Thank you for the reply I believe focusing on the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. What about the part that says those who do such things won't inherit the kingdom of God? Do you take that to mean only those who do not receive Jesus, or those believers who persist in it? Because Paul says be not deceived, highlighting this is important for us to know. Or maybe you take it to mean inherit the Kingdom as in: Inherit the millennial kingdom (If you are premillennial.
Am I right on any of these guesses?
Have a great time whatever you are going to do, it is Christmas season after all.
I believe there is a difference.
A difference between those who persist in it and don't care two hoots and those persist in it yet hate hate it.
Let's look at the issue of alcohol and getting drunk.
Those who claim to be a believer.
A person who drinks to get drunk and does not give two hoots. It's good to get drunk and doesn't care about the consequences. Well questions should be asked. Why?
If they say "Its ok I can do it and it's covered" I wouldn't question salvation but if they maintain that stance then leave them to it.
Yet if a person drinks to get drunk and hates it and asks God for help to stop it then for me it's different. The questions would be different.
I walk with people in our church, it's part of my ministry.
I would seek to dig deeper.
Try to get to know the cause of the effect.
As a person who had a severe gambling problem and also slept around there was a reason. A cause of the effect. I hated it with a passion.
Tried harder not to do it.
Was told when I sought help "Bible says don't do so don't"
Stupid advice to give. If I could have stopped then why did I need to seek help to stop?
After all I prayed all the time for help, begged and implored God to help me stop.
When a mature Christian came alongside me and digged deeper the cause of the effect was I see identified and prayed through.
This needed healing and willingness to forgive.
Healing from sexual abuse, being rejected and thrown out at 14 by mother.
Fostered by a Christian family and being sexually abused by my foster dad.
So yes I believe that a believer can struggle with stuff like addiction, gossip and sexual immorality and lying.
But if they do they will hate it, in fact they may even accept it and still hate it.
They may even get to the stage I did and asked God to kill me so I knew where I was going.
But as brothers and sisters we must seek out and understand what's going on.
The following breaks my heart. Even now as I type this I have tears in my eyes.
I ask everyone I am given to walk with this question.
"Do you know that God loves you as much as he loves Jesus?
99% of those say "No"
When I tell them he does and quote the verse Jesus says it, they reject it.
They are not worthy, they are dirty rotten sinners and will never be good enough.
That is heartbreaking.
Jesus came for the broken hearted, the bruised Reed he wants to heal, the heavy laden, the dirty sinner.
We can be deceived that in fact it's not true. That God does not love us unless we conform. Is that true?
I want to see people released to be the kids he loves, know he loves them and want to be his kids and be secure in that and as a result want to be like him.
With regards to the 'ennial' things I have no idea along with pre/post and the others.
God bless.
Had a great time out.
Going to bed now.
God bless the rest of the day for you.