I believe what is seen on the outside is a representation of what's on the inside!
But what's on the inside is wrapped with flesh so the appearance won't be perfect!
We also must take on the account that those watching may have a carnal mind and can not discern what is Christ inspired!
For instance, Meekness. A virtue of strength under control, characterized by gentleness, patience, and humility.
Being Meek isn't being "weak" and it shouldn't compromise the truth and it shouldn't halt one from speaking the truth in what they see or hear!
Galatians 6:1 reads "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of "Meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Now this is a business between Brothern!
The response will vary depending on what the fault is!
Some will take this restoring well and some not so well.
Pride can make things difficult!
Should we soften this Brother up with a few lies?
Of course not!
We tell, preach, and teach the truth and sometimes that hurts both parties to do so.
That may not bring an immediate good response but God stands behind his truth being delivered with Meekness and Humility.
Now for the prideful heart and carnal eyes Meekness and Humility won't make a bit of difference.
We are to be strong in the Lord and stand and that is not often taken well.
There has been many Christians martyred for telling the truth including all the Apostles and Stephen in Acts 7.
Call someone stiff neck, whitewashed wall" or whitewashed tombs, today as Jesus, Stephen and Paul did and see what happens.
(Of course I'm half kidding) but hopefully you get my point.
Our character is what we are talking about, that's what draws people to you, but it's genuine and it's not fake because it's not you in control of it.
I haven't been able to read through your and Lbooth1955 postings thoroughly, maybe I will this weekend.
I'm not sure I have the context!
I believe you, myself, and Lbooth1955 agree that salvation is by Christ alone throughout all ages! That should have been clear.
As for Galatians 6:15-16 I'm pretty sure you have that wrong!
The context to the Galatians is Paul's defense against the Judaizers
Galatians 6:12-13.
It is not about Jesus being the promised Seed that we find in other passages of scripture.
He's following up on what he told them in the previous chapter.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing..ect ect..
Galatians 5:1-7
Then he continues on in chapter 6:15-16.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a NEW CREATURE.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy,
These are those IN CHRIST!
And then he says
and upon the Israel of God.
"AND UPON" the Israel of God.
This is a separate group.
Israel is never called a new creature!
Gigi even if this did refer to the Church it still doesn't annul the future Abrahamic/Davidic Kingdom promises given which is the context of this topic.
Christ being the promised Seed benefits all ages but it's not the context or topic at hand.
Also, Christ being the promised Seed is not the same thing in meaning as the covenant promises given to Abraham and David and later confirmed to Mary by Gabriel.
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:32-33"
More perhaps later after I read through the thread.
I have studied Galatians carefully and Paul lays out very pointedly that true believers are Abraham's seed, children, heirs and the true Israel of God. No where does Paul state that ethnic Israel is the inheritor of the promises and covenant made to Abraham. He explicitly states that ethnic Israel is of the bondswoman Hagar and her son Ishmael. Paul is saying that those who are Israelites after the flesh (born as such) ARE NOT part of the blessed seed of Abraham, rather Jesus is the promised Seed and all who believe, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all OT remnant believers, are, by the fact that we are in Christ, are also the ONLY legitimate seed of Abraham.
In identifying ethnic Israel with Ishmael, Paul is teaching that, except for the elect remnant, Israel is "cast out" as Hagar and Ishmael were.
Galatians 6:15-16 tells us who the Israel of God is-only those who are new creations in Christ. I do not think this verse is speaking of two groups of people, as you state, because this whole epistle is written to show that there is one people of God-the true Israel of God-all who are brought to faith in Jesus, the promised Seed and heir of the covenant promises to Abraham, which are not literal, earthly promises, rather spiritual, heavenly promises of the New Covenant. The literal earthly promises are a "type" pointing to the true "antitype" which are all of the real, actual, spiritual promises believers inherit in Christ by faith.
I know we have conversed on this before, so it seems we have both presented our understanding of Paul's doctrines laid out in Galatians. May the Lord bless all who read what Lbooth, you, and I have written with correct understanding of God's truth given through Paul.
More fallacies concerning preconceived notions differentiating the Old and New Testaments
I am repeating things said before here; although I certainly don't expect people to search archives of what I wrote a couple years back if it exists.
When we read in Psalms; Numbers and Deuteronomy we see numerous references to the afterlife and what is Hades. Much of this in Psalms was David's statements regarding enemies in general and the fate of the wicked. The same is true with Christ's warnings in the N.T. There are 2 exceptions here; the story of the rebellion of Korah's sons in Numbers 16; and the fate of those committing the "unforgiveable sin" in the N.T. ( Matt. 12:31-32). Judgments were specific for particularly heinous actions; the first case being those who attempted to overthrow God's proper representative and authority (Moses); the second blasphemy of the Holy Spirit which differentiated from that of the Son or Father as that could be out of ignorance. Deliberate provocation when someone has revealed knowledge and irrefutable evidence is a grave sin. We can see the same principle here with Lucifer's downfall; God alone is to be honored above any created being; His authority not to be questioned. This certainly could explain part of the reason Jesus didn't want His miracles blazed abroad to prevent further blasphemy of this type; as well as multitudes who would emphasize His earthly rule and Kingship before the time.
We need to be careful to divide the Word rightly. Jesus Himself stated that not one "jot or tittle" ( Matt. 5:18) would be removed until all things accomplished. Or to put it another way; God's moral laws don't change. The ceremonial ones were for Temple worship and never meant to indicate a person's spiritual standing before God. It is absurd to propose that God overlooks adultery; idolotry; greed or any other vices by using the "grace" card. We all reap what we sow ( Galatians 6:7). We dare not embrace lifestyles of sin.
1 Samuel - The Power of Prayer. Now, without prayer, things have only gotten worse.
Note: May the Lord grant the desire of your heart. Of course, in alignment with His will - it's always good to make that clear here.
The book of 1 Samuel marks and records the transition from the period of the judges to the period of the kings, right?
This change in Israel's life revolves mainly around three men: Samuel, Saul, and David.
And Samuel was the last judge of Israel- I learned that in Sunday School.
1 Now there was a certaine man of Ramathaim Zophim, of mount Ephraim, & his name was Elkanah, the sonne of Ieroham, the sonne of Elihu, the sonne of Tohu, the sonne of Zuph, an Ephrathite;
2 And he had two wiues, the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
So, the law at that time allowed that, so that a family wouldn't be left without descendants - the husband could take another woman, a second wife, to bear children for him. In that culture, this was permitted. But Elkanah brought a huge problem into his own home. Because not everything that is allowed is actually good. It doesn't mean it's going to work out. And so, he brought a serious problem into his household.
proverbs 27:5-6, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15
Note: this is for us believers. I believe we are repentant sinners, we have to be.
Whenever possible, it is good to have quality online prayer with other believers especially those on the mission field. Unfortunately our church hasn't updated their technology and has been slack in finding; for instance a missionary not heard from in Ukraine for at least several years. I have tried to be clear in regard to what may be perceived reality and what is actually happening.
The news reports tend to focus on the Middle East and the "special military operation" going on in Ukraine. Africa and South America are certainly less in focus. Any good news isn't told; admittedly seeing constant footage of endless war and suffering is needed for those who wish to put their head in the sand; but we also need to be balanced praying for those in their everyday circumstances. We can; for instance forget where persecution occurs such as Africa in particular we also have problems with prosperity and other spurious Gospel messages although I suspect much of that group of people as they are in this country are often left alone as they aren't much of a threat to Satan's agenda.
At this point; we have seen more influx of those from other nations coming to evangelize here as of late from what I gather; and we certainly need to start reaching out here in spreading the Good News at least opposing the mindset that we will hold out until we can travel to a faraway land to do the same.
Now being a blessing to others whether it is sending funds; or doing service for those in church which I just did last Sunday for a few hours for someone moving into a new home is helpful; I certainly am lacking in the gift of service so I need to do all I can to learn from others who have this gift. Occupy until I come ( Luke 19:13) certainly has many meanings and practically speaking we shouldn't slack in helping others ( Galatians 6:9). Jesus was always doing the work of the Father ( John 5:17). In our own puny way let us do so also
Are there people that don't want to hear the gospel of grace in Christ Jesus ? ?
Philippians 3:18-20
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Will we suffer persecution for spreading the gospel of grace ? ?
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall sufferpersecution.
Now take the word " Circumcised " out for a second and add these words, repenting , baptized, tithing or working . It's amazing that we are in bondage to do something for Salvation.
Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should sufferpersecutionfor the cross of Christ.
Who are this people that are putting us in bondage, when the gospel of grace is free .
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Apostle Paul wants to write down the person that are causing trouble with the gospel of grace and avoid them .
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren,markthemwhich cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoidthem.
May our God in the Third Heaven protect us from wickedness.
For mythoughtsare not yourthoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith theLord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and mythoughtsthan yourthoughts.
The believer should use scriptures to back up scriptures and try not to use our thoughts as much as possible.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity everythoughtto the obedience of Christ;
We are getting closer to Noah's days with evil thoughts continually.
Genesis 6:5
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of thethoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Not everyone is going to know the Bible and also know the Hebrew and Greek to translate the words.
1 Corinthians 8:2
And if any manthinkthat he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
If we think we know it all, it could make us fall .
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him thatthinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
If we think we are something when we are nothing , we deceive ourselves.
Galatians 6:3
For if a manthinkhimself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Apostle Paul tells us what we should be thinking .
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,thinkon these things.
May we all think about the gospel of grace for Salvation.
Galatians 6:18 - Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Brethren, you see, he still calls them brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and notice in italics the word be, it's literally the word is. It's not a wish or a prayer. It is a statement of fact. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with your spirit. God's grace is always with the believer's spirit. Not with the flesh, but in the inner man where Christ dwells. And he says Amen.
This is all I have to share in Galatians. As the Lord leads, I will be going through Ephesians next.
Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men. And again, that's the word AGATHOS. It's the good of God. It doesn't mean do humanitarian good things. It means the goodness of the Spirit of God ministering through us to others. As you have opportunity, do good to all men. It's not human effort. It's the Spirit of God. Especially unto them that are of the household of faith. The believers in Christ are top priority!
Galatians 6:17 - From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
From henceforth let no man trouble me: I think I'm going to put that on my telephone answering machine. That's a pretty good one. Stop calling! Let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. The Greek word is STIGMA. What he's saying is, and he's using the term for the branding of slaves. Slaves were branded with either their master's name or some kind of identification. Paul says let no one trouble me, I bear in my body, and he was someone that the Christians said that it was very difficult to look at this man.
He had so many physical problems. You can imagine the many beatings and stonings. He has scars and scabs. He suffered from malaria, caught eye disease. His eyes were never clear. He always had a running substance coming out of them. This is all in service to Christ. He was branded. In his body, he carried the brand of the Lord Jesus. He was sacrificial in serving. So, it's basically like saying "I don't need any more trouble!"
Galatians 6:6 - Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
It says, let him that is taught in the word. I'll share some definitions with you. The word taught means verbally instructed or lecturing, a person that is being lectured by verbal instruction. The command is communicate, again characteristics, to the one who is teaching (same word), to the one who is verbally teaching or lecturing. And concerning: in all good things.
In the command, it says to communicate. And that's the word KOINONIA. It's the word used in the bible for fellowship. It means to have something in common. That's what fellowship is. Here it means to share. Let the one who is taught in the word share with him that is teaching in all good things.
The word good is our word AGATHOS which is produced by the Holy Spirit according to Galatians 5:23. It is the good of God, the Spiritual good that is produced by God. So, when it says in all good things, it's talking about the things of God. The person who is teaching, they are sharing the good things of God. The people who are being taught are also to share back the good things of God.
Galatians 6:7- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
It says, be not deceived. That's a command, and it literally means to be led astray. Do not be led astray!
The reason: God is not mocked. The concept, the basic principle that is the same for believers, non-believers, every human being in every circumstance of life, whatsoever a man sows, that he shall also reap. We're not getting away with anything. God is not mocked. He has a built-in law in life that whatever we plant, that's what's going to grow. That's going to be the fruit and result of our life.
Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Interesting that we see the word burden twice, here, and again in Verse 5. It is two different Greek words. The principle here is bear one another's burdens. This word means weight or weightiness of a burden, of a load. And in application, what he's saying here is that if this man has sinned and you have to handle the matter, what a hassle to get your life involved in other people's lives!
It's very time consuming. It's much easier to take a vote and throw somebody out. I mean, it's a heavy deal. There are some people that have some pretty heavy problems and struggles that they're going through. And most of the time, we don't have time.
Galatians 6:5 - For every man shall bear his own burden.
Wait a minute! He says we're to bear one another's burdens, and now he says we are to bear our own burden. Remember, the first one is weight, the weightiness of the load. We are to help other people with the weightiness of their load.
But this word is the word freight. So, you have the word freight, and you have the word weight. This word for burden is used for a backpack for a soldier. And I think that's a good example. If you're a soldier and you are carrying your own backpack, and each one of us are carrying our own load. But when somebody begins to crumble under the weight of their load, we are to help them with the heaviness, or weightiness of their load while carrying our own pack.
You see, I am not to carry your cargo. I am to help you with the weightiness of it (with this person that was caught in a sin). I'm not to bear the brunt of his discipline for this, but to help him in the weightiness of the situation to get it resolved. I can't carry your load for you. You can't carry mine. But sometimes the load gets heavy, and we reach out to help each other in our situations.
The Israel that God has in view is spiritual Israel consisting of all those who are born from above by the Spirit of the living God and justified by the faith of Christ.
We read in Galatians 6:14-16
14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The Israel of God consist of all those who are in Christ Jesus, regardless of whatever political nation they may come from. We read in Romans 2:28-29
28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
To be a Jew inwardly, and to be circumcised in the heart, means to have one's sins cut off by virtue of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his life that men might be set free from bondage and slavery to sin. It has nothing to do with whatever nation one comes from.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 KJV
I Thank God for his goodness. Galatians 6:10 KjV, Psalms 145;9 KJV
1 John 3:2 KJV my faith believing confirmed in me holy the identity Christian that allows me to be shown to have no challenges in relations in life . Yes I agree, constantly seeking God allows me to have wisdom too to succeed Matthew 6:33 KJV
The testimony of Jesus Christ has blessed me - Psalm 112:3 KJV believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. ( 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 7:26, Joshua 1:8)
We should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" ( 1 Peter 3:15). We prepare by studying God's Word for ourselves, listening to sound Bible teachers, and staying in close fellowship with Jesus. Those practices keep our own lives pure so that we are not hypocrites who preach one thing but do another Galatians 6:1.
Evangelism provides eternal benefits. Jesus encouraged His followers to "store up treasure in heaven" ( Matthew 6:19). That treasure consists of rewards for what we did on earth in His name and for His glory. It is not self-centered to make choices that will ensure eternal treasure for ourselves. Jesus told us to! Our service to Him can be as simple as offering a cup of cold water to one of His own ( Matthew 10:42). The parable of the unjust steward underscores the importance of doing whatever we can to bring people to faith in Christ ( Luke 16:1-13).
4. Evangelism is an overflow of the "hope that is within us" ( Hebrews 6:19; 1 Peter 3:15). When two people fall in love, they cannot help but let everyone around them know it. Joy shows on their faces; stars glitter in their eyes. They are eager to tell anyone who will listen about the wonderful person they love. So it is when we've fallen in love with Jesus. We cannot help but tell people about Him every chance we get. We think about Him all the time. We're drawn to His Word, to worship services, and to others who love Him. We look for opportunities to share His truth with someone who is far from Him. If Jesus is not at the forefront of our minds, we have a spiritual problem and need to address that first before we can share the "hope that is within us."
Staying intimately connected to the True Vine is the only way to "bear fruit in old age" ( Psalm 92:14), to "run and not grow weary" ( Isaiah 40:31), and to not "grow weary in well-doing" ( Galatians 6:9).
One counterfeit to bearing good fruit is pretense. We can become experts at the routines, the lingo, and "acting Christian," while experiencing no real power and bearing no eternal fruit. Our hearts remain self-centered, angry, and joyless even while we go through the motions of serving God. We can easily slip into the sin of the Pharisees of Jesus' day in judging ourselves by how we think we appear to others and neglecting that secret place of the heart where all good fruit germinates. When we love, desire, pursue, and fear the same things that the rest of the world does, we are not abiding in Christ, even though our lives may be filled with church-related activity.
And, often, we don't realize that we are living fruitless lives ( 1 John 2:15-17).
Our works will be tested by fire. Using a different metaphor than fruit,
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 says, "If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved-even though only as one escaping through the flames."
God is the judge of even our thoughts and motivations. All will be brought to the light when we stand before Him ( Hebrews 4:12-13).
God knows what He has entrusted to each of us and what He expects us to do with it ( Luke 12:48). Our responsibility before God is to be "faithful with little" so that He can trust us with much ( Matthew 25:21).
We are to be at peace with one another, forgive one another, have mercy on one another.
Just a few references.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12
1 John 4:7
However, we don't lie or deceive one another for the sake of peace. The truth hurts sometimes but it promotes spiritual growth providing that the Christ spirit is in the person.
BELEIVERS SHUNNING OTHER BELEIVERS.
To shun is to deliberately avoid something or someone. In the Bible, the word shun is applied to evil. Job 1:8, Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7-8Proverbs 14:16. So, shunning evil is good.
There is scripture that promotes excommunication. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. but do we do it for harm or Good? What's the intent?
In any case, it would seem that extreme forms of shunning, such as considering someone "dead," utterly ignoring him, or refusing to acknowledge his existence, go beyond what Scripture commands.
After all, Jesus said that, when someone is put out of the church, he should be treated as "a pagan or a tax collector" Matthew 18:17. In other words, treat an intractable offender as an unsaved person.
How are we to treat the unsaved? With love and grace.
The "pagans and tax collectors" need to be evangelized. We are to love even our enemies ( Matthew 5:44).
The goal of excommunication and any form of shunning is restoration ( Galatians 6:1).
The purpose of any type of discipline is to prompt repentance and, ultimately, to reunite our fallen brother or sister with the church body. Being officially ostracized from the church, the sinner might be brought to repentance.
When the man in the Corinthian church later realized that he had sinned against God, he repented and came back to the church for forgiveness and reinstatement. Fellowship with the Corinthian believers was restored ( 2 Corinthians 2:6-11).
Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers?
Even though there is a distinction between the children of God and the children of the world the scripture says to be kind to all men. Galatians 6:10.
However, we're not all Brothern.
John 1:11-12 says "He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the "sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
Jesus also said in Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Ephesians 2:19 states Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
So, there is a clear distinction in scripture between God's children and those who haven't received him.
1 John 3:9-10 covers this well, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
"Sons of God" emphasizes a natural, internal relationship with God rather than an external adoption. Becoming God's children involves a real change and transformation, not just a change in title or position. We partake in the divine nature.
All people are not naturally God's children. We must be born again through faith in Christ to become God's children.
This separates us from Adam.
We are now joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:14-17 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Jason Padrick - are you still here reading? I am just reading your plea about being consumed with prayer and guilt.. and I hope that you are consoled in Jesus knowing that you are loved and protected by God.
This is a great topic, being that we all have dealt with having to forgive someone and also have had to be forgiven ourselves.
Your question, "How do we let go of the pain" is a good question!
I believe a good example of what is expected of us is seen in
Matthew 18:21-35.
The problem is how do we accomplish this?
I believe you answered your own question. PRAYER!
I would add humility to that.
If we humble ourselves and be truthful we all trespass against the Lord and we beg for his forgiveness.
God don't just forgive us, he is longsuffering and he has mercy on us.
We don't measure up to that standard so we also trespass in return.
To demonstrate this kind of display is a virtue of Love.
This is a area we grow in.
When we put forward the effort to perform it, by the enrichment of the Spirit we achieve it.
Pain turns into compassion.
When that person hurts over what they've done, you share that hurt with them and feel sorry for them.
However, when they're not sorry for what they do this may be something we can not get over without God's strengthening.
When this trespass is done over and over again this act becomes a reckoning.
It is who that person is and it defines the times we live in.
It is who we once were also and probably behave that way still.
This is where we examine ourselves considering Galatians 6:1
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; CONSIDERING THYSELF, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED.
If this is not a Brother or Sister it may be a chance to witness.
Galatians 6:9 "And LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING: FOR IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
God bless you Jema.
I'm sure this is an area we all come up short in but we all should be growing in.
We use Brothern to loosely today. Everyone amongst us is not a Brother or a Sister!
Look at the example Jesus gives in Matthew 12:47-50.
"Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Romans 12:3 says not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
We all have flaws and we're all of one body ministering by the same Spirit, having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us by "THE GIFT" (Christ Spirit.) We are to exercise those gifts by the power of Christ Spirit.
We are to Love one another; I've declared that on this site since I've been on it using John 13:34-35 as a springboard.
Also, 1 John 4:20-21 and Matthew 7:15-16.
We shall be known by our fruit, not our gifts!
CAN YOU GENERATE THIS ON YOUR OWN?
Love amongst the brothern is not partial.
It's not determined by race, wealth, political parties, Gender, status in the church, or one's eschatology.
Love at its highest level is Agape. It's caused by the Holyspirit that knits us as one. It's to be totally given over to.
I've seen where one says he have the gift of discernment but yet he shuns other Brothern.
If you have an issue with a brother, you restore him. Galatians 6:1-4.
We must look out for each other. James 5:20 says, "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Confrontation may be difficult, but it is not loving to allow a professing Christian to continue in a sin that will bring God's consequences upon him.
Thank you brother Carleton for those thoughts: that indeed that consciousness past the grave can well include a recalling of the life once lived which continually spurned the Love of God & His Spirit's urging for that upward look. As I read your comment here, my thoughts went to Galatians 6:17, "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus". Though this verse doesn't directly refer to what you wrote, I see in that chapter the apostle's heart's desire for the salvation of his people: not only for God's Peace & Mercy to be upon them to come to that Truth, but that his efforts, witness & prayer were tireless, knowing that persecution would be his lot for his remaining days.
There were those who insisted on circumcision coupled with salvation to avoid certain persecution - Paul stood for Truth which is what mattered to him & he continued to proclaim 'salvation without any works'. And he did so even under great persecution. I ask, 'wouldn't it have been easier & less painful to him to present a watered-down Gospel, one where everything will work out in the end, that those who resist it will just die & no longer be remembered?' Yet, the marks of persecution were on his body; why would any man take the buffeting of men even to the point of death unless the rescue of souls from an eternity of suffering & torment was his only motivation & reason for persevering? Such concern & love is not just to get everyone into God's Kingdom, but to prevent them from entering that awful place reserved for the Devil & his angels; and the Scriptures speak volumes on this. Blessings to you.
Hello Bmccaugh58. The answers to your questions are actually found throughout the Bible (from Genesis to Revelation), because the Bible essentially shows us how far mankind has fallen away from his Creator (because of sin), the repercussions we face from living in such a sinful state, & what God has done to offer correction & help, or else, judgement. So, one merely has to read through the Bible (even in your daily devotions/readings) & will see how people, yes all of us, have done wrong towards God & man & what subsequently entails from that. Some will learn & be corrected & then restored - others will persist in their evil ways & face God's Judgement.
So, here are some passages to start you off, but in your reading of the Bible, God's Spirit will alert you to what you seek or even where some action needs to be taken in your own life.
These are just a very few Scriptures, reminding us that there will always be consequences for our actions, not just in our dealings with each other, but more importantly, as we stand before God. But this God of Love always gives sinful wayward man an escape route, from a life of sin to a life of holiness & love - and His Name is Jesus.
Salvation there is a death and an ressurection for the TRUE believers.
This is not done by an alter call or an profession but by the Spirit of God that searches the heart.
Colossians 2:12
having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Galatians 6:15
For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Romans 6:4
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Colossians 3:1
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Romans 7:6
But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
Ephesians 4:24
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Life begins here as a babe in Christ,
God bless you for this all important portion of scripture.
2 Peter 2:20. They had the knowledge of the Lord and Savior; they were saved and had escaped the pollutions/sins of the world. Can we escape sin outside of Christ? They choose to go back to a life of habitual, intentional, and willful sin. And their punishment will be worse, Luke 12:47-48.
Galatians 6:9 This to me is obedience, It says unless we faint, to me that is to give up, quit, intentionally turn away, we reap life everlasting. Colossians 1:23 "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel". If we continue that is a choice, we must make that is not given that is our obedience.
Jude 1:21 We are to keep ourselves, the Holy Spirit helps us, but this is something we do and if we do, He will keep us from falling. 2 Peter 1:10 If we do, it is not done for us, we have been given but it is up to us to obey and do, if they have forgotten they had to know it to forget it. If We Do!!! we shall never fall. Hebrews 6:13-16 What Abraham did, in his faith, he waited for a long time he endured. He did not faint or grow weary or turn his back to God, the evidence of his faith, just like when he drew back the knife.
This is not about a Christian who is struggling and battling sin regardless of how long they struggle they are still in the race and if they repent and return in the light will be forgiven and in the grace of God. As David said restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, Psalms 51:12. We all are in a battle with our flesh and sin daily. We can lose the joy of salvation and if we come under repentance, we will still be in God's grace but without repentance, we will be cut off.
This section I will attempt to address those scriptures you presented suggesting one can lose his Salvation.
Hebrews 3:12-13.
Verse 12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Well, if there is an evil heart of unbelief, and deceitfulness of sin. THEN YOU ARE NOT SAVED!
1 John 1:7.
Ronald, I don't grasp you here. This is not a verse saying you can lose Salvation.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, if we are in the light we are saved. If we are not in the light, we are not saved.
2 Peter 2:20.
Look at 2 Peter 2:22. These are dogs, NOT SONS! This is the same group described in the previous verses!
Take it from 2 Peter 2:9-20 to get the context.
Galatians 6:9.
Christians will go before the judgement seat of Christ to give an account for the things done in the flesh.
We are to keep sowing and in due season we will reap. this is the fruit of their labor.
He that soweth to the Spirit, sows to the spirit by the power of the Holyspirit.
Paul has just asked the Galatian Christians to be convinced, once again, that trusting their flesh in this life will only lead to corruption. Reliance on our own power only leads to death. That is true whether we trust human effort to save us by following the rituals and sacraments of the law, or by following our own selfish, sinful desires.
Salvation comes only by "planting" the Spirit. Through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sin.
God gives to us His own Spirit. Only that Spirit will deliver eternal life in the end.
Colossians 1:23.
Verses 21-22 states we have been reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Jude 1:24. says "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
So, those who is moved away from the faith was never saved.
I believe what is seen on the outside is a representation of what's on the inside!
But what's on the inside is wrapped with flesh so the appearance won't be perfect!
We also must take on the account that those watching may have a carnal mind and can not discern what is Christ inspired!
For instance, Meekness. A virtue of strength under control, characterized by gentleness, patience, and humility.
Being Meek isn't being "weak" and it shouldn't compromise the truth and it shouldn't halt one from speaking the truth in what they see or hear!
Galatians 6:1 reads "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of "Meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Now this is a business between Brothern!
The response will vary depending on what the fault is!
Some will take this restoring well and some not so well.
Pride can make things difficult!
Should we soften this Brother up with a few lies?
Of course not!
We tell, preach, and teach the truth and sometimes that hurts both parties to do so.
That may not bring an immediate good response but God stands behind his truth being delivered with Meekness and Humility.
Now for the prideful heart and carnal eyes Meekness and Humility won't make a bit of difference.
We are to be strong in the Lord and stand and that is not often taken well.
There has been many Christians martyred for telling the truth including all the Apostles and Stephen in Acts 7.
Call someone stiff neck, whitewashed wall" or whitewashed tombs, today as Jesus, Stephen and Paul did and see what happens.
(Of course I'm half kidding) but hopefully you get my point.
Our character is what we are talking about, that's what draws people to you, but it's genuine and it's not fake because it's not you in control of it.
It's Spiritual maturity, It's Christ in you!
See part 2.
Thanks for responding.
I haven't been able to read through your and Lbooth1955 postings thoroughly, maybe I will this weekend.
I'm not sure I have the context!
I believe you, myself, and Lbooth1955 agree that salvation is by Christ alone throughout all ages! That should have been clear.
As for Galatians 6:15-16 I'm pretty sure you have that wrong!
The context to the Galatians is Paul's defense against the Judaizers
Galatians 6:12-13.
It is not about Jesus being the promised Seed that we find in other passages of scripture.
He's following up on what he told them in the previous chapter.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing..ect ect..
Galatians 5:1-7
Then he continues on in chapter 6:15-16.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a NEW CREATURE.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy,
These are those IN CHRIST!
And then he says
and upon the Israel of God.
"AND UPON" the Israel of God.
This is a separate group.
Israel is never called a new creature!
Gigi even if this did refer to the Church it still doesn't annul the future Abrahamic/Davidic Kingdom promises given which is the context of this topic.
Christ being the promised Seed benefits all ages but it's not the context or topic at hand.
Also, Christ being the promised Seed is not the same thing in meaning as the covenant promises given to Abraham and David and later confirmed to Mary by Gabriel.
"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:32-33"
More perhaps later after I read through the thread.
Blessings.
Thanks for your reply.
I have studied Galatians carefully and Paul lays out very pointedly that true believers are Abraham's seed, children, heirs and the true Israel of God. No where does Paul state that ethnic Israel is the inheritor of the promises and covenant made to Abraham. He explicitly states that ethnic Israel is of the bondswoman Hagar and her son Ishmael. Paul is saying that those who are Israelites after the flesh (born as such) ARE NOT part of the blessed seed of Abraham, rather Jesus is the promised Seed and all who believe, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all OT remnant believers, are, by the fact that we are in Christ, are also the ONLY legitimate seed of Abraham.
In identifying ethnic Israel with Ishmael, Paul is teaching that, except for the elect remnant, Israel is "cast out" as Hagar and Ishmael were.
Galatians 6:15-16 tells us who the Israel of God is-only those who are new creations in Christ. I do not think this verse is speaking of two groups of people, as you state, because this whole epistle is written to show that there is one people of God-the true Israel of God-all who are brought to faith in Jesus, the promised Seed and heir of the covenant promises to Abraham, which are not literal, earthly promises, rather spiritual, heavenly promises of the New Covenant. The literal earthly promises are a "type" pointing to the true "antitype" which are all of the real, actual, spiritual promises believers inherit in Christ by faith.
I know we have conversed on this before, so it seems we have both presented our understanding of Paul's doctrines laid out in Galatians. May the Lord bless all who read what Lbooth, you, and I have written with correct understanding of God's truth given through Paul.
Galatians 6:15-16 is a often misunderstood and is easily straightened out if read carefully.
I have mentioned this before. There are two groups mentioned in those two verses.
Here is how it's broken down.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a "NEW CREATURE."
(New creature) That's one of the two. It's the church!
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, (Paul is speaking of the same group, The new creature. THE CHURCH!
Here's the second group.
and upon the Israel of God.
Blessings.
I believe you meant to reference Galatians 6:15-16.
Blessings.
I am repeating things said before here; although I certainly don't expect people to search archives of what I wrote a couple years back if it exists.
When we read in Psalms; Numbers and Deuteronomy we see numerous references to the afterlife and what is Hades. Much of this in Psalms was David's statements regarding enemies in general and the fate of the wicked. The same is true with Christ's warnings in the N.T. There are 2 exceptions here; the story of the rebellion of Korah's sons in Numbers 16; and the fate of those committing the "unforgiveable sin" in the N.T. ( Matt. 12:31-32). Judgments were specific for particularly heinous actions; the first case being those who attempted to overthrow God's proper representative and authority (Moses); the second blasphemy of the Holy Spirit which differentiated from that of the Son or Father as that could be out of ignorance. Deliberate provocation when someone has revealed knowledge and irrefutable evidence is a grave sin. We can see the same principle here with Lucifer's downfall; God alone is to be honored above any created being; His authority not to be questioned. This certainly could explain part of the reason Jesus didn't want His miracles blazed abroad to prevent further blasphemy of this type; as well as multitudes who would emphasize His earthly rule and Kingship before the time.
We need to be careful to divide the Word rightly. Jesus Himself stated that not one "jot or tittle" ( Matt. 5:18) would be removed until all things accomplished. Or to put it another way; God's moral laws don't change. The ceremonial ones were for Temple worship and never meant to indicate a person's spiritual standing before God. It is absurd to propose that God overlooks adultery; idolotry; greed or any other vices by using the "grace" card. We all reap what we sow ( Galatians 6:7). We dare not embrace lifestyles of sin.
Note: May the Lord grant the desire of your heart. Of course, in alignment with His will - it's always good to make that clear here.
The book of 1 Samuel marks and records the transition from the period of the judges to the period of the kings, right?
This change in Israel's life revolves mainly around three men: Samuel, Saul, and David.
And Samuel was the last judge of Israel- I learned that in Sunday School.
1 Now there was a certaine man of Ramathaim Zophim, of mount Ephraim, & his name was Elkanah, the sonne of Ieroham, the sonne of Elihu, the sonne of Tohu, the sonne of Zuph, an Ephrathite;
2 And he had two wiues, the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
So, the law at that time allowed that, so that a family wouldn't be left without descendants - the husband could take another woman, a second wife, to bear children for him. In that culture, this was permitted. But Elkanah brought a huge problem into his own home. Because not everything that is allowed is actually good. It doesn't mean it's going to work out. And so, he brought a serious problem into his household.
proverbs 27:5-6, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15
Note: this is for us believers. I believe we are repentant sinners, we have to be.
Whenever possible, it is good to have quality online prayer with other believers especially those on the mission field. Unfortunately our church hasn't updated their technology and has been slack in finding; for instance a missionary not heard from in Ukraine for at least several years. I have tried to be clear in regard to what may be perceived reality and what is actually happening.
The news reports tend to focus on the Middle East and the "special military operation" going on in Ukraine. Africa and South America are certainly less in focus. Any good news isn't told; admittedly seeing constant footage of endless war and suffering is needed for those who wish to put their head in the sand; but we also need to be balanced praying for those in their everyday circumstances. We can; for instance forget where persecution occurs such as Africa in particular we also have problems with prosperity and other spurious Gospel messages although I suspect much of that group of people as they are in this country are often left alone as they aren't much of a threat to Satan's agenda.
At this point; we have seen more influx of those from other nations coming to evangelize here as of late from what I gather; and we certainly need to start reaching out here in spreading the Good News at least opposing the mindset that we will hold out until we can travel to a faraway land to do the same.
Now being a blessing to others whether it is sending funds; or doing service for those in church which I just did last Sunday for a few hours for someone moving into a new home is helpful; I certainly am lacking in the gift of service so I need to do all I can to learn from others who have this gift. Occupy until I come ( Luke 19:13) certainly has many meanings and practically speaking we shouldn't slack in helping others ( Galatians 6:9). Jesus was always doing the work of the Father ( John 5:17). In our own puny way let us do so also
One thing I have enjoyed about this site is that in the discussions,
everyone shows respect for others opinions.
It is my prayer that this kindness shall prevail.
Romans 14:19
"Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
Galatians 6:9
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Matthew 5:16
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Let Love Abide !
May God Bless us All!
Are there people that don't want to hear the gospel of grace in Christ Jesus ? ?
Philippians 3:18-20
18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Will we suffer persecution for spreading the gospel of grace ? ?
2 Timothy 3:12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall sufferpersecution.
Now take the word " Circumcised " out for a second and add these words, repenting , baptized, tithing or working . It's amazing that we are in bondage to do something for Salvation.
Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should sufferpersecutionfor the cross of Christ.
Who are this people that are putting us in bondage, when the gospel of grace is free .
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Apostle Paul wants to write down the person that are causing trouble with the gospel of grace and avoid them .
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren,markthemwhich cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoidthem.
May our God in the Third Heaven protect us from wickedness.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Love is found in the gospel.
Isaiah 55:8-9
For mythoughtsare not yourthoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith theLord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and mythoughtsthan yourthoughts.
The believer should use scriptures to back up scriptures and try not to use our thoughts as much as possible.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity everythoughtto the obedience of Christ;
We are getting closer to Noah's days with evil thoughts continually.
Genesis 6:5
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of thethoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Not everyone is going to know the Bible and also know the Hebrew and Greek to translate the words.
1 Corinthians 8:2
And if any manthinkthat he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
If we think we know it all, it could make us fall .
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him thatthinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
If we think we are something when we are nothing , we deceive ourselves.
Galatians 6:3
For if a manthinkhimself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Apostle Paul tells us what we should be thinking .
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,thinkon these things.
May we all think about the gospel of grace for Salvation.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Please think about the gospel.
Galatians 6:18 - Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Brethren, you see, he still calls them brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and notice in italics the word be, it's literally the word is. It's not a wish or a prayer. It is a statement of fact. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with your spirit. God's grace is always with the believer's spirit. Not with the flesh, but in the inner man where Christ dwells. And he says Amen.
This is all I have to share in Galatians. As the Lord leads, I will be going through Ephesians next.
God Bless you all!
Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men. And again, that's the word AGATHOS. It's the good of God. It doesn't mean do humanitarian good things. It means the goodness of the Spirit of God ministering through us to others. As you have opportunity, do good to all men. It's not human effort. It's the Spirit of God. Especially unto them that are of the household of faith. The believers in Christ are top priority!
Galatians 6:17 - From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
From henceforth let no man trouble me: I think I'm going to put that on my telephone answering machine. That's a pretty good one. Stop calling! Let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. The Greek word is STIGMA. What he's saying is, and he's using the term for the branding of slaves. Slaves were branded with either their master's name or some kind of identification. Paul says let no one trouble me, I bear in my body, and he was someone that the Christians said that it was very difficult to look at this man.
He had so many physical problems. You can imagine the many beatings and stonings. He has scars and scabs. He suffered from malaria, caught eye disease. His eyes were never clear. He always had a running substance coming out of them. This is all in service to Christ. He was branded. In his body, he carried the brand of the Lord Jesus. He was sacrificial in serving. So, it's basically like saying "I don't need any more trouble!"
Galatians 6:6 - Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
It says, let him that is taught in the word. I'll share some definitions with you. The word taught means verbally instructed or lecturing, a person that is being lectured by verbal instruction. The command is communicate, again characteristics, to the one who is teaching (same word), to the one who is verbally teaching or lecturing. And concerning: in all good things.
In the command, it says to communicate. And that's the word KOINONIA. It's the word used in the bible for fellowship. It means to have something in common. That's what fellowship is. Here it means to share. Let the one who is taught in the word share with him that is teaching in all good things.
The word good is our word AGATHOS which is produced by the Holy Spirit according to Galatians 5:23. It is the good of God, the Spiritual good that is produced by God. So, when it says in all good things, it's talking about the things of God. The person who is teaching, they are sharing the good things of God. The people who are being taught are also to share back the good things of God.
Galatians 6:7- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
It says, be not deceived. That's a command, and it literally means to be led astray. Do not be led astray!
The reason: God is not mocked. The concept, the basic principle that is the same for believers, non-believers, every human being in every circumstance of life, whatsoever a man sows, that he shall also reap. We're not getting away with anything. God is not mocked. He has a built-in law in life that whatever we plant, that's what's going to grow. That's going to be the fruit and result of our life.
Galatians 6:2 - Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Interesting that we see the word burden twice, here, and again in Verse 5. It is two different Greek words. The principle here is bear one another's burdens. This word means weight or weightiness of a burden, of a load. And in application, what he's saying here is that if this man has sinned and you have to handle the matter, what a hassle to get your life involved in other people's lives!
It's very time consuming. It's much easier to take a vote and throw somebody out. I mean, it's a heavy deal. There are some people that have some pretty heavy problems and struggles that they're going through. And most of the time, we don't have time.
Galatians 6:5 - For every man shall bear his own burden.
Wait a minute! He says we're to bear one another's burdens, and now he says we are to bear our own burden. Remember, the first one is weight, the weightiness of the load. We are to help other people with the weightiness of their load.
But this word is the word freight. So, you have the word freight, and you have the word weight. This word for burden is used for a backpack for a soldier. And I think that's a good example. If you're a soldier and you are carrying your own backpack, and each one of us are carrying our own load. But when somebody begins to crumble under the weight of their load, we are to help them with the heaviness, or weightiness of their load while carrying our own pack.
You see, I am not to carry your cargo. I am to help you with the weightiness of it (with this person that was caught in a sin). I'm not to bear the brunt of his discipline for this, but to help him in the weightiness of the situation to get it resolved. I can't carry your load for you. You can't carry mine. But sometimes the load gets heavy, and we reach out to help each other in our situations.
The Israel that God has in view is spiritual Israel consisting of all those who are born from above by the Spirit of the living God and justified by the faith of Christ.
We read in Galatians 6:14-16
14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The Israel of God consist of all those who are in Christ Jesus, regardless of whatever political nation they may come from. We read in Romans 2:28-29
28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
To be a Jew inwardly, and to be circumcised in the heart, means to have one's sins cut off by virtue of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave his life that men might be set free from bondage and slavery to sin. It has nothing to do with whatever nation one comes from.
Cont in Part 3
Philippians 4:6 KJV
I Thank God for his goodness. Galatians 6:10 KjV, Psalms 145;9 KJV
1 John 3:2 KJV my faith believing confirmed in me holy the identity Christian that allows me to be shown to have no challenges in relations in life . Yes I agree, constantly seeking God allows me to have wisdom too to succeed Matthew 6:33 KJV
The testimony of Jesus Christ has blessed me - Psalm 112:3 KJV believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. ( 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 7:26, Joshua 1:8)
Written and Spoken Word by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
Part 2.
We should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" ( 1 Peter 3:15). We prepare by studying God's Word for ourselves, listening to sound Bible teachers, and staying in close fellowship with Jesus. Those practices keep our own lives pure so that we are not hypocrites who preach one thing but do another Galatians 6:1.
Evangelism provides eternal benefits. Jesus encouraged His followers to "store up treasure in heaven" ( Matthew 6:19). That treasure consists of rewards for what we did on earth in His name and for His glory. It is not self-centered to make choices that will ensure eternal treasure for ourselves. Jesus told us to! Our service to Him can be as simple as offering a cup of cold water to one of His own ( Matthew 10:42). The parable of the unjust steward underscores the importance of doing whatever we can to bring people to faith in Christ ( Luke 16:1-13).
4. Evangelism is an overflow of the "hope that is within us" ( Hebrews 6:19; 1 Peter 3:15). When two people fall in love, they cannot help but let everyone around them know it. Joy shows on their faces; stars glitter in their eyes. They are eager to tell anyone who will listen about the wonderful person they love. So it is when we've fallen in love with Jesus. We cannot help but tell people about Him every chance we get. We think about Him all the time. We're drawn to His Word, to worship services, and to others who love Him. We look for opportunities to share His truth with someone who is far from Him. If Jesus is not at the forefront of our minds, we have a spiritual problem and need to address that first before we can share the "hope that is within us."
See part 3.
Barring fruit.
Part 2.
Staying intimately connected to the True Vine is the only way to "bear fruit in old age" ( Psalm 92:14), to "run and not grow weary" ( Isaiah 40:31), and to not "grow weary in well-doing" ( Galatians 6:9).
One counterfeit to bearing good fruit is pretense. We can become experts at the routines, the lingo, and "acting Christian," while experiencing no real power and bearing no eternal fruit. Our hearts remain self-centered, angry, and joyless even while we go through the motions of serving God. We can easily slip into the sin of the Pharisees of Jesus' day in judging ourselves by how we think we appear to others and neglecting that secret place of the heart where all good fruit germinates. When we love, desire, pursue, and fear the same things that the rest of the world does, we are not abiding in Christ, even though our lives may be filled with church-related activity.
And, often, we don't realize that we are living fruitless lives ( 1 John 2:15-17).
Our works will be tested by fire. Using a different metaphor than fruit,
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 says, "If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved-even though only as one escaping through the flames."
God is the judge of even our thoughts and motivations. All will be brought to the light when we stand before Him ( Hebrews 4:12-13).
God knows what He has entrusted to each of us and what He expects us to do with it ( Luke 12:48). Our responsibility before God is to be "faithful with little" so that He can trust us with much ( Matthew 25:21).
God bless.
Part 3.
How should Christian treat one another?
We are to be at peace with one another, forgive one another, have mercy on one another.
Just a few references.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12
1 John 4:7
However, we don't lie or deceive one another for the sake of peace. The truth hurts sometimes but it promotes spiritual growth providing that the Christ spirit is in the person.
BELEIVERS SHUNNING OTHER BELEIVERS.
To shun is to deliberately avoid something or someone. In the Bible, the word shun is applied to evil. Job 1:8, Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7-8 Proverbs 14:16. So, shunning evil is good.
There is scripture that promotes excommunication. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. but do we do it for harm or Good? What's the intent?
In any case, it would seem that extreme forms of shunning, such as considering someone "dead," utterly ignoring him, or refusing to acknowledge his existence, go beyond what Scripture commands.
After all, Jesus said that, when someone is put out of the church, he should be treated as "a pagan or a tax collector" Matthew 18:17. In other words, treat an intractable offender as an unsaved person.
How are we to treat the unsaved? With love and grace.
The "pagans and tax collectors" need to be evangelized. We are to love even our enemies ( Matthew 5:44).
The goal of excommunication and any form of shunning is restoration ( Galatians 6:1).
The purpose of any type of discipline is to prompt repentance and, ultimately, to reunite our fallen brother or sister with the church body. Being officially ostracized from the church, the sinner might be brought to repentance.
When the man in the Corinthian church later realized that he had sinned against God, he repented and came back to the church for forgiveness and reinstatement. Fellowship with the Corinthian believers was restored ( 2 Corinthians 2:6-11).
Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers?
See part 4.
Part 1
Even though there is a distinction between the children of God and the children of the world the scripture says to be kind to all men. Galatians 6:10.
However, we're not all Brothern.
John 1:11-12 says "He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the "sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
Jesus also said in Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Ephesians 2:19 states Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
So, there is a clear distinction in scripture between God's children and those who haven't received him.
1 John 3:9-10 covers this well, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
"Sons of God" emphasizes a natural, internal relationship with God rather than an external adoption. Becoming God's children involves a real change and transformation, not just a change in title or position. We partake in the divine nature.
All people are not naturally God's children. We must be born again through faith in Christ to become God's children.
This separates us from Adam.
We are now joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:14-17 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
See part 2
This is a great topic, being that we all have dealt with having to forgive someone and also have had to be forgiven ourselves.
Your question, "How do we let go of the pain" is a good question!
I believe a good example of what is expected of us is seen in
Matthew 18:21-35.
The problem is how do we accomplish this?
I believe you answered your own question. PRAYER!
I would add humility to that.
If we humble ourselves and be truthful we all trespass against the Lord and we beg for his forgiveness.
God don't just forgive us, he is longsuffering and he has mercy on us.
We don't measure up to that standard so we also trespass in return.
To demonstrate this kind of display is a virtue of Love.
This is a area we grow in.
When we put forward the effort to perform it, by the enrichment of the Spirit we achieve it.
Pain turns into compassion.
When that person hurts over what they've done, you share that hurt with them and feel sorry for them.
However, when they're not sorry for what they do this may be something we can not get over without God's strengthening.
When this trespass is done over and over again this act becomes a reckoning.
It is who that person is and it defines the times we live in.
It is who we once were also and probably behave that way still.
This is where we examine ourselves considering Galatians 6:1
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; CONSIDERING THYSELF, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED.
If this is not a Brother or Sister it may be a chance to witness.
Galatians 6:9 "And LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING: FOR IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
God bless you Jema.
I'm sure this is an area we all come up short in but we all should be growing in.
Praise God for his longsuffering and Mercy.
Part 4.
We use Brothern to loosely today. Everyone amongst us is not a Brother or a Sister!
Look at the example Jesus gives in Matthew 12:47-50.
"Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren.
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Romans 12:3 says not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
We all have flaws and we're all of one body ministering by the same Spirit, having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us by "THE GIFT" (Christ Spirit.) We are to exercise those gifts by the power of Christ Spirit.
We are to Love one another; I've declared that on this site since I've been on it using John 13:34-35 as a springboard.
Also, 1 John 4:20-21 and Matthew 7:15-16.
We shall be known by our fruit, not our gifts!
CAN YOU GENERATE THIS ON YOUR OWN?
Love amongst the brothern is not partial.
It's not determined by race, wealth, political parties, Gender, status in the church, or one's eschatology.
Love at its highest level is Agape. It's caused by the Holyspirit that knits us as one. It's to be totally given over to.
I've seen where one says he have the gift of discernment but yet he shuns other Brothern.
If you have an issue with a brother, you restore him. Galatians 6:1-4.
We must look out for each other. James 5:20 says, "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Confrontation may be difficult, but it is not loving to allow a professing Christian to continue in a sin that will bring God's consequences upon him.
See Part 5.
There were those who insisted on circumcision coupled with salvation to avoid certain persecution - Paul stood for Truth which is what mattered to him & he continued to proclaim 'salvation without any works'. And he did so even under great persecution. I ask, 'wouldn't it have been easier & less painful to him to present a watered-down Gospel, one where everything will work out in the end, that those who resist it will just die & no longer be remembered?' Yet, the marks of persecution were on his body; why would any man take the buffeting of men even to the point of death unless the rescue of souls from an eternity of suffering & torment was his only motivation & reason for persevering? Such concern & love is not just to get everyone into God's Kingdom, but to prevent them from entering that awful place reserved for the Devil & his angels; and the Scriptures speak volumes on this. Blessings to you.
So, here are some passages to start you off, but in your reading of the Bible, God's Spirit will alert you to what you seek or even where some action needs to be taken in your own life.
For "Consequences", see: Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3:16-19; Deuteronomy 28:1,2,15; 1 Kings 11:9-11; Job 4:8,9; Isaiah 59:2; Jeremiah 17:9,10; Matthew 27:3-5; Romans 6:23; Romans 13:4; Galatians 6:7,8; 1 Timothy 5:8; James 2:10; Revelation 20:12-15.
For "Correction", see: Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 29:15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 12:5-11; Revelation 3:19.
These are just a very few Scriptures, reminding us that there will always be consequences for our actions, not just in our dealings with each other, but more importantly, as we stand before God. But this God of Love always gives sinful wayward man an escape route, from a life of sin to a life of holiness & love - and His Name is Jesus.
7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
17From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
In God their is a way I abode and devils and demons summit and surrender to our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is not done by an alter call or an profession but by the Spirit of God that searches the heart.
Colossians 2:12
having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead
2 Corinthians 4:16
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Galatians 6:15
For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Romans 6:4
Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Colossians 3:1
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Romans 7:6
But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
Ephesians 4:24
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Life begins here as a babe in Christ,
God bless you for this all important portion of scripture.
If this is not gotten right nothing else matters.
Part four,
2 Peter 2:20. They had the knowledge of the Lord and Savior; they were saved and had escaped the pollutions/sins of the world. Can we escape sin outside of Christ? They choose to go back to a life of habitual, intentional, and willful sin. And their punishment will be worse, Luke 12:47-48.
Galatians 6:9 This to me is obedience, It says unless we faint, to me that is to give up, quit, intentionally turn away, we reap life everlasting. Colossians 1:23 "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel". If we continue that is a choice, we must make that is not given that is our obedience.
Jude 1:21 We are to keep ourselves, the Holy Spirit helps us, but this is something we do and if we do, He will keep us from falling. 2 Peter 1:10 If we do, it is not done for us, we have been given but it is up to us to obey and do, if they have forgotten they had to know it to forget it. If We Do!!! we shall never fall. Hebrews 6:13-16 What Abraham did, in his faith, he waited for a long time he endured. He did not faint or grow weary or turn his back to God, the evidence of his faith, just like when he drew back the knife.
This is not about a Christian who is struggling and battling sin regardless of how long they struggle they are still in the race and if they repent and return in the light will be forgiven and in the grace of God. As David said restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, Psalms 51:12. We all are in a battle with our flesh and sin daily. We can lose the joy of salvation and if we come under repentance, we will still be in God's grace but without repentance, we will be cut off.
See part 5.
Part 6.
This section I will attempt to address those scriptures you presented suggesting one can lose his Salvation.
Hebrews 3:12-13.
Verse 12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Well, if there is an evil heart of unbelief, and deceitfulness of sin. THEN YOU ARE NOT SAVED!
1 John 1:7.
Ronald, I don't grasp you here. This is not a verse saying you can lose Salvation.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, if we are in the light we are saved. If we are not in the light, we are not saved.
2 Peter 2:20.
Look at 2 Peter 2:22. These are dogs, NOT SONS! This is the same group described in the previous verses!
Take it from 2 Peter 2:9-20 to get the context.
Galatians 6:9.
Christians will go before the judgement seat of Christ to give an account for the things done in the flesh.
We are to keep sowing and in due season we will reap. this is the fruit of their labor.
He that soweth to the Spirit, sows to the spirit by the power of the Holyspirit.
Paul has just asked the Galatian Christians to be convinced, once again, that trusting their flesh in this life will only lead to corruption. Reliance on our own power only leads to death. That is true whether we trust human effort to save us by following the rituals and sacraments of the law, or by following our own selfish, sinful desires.
Salvation comes only by "planting" the Spirit. Through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sin.
God gives to us His own Spirit. Only that Spirit will deliver eternal life in the end.
Colossians 1:23.
Verses 21-22 states we have been reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
Jude 1:24. says "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
So, those who is moved away from the faith was never saved.
See Part 7.