Are We Redeemed?

[Woody]

.

[John317]

I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Amen and Amen.

Yes, and that's why we have the assurance that through Christ's power we can stop sinning. Because of Christ's strengthening us, it is not necessary for us to go on sinning. In fact, Jesus Himself said, "Go and sin no more." John 8: 11. Also see Col. 3: 1-17.

[Woody]

It's ALL up to Christ as to what HE does in you. ALL things are possible but not all things are practical. But HE decides. No one is suggesting that God is limited in any way except for HIS all knowing wisdom.

[Gibs]

I think Woody you meant it right but I would state it this way.

It is up to us as to what Christ can do in us. How can He do anything in us if we won't let Him in as the Master of the soul temple.

There is no exceptions to God being unlimited. He is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omniscient

Address it if you are seeing it different.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Woody]

I would keep it as I stated it. :)

[Robert]

In other words, it is not that difficult to refrain from murder. But to refrain from hating someone is much more difficult. But to love our enemies... there you have what seems an impossible challenge.

And that is just two of the ten. Then multiple the difficulty level tenfold.

The law of Jehovah is exceedingly broad. Jesus . . . plainly declared to His disciples that this holy law of God may be violated in even the thoughts and feelings and desires, as well as in the word and deed. The heart that loves God supremely will not in any way be inclined to narrow down His precepts to the very smallest possible claims (i.e. reduce the law to rules that can be kept)....

It is evident that where a claim to sinlessness is made, there the law of God has not been written in the heart; for the commandments of God are exceeding broad, and are discerners of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [EGW]

[JoeMo]

I had an Epiphany during worship today. The sermon was about Romans 7; and focused on verses 3-6:

3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

The preacher talked about dying to the old man of sin; and living a new life "married" to the Spirit.

Suddenly Ephesians 6:12 popped into my head:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Once we are saved, we aren't fighting against flesh and blood -including that old man of sin within us! We are fighting against satan and his minions! Every time we have negative or angry thoughts about our circumstances, ourselves, or others, we open a door to the evil one to feed us a lie. It also happens when people (parents, children, friends, people on C/A) insult us, condemn us or judge us. Sometimes, we fall for it - we believe the lie; and act it out. We might be strong in Christ, but satan has had over 6,000 years to perfect his strategies. We fool ourselves if we think he is an impotent enemy. Praise God that Christ in us is infinitely stronger; and as soon as we turn to His blood and His grace, we become overcomers - we win!

satan's war is not with God - he lost that war when he was thrown out of heaven (like he ever stood a chance against God?) His war is with man. God confirmed that when he said "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed" (Gen 3:15). Even though satan has lost the war with God; he intends to take as many of us believers down as he can. He attacks us whenever we open a door with our (or someone else's) negative thoughts or words. Sometimes we may lose a battle. But by God's grace through faith in His Son, the war is already won! Praise His Name! Alleluia!

Blessings,

JoeMo

[Robert]

In fact, Jesus Himself said, "Go and sin no more." John 8: 11.

That's lifted out of context.

1] This woman wasn't even a believer as far as the record goes.

2] She didn't ask for forgiveness, yet Christ said, "Neither do I condemn you".

3] The sin Christ had in mind was adultery. That was the subject and that's what the teachers of the law wanted her stoned for ...

4] Jesus wouldn't overload an unbeliever with the command "stop all sinning" (i.e., be perfect). If so, then you need to cease with all self-interests, self-love and self-seeking.

[LifeHiscost]

To tell the truth, I believe both Naomi and Woody are speaking what is true in these two posts.

Quote:

#567125 - Today at 00:36

Quote:

#567129

OTOH Woody's posts seem to reveal a dead body. IOW even though Paul refers to different parts of the body of Christ as having different talents, these talents, Woody suggests, are dead.

I would like to suggest that just as the Word says the life is in the blood, which Life is given to the Saints who ask for It, so the body given that life is inherently capable of an active Life, granting that without that blood, the body or body part would die.

"Jesus said to him, “I am....the truth, and the life." John 14:6 NKJV

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Matthew 26:26-28 KJV

I'm suggesting while the body cannot live without the blood, it does do things such as keeping the moral law (the Ten Commandments) which is not the same law that has been determined to be a curse.

God blesses!

[Robert]

There is no exceptions to God being unlimited.

Yes, but God can't do anything in you without your consent. He has to have permission.

[LifeHiscost]

If we want to steal it is our choice. Christ can give us strength but ultimately it is our choice to obey or follow our own carnal nature.

Moreover, would He give us 10 Laws that were impossible to follow?

Just as we have the ability to steal, etc., all those who accept Jesus have been given the ability to refrain from stealing.

God blesses!

[Robert]

(the Ten Commandments) which is not the same law that has been determined to be a curse.

Thou shall not bear false witness, LifeHiscost.

Gal 3:22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until the faith [Jesus] should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge until Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that the faith (Christ) has come, we are no longer under the jurisdiction of the law.

What law declares that the human race is in bondage to sin?

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world (the human race) become guilty before God.

Now what does EGW say concerning the law in Galatians?

“The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’ (Gal. 3:24) In this Scripture the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law."

[Robert]

And the ability to live Christ's life - a life that "thought not, planned not, lived not, for himself." Apparently there's some cherished sins among God's remnant people.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

that is get a new heart in Him, and there will be no more temptations.

Many years ago I gave my heart to Jesus. The temptations have not ceased to this day, though some have disappeared or diminished in intensity. But whenever I think they're all gone, the Word still says,

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

God blesses!

[Woody]

We are dead

[JoeMo]

Correct Woody - we are dead. Dead to the Law but alive in Christ!

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)

Praise God for His Spirit!

JoeMo

[Woody]

Thanks JoeMo. Now I can come back to life and PRAISE THE LORD after your most excellent comment.

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: Gibs

There is no exceptions to God being unlimited.

Yes, but God can't do anything in you without your consent. He has to have permission.

Essentially that's true, as God says He cannot deny Himself and His character does not allow Himself that characteristic. I choose to believe He could, but then He would be less than God.

God blesses!

[JoeMo]

Do any of you think God purposely limits Himself out of His respect for our free will? I personally think that's the reason for a lot of the evil in the world. Evil is not usually an "act of God", it's the will of man. Take Columbine, 9/11, or the theatre shootings for example.

Does God allow collateral damage out of respect for our free will?

[Woody]

God allows collateral damage out of the issue of the Great Controversy.

[JoeMo]

Maybe that's a topic for another thread.

[LifeHiscost]

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world (the human race) become guilty before God.

Now what does EGW say concerning the law in Galatians?

“The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.’ (Gal. 3:24) In this Scripture the Holy Spirit through the apostle is speaking especially of the moral law."

True for the one not yet having accepted the promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Once having been given the promises of the indwelling Christ, the keeping of the commandments is no longer a curse, but a hedge against the powers of the evil one.

By God's grace I will never receive the slavery of hatred, which described by Christ is murder, since keeping that command has proved a constant hedge for years.

"So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”"

Job 1:9-12 NKJV

"...and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 [a]My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand."John 10:28-30 NLT

God blesses!

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

Does God allow collateral damage out of respect for our free will?

I'm satisfied to believe we don't know all of God's reasons for allowing the evil to continue in this world but I do believe you've expressed one of those reasons.

God blesses!

[JoeMo]

LHC,

Keeping the commandments is not a curse; it's one of the benefits of grace. The law itself is the curse.

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal 3:13)

"But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?" (2 Cor. 3:7-8)

[Robert]

Do any of you think God purposely limits Himself out of His respect for our free will?