Hard time understanding Justification and Sanctification

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tgGodsway said:
haven’t you read John 1:12, 13, “But as many as received Him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, v13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the WILL OF MAN, but of God.”

Everyone knows that any baby born into the world is passive in the birth channel. It is the will of both parents and not the baby to be born.
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He gave us the right. We have no part in that. We cannot possibly save ourselves. The will of man comes into play in that we can nevertheless refuse to be saved.

"Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God."
 
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I can agree in part. The Apostle Paul draws a contrast between a child in Christ and a son. He said, “… the heir as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all.” - a child in Christ speaks of an immature believer who does not obey. He is still a slave to sin. But

Paul continues in contrast by saying “… therefore you are not longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” v7

The same principle applies in Mat. 8 when Jesus compared the Centurion’s great-faith to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob reclining at the table, in the kingdom of God, but the “children” were thrown outside in the dark where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Those of great faith were inside the banquet enjoying the celebration, but not all of them were. The children of God who didn’t have great faith were outside the banquet in the dark.
 
tgGodsway said:
Paul continues in contrast by saying “… therefore you are not longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” v7
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tgGodsway, that is hyperbolic encouragement! Do you think that everyone who heard that was necessarily a son, or necessarily ended up saved? Whether or not they applied it to themselves?emphasized text
 
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I agree, anyone who refuses to believe Jesus is the Christ, is of an anti-Christ spirit. (1st. John 4:1-3) That is their choice. But John is crystal clear that when it comes to new birth, the will of man is not a part of it. The leaders who believed in Him, (meaning they believed He is the Christ; 1st. John 4:2.) were saved! even if they concealed it to the Pharisees.
 
We can’t know that. We’re to profess our faith, be unashamed of the gospel. Valuing man’s praise over God’s???
 
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Sons/children of God are those who believe Jesus is the Christ. "Peter who do men say I am?.. Elijah, … the prophet… but who do you say I am?.. Thou Art the Christ, the Son of the living God! Well done Peter, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father…
Believing Jesus is the Christ is a divine revelation that cannot be received without the Holy Spirit. If someone says they believe in Jesus, but deny He is the Christ, their belief falls short of salvation. The Jehovah’s witnesses would fall into that category.
 
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Either they believed (according to the narrators understanding of what it meant to believe) or they were in un-belief. I take that word at face value rather than read into it any bias.
 
Ok. I think it means the obvious: faith, alone, doesn’t get the job done.
 
okay… it was nice talking to you fhansen. maybe we can talk later. I’'ve got to go to the Kroger. It’s time for ice cream for my family. Blessings to you sir.
 
Thanks tg. Yes, it’s been a good conversation IMO. I’m at the river now with my family so I better go too. Before I get that “look”. 😁 Enjoy the ice cream.
 
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