Jesus came to call sinners to repentance

[07-07-07]

The religious people of Jesus' day complained that He ate with sinners. What was Jesus' purpose for doing this? Jesus did it to call them to repentance. He likened sinners to people who are sick and in need of a physician. Sin is a disease and a curse that only Jesus can take away. Once taken away, sinners are made clean and given a new heart, one that now seeks after God's righteousness; and continuing to knowingly sin is a thing of the past because they have received a true born again experience.

Luke 5
[29] And Levi made him [Jesus] a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans [tax collectors] and of others that sat down with them.
[30] But their scribes and Pharisees [religious leaders] murmured against his [Jesus'] disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
[31] And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
[32] I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

[Stumpmaster]

The religious people of Jesus' day complained that He ate with sinners. What was Jesus' purpose for doing this? Jesus did it to call them to repentance. He likened sinners to people who are sick and in need of a physician. Sin is a disease and a curse that only Jesus can take away. Once taken away, sinners are made clean and given a new heart, one that now seeks after God's righteousness; and continuing to knowingly sin is a thing of the past because they have received a true born again experience.

Luke 5
[29] And Levi made him [Jesus] a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans [tax collectors] and of others that sat down with them.
[30] But their scribes and Pharisees [religious leaders] murmured against his [Jesus'] disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
[31] And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.
[32] I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The Good Shepherd

Rom 2:2-11 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. (3) And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? (4) Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (5) But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, (6) who "WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS": (7) eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; (8) but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, (9) tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; (10) but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (11) For there is no partiality with God.

 

[L.A.M.B.]

John 3:17-21
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[bro.tan]

It’s starts off with repentance, that’s one of the first thing Jesus says when he got started in his ministry, Jesus says in Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. You must repent, give up a lifestyle where sin has dominion, (ruler ship) over you. Sin according to 1 John 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression (breaking) of the law.

A man asked Jesus this very question, "...What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?", and Jesus replied, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:16-19). This was a direct answer to a direct question, which all of us will do well to take heed to.

 

[07-07-07]

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, i.e., the Godhead, gave all of their love to the human race by sending Jesus (the Son) to become our sacrificial offering.

 

[ByGraceThroughFaith]

It’s starts off with repentance, that’s one of the first thing Jesus says when he got started in his ministry, Jesus says in Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. You must repent

some, especially from the so called "Reformed", regard "Repentance" as a "work", and reject the Command of Jesus Christ that all sinners MUST "repent and believe in the Gospel" (Mark 1:15), so that they can be saved. These proclaim what Paul calls in Galatians, "another gospel", that can save NO sinner!

 

[FaithWillDo]

some, especially from the so called "Reformed", regard "Repentance" as a "work", and reject the Command of Jesus Christ that all sinners MUST "repent and believe in the Gospel" (Mark 1:15), so that they can be saved. These proclaim what Paul calls in Galatians, "another gospel", that can save NO sinner!

Dear ByGraceThroughFaith,
The "repentance" that Christ and John the Baptist called for was a repentance from "works". If a believer repents from "works", they are saying that they no longer believe that they can do anything to earn their salvation. They will then fully trust Christ by faith alone that He will do all the necessary work (both physical and spiritual) for their salvation.

The first work that Christ did for mankind was His sacrifice at the cross. This "work" earned Christ the keys to death and hell. With these keys, Christ now has the legal authority to give all mankind life (resurrect mankind).

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

But Christ came to give mankind more than just the same life we have now. Christ also came to give us a more abundant life. That more abundant life is a life that is free from sin and a life with a restored relationship with His Father. To accomplish this second goal, Christ will come to each person and change them from within (spiritually).

For the Gentiles who have never been "called out" before, Christ will come to a Gentile person (without their asking and without their permission) and give them the Holy Spirit of Promise (Early Rain). This is the earnest of the Spirit and not the full amount. Because it is only the down payment, the new believer will remain spiritually blind and will not be able to understand and receive the truth of Christ. However, the Spirit will give them a measure of faith and will cause them to call Jesus "Lord":

Prov 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

1Cor 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.

Shortly after a believer has been given the Early Rain and has been called out, they will enter the church. At that point, Satan will come to the new believer and plant his seed within them, too (Parable of the Wheat and the Tares). Satan's seed is the spirit of anti-Christ which will teach the new believer Satan's "another gospel". This false gospel will teach the new believer to mix "works" with faith. This false gospel is easy for the new believer to accept because they remain carnal and spiritually blind. And because mankind's carnal mind prefers the Old Wine of their own "works" (Old Covenant) over the New Wine of Christ's works (New Covenant), they will quickly accept Satan's gospel as the truth of Christ.

Luke 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, the old is better.

After a new believer mixes the Old Wine with the New Wine, they will fall from grace and come under the Law. This is the sin that leads to death.

If the fallen away believer is also "chosen", Christ will come to them a second time. Before Christ comes though, Christ will prepare His way by sending a converted believer to them in the "spirit of Elijah". This converted believer will make the call for them to repent from their works. After the believer responds to the call, they will turn solely to faith for their salvation (like the Jewish Elect did). Their repentance will then make the pathway "straight" for Christ to come again. When Christ comes to them, He will pour out the Latter Rain (Baptism of the Spirit) and heal their spiritual blindness. Now with "eyes that can see", the believer will "see" the Abomination of Desolation that had previously occurred within them. This knowledge will bring judgment to the believer which will remove and destroy Satan's influence (spirit of anti-Christ) and the influence of the believer's carnal nature (Great Harlot). After this judgment is complete, the believer will be converted and saved. They will then never fall away from faith again.

What I have described above is the pathway to salvation which Christ will cause His Elect to travel. A portion of the pathway requires a believer's repentance from works.

Paul's conversion experience recorded in Acts chapter 9 is a "type" which teaches this pathway.

Joe

 

[ByGraceThroughFaith]

Dear ByGraceThroughFaith,
The "repentance" that Christ and John the Baptist called for was a repentance from "works". If a believer repents from "works", they are saying that they no longer believe that they can do anything to earn their salvation. They will then fully trust Christ by faith alone that He will do all the necessary work (both physical and spiritual) for their salvation.

The first work that Christ did for mankind was His sacrifice at the cross. This "work" earned Christ the keys to death and hell. With these keys, Christ now has the legal authority to give all mankind life (resurrect mankind).

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

But Christ came to give mankind more than just the same life we have now. Christ also came to give us a more abundant life. That more abundant life is a life that is free from sin and a life with a restored relationship with His Father. To accomplish this second goal, Christ will come to each person and change them from within (spiritually).

For the Gentiles who have never been "called out" before, Christ will come to a Gentile person (without their asking and without their permission) and give them the Holy Spirit of Promise (Early Rain). This is the earnest of the Spirit and not the full amount. Because it is only the down payment, the new believer will remain spiritually blind and will not be able to understand and receive the truth of Christ. However, the Spirit will give them a measure of faith and will cause them to call Jesus "Lord":

Prov 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

1Cor 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit.

Shortly after a believer has been given the Early Rain and has been called out, they will enter the church. At that point, Satan will come to the new believer and plant his seed within them, too (Parable of the Wheat and the Tares). Satan's seed is the spirit of anti-Christ which will teach the new believer Satan's "another gospel". This false gospel will teach the new believer to mix "works" with faith. This false gospel is easy for the new believer to accept because they remain carnal and spiritually blind. And because mankind's carnal mind prefers the Old Wine of their own "works" (Old Covenant) over the New Wine of Christ's works (New Covenant), they will quickly accept Satan's gospel as the truth of Christ.

Luke 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, the old is better.

After a new believer mixes the Old Wine with the New Wine, they will fall from grace and come under the Law. This is the sin that leads to death.

If the fallen away believer is also "chosen", Christ will come to them a second time. Before Christ comes though, Christ will prepare His way by sending a converted believer to them in the "spirit of Elijah". This converted believer will make the call for them to repent from their works. After the believer responds to the call, they will turn solely to faith for their salvation (like the Jewish Elect did). Their repentance will then make the pathway "straight" for Christ to come again. When Christ comes to them, He will pour out the Latter Rain (Baptism of the Spirit) and heal their spiritual blindness. Now with "eyes that can see", the believer will "see" the Abomination of Desolation that had previously occurred within them. This knowledge will bring judgment to the believer which will remove and destroy Satan's influence (spirit of anti-Christ) and the influence of the believer's carnal nature (Great Harlot). After this judgment is complete, the believer will be converted and saved. They will then never fall away from faith again.

What I have described above is the pathway to salvation which Christ will cause His Elect to travel. A portion of the pathway requires a believer's repentance from works.

Paul's conversion experience recorded in Acts chapter 9 is a "type" which teaches this pathway.

Joe

The REPENTANCE that John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, Peter and Paul preached, was from personal sins!

Luke 24:47, and in the Original reading as in the ESV, NASB, NIV, etc, is very clear what Jesus means in Mark 1:15

"People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River" Matthew 3:5-6

"and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47)

"When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:37-39)

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Corinthians 7:10)

To REPENT and BELIEVE, are the sinners OBEDIENCE to the Commands by God as CONDITIONS for their salvation

No REPENTANCE and FAITH = NO salvation!

 

[FaithWillDo]

The REPENTANCE that John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, Peter and Paul preached, was from personal sins!

Luke 24:47, and in the Original reading as in the ESV, NASB, NIV, etc, is very clear what Jesus means in Mark 1:15

"People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River" Matthew 3:5-6

"and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47)

"When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:37-39)

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (2 Corinthians 7:10)

To REPENT and BELIEVE, are the sinners OBEDIENCE to the Commands by God as CONDITIONS for their salvation

No REPENTANCE and FAITH = NO salvation!

Dear GraceThroughFaith,

Paul said this:

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Repentance from " dead works" and turning to God by faith is what justifies a person and opens the door (makes the pathway straight) for Christ to come and convert us.

The Old Testament fathers were justified by their faith. However, they were still sinful because they had not been converted - but they were justified and will receive a "better resurrection".

Also, Jacob and Caleb are OT "types" for the Elect. When they spied out the Promised Land, they had faith that God would defeat the "giants in the land" so they brought back a "good report". And because they had faith, they were the only ones to live through their time in the wilderness to cross the Jordan River (type of the Latter Rain) and enter the Promised Land (salvation).

Peter said this about returning to the crooked way of works:

2Pet 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

The way of righteousness is "through faith". Faith is what makes the pathway straight for Christ to come to us and convert us. "Vomit" and "mire" are symbols for man's "works".

Also, Peter said that the "latter end is worse with them than the beginning". This is a restatement of what Christ said below:

Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself SEVEN other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

The spiritual symbol of an unclean spirit represents a spirit which teaches Satan's lies and deceptions.

Since a new believer remains spiritually blind (Mark 8:21-25) after receiving the Early Rain of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit of Promise, Eph 1:13-14), they cannot replace their worldly false beliefs (religion) with the truth of Christ. ONE unclean spirit leaves but comes back with SEVEN more. The number "seven" represents perfection. In this case, the number seven represents the perfection of Satan's lies/deceptions which come to a believer by the indwelling of the spirit of anti-Christ. It is this spirit which teaches Satan's false gospel of "works" mixed with faith. Now, instead of ONE unclean spirit within the believer, they now have EIGHT. The number eight is a spiritual symbol which represents a new spiritual condition. In this case, the new spiritual condition is worse than the first as Peter said in 2Pet 2:20.

This "worse than the first" spiritual condition causes the believer to become a False Prophet, a Man of Sin, a Minister of Satan and a Seven Headed Beast with Ten Horns & Crowns.

You said:
No REPENTANCE and FAITH = NO salvation!

Yes, repentance from dead works and faith toward God will make the pathway straight for Christ to come to us and save us (convert us from being a child of the devil and into a child of God).

Joe

 

[ByGraceThroughFaith]

Dear GraceThroughFaith,

Paul said this:

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Repentance from " dead works" and turning to God by faith is what justifies a person and opens the door (makes the pathway straight) for Christ to come and convert us.

The Old Testament fathers were justified by their faith. However, they were still sinful because they had not been converted - but they were justified and will receive a "better resurrection".

Also, Jacob and Caleb are OT "types" for the Elect. When they spied out the Promised Land, they had faith that God would defeat the "giants in the land" so they brought back a "good report". And because they had faith, they were the only ones to live through their time in the wilderness to cross the Jordan River (type of the Latter Rain) and enter the Promised Land (salvation).

Peter said this about returning to the crooked way of works:

2Pet 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

The way of righteousness is "through faith". Faith is what makes the pathway straight for Christ to come to us and convert us. "Vomit" and "mire" are symbols for man's "works".

Also, Peter said that the "latter end is worse with them than the beginning". This is a restatement of what Christ said below:

Mat 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself SEVEN other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

The spiritual symbol of an unclean spirit represents a spirit which teaches Satan's lies and deceptions.

Since a new believer remains spiritually blind (Mark 8:21-25) after receiving the Early Rain of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit of Promise, Eph 1:13-14), they cannot replace their worldly false beliefs (religion) with the truth of Christ. ONE unclean spirit leaves but comes back with SEVEN more. The number "seven" represents perfection. In this case, the number seven represents the perfection of Satan's lies/deceptions which come to a believer by the indwelling of the spirit of anti-Christ. It is this spirit which teaches Satan's false gospel of "works" mixed with faith. Now, instead of ONE unclean spirit within the believer, they now have EIGHT. The number eight is a spiritual symbol which represents a new spiritual condition. In this case, the new spiritual condition is worse than the first as Peter said in 2Pet 2:20.

This "worse than the first" spiritual condition causes the believer to become a False Prophet, a Man of Sin, a Minister of Satan and a Seven Headed Beast with Ten Horns & Crowns.

You said:
No REPENTANCE and FAITH = NO salvation!

Yes, repentance from dead works and faith toward God will make the pathway straight for Christ to come to us and save us (convert us from being a child of the devil and into a child of God).

Joe

it is repenting from your SINS, as I have shown in the verses. are you saying that Jesus Christ, Peter, Paul, and no doubt all of the early Church, are wrong???

 

[FaithWillDo]

it is repenting from your SINS, as I have shown in the verses. are you saying that Jesus Christ, Peter, Paul, and no doubt all of the early Church, are wrong???

Dear GraceThroughFaith,
The sin that the Jewish Elect needed to repent from was the sin of trying to be perfect by their own "works" (Old Covenant).

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

When we turn from "works" to faith ("believing the gospel"), we are trusting Christ to perform all the necessary works of our salvation. In other words, with our repentance, we will "enter into the rest of Christ" because we realize that we have no works to perform.

Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

For a believer, there is only ONE sin that can cause them to lose the salvation for which they are waiting:

Heb 9:28 So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

The sin that leads to death (1John 5:16) is to mix "works" with faith. That is what Christ meant when He said we cannot serve two masters (Mat 6:24). Satan is the master of this world and he teaches the "crooked" way of mixing "works" with faith. It is for that reason that Satan is called the crooked serpent. Christ teaches the straight way of faith. When we mix the two together, we will "fall away".

Satan's crooked way is how the church became apostate shortly after the deaths of the Apostles. Since that time, all new believers will "fall away" shortly after entering the church. For that reason (same as it was for the Jewish Elect), it is necessary for Christ to send Elijah to them with the call of repentance. After they repent, the pathway for Christ to come is made straight. It is through their faith that Christ comes to them to give them the free gift of the Holy Spirit.

This concept is taught in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. After a person is "called out" (made a chaste virgin), they must wait for the Bridegroom to return (this is commonly called the second coming of Christ). But while the ten virgins wait, they will "fall away" and sleep during the night. Later, at the deepest part of their spiritual blindness (midnight), the call (call of Elijah) will go out that the Bridegroom is returning. The Wise Virgins who have the extra flask of oil (represents the Latter Rain) will repent and be ready for His return. But the foolish virgins will have to turn back because they were not able to repent so as to be ready.

When you read scripture that talks about repentance, don't automatically assume that it is teaching about repenting from our many sins. Our sinful ways will be dealt with AFTER we are converted by the judgment of Christ. To get to that point, we must make the pathway straight by repenting of our works. Remember, it is "through faith" that Christ will come to us and give us the free gift of the Holy Spirit. After we have the Holy Spirit, judgment will fall on us to remove our sinful ways.

Joe

 

[bro.tan]

some, especially from the so called "Reformed", regard "Repentance" as a "work", and reject the Command of Jesus Christ that all sinners MUST "repent and believe in the Gospel" (Mark 1:15), so that they can be saved. These proclaim what Paul calls in Galatians, "another gospel", that can save NO sinner!

Think about what Paul is saying here in (Gal. 6 (v.3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (v.4) But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. The book says let every man prove his own work, and if your work is good then you will rejoice in it. (v.5) For every man shall bear his own burden.
That’s right; every man must bear his own burden. You mean you thought that all you had to do was confess the name of Jesus and that was it? Brothers and sisters you must work to get salvation. (v.7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. God is not to be played with. Whatsoever you plant, that’s what you are going to reap. Be it good works unto eternal life, or evil works unto eternal damnation. The choice is yours, and your works belong to you.

 

[FaithWillDo]

Think about what Paul is saying here in (Gal. 6 (v.3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (v.4) But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. The book says let every man prove his own work, and if your work is good then you will rejoice in it. (v.5) For every man shall bear his own burden.
That’s right; every man must bear his own burden. You mean you thought that all you had to do was confess the name of Jesus and that was it? Brothers and sisters you must work to get salvation. (v.7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. God is not to be played with. Whatsoever you plant, that’s what you are going to reap. Be it good works unto eternal life, or evil works unto eternal damnation. The choice is yours, and your works belong to you.

Dear bro.tan,
You have failed to mention what Paul said in verses 1 & 2:

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if even a man be taken in some fault (sin), ye who are spiritual (converted) restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest *thou* also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfil the law of the Christ.

Paul is not teaching about earning our salvation by "works". Paul is talking about fulfilling the Law of Christ which is to love God and to love our neighbor.

A believer becomes "spiritual" after they have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and are converted. The converted believers will "walk by the Spirit" and will fulfill the Law of Christ. It is they who are to help the believers who are carnal and are still waiting to be converted (Mat 25:34-40).

This scripture teaches the same concept as Paul is teaching in Galatians chapter 6:

Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

It sounds like Paul is saying that our salvation depends upon our "works" but this is not true. See how Paul finishes his statement in the next verse:

Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Our salvation and our works of faith come from Christ. He is the potter and we are His workmanship.

Because everything we are and everything we do comes from Christ, Paul says this:

1Thes 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Every step we take in life is directed by God:

Jer 10:23 I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps.

Even when trials and temptations come our way, we are to "give thanks" for them. Why should we do this? Here is the answer:

Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

The chastening that all "sons" receive from Christ is given to us to teach us righteousness.

Some will say that since Christ is the one who directs our steps, why does Christ hold us accountable for our sins?

Paul was asked this same question below:

Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Here is Paul's answer:

Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

This verse also applies:

Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

This truth is also presented in the scripture you quoted (Gal 6:3): "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing".

Because we are nothing but what Christ makes us, we are to walk humbly; realizing that we have nothing to boast about concerning who and what we are.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Eph 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.

Joe

 

[bro.tan]

Dear bro.tan,
You have failed to mention what Paul said in verses 1 & 2:

I didn't fail to mention it, I made my point with the verses I post.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if even a man be taken in some fault (sin), ye who are spiritual (converted) restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest *thou* also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfil the law of the Christ.

Paul is not teaching about earning our salvation by "works". Paul is talking about fulfilling the Law of Christ which is to love God and to love our neighbor.

Yes Paul is teaching that you have to earn your salvation by works. Let's take at an example when person sit back and do nothing. Yon can read the whole story on your own, I'am skipping down to the part inthe story where the point need to be made in Matthew 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Like Paul says in Gal 6: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. God is not to be played with. Whatsoever you plant, that’s what you are going to reap. Be it good works unto eternal life, or evil works unto eternal damnation. The choice is yours, and your works belong to you.

A believer becomes "spiritual" after they have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and are converted. The converted believers will "walk by the Spirit" and will fulfill the Law of Christ. It is they who are to help the believers who are carnal and are still waiting to be converted (Mat 25:34-40).

This scripture teaches the same concept as Paul is teaching in Galatians chapter 6:

Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

It sounds like Paul is saying that our salvation depends upon our "works" but this is not true. See how Paul finishes his statement in the next verse:

It is true, you blinding yourself and not understanding the scriptures and verses in the Bible. In judgment each one of us will give account for our own salvation. The bible says, we must not only be a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word also (James 1:21-22). DON'T FOOL YOURSELF! If we really have faith in Jesus our actions will prove it. If Jesus is our Lord then we will obey him. Even a child will obey a parent, by getting good grades in school, for the reward of a new bicycle. The child cannot earn money for the bicycle, but instead must act upon their faith to receive the free gift. We must do the same to receive eternal life. "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD” (James 2:20).

Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Our salvation and our works of faith come from Christ. He is the potter and we are His workmanship.

Because everything we are and everything we do comes from Christ, Paul says this:

1Thes 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Every step we take in life is directed by God:

Jer 10:23 I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps.

Even when trials and temptations come our way, we are to "give thanks" for them. Why should we do this? Here is the answer:

Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

The chastening that all "sons" receive from Christ is given to us to teach us righteousness.

Some will say that since Christ is the one who directs our steps, why does Christ hold us accountable for our sins?

Paul was asked this same question below:

Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Here is Paul's answer:

Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

This verse also applies:

Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

This truth is also presented in the scripture you quoted (Gal 6:3): "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing".

Because we are nothing but what Christ makes us, we are to walk humbly; realizing that we have nothing to boast about concerning who and what we are.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Eph 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.

Joe

 

[bro.tan]

To repent means to turn from our sinful ways and start obeying God's law. The water baptism signifies the washing away of our past sins. After repenting and being baptized in the name of Jesus it would be foolish for us to turn around and willingly break God's commandments. If we make an honest mistake Jesus can help us, but if we sin willingly, look out! "...there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation..." (Hebrews 10:26-27). When Jesus died only the sacrificial law was done away with, alone with Leviticus priesthood.

 

[FaithWillDo]

I didn't fail to mention it, I made my point with the verses I post.


Yes Paul is teaching that you have to earn your salvation by works. Let's take at an example when person sit back and do nothing. Yon can read the whole story on your own, I'am skipping down to the part inthe story where the point need to be made in Matthew 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Like Paul says in Gal 6: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. God is not to be played with. Whatsoever you plant, that’s what you are going to reap. Be it good works unto eternal life, or evil works unto eternal damnation. The choice is yours, and your works belong to you.


It is true, you blinding yourself and not understanding the scriptures and verses in the Bible. In judgment each one of us will give account for our own salvation. The bible says, we must not only be a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word also (James 1:21-22). DON'T FOOL YOURSELF! If we really have faith in Jesus our actions will prove it. If Jesus is our Lord then we will obey him. Even a child will obey a parent, by getting good grades in school, for the reward of a new bicycle. The child cannot earn money for the bicycle, but instead must act upon their faith to receive the free gift. We must do the same to receive eternal life. "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD” (James 2:20).

Dear bro.tan,
You said:
Yes, Paul is teaching that you have to earn your salvation by works. Let's take at an example when person sit back and do nothing.

A converted believer will not "sit back and do nothing" because the Holy Spirit "worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phi 2:13).

Concerning the parable you quoted, the man who was only given one talent represents an unconverted believer. They are still carnally minded and because of such, they see Christ as a "hard man" who torments his enemies in literal fire for all eternity. Because they "see" Christ this way, they are afraid of Him. As for burying the one talent in the earth, this represents that they used the gift that the Lord gave them in a carnal way (buried in the earth). The carnal way will not produce the spiritual fruit that Christ requires of His children.

In other words, the "talents" in the parable do not represent "works" - they represent the gifts of the Spirit that will cause us to produce spiritual fruit (love, joy, longsuffering, etc.). This is what Christ wants in return for the gifts He gives us and is what the parable is actually teaching.

You said:
Like Paul says in Gal 6: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. God is not to be played with.

Just like the man in the parable, you, too, see God as a "hard man".

As for the verse you quoted: Gal 6: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

When a believer has been converted, the Spirit within them will cause them to "walk by the Spirit". Unconverted believers can only walk by the flesh (carnal nature). This is what Paul meant when he said in Gal 6:2 concerning "ye who are spiritual". Converted believers who walk by the Spirit do not sow to the flesh - they sow to the Spirit BECAUSE the Spirit governs them to "will and do of His good pleasure". A converted believer does not walk by the Spirit because of their supposed "free will" ability to decide to do so. Only God the Father has a "free will" to do as He pleases - mankind does not.

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Prov 20:24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

Prov 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Because you do not believe these verses above, you have accepted the lie that you must contribute your own "works" and make your own decisions so that you can earn your salvation. This is what the Law teaches and it was given to us to prove that the "crooked way" does not work and cannot save us. The truth you should be believing is that Christ is the one who causes us to "will and do of His good pleasure". He is the one who causes us to no longer sow to the flesh but to the Spirit.

You said:
The bible says, we must not only be a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word also (James 1:21-22). DON'T FOOL YOURSELF! If we really have faith in Jesus our actions will prove it.

This is true except that you believe that our "actions" come from our supposed "free will" ability to decide to do them. Scripture, however, contradicts this belief. Read those three verses again which I quoted above and add this verse to them:

Isa 26:12 O Jehovah, thou appointest peace to us, for, all our works also thou hast wrought for us.

If a person has faith (which is one of the "talents") and has been converted, they will "walk by the Spirit" because the Spirit governs them. And because the Spirit governs their actions, the believer will to do "good works" because that is what they want to do. Christ gives them their "will" to do their "good works". When they do their "good works", this is the outward evidence that they are converted and are walking by the Spirit. This concept is what James taught.

Joe

 

[FaithWillDo]

To repent means to turn from our sinful ways and start obeying God's law. The water baptism signifies the washing away of our past sins. After repenting and being baptized in the name of Jesus it would be foolish for us to turn around and willingly break God's commandments. If we make an honest mistake Jesus can help us, but if we sin willingly, look out! "...there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation..." (Hebrews 10:26-27). When Jesus died only the sacrificial law was done away with, alone with Leviticus priesthood.

Dear bro.tan,
As I scripturally proved in my earlier post, repentance is to turn from trying to be acceptable to God by our own "works".

Here is the verse you quoted:

Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

So you have never willfully sinned but have only made "honest mistakes"? This cannot be true. You should be more honest with yourself.

The verse above is talking about the sin that leads to death. That sin occurs when we add our own "works" to faith. This is the only sin that will cause a believer to lose their salvation.

1John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death (ONLY ONE SIN): I do not say that he shall pray for it.

All the other sins that we commit are "not unto death". Those sins will receive the chastisement of Christ until they are removed.

Joe

 

[brightfame52]

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, i.e., the Godhead, gave all of their love to the human race by sending Jesus (the Son) to become our sacrificial offering.

Was Jesus Christ sent to save sinners by His Sacrificial Offering of Himself ? 1 Tim 1:15

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Heb 10:10

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 

[FaithWillDo]

To repent means to turn from our sinful ways and start obeying God's law. The water baptism signifies the washing away of our past sins. After repenting and being baptized in the name of Jesus it would be foolish for us to turn around and willingly break God's commandments. If we make an honest mistake Jesus can help us, but if we sin willingly, look out! "...there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation..." (Hebrews 10:26-27). When Jesus died only the sacrificial law was done away with, alone with Leviticus priesthood.

Dear bro.tan,
I forgot to make one other comment concerning something you said above even though it does not relate to the topic of this thread. You mentioned "being baptized in the name of Jesus". Most churches water baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Do you attend a Oneness Pentecostal church?

I know that they baptize in the name of Jesus because I went to a Oneness Pentecostal church many years ago specifically to be baptized that way. Water baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is not scripturally supportable.

In my conversion testimony on my website, I mentioned my experience of being baptized in the name of Jesus. The Lord sent me there a couple of years before I was converted in 2005. However, after I was given "eyes that can see", I quickly left that church and have never attended any church since that time. Just as Paul said, the church became apostate (all 2,000 denominations/sects) shortly after his death.

One other point concerning Heb 10:26 about the "willful sin". You should read all of Hebrews chapter 10. In that chapter, Paul is teaching about the Old Covenant sacrifices and comparing it to the sacrifice of Christ which brought in the New Covenant of Grace through Faith. The "willful sin" that Paul mentions in v. 26 is related to what he taught in the previous 25 verses. That sin (unto death) is to mix the Old Covenant of man's works with the New Covenant of faith. That is the sin that Satan uses to kill the saints and is how Satan formed the apostate church.

Joe

 

[bro.tan]

Dear bro.tan,
I forgot to make one other comment concerning something you said above even though it does not relate to the topic of this thread. You mentioned "being baptized in the name of Jesus". Most churches water baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Do you attend a Oneness Pentecostal church?

No.

I know that they baptize in the name of Jesus because I went to a Oneness Pentecostal church many years ago specifically to be baptized that way. Water baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is not scripturally supportable.

In my conversion testimony on my website, I mentioned my experience of being baptized in the name of Jesus. The Lord sent me there a couple of years before I was converted in 2005. However, after I was given "eyes that can see", I quickly left that church and have never attended any church since that time. Just as Paul said, the church became apostate (all 2,000 denominations/sects) shortly after his death.

One other point concerning Heb 10:26 about the "willful sin". You should read all of Hebrews chapter 10. In that chapter, Paul is teaching about the Old Covenant sacrifices and comparing it to the sacrifice of Christ which brought in the New Covenant of Grace through Faith. The "willful sin" that Paul mentions in v. 26 is related to what he taught in the previous 25 verses. That sin (unto death) is to mix the Old Covenant of man's works with the New Covenant of faith. That is the sin that Satan uses to kill the saints and is how Satan formed the apostate church.

Joe

The only thing is new is Jesus sacrificing himself of the sins of the world. Let's go into Hebrews 10: (v.10) By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Let's go into the old Testament and see what happens when a person sins in ignorant. Let's go into Leviticus 4: 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: 3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering. 4 And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.

When Jesus died on the cross that was the end of the first covenant, which consisted of the blood of animals and the keeping of God’s commandments. And his death also brought in the second covenant, which consist of the blood of Jesus and the keeping of God’s commandments. Paul says in Hebrews 10: (v.18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. In other words, no more animals are going to die for your sins. (20) by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) and having an high priest over the house of God;