Growing in Spiritual Maturity - Being, not doing

[St. SteVen]

Ahhhhh, the mystery, the secret or is it so close to the coal face its messy....ie, self sacrifice!

I'm not familiar with the term "coal face".

Being proceeds doing. (or it should)

Meaning: Good works should flow from our identity in Christ. (rather than religion)

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[quietthinker]

I'm not familiar with the term "coal face".

Being proceeds doing. (or it should)

Meaning: Good works should flow from our identity in Christ. (rather than religion)

/

I think the metaphor is taken from the days when pick and shovel were used to harvest coal. It was tough and dirty and immediate.

Good works are naturally a good thing but focus on good works and how they appear and it is no longer natural, it becomes a performance and a self focused comparative exercise.....judging others being the inevitable result.

We are to learn of Jesus. In him are hidden all the treasures which when found (pearl of great price) becomes the motivation to sell all we have (leave self)

I know the language of 'learn of Jesus' has been so used it has all but lost its meaning to the point where it becomes another religious saying.....yet this scripture stands......
'...... in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.....' Colossians 2:2-3

 

[St. SteVen]

New topic:

Doctrinolatry - tribalism and division in the Body of Christ

A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic. Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ. Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may be the only way to prevent division. ]

www.christianityboard.com

]

 

[St. SteVen]

All the stuff we do to be Christians. The expectations... (sigh)
I thought salvation was a free gift, until I learned that it will cost me everything. (sigh)
This isn't what I signed up for. (Grr...)

- Did you have your quiet time devotions this morning? (shame)
- Did you study your Bible today? (shame)
- Did you witness to someone about Jesus today? (shame)
- Did you make it to church on Sunday morning? (shame)
- How is your scripture memory program? (shame)
- Did you sign up for that project at church? (shame)
- How much time did you spend in prayer today? (shame)
- Are you going on the mission trip this year? (shame)

And on and on it goes...

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with these things.
But is this what spiritual maturity is about?
Seems more like a hamster wheel of activity. Going nowhere...

Jesus said to rest in him. That his yoke is easy, his burden is light.
That doesn't seem to level with the list the church gave you.

Maybe the Christian life is more about being than doing?
After all, you are a human being, not a human doing.

Ask yourself...
What does it mean to BE a Christian? (or Christ follower, if you prefer)

Maybe you need a day off from DOING,
and a day on of BEING.

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[Behold]

English Standard Version
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your reasonable service.

King James Bible
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

New King James Version
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

NASB 1995
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

NASB 1977
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Amplified Bible
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

 

[St. SteVen]

All the stuff we do to be Christians. The expectations... (sigh)
I thought salvation was a free gift, until I learned that it will cost me everything. (sigh)
This isn't what I signed up for. (Grr...)

- Did you have your quiet time devotions this morning? (shame)
- Did you study your Bible today? (shame)
- Did you witness to someone about Jesus today? (shame)
- Did you make it to church on Sunday morning? (shame)
- How is your scripture memory program? (shame)
- Did you sign up for that project at church? (shame)
- How much time did you spend in prayer today? (shame)
- Are you going on the mission trip this year? (shame)

And on and on it goes...

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with these things.
But is this what spiritual maturity is about?
Seems more like a hamster wheel of activity. Going nowhere...

Jesus said to rest in him. That his yoke is easy, his burden is light.
That doesn't seem to level with the list the church gave you.

Maybe the Christian life is more about being than doing?
After all, you are a human being, not a human doing.

Ask yourself...
What does it mean to BE a Christian? (or Christ follower, if you prefer)

Maybe you need a day off from DOING, and a day on of BEING.

[

 

[Behold]

I thought salvation was a free gift,

Salvation is a free gift, that you have to receive before you die.

 

[Behold]

- Did you have your quiet time devotions this morning? (shame)

Yes.
Any Real Christian would tend to look forward to it, becasue they love God.

- Did you study your Bible today? (shame)

Yes.
Any Real Christian loves to study God's word because they love it.
Its not a chore, its a discovery session.

Jesus said to rest in him. That his yoke is easy, his burden is light.

We rest in Jesus by Faith, while we "present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God as our reasonable Service', all the time.

Maybe the Christian life is more about being than doing?

And maybe if you knew anything about Real Christianity, you would not be trying to lead unbelievers into Hell with your false Gospel of "Universalism".
And you would not be spending nearly all your Forum time trying to accuse God falsely and spit on the Bible and the Church.

Its kinda tooo late to undo it after 2 continual years, here.
Sleep on that. @St. SteVen
-Have a good night.

 

[St. SteVen]

And maybe if you knew anything about Real Christianity, you would not be trying to lead unbelievers into Hell with your false Gospel of "Universalism".

Why do you call Universalism a false gospel?
It has biblical support, like the other two options.

Everything you never wanted to know about Christian Universalism - Ultimate Redemption

Answering Twelve Challenges to Universalism Why doesn't your "whole Bible view" include Universalism? If Christian Universalism is true, what's the point in evangelism? Does Christian...

www.christianityboard.com

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[Behold]

Why do you call Universalism a false gospel?

Universalism........is the teaching that you dont have to be born again on earth, and you dont have to be forgiven your sin on Earth... before you die, and you'll go to heaven anyway.
So, that is a Gospel of rejecting The Cross of Christ.......its a teaching that you dont need Christ's Sacrifice for your sin before you die....to go to heaven after you die.
So this concludes that Universalism is not just a false Gospel, its a Cross Denying Gospel.
Its a Cross Blaspheming Gospel.
Its one of the Devil's most insidious Gospels, and you are always trying to share it. @St. SteVen

 

[St. SteVen]

Universalism........is the teaching that you dont have to be born again on earth, and you dont have to be forgiven your sin on Earth... before you die, and you'll go to heaven anyway.
So, that is a Gospel of rejecting The Cross of Christ.......its a teaching that you dont need Christ's Sacrifice for your sin before you die....to go to heaven after you die.
So this concludes that Universalism is not just a false Gospel, its a Cross Denying Gospel.
Its a Cross Blaspheming Gospel.
Its one of the Devil's most insidious Gospels, and you are always trying to share it. @St. SteVen

 

[St. SteVen]

Universalism........is the teaching that you dont have to be born again on earth, and you dont have to be forgiven your sin on Earth... before you die, and you'll go to heaven anyway.
So, that is a Gospel of rejecting The Cross of Christ.......its a teaching that you dont need Christ's Sacrifice for your sin before you die....to go to heaven after you die.
So this concludes that Universalism is not just a false Gospel, its a Cross Denying Gospel.
Its a Cross Blaspheming Gospel.
Its one of the Devil's most insidious Gospels, and you are always trying to share it. @St. SteVen

Not true.

From Lazarus Short

God's sovereign Will is clear: that all men come to salvation in Him. Will the Will of God not prevail? The Calvinists assert that God is able to save all, but chooses not to. The Arminians counter that He would like to save all, but cannot. There is a third position, that God is both WILLING and ABLE to save all. I wrestled with this idea, and it is not too difficult to find that He is willing...but is He able? Then, one day it came to me in a flash: God is omnipotent, so OF COURSE He is able to save all. No "mental gymnastics" are required, and no overturning, negation or alteration of His Will or His Word is required, just the realization that the doctrine of eternal damnation is wrong. I could not find it in the KJV, and the "evidence" quoted by "hell" advocates is small and contradicted by many more Scriptures that I can quote all day.

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[Behold]

Not true.

Denying it is all you can do., because you realize that the Cross denying filth that you teach.... the false Gospel of Universalism, does not NEED THE CROSS of Christ......to forgiven anyone's sin, before they die.
And that is a serious blasphemy against the Cross, and that is your "gospel".. @StSteven.

 

[St. SteVen]

Denying it is all you can do., because you realize that the Cross denying filth that you teach.... the false Gospel of Universalism, does not NEED THE CROSS of Christ......to forgiven anyone's sin, before they die.
And that is a serious blasphemy against the Cross, and that is your "gospel".. @StSteven.

Absolute falsehood on your part.
Ultimate Redemption (Christian Universalism) depends ENTIRELY
on the cross of Christ which redeemed ALL of humankind.
Do you claim that the Atonement was incomplete in some way? Not paid in full?
If so, who is REALLY denying the cross here?

Salvation is the will of God for all of humankind. Do you deny that as well?
But "each in turn".

1 John 2:2 NIV
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours
but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 Timothy 4:10 NIV
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God,
who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Romans 5:18 NIV
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people,
so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 NIV
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

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[Behold]

Absolute falsehood on your part.


[

God requires you to believe in Jesus, before you die, so that He can give you Forgiveness of sin, and Redemption, that is "the Gift of Salvation".

You dont believe this, and that is why you teach a false Gospel, that does not require anyone to trust in Christ for Salvation before they die.
So, your gospel leads unbelievers to Hell.

= One day, The Mods are going to realize what you are, and what you are doing on this Forum,, and that day will be a fine day for this forum @St. SteVen
Believe it.

 

[St. SteVen]

God requires you to believe in Jesus, before you die, so that He can give you Forgiveness of sin, and Redemption, that is "the Gift of Salvation".

That's the narrow evangelical gospel.
You are damning billions more to eternal conscious torment than you think I am.

Spiritual Extortion - The threat of consequence for refusing the "Free Gift" of salvation​

Is the "free gift" of salvation really free? - Honestly?​

Is the Gift of Salvation nullified by the consequences of refusal?​

One day, The Mods are going to realize what you are, and what you are doing on this Forum,, and that day will be a fine day for this forum

LOL
What makes you think they are not fully aware of who I am and what I am doing?
I'm not violating any forum rules.

[

 

[Behold]

That's the narrow evangelical gospel.

Its Paul's Gospel.
All other are cursed as are those who teach Universalism and other false gospels.

Galatians 1:8

You are damning billions more to eternal conscious torment than you think I am.

Paul's gospel leads them out of Hell, whereas Universalism that you believe and share... leads them into it.

Spiritual Extortion - The threat of consequence for refusing​

Yes, we've read your accusations against God.
And He heard you.

​

Is the "free gift" of salvation really free?​

Jesus died freely....... no one made Him do it., and He is Salvation.
He chose The Cross to save the Lost.
This Gift of Salvation is not offered in Hell.

Is the Gift of Salvation??​

What makes you think they are not fully aware of who I am and what I am doing?

You'll find that out.

I'm not violating any forum rules.

Forum rules change and fourm members disappear.
Happens all the time.
In this case, its not about that at all.
See, You're violating something much more important then someone's forum rule.

 

[St. SteVen]

Its Paul's Gospel.

So is this.

Romans 2:14-16 NIV
(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law,
do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves,
even though they do not have the law.
15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts,
their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts
sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

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[Behold]

16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

[

"My Gospel, declares"., that God will judge the "secrets"..

And Paul's Gospel is....>>"Christ Crucified".

So, there is coming a judgment for people who are fake Christians, who have taken God's name in vain.
They have a date with this...
= "Depart from me, i never knew you".
And the sad thing is, some of them, actually thought they were a Christian. @St. SteVen
And that they are not is no "secret" to God.

 

[St. SteVen]

"My Gospel, declares"., that God will judge the "secrets"..

And Paul's Gospel is....>>"Christ Crucified".

So, there is coming a judgment for people who are fake Christians, who have taken God's name in vain.
They have a date with this...
= "Depart from me, i never knew you".
And the sad thing is, some of them, actually thought they were a Christian. @St. SteVen
And that they are not is no "secret" to God.

You are changing horses midstream. Here's what you claimed earlier.

God requires you to believe in Jesus, before you die, so that He can give you Forgiveness of sin, and Redemption, that is "the Gift of Salvation".

Where do you find that claim in this scripture?

Romans 2:14-16 NIV
(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law,
do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves,
even though they do not have the law.
15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts,
their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts
sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets
through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

[