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

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marks

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Just as Jesus healed and brought blessing to others on the Sabbath, so it's right and proper we do the same. If we rest, so also do our employees.
Do you need a law to tell you not to work your employees to the bone?

As manager of the little shop where I work, it's up to me to schedule people, and to approve absences and the like. I get a real joy out of working out a schedule that allows someone to visit their distant family, or to take their sister to the doctor. When we work a lot of overtime, I'll turn down jobs that would require what I feel to be overworking everyone, though we are a pretty tight team, and they'll go along with whatever I say.

Using love as my guide, I'll even schedule an extra shift on Saturday, for very grateful workers who really need the overtime. The Law would prevent me from loving them the best way I can. The Sabbath was for Isreal, to show a rest, that we would enter by faith in Christ.

Love tells me to do what I can to help providing for the needs of others.

Someone can say, Trust God, don't work on the Sabbath, and God will take care of your needs. I'm saying, I am trusting God, and He is providing. Would you prefer that I kept everyone home on the weekends? Only schedule weekend overtime on Sundays? Does that seem right?

Much love!
 

marks

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A deeper study of the Sabbath Commandment
Which day is in fact the 7th day? How do you know? Are you allowed to arbitrarily pick a day and call it the seventh day? Which calendar are you using that gives confidence that you are actually keeping the actual day?

I believe that we are able to enter the true Sabbath rest in Christ, and the Legal Sabbath, well, who is able to say with certainty which day that is?

It's like the temple. You can't offer sacrifices anymore because there is not temple. You can't tithe because we don't have Levites. How do you keep the 7th day holy if you don't know what day it actually is?

Much love!
 
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marks

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Did you notice what made Wynona realize that . She said WHEN I READ THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
i was suprised to find out how often OBEIDANCE is preached . What stands out . NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES .
the problem , thus , with most is , they dont really read them , they let men TWIST THEM INTO A PERVERTED TYPE OF GRACE .
AKA , my saying stands , PEOPLES GET IN THOSE BIBLES cause men are DECEIVING THE HECK OUT OF FOLKS . LEARN JESUS FOR YOURSELVES
LEARN that bible and do so quickly .
Obedience is preached, but not as a replacement for faith in obtaining salvation.

Much love!
 

VictoryinJesus

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I’m trying to but you seem to be only accepting what you feel is worthy. I don’t think it is hard to be good. I can go give a homeless guy up on the corner some money easily and it will make me feel better. I can give someone less fortunate my stuff. Serve when I’m being thanked. I don’t have a problem smiling and being considerate when it is easy. What is impossible for me is to love those who do not love me in return. it not easy to keep smiling and being considerate when someone is hurting you. Or to give when it is not appreciated. I can do good; sinners do good.


see for me there it is. I tell you my struggle and your response is “good”. The only focus being on my saying I admit it is easy to do good. Impossible for me to be perfect. And again it is a “good”. But nowhere in His word do I see that others where not being urged on to perfection…perfection being mature Hebrews 6:1 Lexicon: Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Grown up in Christ, complete, established, mature, grounded, stable, able to bear kjv version says “on to perfection” what does your version say? Let us move On to Maturity?
2 Corinthians 13:5-9 KJV
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? [6] But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. [7] Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. [8] For we can do nothing against the truth, but [only]for the truth. [9] For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

see to me Paul is saying he was willing to be weak, that they be made strong. Once again only an opinion but though they thought he was a reprobate Paul wanted them to do that which is honest regardless of what they said he was…and in this he trusted they would see he was not a reprobate but standing in the power of Christ.
but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

Same as the other passage we discussed where that brother went away for a season “a little while” that the other might receive him above a servant, as a brother beloved…even though that brother was owed some restitution. Paul said I will repay. Release him from bonds!

Nowhere do I see it not being urged to strengthen your brothers…establish, maturity, completeness, to do that which is honest…another verse is the one “to him that knows to do good and does it not, to him it is a sin” or another version “to him that knows to do right and does it not, to him it is a sin” circles back to 1 Corinthians 8:11-13 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? [12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. [13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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I asked you if Paul had any “hate” to get over when Paul became a disciple of Christ. You said “no”. Disagree by what is shown in Saul and even what Paul admitted to who he was before discipled by Christ. What he admitted to before being taught by the Revelation of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; [6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,…good?

though I be as Johnny Appleseed and have not the Spirit of Christ …it profits me nothing? For the Spirit of Christ endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, bears all things? For if Any have not the Spirit of Christ then they are none of His?
 
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VictoryinJesus

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Acts 9:13-16 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: [14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. [15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: [16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

what do you think Saul/Paul was shown he must suffer for Jesus Christ of Nazareth name’s sake? Philippians 3:3-20 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. [4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: [5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; [11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. [12] Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. [13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [16] Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. [17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. [18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) [20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
 

Brakelite

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Do you need a law to tell you not to work your employees to the bone?

As manager of the little shop where I work, it's up to me to schedule people, and to approve absences and the like. I get a real joy out of working out a schedule that allows someone to visit their distant family, or to take their sister to the doctor. When we work a lot of overtime, I'll turn down jobs that would require what I feel to be overworking everyone, though we are a pretty tight team, and they'll go along with whatever I say.

Using love as my guide, I'll even schedule an extra shift on Saturday, for very grateful workers who really need the overtime. The Law would prevent me from loving them the best way I can. The Sabbath was for Isreal, to show a rest, that we would enter by faith in Christ.

Love tells me to do what I can to help providing for the needs of others.

Someone can say, Trust God, don't work on the Sabbath, and God will take care of your needs. I'm saying, I am trusting God, and He is providing. Would you prefer that I kept everyone home on the weekends? Only schedule weekend overtime on Sundays? Does that seem right?

Much love!
You are missing the very large elephant in the room. God sanctified the 7th day, making it holy. It was therefore holy a week later, a month later, 500 years later, throughout the flood, throughout the time of the patriarchs, during the time of the apostles, the early church, and today. It was holy then, and nothing has changed. It's a holy day. Jesus knew what day it was. The Romans knew what day it was. They also knew what day Sunday was. Surely you're not suggesting that the entire planet including Jews in just about every nation and Christians in most others the Jews missed, suddenly changed both days and no-one noticed?
 

Brakelite

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You are missing the very large elephant in the room. God sanctified the 7th day, making it holy. It was therefore holy a week later, a month later, 500 years later, throughout the flood, throughout the time of the patriarchs, during the time of the apostles, the early church, and today. It was holy then, and nothing has changed. It's a holy day. Jesus knew what day it was. The Romans knew what day it was. They also knew what day Sunday was. Surely you're not suggesting that the entire planet including Jews in just about every nation and Christians in most others the Jews missed, suddenly changed both days and no-one noticed?
The 7th day Sabbath is a holy day. The commandment says for us to keep it that way. And to do all we can to ensure those under our authority do the same... Not arbitrarily but for their blessing. How you do that is between you and God.
 

Grailhunter

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We practice being good and avoiding evil. But we fail at times. It is not so easy as you claim to be good. We have been cleansed, we do wear Christ's righteousness, but our flesh gets in the way.
You really think it is easy to LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF?
OR DI YOU RHINK IT IS EASY TO LOVE YOUR ENEMIES?


Oh, our spiritual suit remains white, but the spirit wars against the flesh and vice versa.


Okay. We are to obey Christ right ... and you claim it's not that difficult for you?
Obey Christ then:
"The young man said to Him, 'All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?'
Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." Matt. 19:20-22

So Mr. GOOD, if you want to be Mr. PERFECT, sell all your possessions, your house, empty your bank account and give to the poor and follow Jesus!

Oh, wait ... do you feel that tug against your spirit, the flesh is aroused now in you ... there's a resistance ... your flesh gets annoyed by this prospect, it actually angers you ... puts you up against the wall and challenges you ... you are uncomfortable now. What to do? Immediately you protest, I can't do that ... I won't do that!" So you dismiss this command of Jesus. Of course you will. You will make up an excuse: "I'm not rich". Yes you are if you live in the USA, even the poorest of us are richer than most of the world. You might say, "Well, Jesus was'nt talking to me personally, I'm already saved, that man was not." Maybe so. Jesus knew his heart, knew he could not part with his wealth. He was not saved ... but no one was at that time either. Maybe later, he removed everything off the camel so it could fit through the eye of the needle? We all .ake excuses for not kkving iur neighbor as ourselves don't we?
Feeling better? Did your flesh win. Yes it did, you found an excuse not to. You will refuse to sell all you have and give it away because ... just because you don't really ... be honest, you don't really love your neighbor as yourself. You put yourself and your family first and give a little ... what's left over.
It is said that most Christian's average charitible giving is about 2-3 %. Not everyone gives 10% even. And some give more. My Pastor used to tell us that 20% of the congregation give the majority of the tithes/free will offerings. And he would still stress, "give and it shall be given to you". It is a leap of faith. "Test God", he said, and He will show you. He would regularly bring up saints who did just that and gave their testimonies of what God gave them back, God's blessings in return. It works! Give and it shall be given to you. But many of us are atill reluctant and unwilling to test that principle. Certainly few will sell everything and give it to the poor. I guess we will just wait to be really good and perfect in heaven... won't we Grailhunter?

Thank you so much....good write up!
Hang on to your hat!

I will start with this....it is a reply to Lady @Heart2Soul in another thread.
It is only as good as you can do.
Be good and do good....the best you can.
There are scriptures that throw people off. It is hard to educate people on the religious literary style of the time. Be righteous...no one is righteous...be perfects as your Father in heaven...no one is perfect...no one that knows Christ, sins..."My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.".....He that commits sin is of the devil....If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness....The Bible never contradicts itself....the Bible constantly contradicts itself....I gave you the list and this is one of the reasons I gave you the list....it is a form of writing....a literary form....in other words written that way intentionally. It is like the old story The Emperor's New Clothes---Hans Christian Anderson...where no one would admit that the Emperor was naked. In this case because they will not admit the truth...the truth is hidden from them.

God the Father and God the Son are not stupid. A plan to save mankind....a plan to teach them a higher moral code...a plan to establish a relationship with mankind like had never had been before. A plan to offer Heaven to mankind for the first time. God's creation, men and women, was / are not perfect. There could be no plan that required perfection...But God the Father requires perfection...zero tolerance to sin!!....but through His Grace Christ presents us to His Father perfected through Him. But to get that done this plan required Yeshua, the Son of God to go through the Passion and be nailed to a cross.....this plan was put together by God the Father and God the Son.....a dangerous plan!!! Put it would have a high success rate.

"We all" LOL Only can do the best we can. Some are better at it than others. Some stumble more....and fight the nature that haunts them....that effort....that intent....means something to Christ....It counts!!!...Even if the person has troubles....the intent means something....it means that they care enough to struggle....keep up the good fight! Salvation is secure! Walk with Christ everyday.... talk with Christ everyday!
Be good and do good...

Now you brought up the topic of charity and tithes....and the topic of giving up everything. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. Why? When a lot of people around you are starving and nearly naked and you live amongst them rich.....what does that mean about you? Read the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats...and what is the punishment explained at the end. It is important to do good. Doing good can be giving money, time, or donations.

10 percent does not mean anything to Christians. You should financially support your church...you should participate in church activities....you should give to charity...you should give to your local food bank....10 percent does not mean anything....if you are rich...you can give 50 percent....if you are poor it may be just a penny....but the point is give that penny....it counts. There are so many ways you can support your church and support others that does not cost a penny....it counts. Give according to your means.

When Christ told the young man to give up everything, that was a specific conversation, for a specific reason...for that person. Today it is not that hard to be charitable....at church....at the office....if everyone gives a little....it ends up as a lot.

As far as me saying it is easy to be good. It is! But the first step in an attempt to live a good life with minimal sin, is to know what the Biblical sins are and ignore man-made sins.

Now a lot of times there is a lot of talk....talking around an uncomfortable topic....the dreaded desire!!! dun dun dun daaaa! You really cannot talk about sex on a Christian forum. We are coming out of a very insane time period. As it is now sex and nudity are dirty, nasty, and sinful and created by the devil! A few centuries back the Church was chopping women up...those tender areas....because they thought those tender areas were tempting them....so women were in league with the devil. We are coming out of that insanity.... but it is a slow process. God made the process....the want and the desire....the attraction....and the "cleaving" Satan was not consulted on the matter. From the first time a man and woman first lay eyes on each other and decide they are attracted to each other and want to have and to hold...and to "cleave" sin does not occur. From start to finish...that was all created and designed by God.

So in keeping with the modesty of Christianity....as far as sex and sexual relationships goes....I will just say my rule is respect myself and respect to the person I am romantically inclined to. Don't have sex with people unless you love them. One night stands are irresponsible and we are not animals. Now I am going to catch some heat on this....I am the man! Born without a fear bone. So I will be able to educate people....nowhere in the Bible is there a requirement for a wedding ceremony and or vows. Shock! Shock! Wedding ceremonies are a custom that does not become a requirement until the Protestant reform. That is 1500 years after Christ. Why did they make it a requirement?....it only makes sense. Love....responsible....stable families....and society.

God makes sense....Christian morals make sense....for your average person....being good is not that hard....but there has always been a campaign to make people think it is hard....and it usually comes from the people that want to sin the most.
 
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Grailhunter

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see for me there it is. I tell you my struggle and your response is “good”. The only focus being on my saying I admit it is easy to do good. Impossible for me to be perfect. And again it is a “good”. But nowhere in His word do I see that others where not being urged on to perfection…perfection being mature Hebrews 6:1 Lexicon: Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Grown up in Christ, complete, established, mature, grounded, stable, able to bear kjv version says “on to perfection” what does your version say? Let us move On to Maturity?
2 Corinthians 13:5-9 KJV
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? [6] But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. [7] Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. [8] For we can do nothing against the truth, but [only]for the truth. [9] For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

see to me Paul is saying he was willing to be weak, that they be made strong. Once again only an opinion but though they thought he was a reprobate Paul wanted them to do that which is honest regardless of what they said he was…and in this he trusted they would see he was not a reprobate but standing in the power of Christ.
but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.

Same as the other passage we discussed where that brother went away for a season “a little while” that the other might receive him above a servant, as a brother beloved…even though that brother was owed some restitution. Paul said I will repay. Release him from bonds!

Nowhere do I see it not being urged to strengthen your brothers…establish, maturity, completeness, to do that which is honest…another verse is the one “to him that knows to do good and does it not, to him it is a sin” or another version “to him that knows to do right and does it not, to him it is a sin” circles back to 1 Corinthians 8:11-13 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? [12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. [13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Ultimately it boils down to be good and do good the best you can. No part of salvation was contingent on us being perfect...it would have never worked....but it does require us to attempt to be good and do good. As far as wounding your weak fellow Christian see post 349 of this thread.
 
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Grailhunter

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I asked you if Paul had any “hate” to get over when Paul became a disciple of Christ. You said “no”. Disagree by what is shown in Saul and even what Paul admitted to who he was before discipled by Christ. What he admitted to before being taught by the Revelation of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. [4] Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, [5] Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; [6] Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [7] Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,…good?

though I be as Johnny Appleseed and have not the Spirit of Christ …it profits me nothing? For the Spirit of Christ endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, bears all things? For if Any have not the Spirit of Christ then they are none of His?

So I am still looking for a point here.
 

Grailhunter

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Acts 9:13-16 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: [14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. [15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: [16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

what do you think Saul/Paul was shown he must suffer for Jesus Christ of Nazareth name’s sake? Philippians 3:3-20 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. [4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: [5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; [11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. [12] Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. [13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [16] Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. [17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. [18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) [20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Great scriptures but still you need to make your point....what are you trying to say or ask?
 

farouk

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And there's nothing in scripture that even remotely suggests that Sunday is the Lord's day.
That’s just simply not true, but I’ll not be going down that rabbit hole with you tonight.[/QUOTE]
@Waiting on him

Interesting that 1 Corinthians 15.20 says: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."

As per Hebrews 7, the law system has been changed.
 

amigo de christo

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Obedience is preached, but not as a replacement for faith in obtaining salvation.

Much love!
Yes . obediance is preached as proof of whose we truly are . Who we obey is whose we are .
That is how obediance was preached . Today most folks just cling to Sin and yet still claim they belong to JESUS .
That is proof they DO NOT . Just like i once was . JESUS is the ONLY reason we can attain salvation .
But who we follow IS whose we are . PROOF of who is within us and who we are following .
James knew that , so did paul . James did NOT preach contrary to paul , nor paul to james .
James was not saying we are not saved by TRUE FAITH IN CHRIST . HE KNEW it was FAITH IN JESUS THAT SAVES .
HE was just saying , IF your faith is real and not just lip service its gonna have good fruit . Its gonna have good works .
 
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marks

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Yes . obediance is preached as proof of whose we truly are . Who we obey is whose we are .
That is how obediance was preached . Today most folks just cling to Sin and yet still claim they belong to JESUS .
That is proof they DO NOT . Just like i once was . JESUS is the ONLY reason we can attain salvation .
But who we follow IS whose we are . PROOF of who is within us and who we are following .
James knew that , so did paul . James did NOT preach contrary to paul , nor paul to james .
James was not saying we are not saved by TRUE FAITH IN CHRIST . HE KNEW it was FAITH IN JESUS THAT SAVES .
HE was just saying , IF your faith is real and not just lip service its gonna have good fruit . Its gonna have good works .
God knows those who are His, and our good works show others.'

The real thing though, Jesus said, they'll know I sent you because of how much you love each other.

Much love!
 
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amigo de christo

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God knows those who are His, and our good works show others.'

The real thing though, Jesus said, they'll know I sent you because of how much you love each other.

Much love!
As I have loved YOU . DID JESUS not tell the apostles that HE ALONE was the only way unto GOD .
SO any love that can let a person die in their sins and just hug them to hell , IT AINT LOVE .
Let us take care to always remember that . Cause i see a massive false version of love growing real quick amongst even the churches
as well as all of humanity and its false religions . ANY LOVE that can let the lost feel saved in a false religion
or any love that calls sin good and wont correct for sake of fellowship . YEAH it COMETH NOT FROM GOD
but FROM SATAN who plays as GOD . WE got us many a problem in todays world and todays churches .
 
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farouk

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Acts 9:13-16 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: [14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. [15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: [16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

what do you think Saul/Paul was shown he must suffer for Jesus Christ of Nazareth name’s sake? Philippians 3:3-20 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. [4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: [5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: [10] That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; [11] If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. [12] Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. [13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [16] Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. [17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. [18] (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: [19] Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) [20] For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
@VictoryinJesus I do enjoy those twin themes in Philippians, not only the suffering but the more than compensating joy...truly it's the Epistle of Joy... :)
 
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Grailhunter

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Why do I say that it is not hard to be good? I think it applies to everyone. Granted I had a lot of advantages from the very beginning. I was very intelligent as a youth and the brawn to be confident and beat back the evil. But more than that I had the foundation of life set by Christ. When I was tooling around on my tricycle from that big play room...through the living room....though the kitchen and back to the play room....while I was still in diapers...I knew and believed in Christ....My foundation was set and that is why I say that the best gift you can give your children, is Christ. A lot of times how we end up are the choices we made in life, I was blessed in being taught to make right choices.

Anytime I talk about my life it sound like bragging...the facts are facts. But there is a larger message I have for you. Some people come to Christ later in life....some are confused....some have inner conflicts....struggles....challenges....some come from broken lives and sinful lifestyles and even broken bodies and minds. Some feel that they are second rate Christians because they waited so long in life or were so sinful before they were saved. This is the wrong perspective.....wrong thinking....wrong understanding. The day these people are saved, their past is forgotten. The day these people are saved should be a celebration.....because there is a celebration in heaven....and there name is written. Just like the protocol son and the lost sheep that Christ spoke of.....the trumpets are sounded for them. Satan takes another arrow.

This understanding should give them courage and confidence to know that the saying Christ loves them....is so true. Do the right thing. I learned that very early in life.... People ask, how do you know what is right or if your doing the right thing? My answer, the Bible will tell you what is right....but that does not mean that what you do will turn out to be the right thing all the time....but that is what is so great about being an old Christian, because if you develop a habit...a character of doing the right thing....you will get better at it. Confidence in doing good and strength against evil.
 
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