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Not By Works
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Eternal life also has refers to the quality of being.
you will “partake in the Divine Life that God possesses“: 2 Peter 1: 4.
Partaking of this "quality of life" starts here on earth where saved is saved.
I pray you come to understand this.
you will “partake in the Divine Life that God possesses“: 2 Peter 1: 4.
Partaking of this "quality of life" starts here on earth where saved is saved.
I pray you come to understand this.
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Read this brief article... but read it carefully (taking note of the words used):
https://bibletruthpublishers.com/he...wilson/correspondence/unknown-author/la148432
https://bibletruthpublishers.com/he...wilson/correspondence/unknown-author/la148432
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While I agree with this
This one "better" sacrifice had forever perfected the true believer. It would never be repeated, and never would need to be.
There are two options either grace does not outbound sin (completely false) or the person was not a believer. Stating they were not believers causes more problems than it solves.
I do not agree that the non believer is in view at all. Since many saints committed willful sin>>> David.
We must understand the concept of "willful sin" within the Hebrew mindset not our modern age view.
Under the levitical system the sacrifices are for sins that were committed in ignorance (since the law was so complex, many people transgressed the law without recognizing it until later), and for regaining purity after something in life caused uncleanness.
It is right here in the letter.... Hebrews definitely must not be spliced and diced.
Hebrews 9:7, NIV: "But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance."
This one "better" sacrifice had forever perfected the true believer. It would never be repeated, and never would need to be.
There are two options either grace does not outbound sin (completely false) or the person was not a believer. Stating they were not believers causes more problems than it solves.
I do not agree that the non believer is in view at all. Since many saints committed willful sin>>> David.
We must understand the concept of "willful sin" within the Hebrew mindset not our modern age view.
Under the levitical system the sacrifices are for sins that were committed in ignorance (since the law was so complex, many people transgressed the law without recognizing it until later), and for regaining purity after something in life caused uncleanness.
It is right here in the letter.... Hebrews definitely must not be spliced and diced.
Hebrews 9:7, NIV: "But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance."
Let me Try to be the Peacemaker between Warring Parties.
Yes, some have NEVER come KNOW HIM or be Born Again, so to them I offer encouragement BE BORN AGAIN. It is REAL, it is comes after a serious deep mourning of your utter sinfulness, and a willing surrender to JESUS OUT OF PURE AGAPE LOVE, receiving HIM as LORD, which is Master of your life. No that is Not Works Righteousness, IT IS A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Psalm 51:17 (NCV) New Century Version
17 The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.
If you have never felt that broken heart and genuine sorrow for your utter SINFULNESS, it is time you do? I Cried like a baby, mourning my sinfulness for 2 to 3 hours. It could be longer or shorter, but that tremendous grief will be there. I believe the HOLY SPIRIT convicts us of our sinfulness, and HE will be with us through the whole Process.
Born Again is something that Happens in your Human Spirit, deep down in your Heart. It involves a willing Surrender to HIM, receiving HIM as LORD, master of your life. If your FAITH is just in your Head, that is not what I am talking about, even the Demons have that kind of Faith. IT HAS TO COME FROM DEEP WITHIN YOUR HEART.
Romans 10:8-11 (NASB)
8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
9 that if you confess [.Absolutely has happen in the heart first, before it can be said as a Confession, or it is only a profession.]
with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
Romans 5:5 (NASB)
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Notice the similarity between Rom. 10:11 and Rom. 5:5 ? I believe that is on purpose because it happens at the same time.
John 3:6-7 (NASB)
6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
So the human spirit was once dead, because of Adam's SIN inherited, but is made Eternally ALIVE by the Holy Spirit. That is Born Again.
Colossians 2:13 (NCV)
13 When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins.
1 Corinthians 12:3 (NCV)
3 So I want you to understand that no one who is speaking with the help of God’s Spirit says, “Jesus be cursed.“ And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,“ [as a Confession,] without the help of the Holy Spirit.
I Hope and Pray that everyone who reads this who was not SAVED YET, will follow this instructions and become BORN AGAIN.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (HCSB)
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Yes, some have NEVER come KNOW HIM or be Born Again, so to them I offer encouragement BE BORN AGAIN. It is REAL, it is comes after a serious deep mourning of your utter sinfulness, and a willing surrender to JESUS OUT OF PURE AGAPE LOVE, receiving HIM as LORD, which is Master of your life. No that is Not Works Righteousness, IT IS A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Psalm 51:17 (NCV) New Century Version
17 The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.
If you have never felt that broken heart and genuine sorrow for your utter SINFULNESS, it is time you do? I Cried like a baby, mourning my sinfulness for 2 to 3 hours. It could be longer or shorter, but that tremendous grief will be there. I believe the HOLY SPIRIT convicts us of our sinfulness, and HE will be with us through the whole Process.
Born Again is something that Happens in your Human Spirit, deep down in your Heart. It involves a willing Surrender to HIM, receiving HIM as LORD, master of your life. If your FAITH is just in your Head, that is not what I am talking about, even the Demons have that kind of Faith. IT HAS TO COME FROM DEEP WITHIN YOUR HEART.
Romans 10:8-11 (NASB)
8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
9 that if you confess [.Absolutely has happen in the heart first, before it can be said as a Confession, or it is only a profession.]
with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
Romans 5:5 (NASB)
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Notice the similarity between Rom. 10:11 and Rom. 5:5 ? I believe that is on purpose because it happens at the same time.
John 3:6-7 (NASB)
6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
So the human spirit was once dead, because of Adam's SIN inherited, but is made Eternally ALIVE by the Holy Spirit. That is Born Again.
Colossians 2:13 (NCV)
13 When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins.
1 Corinthians 12:3 (NCV)
3 So I want you to understand that no one who is speaking with the help of God’s Spirit says, “Jesus be cursed.“ And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,“ [as a Confession,] without the help of the Holy Spirit.
I Hope and Pray that everyone who reads this who was not SAVED YET, will follow this instructions and become BORN AGAIN.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (HCSB)
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
I'm not suggesting that every reader [/hearer] of the epistle was a "non believer"...
Consider the following way Gaebelein expresses it:
[quoting]
Gaebelein -
Hebrews 10:26-31
A solemn warning is now once more added. It warns against deliberate apostasy of those who have known the truth (though not regenerated). They are enemies, adversaries and for such wilful going astray there remaineth no longer any sacrifice for sins “but a certain fearful looking for judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” This was the great danger for these Hebrews who had professed faith in Christ, yet lingered around the levitical institutions as the temple with its worship was still standing. If they renounced the truth of Christianity by turning back to Judaism they trampled under foot the Son of God and counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith they were sanctified an unholy thing; for such horrible, deliberate contempt there was no repentance and no remedy. They cannot escape judgment. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God-- He who hath said “Vengeance is mine, I will recompense.”
(“Observe here the way in which sanctification is attributed to the blood; and, also, that professors are treated as belonging to the people. The blood received by faith, consecrates the soul to God; but it is here viewed also as an outward means for setting apart the people as a people. Every individual who had owned Jesus to be the Messiah, and the blood to be the seal and foundation of an everlasting covenant available for eternal cleansing and redemption on the part of God, acknowledging himself to be set apart for God, by this means, as one of the people--every such individual would, if he renounced it, renounce it as such; and there was no other way of sanctifying him. The former system had evidently lost its power for him, and the true one he had abandoned. This is the reason why it is said, ‘having received the knowledge of the truth’” Synopsis of the Bible.)
--Gaebelein; https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gaebelein/hebrews/10.htm
[end quoting]
Thoughts?
Consider the following way Gaebelein expresses it:
[quoting]
Gaebelein -
Hebrews 10:26-31
A solemn warning is now once more added. It warns against deliberate apostasy of those who have known the truth (though not regenerated). They are enemies, adversaries and for such wilful going astray there remaineth no longer any sacrifice for sins “but a certain fearful looking for judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” This was the great danger for these Hebrews who had professed faith in Christ, yet lingered around the levitical institutions as the temple with its worship was still standing. If they renounced the truth of Christianity by turning back to Judaism they trampled under foot the Son of God and counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith they were sanctified an unholy thing; for such horrible, deliberate contempt there was no repentance and no remedy. They cannot escape judgment. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God-- He who hath said “Vengeance is mine, I will recompense.”
(“Observe here the way in which sanctification is attributed to the blood; and, also, that professors are treated as belonging to the people. The blood received by faith, consecrates the soul to God; but it is here viewed also as an outward means for setting apart the people as a people. Every individual who had owned Jesus to be the Messiah, and the blood to be the seal and foundation of an everlasting covenant available for eternal cleansing and redemption on the part of God, acknowledging himself to be set apart for God, by this means, as one of the people--every such individual would, if he renounced it, renounce it as such; and there was no other way of sanctifying him. The former system had evidently lost its power for him, and the true one he had abandoned. This is the reason why it is said, ‘having received the knowledge of the truth’” Synopsis of the Bible.)
--Gaebelein; https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gaebelein/hebrews/10.htm
[end quoting]
Thoughts?
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^ "professor" does not equal "a saved individual"
… and here [for an example of "sanctified" in connection with "unbelievers"... this does not mean they are "saved"]:
"14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise, your children are unclean; but now they are holy." - 1 Corinthians 7:14
… and here [for an example of "sanctified" in connection with "unbelievers"... this does not mean they are "saved"]:
"14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise, your children are unclean; but now they are holy." - 1 Corinthians 7:14
This is not an official commentary. In fact its author unknown. Its no different that copy pasting a user submission from a thread here. No, we want to see a mainstream commentary.
Let me rip into the giant leaps this unknown author is making: And I quote from him/her: (Red excerpts from the article)
"Large numbers of them turned to the Lord from the rituals of Judaism (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:7; 21: _ 20), but some of them, because there was no reality in their profession, were in constant danger of apostatizing. "
Whaaat?? No reality of their profession? Absolutely no evidence is given for this massive statement. But the author here has to introduce this lie in order to build case.
Then this Unknown author contradicts himself in the very same sentence. These (for whom there was no reality in their profession) now are in danger of apostacizing? LOL. And LOL again. Apostacising from WHAT?
Then the very next sentence:
The Apostle treated them all as real, but supposed that some might turn back, and consequently gave solemn words of warning.
Now you cant have your cake and eat it. You can't play both sides of the fence. The Apostle treated them as real but supposed that some might turn back...….Are we talking about the HOLY SCRIPTURES INSPIRED BY GOD? NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SUPPOSITIONS? After disingenuously stating that these were "not really believers", he moves onto "assumptions that they are" and proceeds to warn these people who are not believers as if they were believers.
If a professor of faith in Christ would, after coming to that objective knowledge, turn back, there would be no more sacrifice for sins. His case would then be hopeless; he would have forsaken what he had learned (intellectually at least, we do not say in reality) was the only suitable sacrifice before God.
So the NON-BELIEVER (this "professor of the faith"), should he come to this knowledge, turn back (from a faith they never really had), then this would be effectively the unforgiveable sin. ----- AS OPPOSED TO conventional wisdom that a REAL BELIEVER turning away would be committing the unforgiveable sin (a much more reasonable proposal considering the gravity of these two scenarios).
Such a one turning back would prove that he was never saved at all, and in turning back he would be going on willfully in sin.
Turning back from WHAT? How could he turn back from anything if he/she was never there in the first place
The being sanctified by blood mentioned in verse 29 is an outward separation which may or may not be real.
Another MASSIVE/GIANT LEAP. The bible says they WERE SANCTIFIED, and this chap (Mr Unknown) says it "may or may not be real". Directly contradicting the word of God. Because he needs you to make this leap because if you don't his/her case falls completely apart. The Unknown author needs to steer the reader away from the fact that the bible says this was a sanctified believer. Because the author cannot admit that believers can fall away. So this author diminishes the word and meaning of sanctification. Because IN REALITY, only believers could be sanctified by Christ. This is not some case of an unbelieving husband being sanctified by a believing wife. None of this passage points to this.
Some of the most bitter enemies of Christ and the gospel were once professors, yes, even preachers of the gospel.
This unknown author now looks to the reality of people who have fallen away from the faith who are now bitter enemies of Christ. Yes, we already know that APOSTATES become such enemies. But because you have been as a horse led to the water through all of these false assertions up to now, YOUR ONLY CONCLUSION is that these people could never have been believers at any stage. Which introduces a complexity for the Mr Unkown. He/She has introduced a dual stage conversion. In other words you don't know if you are converted at confession of Christ (because these people mentioned above had done so in their lives at some stage). They fell away. So if they fall away they were "never with us". Therefor all OSASSERS never know if they are saved even though they think they are saved, becasue they too could fall away like the group of preachers mentioned in this article. The can of worms in this theory is now wide open.
There is hope that a mere lifeless professor of Christ may at some time turn to God in true repentance, and with living faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, but if he abandons that outward profession and denies either His Person or the value of His atoning work it is apostasy. Therefore let all professors take heed to the words of warning. It is indeed solemn to trample under foot the Son of God and to do despite (to insult) to the Spirit of grace—and all the worse because it is the Spirit of GRACE.
THEN AFTER ALL OF THAT, Mr Unknown summarises the whole article with the above passage. A mere lifeless professor turning to God in True repentance and living faith - but who then abandons this - then this is apostasy. WHAAATTT? After an entire article written saying the opposite of this. The above article says he could not be a true believer, but in the summary it says he can (true repentance and a living faith). This Mr Unknown is a VERY CONFUSED INDIVIDUAL.
Let me rip into the giant leaps this unknown author is making: And I quote from him/her: (Red excerpts from the article)
"Large numbers of them turned to the Lord from the rituals of Judaism (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 6:7; 21: _ 20), but some of them, because there was no reality in their profession, were in constant danger of apostatizing. "
Whaaat?? No reality of their profession? Absolutely no evidence is given for this massive statement. But the author here has to introduce this lie in order to build case.
Then this Unknown author contradicts himself in the very same sentence. These (for whom there was no reality in their profession) now are in danger of apostacizing? LOL. And LOL again. Apostacising from WHAT?
Then the very next sentence:
The Apostle treated them all as real, but supposed that some might turn back, and consequently gave solemn words of warning.
Now you cant have your cake and eat it. You can't play both sides of the fence. The Apostle treated them as real but supposed that some might turn back...….Are we talking about the HOLY SCRIPTURES INSPIRED BY GOD? NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SUPPOSITIONS? After disingenuously stating that these were "not really believers", he moves onto "assumptions that they are" and proceeds to warn these people who are not believers as if they were believers.
If a professor of faith in Christ would, after coming to that objective knowledge, turn back, there would be no more sacrifice for sins. His case would then be hopeless; he would have forsaken what he had learned (intellectually at least, we do not say in reality) was the only suitable sacrifice before God.
So the NON-BELIEVER (this "professor of the faith"), should he come to this knowledge, turn back (from a faith they never really had), then this would be effectively the unforgiveable sin. ----- AS OPPOSED TO conventional wisdom that a REAL BELIEVER turning away would be committing the unforgiveable sin (a much more reasonable proposal considering the gravity of these two scenarios).
Such a one turning back would prove that he was never saved at all, and in turning back he would be going on willfully in sin.
Turning back from WHAT? How could he turn back from anything if he/she was never there in the first place
The being sanctified by blood mentioned in verse 29 is an outward separation which may or may not be real.
Another MASSIVE/GIANT LEAP. The bible says they WERE SANCTIFIED, and this chap (Mr Unknown) says it "may or may not be real". Directly contradicting the word of God. Because he needs you to make this leap because if you don't his/her case falls completely apart. The Unknown author needs to steer the reader away from the fact that the bible says this was a sanctified believer. Because the author cannot admit that believers can fall away. So this author diminishes the word and meaning of sanctification. Because IN REALITY, only believers could be sanctified by Christ. This is not some case of an unbelieving husband being sanctified by a believing wife. None of this passage points to this.
Some of the most bitter enemies of Christ and the gospel were once professors, yes, even preachers of the gospel.
This unknown author now looks to the reality of people who have fallen away from the faith who are now bitter enemies of Christ. Yes, we already know that APOSTATES become such enemies. But because you have been as a horse led to the water through all of these false assertions up to now, YOUR ONLY CONCLUSION is that these people could never have been believers at any stage. Which introduces a complexity for the Mr Unkown. He/She has introduced a dual stage conversion. In other words you don't know if you are converted at confession of Christ (because these people mentioned above had done so in their lives at some stage). They fell away. So if they fall away they were "never with us". Therefor all OSASSERS never know if they are saved even though they think they are saved, becasue they too could fall away like the group of preachers mentioned in this article. The can of worms in this theory is now wide open.
There is hope that a mere lifeless professor of Christ may at some time turn to God in true repentance, and with living faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, but if he abandons that outward profession and denies either His Person or the value of His atoning work it is apostasy. Therefore let all professors take heed to the words of warning. It is indeed solemn to trample under foot the Son of God and to do despite (to insult) to the Spirit of grace—and all the worse because it is the Spirit of GRACE.
THEN AFTER ALL OF THAT, Mr Unknown summarises the whole article with the above passage. A mere lifeless professor turning to God in True repentance and living faith - but who then abandons this - then this is apostasy. WHAAATTT? After an entire article written saying the opposite of this. The above article says he could not be a true believer, but in the summary it says he can (true repentance and a living faith). This Mr Unknown is a VERY CONFUSED INDIVIDUAL.
Interesting description you are giving, "Divine life". Where are you coming from, super charismatic, wow soaked in the spirit, or deep bible study, talking the word, or praise and worship in ones time alone with God? A few sentences on a forum barely convey such variations. And the transformed life of Christ I live every day, so I wonder at your expectations, not knowing much about me or my spiritual walk.
All this is founded on is a few verse interactions. Imagine if our whole salvation was based on such things? Real messed up.
All this is founded on is a few verse interactions. Imagine if our whole salvation was based on such things? Real messed up.
Since we don't know the author (but do know the ID of the site-->) I'll just say that some in that era and in that "group," if you will, took unto themselves the PRACTICE of not placing their names on their "Commentaries" / "Work" (I have no way of KNOWING for sure if this is the case HERE; but it was indeed THEIR PRACTICE [which they viewed as having to do with the practice of "humility"]).
This is why I made the point to say one must read it carefully.
I do not think the writer is saying what you suggest he's saying here.
I think by the opening sentence and his phrase "There is hope that a MERE LIFELESS professor of Christ" [can come to true faith in Christ--and that this section is saying nothing about such "persons who merely PROFESSED before," that THOSE can never come to Christ and are hopeless; not that];
then we he goes on to say, "but if he [that 'professor'] ABANDONS that outward profession..." [NOT having come to true faith; and ABANDONS...]
See the DIFFERENCE??
You are not reading CAREFULLY. You are INJECTING your own ideas of what he is SAYING here.
This is why I made the point to say one must read it carefully.
I do not think the writer is saying what you suggest he's saying here.
I think by the opening sentence and his phrase "There is hope that a MERE LIFELESS professor of Christ" [can come to true faith in Christ--and that this section is saying nothing about such "persons who merely PROFESSED before," that THOSE can never come to Christ and are hopeless; not that];
then we he goes on to say, "but if he [that 'professor'] ABANDONS that outward profession..." [NOT having come to true faith; and ABANDONS...]
See the DIFFERENCE??
You are not reading CAREFULLY. You are INJECTING your own ideas of what he is SAYING here.
A grace cuddle believer.
God is so gracious He cuddles everyone, if they only see Jesus loves them, opens the door and just makes them all comfee.
Trouble with this drippy view is Jesus was murdered on a cross, one of the most painful ways to die, without raising His voice, and calls us to do the same. You cannot get further away from a cuddly accepting furry nice situation. Rather it is going into the killing house praising His Holy name to be privileged to suffer like Jesus, because you know the Kingdom is of far greater value and strength than anything here. And at the end of all things, sinners will experience the 2nd death after just punishment.
God is so gracious He cuddles everyone, if they only see Jesus loves them, opens the door and just makes them all comfee.
Trouble with this drippy view is Jesus was murdered on a cross, one of the most painful ways to die, without raising His voice, and calls us to do the same. You cannot get further away from a cuddly accepting furry nice situation. Rather it is going into the killing house praising His Holy name to be privileged to suffer like Jesus, because you know the Kingdom is of far greater value and strength than anything here. And at the end of all things, sinners will experience the 2nd death after just punishment.