What does it mean to abide "in Christ?"

[Howie01]

ryanoneil:

But we can renounce our inheritance.

See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled, that no one be an immoral or profane person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. (Heb 12:15-16)

That passage is not about a renunciation of ones inheritance.

The passage begins: See to it… that phrase translates a single Gk word: episkopeō, which is related to episkopos (an overseer, or bishop; it is synonymous with an “elder”). Believers are to have oversight of one another, helping all to grow in holiness and Christlikeness. They are also to look out for, oversee, those in the midst of the church who may not be converted believers. Not to judge, but to be sensitive to opportunities to proclaim Christ and the gospel to them. Oftentimes in the church, believers are reluctant to proclaim Christ to others in the church.

Why are they to be overseers of others? …That no one comes short of the grace of God…. Comes short, another single Gk word: hustereō, “to come too late,” or, “to be left out.” If an unbeliever in the church dies before properly believing, he will be too late; he will be left out; he will be lost forever; thus the exhortation to believers to see to it that no one comes short of the grace of God.

Why else are they to be overseers of others? That no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble… And what is that root of bitterness springing up to cause trouble? It’s a person who is superficially identified with God’s people, and who falls back into his old pagan ways. One who doesn’t just do that and leave, as so many do, but one who is arrogant and defiant concerning the Lord, and His ways. That attitude can spill over into the weaker of the truly faithful, and that concern is expressed in the last clause of the verse: ***and by it ***[the root of bitterness] many be defiled.

As far as Heb 10:26ff, I’ll keep it brief, you’ve got that wrong as well.

The translation you use is, IMO, not very good, it says, If we sin deliberately…. That sounds like one sin, and one sin only! (That seems to be the Catholic belief: one “mortal” sin by the believer condemns the believer to hell.)

But that’s not what the Greek says. The Greek says, If we continue sinning willfully…. “Willfully” is an adverb that modifies the verb “Sinning,” and “sinning” is a participle as well. IOW, continuously sinning, that’s all you do—sin!

The next identifies those who do that as “adversaries,” who are literally “opposed to the truth [of Christ]” (v 27). Those who are Christ’s are not opposed to Him!

Those who are continuously sinning have heard the truth, and they can spout the truth, but they’re not in it, as their continuous willful sinning demonstrates.

Having spoken of those fakers in the Church, the writer concludes the passage with this affirmation of true believers, …we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul (v 39).

No one who has been justified ever becomes unjustified, according to the Lord.

 

[moondweller]

No that is not the only way. God does not force us to remain faithful. He protects us through faith, but we can reject the gift of faith after recieving it. The imperishable inheritance is still there and God’s promise of protection is still there, but we can reject that faith and walk away. People stop believing every day.

No. You’re actually corrupting 1 Pet. 1:3-5 to fit your works soteriology. It is God who causes the one who believes the gospel of His grace through Jesus Christ to be “born again” TO an imperishable inheritance reserved in heaven for the born again believer, which will be fully revealed in the last times.

As I pointed out, the only way a true believer could possibly lose the inheritance gifted to him is that God Himself would reverse the re-birth. But that ain’t gonna happen. Nor is it ever revealed in Scripture that it will, or ever has.

If we embraced your corrupt interpretation of the words of Peter, it is not the redeemed, born again believer who’s protected by God (as the passage states: “who are protected by the power of God”), but it’s God Himself whom the redeemed, born again believer must be protected against. Your interpretation is perverse.

 

[ryanoneil]

That attitude can spill over into the weaker of the truly faithful, and that concern is expressed in the last clause of the verse: and by it [the root of bitterness] many be defiled.

So are you saying that the “truly faithful” can become defiled? Only someone who is already “washed clean” can become defiled.

Having spoken of those fakers in the Church, the writer concludes the passage with this affirmation of true believers, …we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul (v 39).

No one who has been justified ever becomes unjustified, according to the Lord.

There is no mention of fakers. He is talking to sanctified consecrated christians. You are perverting scripture by suggesting verse 29 is about fakers.

Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace?

 

[ryanoneil]

No. You’re actually corrupting 1 Pet. 1:3-5 to fit your works soteriology. It is God who causes the one who believes the gospel of His grace through Jesus Christ to be “born again” TO an imperishable inheritance reserved in heaven for the born again believer, which will be fully revealed in the last times.

Of course God is the cause.

As I pointed out, the only way a true believer could possibly lose the inheritance gifted to him is that God Himself would reverse the re-birth. But that ain’t gonna happen. Nor is it ever revealed in Scripture that it will, or ever has.

God does not reverse re-birth. People defile themselves afterward.

If we embraced your corrupt interpretation of the words of Peter, it is not the redeemed, born again believer who’s protected by God (as the passage states: “who are protected by the power of God”), but it’s God Himself whom the redeemed, born again believer must be protected against. Your interpretation is perverse.

I’ve said no such thing so stop putting words in my mouth! God protects us through faith. If you throw away the gift of faith it is not God’s fault.

 

[moondweller]

Of course God is the cause.

God does not reverse re-birth. People defile themselves afterward.

I’ve said no such thing so stop putting words in my mouth! God protects us through faith. If you throw away the gift of faith it is not God’s fault.

I’m not putting words in your mouth. You’re adding words (false notions) to the passage. The believer is born again TO an inheritance which will not fade away, reserved in heaven for him. To lose the inheritance would call for a reversal of the rebirth. Simple as that. And you rightly admit that God does not reverse the rebirth. Now, we could argue as to when that rebirth occurs, but we both know that God does not ever reverse it. The rebirth and the inheritance are organically connected because they’re both in/through Christ, in Whom the born again believer is.

 

[jemfinch]

Don’t forget the only two places in the Bible where we see people getting “into Christ”:

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4)

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:27-28)

Jeremy

P.S. I didn’t notice there were multiple pages of this thread; my apologies if I’ve simply repeated what someone else has already posted.

 

[ncgolf]

I’m sure you, a Catholic, agree with SHW’s entire Catholic reasoning that “by faith” means keeping the commandments, loving God and neighbor and keeping one’s self unstained from sin.

I didn’t say those things … Jesus did, so argue with him. Are not loving God and neighbor the 2 greatest commandments. So take it up with the author please.

Yours is a mere profession of faith … no one merely professed their faith … they lived it daily … so faith without the ensuing grace filled actions … is faith but a dead one. Others have posted the relationship of faith and other actions, ad nauseum, but for some reason they don’t apply to you.

IOW, by the works of law all men shall be justified.

There you go again … telling us what we believe … IOW means only your opinion.

Based on his Catholic reasoning the only thing changed from the O.T. to the N.T. is the replacing of circumcision with baptism. But the problem is circumcision and commandment keeping never did save anyone in the O.T. So where does that leave you?

It leaves me with the truth that “all” of Scripture reveals … not some.

Christ’s sacrifice makes Baptism salvic and that is the only reason Baptism does what Catholics say it does. Any other sacrifice in the OT was, while required, was not salvic in it’s practice.

You could not choose to be uncircumcised and still be Jewish … or am I missing something?

Commands by God are commands, regardless of whether they save you or not. The eating of the Lamb and the posting of the blood on the lentils during the first Passover was commanded by God. Could one have chosen not to participate …yes … one could have chosen but the result was death.

You know for someone who has read the Bible … I don’t understand you … I didn’t say it … ok … Jesus did … you must … .and you cannot reconcile your man made Gospel with Christ’s words. So your argument is not with me … argue with the author.

Read Matthew 28:19-20.
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

 

[jemfinch]

The believer is born again TO an inheritance which will not fade away, reserved in heaven for him. To lose the inheritance would call for a reversal of the rebirth.

Esau lost his earthly inheritance without reversing his earthly birth. Why should loss of our spiritual inheritance call for a reversal of our spiritual rebirth?

Simple as that.

"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. "

The rebirth and the inheritance are organically connected because they’re both in/through Christ, in Whom the born again believer is.

"For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. "

Do you deny that these people were reborn? If so, how did they “escape the defilements of the world” without being born again? Is this something that humans can do by their own power without the rebirth God offers?

Do you deny that these people, having been reborn, received an imperishable inheritance? Are there people who are reborn but who were not given at the time of their rebirth the inheritance God promised would accompany their rebirth?

Or do you deny that these people lost their inheritance? If so, how can the end be worse for them than the beginning, if they did not have an imperishable inheritance in heaven at first, but still received that inheritance when they died after being entangled in the defilements of the world?

Jeremy

 

[Howie01]

ryanoneil:

So are you saying that the “truly faithful” can become defiled? Only someone who is already “washed clean” can become defiled.

Yes, by the faker, who is bitter, and hangs about spewing his bitterness. He stays in or near the fellowship and spreads wickedness, doubt, defilement.

To you, the significance of “defilement” is a loss of sonship, a loss of inheritance, a loss of justification, a loss of salvation, a loss, a loss, a loss; it’s all loss with you, it seems.

The justified can be defiled, but they will never be defiled to the loss of the gifts God has given them. They are “protected by God through the faith He has given them.”

One who has been defiled can become undefiled, but on who has been justified, can never become unjustified.

ryanoneil:

There is no mention of fakers. He is talking to sanctified consecrated christians. You are perverting scripture by suggesting verse 29 is about fakers.

Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace?

But is he talking about Christians, at all? That’s the important question.

I think the verse you cite, Heb. 10:29, references Christ (cf Jn 17:19).

Once again, I don’t like your translation. The Greek word used in v 29 is agiadzō, or “sanctify,” not “consecrated,” Gk prothesis.

Your DR, translates it as “sanctified” as well.

 

[johnpaul87]

No, I understand the difference between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ.

Do you?

Maybe you should re-read this scripture.

If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries. Anyone who rejects the law of Moses is put to death without pity on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace? We know the one who said: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” and again: “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:26-31)

This is a call to persevere. He is addressing Jewish converts who are sanctified by the blood of the covenant, and his example is the sin of reverting to the worship of traditional Judaism.

my friend ryan, your prob is that you rely on the law.the law wont save you. it condems you, and me

 

[johnpaul87]

And according to Jesus in the above verse, what are the consequences of not bearing fruit?

What does it mean to be thrown out like a branch into a fire?

hey ben , what do you think that verse means? murder, rape, torture, perversion.who does that sound like? not the boy scouts.lets take a guess

 

[johnpaul87]

Define your “bull’s eye.”

hey moon. the bulls eye is christ and him crucified. in this site, its this that and the other thing. like satan always says…what a pleasure it is to see ones work thrive so well

 

[jean8]

What does it mean to abide “in Christ?”

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Paul tells us that those who are “in Christ Jesus” do not walk according to the flesh and so they are not condemned.

1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”

1 Timothy 2:3-4 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

If we know Him (if we have come to the knowledge of the truth), then we are in Him.

1 John 3:24 “Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

John tells us that the person who keeps God’s commandments abides in Him and He in him. In other words, you must obey the commandments in order to claim that you are abiding “in Him (Christ).”

John 14:21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him”

We “love” Jesus by keeping His commandments. If we keep His commandments, then we will be loved by His Father.

1 John 3:22 “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

We must keep God’s commandments and do those things which are pleasing in His sight if we expect to receive what we ask from Him.

1 John 4:21 “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”

Mark 12:29-31 “Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

We have to love both God and brother (neighbor) in order to be in obedience to His commandments.

1 John 2:3 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”

If we do not keep His commandments, then we do not “know” God.

1 John 2:4 “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

John states that we are liars, if we say that we know Him but we fail to keep His commandments.

What happens to all liars?

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.

In order to know God, and to love God, and to abide in Him, we must keep His commandments.

If we say that we know God but we do not keep His commandments, then we are liars.

If we say that we love God but we do not keep His commandments, then we are liars.

If we say that we abide in Christ but we do not keep His commandments, then we are liars.

If we say that we love God, but we do not love our neighbor, then we do not love God and we are liars.

All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.

Matthew 19:17 “if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

This is not a suggestion; Jesus states that you must obey the commandments if you want to enter eternal life.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power”

It is mandatory to obey God’s commandments (the gospel of Jesus Christ) in order to inherit eternal life. If we do not obey them, then we will be punished with everlasting destruction.

1 John 3:6 “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.”

1 John 2:3-5 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

Pax,
SHW

SHW,
Great passages.
I hope he will read them.

God bless,
jean8

 

[moondweller]

No, I understand the difference between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ. Do you?

Most definitely! But I don’t think you know the fundamental difference between the principle of law and the principle of grace. The latter is what salvation is based on, entirely: “For BY GRACE you have been saved through faith…”

This is a call to persevere. He is addressing Jewish converts who are sanctified by the blood of the covenant, and his example is the sin of reverting to the worship of traditional Judaism.

The Epistle of Hebrews is certainly written to Jewish believers, but that doesn’t mean that all within their fellowships were actual believers. For this reason the Epistle of Hebrews (and all the Epistles) contain warnings addressed to those Jews who are vacillating. It’s no different than what we find in a church fellowship today. That’s why in many evangelical Protestant gatherings it’s never assumed that all who walk through the doors are saved (even if baptized or on the church roster), and therefore a call to receive the Lord by faith is often extended.

Heb 10:26 “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,”

One can receive “the knowledge of the truth” but not enter (cross over) into belief of that truth. The continuous, willful sinning referred to in that verse is the sin of unbelief. And in unbelief, even after receiving the “knowledge of the truth” of the once for all sin sacrifice of God’s unblemished Lamb, they trample under foot the Son of God, and regard as unclean (consider common) the blood of the covenant by which they were sanctified, and insult the Spirit of GRACE.

“Sanctified” here, in context, does not mean “sanctified in Christ” upon believing, but by mere association. As demonstrated in 1 Cor. 7:14 where an unbelieving husband is sanctified by his believing wife (1 Cor. 7:14).

Heb 12:15-16 "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that {there be} no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a {single} meal."But the author of Hebrews is talking to believers. He is warning against people who lead believers away from the Lord. He is warning them not to relinquish their inheritance (like Esau).

Again, you interpret out of context. The writer of Hebrews (probably Paul) is writing to Jews (hence, a Jewish context) whose birthright belongs "the adoption as sons, the glory of the covenants (even the New Covenant), the promises, and the Christ/Messiah according to the flesh (see Rom. 9:1-5).

The writer of Hebrews is talking “birthright” (Gr. prototokia) here, Ryan, not “inheritance” (kleros). Salvation is an inheritance (see Heb. 1:14), not a birthright. The Jews, however, by birthright (since theirs belong the adoption as sons, covenants, promises and the Christ according to the flesh) should naturally enter into salvation through faith in the Person and sacrificial work of their Messiah (the natural branches in Rom. 11), and in so doing inherit all that salvation is: redemption from sin, reconciliation to God, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, justification of righteousness, eternal life in the resurrected Christ, and glorification in a new, resurrected body. But through unbelief they (uniquely: Jews), like Esau, forfeit that birthright.

Gentiles have no birthright but inherit salvation through faith in Christ alone. Jews, of course, inherit salvation through faith alone as well, but, unlike Gentiles, they have a birthright that precedes it. It is this “birthright” that the writer of Hebrews is warning those vacillating Jews, in the midst of their fellowship, not to forfeit - like Esau before them. The passage, contextually, is uniquely Jewish.

As to the inheritance of salvation itself Peter, a Jewish Apostle, writes that the true believer is born again to an inheritance: “imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:1-6). Those who believe already HAVE (possess) the inheritance. What awaits is only the revealing of it in all its glory in the last time. “Last time” is a reference to the second advent of Christ, bodily, to this earth at the end of the age. He brings His saints (holy ones) with Him. Including His church He’s presently building.

 

[SHW]

SHW,
Great passages.
I hope he will read them.

God bless,
jean8

Thanks, Jean,

What some Protestants do not understand is that there is a difference between redemption which is our initial justification/salvation from Original Sin and our inheritance of eternal life which is our final justification/salvation which means that we are found faithful (worthy) of inheriting eternal life at our deaths because we obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are two different things. Redemption gives us hope of inheriting eternal life. It does not guarantee eternal life.

But, first, we must be redeemed in order to have hope of inheriting eternal life.

Ephesians 2:7-9 “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Titus 3:4-6 “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,”

These verses are speaking of our redemption from original sin which is explained in Romans 5.

No works of the Law of Moses and no righteous works could redeem us from Original Sin. It is a gift of grace from God. We can not merit this grace in any way. Only Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on the cross can merit our redemption from Original Sin.

Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

So, these Protestants believe that since Jesus redeemed us by His free gift of grace, then we are saved forever. But this is not so. This redemption gives us hope of inheriting eternal life. It does not give us a guarantee of inheriting eternal life.

After we are redeemed (justified) we have “hope of inheriting eternal life.”

Continuing with Titus 3:7-8 “that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”

We only have hope of inheriting eternal life after our redemption. There is no guarantee of inheriting eternal life. Paul states that we should be careful to maintain good works. This is not just a suggestion. It is a command if we desire to enter eternal life.

Some Protestants also believe that whenever the word “law” is mentioned, it means “all” laws. But this also is not so. There are laws such as those in the “Law of Moses” for worship and for dietary laws, etc., and there is the “Royal Law” which are the commandments which are written in every person’s heart and these Royal Laws are also in Jesus’ New Covenant gospel. The Royal Law of Jesus’ gospel must be obeyed if we desire to enter eternal life.

It is true that the 10 Commandments became part of the Law of Moses but some of these Ten Commandment “laws” were also written on every persons’ heart before the Law of Moses came into effect and they will remain until Jesus returns. We never get out from under the “Royal Law.”

The Royal Law is written in every person’s heart:

Romans 2:14-16 “for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”

The Royal Law is taught by Jesus:

Mark 12:28-32 “Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.”

Jesus explains which commandments (Royal Law) we must keep if we desire to enter eternal life:

Matthew 19:16-19 "Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” … But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

to be continued…

 

[SHW]

Continued:

James 2:8-10 “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”

James states that if we transgress even one of these commandments of the “Royal Law of Jesus’ gospel,” then our punishment is the same as if we had transgressed them all! The reason for his statement is that he is telling us that if we commit just one mortal sin, then we lose our salvation. It does not matter if we kept all of the other commandments. Commit just one mortal sin and salvation is lost.

Romans 6:16 “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience (to God’s commandments/Jesus’ gospel) leading to righteousness?”

1 John 5:16 “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.”

Mortal sins cause the death of the soul (loss of salvation). We can regain our salvation by repenting and confessing, etc.

1 John 5:17 “All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”

Venial sin does not cause the death of the soul. However, unrepented venial sin weakens us and makes it easier for us to sin sins which do lead to mortal sins and these mortal sins cause the death of the soul (loss of salvation).

Jesus’ gospel states that we must obey God’s commandments and we must do good works/produce good fruit in order to inherit eternal life.

Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

1 Peter 1:17-19 “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Peter warns us to conduct our lives in fear, because we will be judged by our works on Judgment Day.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,”

Matthew 7:20-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but** he who does the will of My Father in heaven**. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Ephesians 5:3-7 “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.”

James 2:24 “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

1 John 2:4 “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

Revelation 21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

According to the gospel of Jesus, after our redemption from Original Sin, we must keep God’s commandments in order to inherit eternal life.

Revelation 3:4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”

Pax,
SHW

 

[SHW]

(1 Pet. 1:1-6). Those who believe already HAVE (possess) the inheritance. What awaits is only the revealing of it in all its glory in the last time. “Last time” is a reference to the second advent of Christ, bodily, to this earth at the end of the age. He brings His saints (holy ones) with Him. Including His church He’s presently building.

1 Pet. 1:3-9 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again** to a living hope** through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

We must be found faithful in order to inherit eternal life. We must obey the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to receive the end of our faith – the salvation of our souls. We are protected through faith. If we are not found to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus when we die, then we are not protected “through faith.” We have no real (genuine) faith if we do not obey God’s commandments. Our faith is not genuine unless we do the Father’s will (obey God’s commandments and produce good fruit). Jesus states that if we want to enter eternal life, then we must keep the commandments and we must do His Father’s will. No exceptions:

Matthew 19:16-19 “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 7:20-23 “Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (you who break God’s commandments)!’”

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ in His own Words. Why don’t you believe Jesus?

Paul states that if your faith is not found to be genuine (if you do not obey the gospel of Christ), then you are not saved:

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8** in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ**. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction…”

Paul states that those, who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, are condemned to flaming fire for eternity.

Peter exhorts us to conduct our stay here on earth in fear because we are judged according to our works:

1 Peter 1:16-19 “because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,… 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

There would be no need to conduct our stay here on earth in fear if we could not lose our salvation. There would be no point in being fearful.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.[a] In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”

Paul states that we are not to judge ourselves now. Jesus will judge us according to our works so we must be found faithful when He returns.

Our first justification (redemption from Original Sin by a free gift of grace through faith and baptism “being born again”) is different than our final justification which is based on our faith working through love “works.” We are judged by our works on Judgment Day. Of course, the grace of God still saves us as we can not do any good works without His help.

James 2:24 “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”

 

[sdtouchton]

ABIDING in CHRIST
The most important factor in our walk with Jesus Christ is to abide in him. The more we abide in Christ, the more we will have peace, victory over sin, and be In His Steps. What does it mean to abide in Christ? Let’s first look at the definition for the word abide.

ABIDE:
to wait for
to endure without yielding
to bear patiently
to accept without objection
to remain stable or fixed in a state
to continue in a place
Synonyms: Stay, continue, bear

ABIDING: enduring, continuing

To abide has to do with the concept of ‘being’ instead of ‘doing’. Doing in relation to the Christian walk is: reading your Bible, going to church, praying, witnessing, doing good works, fleeing sin, etc. These are all good things to do as a Christian. These are things we should be doing. If we are not doing these things our walk with God and others will suffer. However, if we are doing these things just because we are suppose to, or we are doing them in our own strength, we will not have victory or peace and miss out in having an intimate relationship with Christ. If we are not careful, we can become works oriented instead of Christ oriented.

To Abide in Christ is to be in the ‘being’ mode. We still are doing the things that God has called us to, but we are doing it in His strength. Abiding in Christ is about having an intimate relationship with Him. The relationship is more important than the things we do or don’t do. The more we are abiding in Him, the more we will be faithul. We will hear His voice clearer, not be works oriented, and have more peace in our life. To abide is to experience His presence.

Let’s explore the definition of abide:

To wait for-We as Christians need to spend much more time waiting on God. By this we mean spending time with God, seeking His will, not jumping ahead of Him.

To endure without yielding-To be determined to experience God’s presence.

To bear patiently-To abide in Christ when we don’t feel like it. To be patient waiting for God to reveal His will and Himself.

To continue in a place-We need to spend more time, staying in His presence.

If we are abiding in Christ, we can be assured that we will walk IN HIS STEPS.

 

[moondweller]

ABIDING in CHRIST
The most important factor in our walk with Jesus Christ is to abide in him. The more we abide in Christ, the more we will have peace, victory over sin, and be In His Steps. What does it mean to abide in Christ? Let’s first look at the definition for the word abide.

ABIDE:
to wait for
to endure without yielding
to bear patiently
to accept without objection
to remain stable or fixed in a state
to continue in a place
Synonyms: Stay, continue, bear

ABIDING: enduring, continuing

To abide has to do with the concept of ‘being’ instead of ‘doing’. Doing in relation to the Christian walk is: reading your Bible, going to church, praying, witnessing, doing good works, fleeing sin, etc. These are all good things to do as a Christian. These are things we should be doing. If we are not doing these things our walk with God and others will suffer. However, if we are doing these things just because we are suppose to, or we are doing them in our own strength, we will not have victory or peace and miss out in having an intimate relationship with Christ. If we are not careful, we can become works oriented instead of Christ oriented.

To Abide in Christ is to be in the ‘being’ mode. We still are doing the things that God has called us to, but we are doing it in His strength. Abiding in Christ is about having an intimate relationship with Him. The relationship is more important than the things we do or don’t do. The more we are abiding in Him, the more we will be faithul. We will hear His voice clearer, not be works oriented, and have more peace in our life. To abide is to experience His presence.

Let’s explore the definition of abide:

To wait for-We as Christians need to spend much more time waiting on God. By this we mean spending time with God, seeking His will, not jumping ahead of Him.

To endure without yielding-To be determined to experience God’s presence.

To bear patiently-To abide in Christ when we don’t feel like it. To be patient waiting for God to reveal His will and Himself.

To continue in a place-We need to spend more time, staying in His presence.

If we are abiding in Christ, we can be assured that we will walk IN HIS STEPS.

Very good! “Abiding” in Christ is volitional on the believer’s part for the purpose of fruit bearing. The believer’s eternal position “in Christ,” however, is God’s doing at the time of belief in Him:1 Cor 1:30-31 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

 

[moondweller]

Our first justification (redemption from Original Sin by a free gift of grace through faith and baptism “being born again”) is different than our final justification which is based on our faith working through love “works.” We are judged by our works on Judgment Day. Of course, the grace of God still saves us as we can not do any good works without His help.

The problem with this is “justification” is not “redemption.” They’re two different things. Redemption means to purchase. It has to do with the believer having been purchased out of the slave market of sin. The price paid was the shed blood of Jesus Christ.1 Pet 1:18-19 “…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, {the blood} of Christ.”

1 Cor 6:20 "For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Rev 5:9 "And they *sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood {men} from every tribe and tongue and people and nation."Justification means to declare, reckon, credit righteousness.Rom 4:5-6 "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works."Both redemption and justification are stated as accomplished facts for the believer. Scripture doesn’t recognize the idea of “initial” justification or “initial” salvation. And redemption is not restricted to “original sin,” but the believer is redeemed from sin itself since Christ bore ALL our sins (plural) on the cross (1 Pet. 2:24; Col. 2:13-14; cf. Is. 53:5, 6, 11).

We are judged by our works on Judgment Day

Jesus said:John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but **has **passed out of death into life.The believer’s labors (works) while in this body will be appraised and rewarded accordingly (1 Cor. 3:10-15), but the believer himself does not come into judgment, but has already passed out of death into life (in Christ resurrected).