Are You Running That Race By the Flesh?

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 28, 2017

Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We are to run that race in laying aside every weight & sin by LOOKING to the author & finisher of our faith to help us do that.

Believers are not doing that when they run that race by doing the best they can in keeping their commitment or promise to God to do that. Either you trust Him as your Good Shepherd to help you to follow Him or you don't.

Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.....6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Jesus spoke against making any commitment or promise to follow Him, because that means it is on you to finish it and that is why it is of evil for you cannot make one hair white or black; meaning you cannot do God's work in you.

Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Jesus gave instructions on how any one wanted to follow after Him.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Deny yourself as able to follow Him, pick up your cross daily in acknowledging you are crucified with Christ, that it s not you who live, but Christ in you; and the life you now live, you live by faith in the Son of God that gave Himself for you and that is HOW you are following Him.

As it is, too many believers have been led astray by the Graham's Crusades by that altar call to make a commitment to follow Christ as if keeping it can gain a believer an assurance of salvation. And as if that was not bad enough, the Promise Keepers' program went across the nation into all the denomenational churches, inspiring men to make promises to be good husbands and good fathers and when failing, to believe that God would give grace to keep trying. God will not.

Read His words below to see why God will not.

Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

God will forgive you when you realize you cannot keep that commitment or promise to follow Him or do anything for Him in making yourself good or to do good, and He will set you free from those commitments & promises so you can rest in Him and all His promises to you in the New Covenant that He will help you to follow Him by faith in Him alone.

Otherwise, He will forgive you, and He will continue to let you keep trying to do something you refuse to rest in Him for, but do not think for one moment, that you are pleasing God by your lack of faith in Him alone to finish His work in you which is to His glory; not yours. The crowns believers receives in Heaven are His crowning achievements in us which is why the saints in Heavens will cast their crowns at His feet for no flesh shall glory in His Presence.

1 Corinthians 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:....11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.....5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

So are you running that race by the flesh? Ask Jesus to forgive you & set you free to rest in Him that He will finish it.

Hebrews 4:1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.....9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

So trust Jesus Christ today in being your personal Good Shepherd today to rest in Him & His help for following Him, because that is the only way you can run that race which is by faith in Jesus Christ; not by doing the best you can.

101G · Jun 28, 2017

GINOLJC, good topic and post. I believe many of us want to please our Lord and saviour, but just don't know to go about it. yes, may say just trust. but we as humans are compel to "do" something, and that something is to "TRUST", but it's abstract in it's nature, and we're concrete in nature. the apostle had this same fight, in that race you speak of. Romans 7:16-25 "If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin".

I have more to say but I'm going to let some other speak on the matter.

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 28, 2017

101G said:
GINOLJC, good topic and post. I believe many of us want to please our Lord and saviour, but just don't know to go about it. yes, may say just trust. but we as humans are compel to "do" something, and that something is to "TRUST", but it's abstract in it's nature, and we're concrete in nature. the apostle had this same fight, in that race you speak of.

Romans 7:16-25 "If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin".

I have more to say but I'm going to let some other speak on the matter.

I left your reference out of the quote box so that it is easier to read without having to click on it to be able to read all of it.

I bold and underline that portion from your reference because I believe Paul was referring to his former struggle in the flesh as being under the law.

Thus concluding his sinful state under the law for which he declares his hope in Christ Jesus to deliver him from this body of death. Continuing in the next chapter, he continues to speak of that deliverance in Jesus Christ as opposing how he had lived under the law.

Romans 8:1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

So Paul was declaring now his hope in Christ in being able to follow Him.

101G · Jun 28, 2017

JesusIsFaithful said:
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

first thanks for the response, under law or grace one must deal with this flesh, Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would".

and then he out lines the the work of the flesh, listen, Galatians 5:19 & 20 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies". I underline, & bold "strife". did not the apostle Paul had a falling out with Barnabas over Mark? see this is a daily fight with our flesh, 1 Corinthians 9:26 "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway".

but to get a good hold on this read James chapter 3.

Angelina · Jun 28, 2017

Are You Running That Race By the Flesh?
Well I hope not...

101G · Jun 28, 2017

I thank my God for his provisions in the N.T. "FORGIVENESS". 1 John 1:5-10 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

now verse 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

but our answer, verse 9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." THIS IS THE WALK. 10 "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us". Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?". FORGIVENESS.

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 28, 2017

101G said:
first thanks for the response, under law or grace one must deal with this flesh, Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would".

and then he out lines the the work of the flesh, listen, Galatians 5:19 & 20 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies". I underline, & bold "strife". did not the apostle Paul had a falling out with Barnabas over Mark? see this is a daily fight with our flesh, 1 Corinthians 9:26 "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway".

but to get a good hold on this read James chapter 3.

But how do you deal with the flesh? By the religious flesh as Paul was talking about how he was under the law OR by faith in Jesus Christ in trusting Him as your Good Shepherd in helping you lay aside ever weight & sin so you can follow Him?

I agree we are still in that sinful flesh, but Jesus Christ is in us as we are Spirit-filled so we can follow Him by faith in Him as our Good Shepherd & all His promises to us.

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 28, 2017

Angelina said:
Are You Running That Race By the Flesh?
Well I hope not...

As long as you hope in Christ in being your Good Shepherd to help you lay aside every weight & sin, then you are running that race by faith in Jesus Christ.

101G · Jun 28, 2017

I'm going to give you the MILLION DOLLAR answer to the sin problem in the flesh. you might not accept it, but that's ok, but it might help someone else. Romans 6:6-14 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace".

Verse 12 "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof".
LET is an act of the human will. question, "how do I not act". answer, next verse, 13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin". yield NOT to TEMPTATION. O yes one can yield not, listen, 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it". now let's give an example of this. Joseph and Potiphar wife, read Genesis chapter 39.

Now, Romans 13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin".
in Joseph's case he had to run, (which prevented him from yielding his "members". sometimes one might have to move or leave in a certain situation especially, (from around certain people). or if a drug addict, remove yourself from the environment. don't present your arm for the needle. if a sex addict, don't watch prone, don't present your member (EYES) IN WATCHING....ect. well that all in good, but how do I will it, or go about not will, if I can't run, look, or present my members? answer, is TIME. occupy oneself with something else constructive. by replacing what's causing you to sin, one is avoiding, or not presenting one's member as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, just as the verse states. an Idle mind is the devil's workshop. if one truly want to to renew their mind, change their habits.

The Holy Spirit will help you. now a helper don't do it for you, but a helper helps you do it. if you are not doing anything then the HELP don't have anything to do. if you say that you're redeemed then ACT LIKE IT, TRUST GOD, "for the just shall live by his faith", Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 28, 2017

101G said:
I'm going to give you the MILLION DOLLAR answer to the sin problem in the flesh. you might not accept it, but that's ok, but it might help someone else. Romans 6:6-14 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace".

Verse 12 "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof".
LET is an act of the human will. question, "how do I not act". answer, next verse, 13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin". yield NOT to TEMPTATION. O yes one can yield not, listen, 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it". now let's give an example of this. Joseph and Potiphar wife, read Genesis chapter 39.

Now, Romans 13 "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin".
in Joseph's case he had to run, (which prevented him from yielding his "members". sometimes one might have to move or leave in a certain situation especially, (from around certain people). or if a drug addict, remove yourself from the environment. don't present your arm for the needle. if a sex addict, don't watch prone, don't present your member (EYES) IN WATCHING....ect. well that all in good, but how do I will it, or go about not will, if I can't run, look, or present my members? answer, is TIME. occupy oneself with something else constructive. by replacing what's causing you to sin, one is avoiding, or not presenting one's member as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, just as the verse states. an Idle mind is the devil's workshop. if one truly want to to renew their mind, change their habits.

The Holy Spirit will help you. now a helper don't do it for you, but a helper helps you do it. if you are not doing anything then the HELP don't have anything to do. if you say that you're redeemed then ACT LIKE IT, TRUST GOD, "for the just shall live by his faith", Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".

God is not mocked. If a believer sows to the works of the flesh, he will reap corruption. If a believer makes provision for the flesh, he will fulfill the lust thereof.

Living in this sexual appeal hyped society along with the pride of life, I need Jesus Christ as my Good Shepherd to let me know when something is sowing to my flesh or not, and when it is, to get rid of it or stop watching or listening to whatever it is and walk away by His strength.

I am relying on Him all the time to help me to follow Him for I have place all my hopes on Him in being my Good Shepherd.

101G · Jun 28, 2017

JesusIsFaithful said:
Living in this sexual appeal hyped society along with the pride of life, I need Jesus Christ as my Good Shepherd to let me know when something is sowing to my flesh or not, and when it is, to get rid of it or stop watching or listening to whatever it is and walk away by His strength.

first thanks for the response, second, nice song, but is not Christ in you?. I can only reiterate what I said before, with emphasis we all need the Holy Ghost/JESUS, but their is something we need to do, for oneself. yes we need the Lord as you say in this sexual appeal hyped society. but did he not promise not to leave us comforless?. "I WILL COME TO YOU", John 14:18
2 Peter 1:1 "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 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. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ".
you have Faith, Good, ADD to it. for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall, fall here is sin. is that not the object, NOT to sin?. we have HELP IS WE LET HIM HELP US, but if we do sin one can be restored. 1 John 2:1 "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". so we deal with sin of the flesh by rendering it, (the flesh) DEAD unto sin. dead men don't sin. if we learn these thing, I believe we will overcome. as Christ have risen from the dead, likewise we. Amen.

JesusIsFaithful said:
I am relying on Him all the time to help me to follow Him for I have place all my hopes on Him in being my Good Shepherd.

That's it in a nutshell, "HELP".

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 28, 2017

101G said:
first thanks for the response, second, nice song, but is not Christ in you?. I can only reiterate what I said before, with emphasis we all need the Holy Ghost/JESUS, but their is something we need to do, for oneself. yes we need the Lord as you say in this sexual appeal hyped society. but did he not promise not to leave us comforless?. "I WILL COME TO YOU", John 14:18
2 Peter 1:1 "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 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. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ".
you have Faith, Good, ADD to it. for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall, fall here is sin. is that not the object, NOT to sin?. we have HELP IS WE LET HIM HELP US, but if we do sin one can be restored. 1 John 2:1 "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". so we deal with sin of the flesh by rendering it, (the flesh) DEAD unto sin. dead men don't sin. if we learn these thing, I believe we will overcome. as Christ have risen from the dead, likewise we. Amen.

That's it in a nutshell, "HELP".

My faith; my confidence; my hope; and my trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ to finish His work in me and that is how by my faith in Him, I add those things because my faith is in Him to add those things for I am the work of His hands.

Helen · Jun 28, 2017

Good thread.
I think we are 'basically' on the same page...with maybe a few tweaks here and there.

The way I see it , it is from the heart. If the heart 'wills to do' ( Romans 7) but falls seven times,God is there to catch and help us back on track. Yet obviously, if someone blatantly just lives for themselves and follows their own will...sings a few hymns, reads a bit of the bible, mutters a short prayer ,goes to an occasional meeting etc..they are obviously are without passion, not setting their hearts to follow the Lord..but wanting the best of both world....1) "a free ticket to heaven" but 2) also satisfied their own 'ho hum' life, and with quite a big foot in the world!
That is not going to cut it with the Lord when our works are tested by fire.

But, when the heart is running after God..and our 'spiritual compass' continually swings back to our "magnetic north" ✟ He knows our heart " Where the heart is..there our treasure is .." = Himself ....then, in our weakness and failures, we lean hard on His Grace! Grace = 'God's ability in you, to do what you cannot do.'
Some people beat the " death to self" drum, and the 'crucified flesh' drum, which is good and true...BUT, they so often put people under the condemnation of works , saying that they are not doing enough, praying enough, reading the bible enough, etc.. ( how many times have we heard that from some pulpit ) Then it becomes "of works, not by Grace'
Crucifying the flesh and we all agree , cannot be done by us alone....I can nail my feet to the cross, I can nail one hand to the cross, but I cannot nail my other hand to the cross...I cannot crucify my flesh without God's Holy Spirit- "but if ye, through the Spirit ,do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
God, and God alone can and will get us through to the end....so that we will hear the words we long to hear- " Well done thou good and faithful servant..."
I remember the first time I said to the Lord " I can't.." and in a flash I heard Him say...."It's taken you a long to to get to this place, and no, you can't , but I CAN!!" What blessing and peace.
(I confess I've said- "I can't" more than once...and then get reminded, that whoever He calls, He also enables)
I believe this is the co-working that is spoken about. Walking hand in hand with Father.
By grace and faith...

101G · Jun 29, 2017

GINOLJC, one plant, another water, but God gives the increase. amen
thanks Grace,

"ByGrace" said:
but if ye, through the Spirit

ye mean you.

JUST another FYI, ...... just a FYI to all. I have heard a many of christians say, christ died for all my sins past present and future. I'm not talking about your salvation, but our sins, ok. past sins, yes, listen, Romans 3:23 & 24 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God". remember we're not talking about salvation, but our sins, yes IN CHRIST JESUS. if God died for our sins that are past what about the sins of the future?, after one gives one life to christ. yes you're save by that promise, but as the topic states "Are You Running That Race By the Flesh?". if we sin what do we do?, THIS IS NOT A TEST, but a wake up call to some who don't KNOW.

so let's have a conversation.

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 29, 2017

"ByGrace" said:
Good thread.
I think we are 'basically' on the same page...with maybe a few tweaks here and there.

The way I see it , it is from the heart. If the heart 'wills to do' ( Romans 7) but falls seven times,God is there to catch and help us back on track. Yet obviously, if someone blatantly just lives for themselves and follows their own will...sings a few hymns, reads a bit of the bible, mutters a short prayer ,goes to an occasional meeting etc..they are obviously are without passion, not setting their hearts to follow the Lord..but wanting the best of both world....1) "a free ticket to heaven" but 2) also satisfied their own 'ho hum' life, and with quite a big foot in the world!
That is not going to cut it with the Lord when our works are tested by fire.

But, when the heart is running after God..and our 'spiritual compass' continually swings back to our "magnetic north" ✟ He knows our heart " Where the heart is..there our treasure is .." = Himself ....then, in our weakness and failures, we lean hard on His Grace! Grace = 'God's ability in you, to do what you cannot do.'
Some people beat the " death to self" drum, and the 'crucified flesh' drum, which is good and true...BUT, they so often put people under the condemnation of works , saying that they are not doing enough, praying enough, reading the bible enough, etc.. ( how many times have we heard that from some pulpit ) Then it becomes "of works, not by Grace'
Crucifying the flesh and we all agree , cannot be done by us alone....I can nail my feet to the cross, I can nail one hand to the cross, but I cannot nail my other hand to the cross...I cannot crucify my flesh without God's Holy Spirit- "but if ye, through the Spirit ,do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
God, and God alone can and will get us through to the end....so that we will hear the words we long to hear- " Well done thou good and faithful servant..."
I remember the first time I said to the Lord " I can't.." and in a flash I heard Him say...."It's taken you a long to to get to this place, and no, you can't , but I CAN!!" What blessing and peace.
(I confess I've said- "I can't" more than once...and then get reminded, that whoever He calls, He also enables)
I believe this is the co-working that is spoken about. Walking hand in hand with Father.
By grace and faith...

One can set their heart to trust the Lord as their Good Shepherd to help them to follow Him.

AND when a sinner or a believer that had been sowing to the flesh and had reaped corruption, finds that it is hard to believe that He can still deliver them from being so under bondage to sin and to death, then let them pray to the Lord to help them with their unbelief so that they can believe that He can STILL FORGIVE & deliver them from their sins so sinners can be saved and believers can follow Him again.

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 29, 2017

101G said:
GINOLJC, one plant, another water, but God gives the increase. amen
thanks Grace,

ye mean you.

JUST another FYI, ...... just a FYI to all. I have heard a many of christians say, christ died for all my sins past present and future. I'm not talking about your salvation, but our sins, ok. past sins, yes, listen, Romans 3:23 & 24 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God". remember we're not talking about salvation, but our sins, yes IN CHRIST JESUS. if God died for our sins that are past what about the sins of the future?, after one gives one life to christ. yes you're save by that promise, but as the topic states "Are You Running That Race By the Flesh?". if we sin what do we do?, THIS IS NOT A TEST, but a wake up call to some who don't KNOW.

so let's have a conversation.

It is true that some believers are applying this saying that Jesus died for past present and future sins, but the question is how they are applying it?

If that is applied to mean no more sacrifice for sins because that foundation is laid by Christ Jesus and can never be removed, then fine. OSAS.

If applied to say that it does not matter if you sow to the works of the flesh without asking for forgiveness and asking His help not to do it again, then they will have a problem with the Lord for defiling the temple of God and reaping corruption for sowing to the works of the flesh.

The problem here is that to correct such carnal believers, we have to tell them to go before that throne of grace for help to repent because too many times those who correct tell them to repent but they may find themselves corrupted already and in bondage and so excuse themselves from "trying".

So let us ask for clarification by how believers are saying what they say and then use scripture to reprove them if a trespass has been noted, but point them to Jesus for the help they need to repent for only He can help them to overcome.

101G · Jun 29, 2017

GINOLJC, one plant, another water, but God gives the increase. amen
thanks Grace,
ye mean you. I'll leave that alone.... but

JesusIsFaithful said:
It is true that some believers are applying this saying that Jesus died for past present and future sins, but the question is how they are applying it?

I'm going to say this and leave this conversation alone. if one who think they are without sin, then they are in wonderland. now God always give us a way out, but they don't know. when the apostle Peter stated that one should add to their FAITH "KNOWLEDGE" many miss this and just say I believe and need the Lord, good and fine. but one need to learn your FAITH. we're dealing with sin in this flesh, and this flesh is not going anywhere until we die. and one must deal with this flesh daily. now I gave an opinion. and there I will leave it.
be blessed.

JesusIsFaithful · Jun 29, 2017

101G said:
GINOLJC, one plant, another water, but God gives the increase. amen
thanks Grace,
ye mean you. I'll leave that alone.... but

I'm going to say this and leave this conversation alone. if one who think they are without sin, then they are in wonderland. now God always give us a way out, but they don't know. when the apostle Peter stated that one should add to their FAITH "KNOWLEDGE" many miss this and just say I believe and need the Lord, good and fine. but one need to learn your FAITH. we're dealing with sin in this flesh, and this flesh is not going anywhere until we die. and one must deal with this flesh daily. now I gave an opinion. and there I will leave it.
be blessed.

It is agreeable to acknowledge our need for the Lord Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd in running that race because we are still in this sinful state which is why we can only live this reconciled relationship with God thru Jesus Christ to "continually" help us lay aside every weight & sin in sunning that race.

The next coversation by the Lord's hand, I pray, is addressing heresies which is also a work of the flesh.

The major one for causing the falling away from the faith as prophesied in Matthew 7:13-27 & Luke 13:24-30 by that iniquity which will cause many saved believers to be left behind and that is the one Paul was talking about in 2 Thessalonians 2nd chapter for which he points to the reproof in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 that exposes the lie for what it is that causes this falling away from the faith. The lie is believing that one can receive the Holy Spirit separate from salvation after a sign of tongues which never comes with interpretation and other signs of confusion which God is not the author of.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

That is the tradition that the early church has been taught. It is not being taught today when that lie about receiving the Holy Spirit separate from salvation is how believers were to seek that after as a sign that proves you had received the Holy Spirit in that way when tongues were never to serve to saved believers for anything as a sign of. 1 Corinthians 14:22

1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

Jesus is the only way any believer can come to God the Father for anything and because we had received the promise of the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus Christ when we had first come to & believed in Him, then it is a lie to believe you can receive the Holy Spirit apart from salvation after any sign at all.

I ask you and I ask every believer reading this to go before that throne of grace and ask Him for help to discern to see this lie for what it is and for help to depart from this iniquity because God's gift of tongues is not gained by receiving the Holy Spirit separate from salvation and that is why that tongue never comes with interpretation but is as found in the world of that supernatural tongue that is vain and profane babbling. 1 Timothy 4:1-2

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Are You Running That Race By the Flesh?

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