WHY does GOD not ANSWER our PRAYERS? (our way?)

[Gibs]

No excuses accepted! God did not change or His Word to make it so disobedience would be accepted. Salvation is the same for all all the way up through. Reconciled from sin is His program, not reconciled in continuing sin.

Remember Isaiah saw Christ too, read the 53'rd chapter.

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]

Gibs - we are saved IN our sins - or NONE will be saved.

[John317]

Ellen White herself contradicts you. So does the Bible: "He [Jesus] will save His people from their sins," not "in their sins." What's the difference?

You appear to be misunderstanding what is meant by "saved in sin."

[Robert]

Ellen White herself contradicts you. So does the Bible: "He [Jesus] will save His people from their sins," not "in their sins." What's the difference?

Gal 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons

Why did Christ come under the curse of the law the moment He was born of a woman (see Gal 3:13)? Because our sins, John, place us in death row!

Gal 3:22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin....3 Before Christ came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until Christ should be revealed.

So Christ delivered us from sin (our bent to self) by crucifying our old life in the humanity of Christ (see Rom 6:6/7:4) That's the gospel.

Yes, as we rest in Christ's finished work we experience His agape more and more, but we are never fully delivered from our bent to self.

Who says? The Bible (see 1 John 1:8; Romans 3:23)! Also Ellen White:

"There was not one trace of selfishness in the life of Christ. All who are laborers together with God will have the same spirit as their Master had. They will be continually growing away from selfishness, and renouncing self-indulgence, even in things that had once appeared innocent to them. . . "[LHU 325]

He who says, “I am holy, I am sinless,” is self-deceived. Some have said this, and some even dare to say, “I am Christ.” To entertain such a thought is blasphemy. Not to see the marked contrast between Christ and ourselves is not to know ourselves. He who does not abhor himself can not understand the meaning of redemption. [RH Sep 25, 1900]

Did she write of perfectionism? No! Did she say Christ delivered us from all selfishness and we are selfless? No! Then what are you talking about? What is Gibs talking of?

As I said constant perfectionism (legalism) is a faith killer. It robs believers of their assurance of salvation. I really wish such talk would stop, but I doubt if it ever will.

[Gerr]

Gibs - we are saved IN our sins - or NONE will be saved.

Soooooo, I'm still saved while robbing the gov't and God, and all the while I'm also cheating on my spouse? If we are saved in our sins, WHO would be EXCLUDED from heaven or God's new earth?

[Gerr]

Originally Posted By: Gibs

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Sorry, but in Christ we have been reconciled. Gibs, you give a very legalistic view of salvation. I wish you would stop depressing the saints....

Sooo, do we encourage the saints by telling them they are all ok because they are all going to be saved no matter what sin/s they are clinging to?

[Gibs]

Quote:

I wish you would stop depressing the saints....

If it wasn't so true -

I would

Somehow Woody I don't think the Words of God and the SOP depress the saints, that is what they love, all His Words and He with all the heart and soul and so to keep His commandments is their pleasure and He hears the prayers of those. Isaiah tells us the ones who continue and love their sin He does not hear. We prove our love by our obedience!

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.

[Naomi]

Sooo, do we encourage the saints by telling them they are all ok because they are all going to be saved no matter what sin/s they are clinging to?

Pretty sure there will be no sin allowed in Heaven ... so WHEN do we get a grip and stop our pet sins?

[JoeMo]

All,

I'm having a problem distinguishing "saved in sin" and "saved from sin" If I come to Jesus "just as I am", I am likely "in sin" 1 John says that if we claim we have no sin, we lie.

I would propose that people who are actively engaged in continuous sin - as Gerry proposed above - are not truly in Christ; but it's not my place to judge. Yet IMO some people cant' help clinging to particularly "sticky" sins (like alcohol and drug addictions) until God directly intervenes. Are they lost? Again, it's not my place to judge.

I do know that God has delivered me from seveal self-destructive habitual sins; and he continues to work with me. Experience has shown me that I cannot effectively manage my sin problem without God's grace; so I rely on Him to point out my shortcomings; and then work WITH me (as a partner and enabler)to overcome them. I would not and could not overcome them on my own. I consider God's work in me the biggest miracle I have ever witnessed.

I still sin - does that make me "saved in sin"? I don't "continue in sin" (i.e., sin willfully with malice and forethought)- does that make me "saved from sin"?

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Woody

Gibs - we are saved IN our sins - or NONE will be saved.

Soooooo, I'm still saved while robbing the gov't and God, and all the while I'm also cheating on my spouse? If we are saved in our sins, WHO would be EXCLUDED from heaven or God's new earth?

Those who don't want to be saved - will not be saved.

[Woody]

Quote:

Sooo, do we encourage the saints by telling them they are all ok because they are all going to be saved no matter what sin/s they are clinging to?

I pray we do - because it's the Gospel.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Gerry Cabalo

Sooo, do we encourage the saints by telling them they are all ok because they are all going to be saved no matter what sin/s they are clinging to?

Pretty sure there will be no sin allowed in Heaven ... so WHEN do we get a grip and stop our pet sins?

[Woody]

Quote:

I still sin - does that make me "saved in sin"?

AMEN brother. It most certainly DOES.

[JoeMo]

WHEW! Thanks Woody - Gibs and Gerry had me worried there for a minute! Looks like we need to crank up the praises some more! I'm gonna post one right now!

[Gibs]

Ya needs to get a hold of the way He has made for man to put away his bent on continuing in our besetting sins. He gives us His power, we have no excuse under heaven for sure. Satan is a defeated foe to you as soon as He is dwelling within.

A little read from our EGW,

"There is nothing so offensive to God as sin. Instead of making void the law of God by continuing in sin, every truly converted soul will be walking in the path of humble obedience to all of God's commandments. They will search the Scriptures that they might know the truth. Who hath bewitched the impenitent, the transgressor, that sin is chosen rather than obedience? It is the power of Satan that came to Adam and Eve in Eden, the deceiving, bewitching power of the fallen angel. . . . {UL 209.5}

How few talk about this great sacrifice of the life of Jesus to save the guilty sinner! If we appreciated this love manifested by God for our souls we would be elevated by taking hold of the merits of Jesus Christ, for without the righteousness of Christ man could not give to God perfect obedience. . . . {UL 209.6}

Take hold of His Merits and and get His Righteousness and you can be obedient. "Christ in you the Hope of Glory", our only hope!

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]

WHEW! Thanks Woody - Gibs and Gerry had me worried there for a minute! Looks like we need to crank up the praises some more! I'm gonna post one right now!

Nah - don't listen to them peoples JoeMo.

You can go to the bank on it. We corrupt peoples are saved IN our sins.

I personally have not seen any sinless peeps walking around. Have you?

[Gibs]

It all is in HOW MUCH you Love Him. It you love your sin more than He you will do your sin.

He is saying in this following verse if you really do love me you have no problem doing and keeping my commandments.

Joh 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

It is like putting our money where our mouth is.

1Jo 2:3 ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

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.

[Robert]

Joh 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

What commands?

[JoeMo]

Robert,

When I read John 14 - 17; in context, the main theme is "Love one another" I know it uses the word "commandments", but, reading in context, I can't help but think Jesus is talking about love.

We,ve all been over this before on other threads, and I personally don't want to see this one dissolve into salvation by law vs. salvation by grace, like so many other topics on CA. Let's try to keep in on the topic. That being said, I'm just waiting for someone to say "God doesn't answer ur prayers because we don't obey; so He's mad" :(

[Robert]

Robert,

When I read John 14 - 17; in context, the main theme is "Love one another" I know it uses the word "commandments", but, reading in context, I can't help but think Jesus is talking about love.

15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. ...21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." 22 ....23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.

Oh, Christ's teaching....not the Ten Commandments, but His teachings. That's pretty much the NT.

[Gibs]

Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Joh 14:25 ¶ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

The Father's and Jesus commandments are the exact same, as they are one.

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

He also said,

Mt 5:17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Mt 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Mt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus also is able to proclaim eternal pre-existence so He for sure is one with the Father

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.

[Robert]

Many texts lifted out of their context. That's dishonesty!

[Gibs]

What commands Robert asked. The answer is not hard at all is it.

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.

[Robert]

What commands Robert asked. The answer is not hard at all is it.

Yes? I need evidence, not speculation.

For example, "If you love me, you will obey what I command."... "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching."

[Umfundize]

So, once we reach the stage where we keep all of God's commandments perfectly, we can expect that He will answer our prayers? That's the deal? Did Jesus only heal commandment-keepers?

The point is, atheism is on the rise at high speed! People who lived in Jesus' time were convinced when they saw MIRACLES. WHY are there no obvious miracles of creating new limbs we can show the atheists. Is this an unreasonable request of God?

May we ask God to intervene in a mighty way so our faith can get a lift? Or must we finish the puzzle ourselves? Post-modernists want to SEE and EXPERIENCE what we teach. The BIBLE says we may ask ANYTHING, and it will be given unto us. Really?

We may have enough "faith" to brush our doubts aside, but how do we convince the ones who insist on PROOF? Prima facie proof?