say.

But you assume the worst. That is your undoing. You show that you are not walking in the love of Christ. You are walking in a religoius fog that looks down on others.

Love believes all things.

Love doesn't assume everyone is evil.

 

[Dave L]

But you assume the worst. That is your undoing. You show that you are not walking in the love of Christ. You are walking in a religoius fog that looks down on others.

Love believes all things.

Love doesn't assume everyone is evil.

Motive is everything. Rock bands are businesses that sell a product. But we know the love of money is the root of all evil.

 

[Episkopos]

If you knew them personally I would delight in what you say.

You would take my word for it?

I tend to see the potential in people...even you...being a religiously bigoted and pessimistic person...can come to the light of Christ's love. He is near...even in your heart and mouth!

But you are bound up in a religious bondage because of false teachings you have welcomed as the truth.

 

[Episkopos]

Motive is everything. Rock bands are businesses that sell a product. But we know the love of money is the root of all evil.

All kinds of evil. Religious pride is the worst evil of all. But you are not even flinching...it has become as second nature (literally) to you/.

 

[Episkopos]

Just sayin' they were not a "gospel group" per see. If they were, perhaps we could see a better motive than business behind their efforts.

I forgot that labels are everything...

 

[Dave L]

All kinds of evil. Religious pride is the worst evil of all. But you are not even flinching...it has become as second nature (literally) to you/.

You can only assume I think, say and do what you would do in any given situation. So you reveal your own heart in judging me.