Not By Works

[FollowHisSteps]

I am a gentile. I wasn't raised according to mosaic law and never was circumcised. I was in my mid 20's when I heard the Good News. I live according to the new covenant and read the new testament first. I see no reason to go back. I fell in love with God and try to obey him because I want to please him and because I respect him.

Like any child I need to be chastised on occasion but I do not weep long. I know he loves me and will not abandon me. My Father is the king of the Universe!

Praise the Lord brother. I am a gentile also.
My question was the point below

What do you think Paul meant by the law of the Spirit?

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Gal 5:18

through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:2

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
1 Cor 9:21

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:2

Law by itself appears to be a summary reference for the full Mosaic law, but the law of the Spirit, or
the law of Christ, is following love, as this is the foundation of the law and the prophets.

Freedom then becomes freedom from rituals and ceremonies, sabbaths, the shadow of that
which is fulfilled in Christ, but not the changed heart expressing the fruit of the Spirit.
But this image is not so much as obedience but what one has become through repentance
and faith and walking in His ways.

God bless you

 

[calibob]

Praise the Lord brother. I am a gentile also.
My question was the point below

What do you think Paul meant by the law of the Spirit?

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Gal 5:18

through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:2

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
1 Cor 9:21

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:2

Law by itself appears to be a summary reference for the full Mosaic law, but the law of the Spirit, or
the law of Christ, is following love, as this is the foundation of the law and the prophets.

Freedom then becomes freedom from rituals and ceremonies, sabbaths, the shadow of that
which is fulfilled in Christ, but not the changed heart expressing the fruit of the Spirit.
But this image is not so much as obedience but what one has become through repentance
and faith and walking in His ways.

God bless you

In a word law of the spirit is Love. First for God then it's a tie between others and ourselves. Not in a narcistic way but as equals. We are no better than others and should expect no better treatment. Love is the first fruit of the Holy Spirit. Not tongues, prophecy, discernment or the word of knowledge. Without love we are empty vessels. Love never fails!

 

[blue_ladybug]

Ever had this happen? LOL

 

[FollowHisSteps]

In a word law of the spirit is Love. First for God then it's a tie between others and ourselves. Not in a narcistic way but as equals. We are no better than others and should expect no better treatment. Love is the first fruit of the Holy Spirit. Not tongues, prophecy, discernment or the word of knowledge. Without love we are empty vessels. Love never fails!

Amen.
What grieves me is when some think love in Christ is just empty, or heresy, or a sugar coated gospel.
I have concluded that love defines how open our hearts are, and how deeply Jesus has
been able to reach in and change us, help us to lay down our defences and become vulnerable.

Jesus's criticism of the pharisees was their hearts. They had missed justice, mercy and faithfulness,
all things that speak of love for others, desiring the right outcomes, and forgiving people in their
weakness.

It is easy for me on the inside to say what Jesus has done in my life, much harder to see how others responses
testify to what has happened in them with the Lord. It often explains why they do things I would not
touch, or say things I would not go near. And not because I could not, but because it would hurt me.

I have grown in my understanding of unbelief. If one says salvation is just being saved, without the
change within and the reality showing without, there is probably a closed heart, fully defended and
willing to stand against repentance and righteous walking. It makes more sense purely because just
a few words cause an explosion of response, when it should have just been brotherly and sisterly
embracing.

And as can be seen, this emotional interplay is not restricted to any one part of our walk.
We all need to be careful of how we respond and to take everything to the cross and Jesus.

God bless you brother.

 

[UnderGrace]

Hi UG, who am I talking to? Not someone who is echoes the verses below.

Thank you for the compliment. Yes I know you are far, far holier than the rest of us.

You are the one who made this statement about sin, so obviously in your doctrine the cleansing is not really cleansing if one sins, therefore one must work at being sinless to stay clean.

So basically the righteousness of Jesus is insufficient.

"It is breaking the relationship and bringing death into the situation.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

Thank you for the compliment. Yes I know you are far, far holier than the rest of us.
You are the one who made this statement about sin, so obviously in your doctrine the cleansing is not really cleansing if one sins, therefore one must work at being sinless to stay clean.
So basically the righteousness of Jesus is insufficient.
"It is breaking the relationship and bringing death into the situation.

Hi UG,

Admitting sin and repenting and walking in Jesus's ways is the fulfilment of our faith.
Then language that says sin can abide, but Jesus has forgiven it, so it is ok, is absurd.

It is like saying I am holding a hand grenade, pulled the pin and it will explode but that
will not hurt me, because to say it does is denying I need to listen to safety instructions
on how to handle grenades.

Sin kills, God hates it. Abide in sin, and judgement will fall.
If you gave a live grenade to a child would you be a good or bad parent?

Being Holy is our calling, but it appears not for some.
Where the mockery starts is everyone knows playing the sinners game, and excusing sin.
And it leads to one place, judgement. Those who listen to Jesus, know this.

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
2 Cor 6:14-16

If we are righteousness, the temple of God, there is no place for compromise with sin.
And those who have compromised simply declare where they are. Repent and find
the living God.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

Thank you for the compliment. Yes I know you are far, far holier than the rest of us.
You are the one who made this statement about sin, so obviously in your doctrine the cleansing is not really cleansing if one sins, therefore one must work at being sinless to stay clean.
So basically the righteousness of Jesus is insufficient.
"It is breaking the relationship and bringing death into the situation.

Yes I know you are far, far holier than the rest of us.

I am no more holier than any other cleansed, redeemed saint who walks with Jesus.
Behind the words "holier" is always a deep hurt about failure and self condemnation.

A lot of women suffer from worry and stress, with perfectionism condemning everything
they do. But this is not God and His peace or acceptance, but ones own expectations and
insecurities. I guarantee most are politer, more sensitive, more able to empathise than
me, yet their own lack of confidence and knowing Jesus embraces and loves them, it is
a pool of despair and helplessness.

Often those most talented, and aware of what could be done, condemn themselves.
A lot of this could be dealt with if people shared more and reached out and cared
more about each other at a deeper level.

Hearing the Holy Spirit talking is an important step to knowing what is the Lord and
what is our own paranoia.

God bless you sister.

 

[star]

Amen Star....the underlying theme of Philippians is joy......a very good book.....keep swinging...appreciate your stance and input....

Thanks. It is my pleasure to add what little I have.

 

[UnderGrace]

Behind the words "holier" is always a deep hurt about failure and self condemnation.

I would say my statement speaks the fact that I give all glory to Jesus and not myself and my self effort, like you trying to follow in the steps of someone who has already accomplished what He came to accomplish

All your posts are about you becoming like Jesus, climbing a stairway to enlightment, perfection

Scripture states otherwise.
New International Version
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:11, states “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

fait accompli

 

[FollowHisSteps]

I would say my statement speaks the fact that I give all glory to Jesus and not myself and my self effort, like you trying to follow in the steps of someone who has already accomplished what He came to accomplish

All your posts are about you becoming like Jesus, climbing a stairway to enlightment, perfection

Scripture states otherwise.
New International Version
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 6:11, states “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

fait accompli

Here is a simple a simple answer.
You are either like Jesus or you are lost.
If you are not like Jesus there is a walk, a place of change, transformation and growth.

If you believe scripture says there is nothing more than believe and you are in heaven,
I understand that is a view some hold to.

My heart worries for you, that you are proud of where you stand, because you see though
you are as you are, nothing else is required. Even pointing to Jesus is an optional extra.

If you knew the damage sin does to peoples lives, you would want to be as clean and pure
as you could be, because such damage destroys all who it touches.

I am though talking to someone who sees nothing in the deadliness of sin.
If you understood the law, you would know what sin is and how it damages us, but anything
spiritual or communion with Jesus is just an optional extra.

 

[UnderGrace]

You are either like Jesus or you are lost.

How "like" do we have to be, to be "like" Jesus and not be lost???



FHS stated...
This is an interesting view. Sin is not just being out of step with Jesus.
It is breaking the relationship and bringing death into the situation.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Jesus at his baptism, was so perfect and without sin, The man of God who was filled with the Holy Spirit before birth claimed he should be the one being baptised by Jesus not the other way around

Jesus, at his baptism, was told by the father that this was his son

Jesus never broke one command of God, He is the ONLY man to ever accomplish this feat (adam and eve lived this condition up and until the day they sinned. No one has since

Jesus never thought of himself. He always, even when he was without strength Served others, and put their needs above his own. Even sternly telling his disciples one time they were rong, when he said he was weak and had to eat

Jesus withstood temptation from satan directly for up to 40 days, and fasting the whole time

Jesus lived his whle life, and never broke one command, Thus fulfiling the requirement of the law that we all are tasked with doing, Anyone who fails is under a curse as paul said

Jesus never spoke a word against his accusers. And he never thught of defending or protecting himself

Jesus showed perfect love until the end, Giving his life as an innocent for the life of many

Jesus healed the blind, made the lame walk, Caused the deaf to hear. And even raised a man from the dead

If we need to be like jesus to be saved

We are ALL doomed.

Because there is not a soul alive who is like Jesus.

 

[Magenta]

Here is a simple a simple answer. You are either like Jesus or you are lost. If you are not like Jesus there is a walk, a place of change, transformation and growth. If you believe scripture says there is nothing more than believe and you are in heaven, I understand that is a view some hold to. My heart worries for you, that you are proud of where you stand, because you see though you are as you are, nothing else is required.
Even pointing to Jesus is an optional extra.

If you knew the damage sin does to peoples lives, you would want to be as clean and pure
as you could be, because such damage destroys all who it touches.

I am though talking to someone who sees nothing in the deadliness of sin.
If you understood the law, you would know what sin is and how it damages us, but anything
spiritual or communion with Jesus is just an optional extra.

Pointing to Jesus is what UG just did, and does continually, as do others here whom you oppose

 

[FollowHisSteps]

How "like" do we have to be, to be "like" Jesus and not be lost???

FHS stated...
This is an interesting view. Sin is not just being out of step with Jesus.
It is breaking the relationship and bringing death into the situation.

If one has no desire to aim at transformation and change, one is standing judged as one is.
I suspect without an open heart, walking towards the ways of Christ, the Lord cannot do anything
that will not just destroy us.

There is a tension between our walk and our openness and what will last to eternity and that which
will be burnt up. If one has closed the door, eternal change on the last day cannot take place.
Faith expressed in the belief He will change us, is the door that must be open.

Paul was concerned about bringing those who he had helped bring to faith might be disqualified
because they no longer held to faith, or put into effect the teaching they had been given.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing,
15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
16 as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing.
Philippians 2:14-16

 

[gb9]

remember, followingpeterjenstep's does NOT recognize the actual definition of sin.

it is easy to say " I am like Jesus " when you ignore the things that make us not like Jesus.

those of us who live in reality understand what sin really is.

those who live in a fantasy world where they think their emotions and feelings determine reality can make themselves believe whatever they want.

 

[FollowHisSteps]

remember, FollowHisStep's does NOT recognize the actual definition of sin.
it is easy to say " I am like Jesus " when you ignore the things that make us not like Jesus.
those of us who live in reality understand what sin really is.
those who live in a fantasy world where they think their emotions and feelings determine reality can make themselves believe whatever they want.

Whoever defines sin above Gods commands and decrees is just a condemner and follower of
the accuser of God's people. Listen to Paul and Peter who know we are a Holy People, not
as the unbelievers would claim who do not understand love or the law of the Spirit.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
1 Thessalonians 4:7

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15-16

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Ephesians 5:1-5

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Tim 2:22

8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time
2 Timothy 1:8-9

It is no small thing to accuse people of sin, worthy of judgement at the great White Throne,
while they cannot specify what it is or how His people can walk without being in sin.

It is extremely unwise to accuse people of sin which is a lie and not in scripture and claim
they are speaking from God and His word. What God has made clean, who are you to declare
unclean.

 

[UnderGrace]

So now we have three trolls at once???

 

[eternally-gratefull]

So now we have three trolls at once???

????

 

[dcontroversal]

YourTruthGod, I have just two questions:

1. Is salvation free?

2. As sin is transgression of the Law, how much of the Law are we to obey to stay saved?

He is gone migo......

 

[dcontroversal]

No! it wasn't free. The old law was fulfilled on the cross. We are no longer under bondage to it. Christ died once for all. We are now supposed to serve him.

The gift of God indicates free on our part.....yes the price was high....Jesus paid it on our behalf....amd then by grace through faith GIFTS salvation to us......