GOD'S ULTIMATE PURPOSE FOR BELIEVERS

[Polar]

Several places in Scripture refer to believers being “in Christ” (1 Peter 5:14; Philippians 1:1; Romans 8:1). Colossians 3:3 gives a little more insight: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” When we come to Christ as broken sinners, He exchanges our sin for His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Through repentance and acceptance of Jesus’ death on our behalf, we are even called His children (John 1:12; Galatians 3:26). God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of His own Son instead (Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 8:12). Because we are in Christ, God sees Christ’s righteousness covering us. Only “in Christ” is our sin debt cancelled, our relationship with God restored, and our eternity secured (John 3:16–18; 20:31). In Christ, God sees me as a new creation: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have peace with God and are counted as righteous before Him (verses 17–21). Rather than seeing my sin, God sees the righteousness of His Son. He sees me as justified, redeemed, sanctified, even glorified (see Romans 8:30).

In Ephesians 1:3–14 we learn some of the ways God sees us in Christ. God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (verse 3). We are equipped with all we need. We are chosen to “be holy and blameless before [God]” (verse 4). We are seen as holy and blameless because we are in Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18).
see Got Questions

 

[MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE]

most Christians.......what survey did you garner that info from?



is it possible to create a post that does not seem to indicate you possess superior biblical and experiential knowledge? It's kind of a turn off

I don't have superior knowledge but trying to go back to the basics. People like you make Christianity look like it is another religion. Nothing to see here folks if you know what I mean. You are turned off at least for me.

 

[MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE]

Mission impossible... let's get real shall we?

Like I've posted before..

A high percentage of posters here will be also high internet users.

Therefore there is also a high chance they also have an issue with pornography.

That's many sinning Christians. (Note...I realize not all who post here are genuinely saved)

Now .. this is the archilles heal of today's Christian men.. and some Christian women.

They are sinning.. therefore they are sinners.

Not condemned.. not lost salvation.. not lost. Saved sinners.

Get real man!

OK. Explain to me how you accomplish union with Christ while being a "saved sinner? It is not I who needs to get real, but rather those who have cheapened Christianity to be what it is today, another religion. Ugh!

 

[ResidentAlien]

MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE said:

OK. Explain to me how you accomplish union with Christ while being a "saved sinner?

ResidentAlien said:

Our union with Christ is spiritual, but we carry this gift in mortal bodies. It's Christianity 101.

 

[MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE]

Our union with Christ is spiritual, but we carry this gift in mortal bodies. It's Christianity 101.[/QUOTE]

What do you mean spiritual, like floating somewhere and we don't know what to do with it, so we call it "spiritual"? The fact is that we are spiritual beings that live in a human body. We have been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places in Christ Jesus according to Eph. 2:6, but wait, Jesus ascended to the throne of glory in heaven and He is also sitting in heavenly places (Eph. 1:20). So, in practical terms, we are seating with Christ where He is. John said, "just as He is we are in this world" (1Jn 4:17).

God is not playing a game with us by teasing us that all these things are just "spiritual" while we remain hanging in the world of the physical. He is not saying to try to be spiritual so we can have access to these things. No, He says we have already attained these things in Christ, so why can't we live this life as Paul did, or John, or Stephen, or Peter, or Priscilla and Aquilla? I tell you why not, because we are too lazy to find out how therefore we live in this world like defeated Christians whose best is to call ourselves "forgiven Christians."

Colossians 3:1–4 (LSB)
1 Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3 For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.

 

[ResidentAlien]

What do you mean spiritual, like floating somewhere and we don't know what to do with it, so we call it "spiritual"? The fact is that we are spiritual beings that live in a human body. We have been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places in Christ Jesus according to Eph. 2:6, but wait, Jesus ascended to the throne of glory in heaven and He is also sitting in heavenly places (Eph. 1:20). So, in practical terms, we are seating with Christ where He is. John said, "just as He is we are in this world" (1Jn 4:17).

God is not playing a game with us by teasing us that all these things are just "spiritual" while we remain hanging in the world of the physical. He is not saying to try to be spiritual so we can have access to these things. No, He says we have already attained these things in Christ, so why can't we live this life as Paul did, or John, or Stephen, or Peter, or Priscilla and Aquilla? I tell you why not, because we are too lazy to find out how therefore we live in this world like defeated Christians whose best is to call ourselves "forgiven Christians."

Colossians 3:1–4 (LSB)
1 Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3 For you died and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you also will be manifested with Him in glory.

You'll have to find someone else to argue with, it's not my day to make you understand.

 

[ForestGreenCook]

Several places in Scripture refer to believers being “in Christ” (1 Peter 5:14; Philippians 1:1; Romans 8:1). Colossians 3:3 gives a little more insight: “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” When we come to Christ as broken sinners, He exchanges our sin for His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Through repentance and acceptance of Jesus’ death on our behalf, we are even called His children (John 1:12; Galatians 3:26). God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of His own Son instead (Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 8:12). Because we are in Christ, God sees Christ’s righteousness covering us. Only “in Christ” is our sin debt cancelled, our relationship with God restored, and our eternity secured (John 3:16–18; 20:31). In Christ, God sees me as a new creation: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have peace with God and are counted as righteous before Him (verses 17–21). Rather than seeing my sin, God sees the righteousness of His Son. He sees me as justified, redeemed, sanctified, even glorified (see Romans 8:30).

In Ephesians 1:3–14 we learn some of the ways God sees us in Christ. God “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (verse 3). We are equipped with all we need. We are chosen to “be holy and blameless before [God]” (verse 4). We are seen as holy and blameless because we are in Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18).
see Got Questions

This is all well and good, as far as eternal security is concerned, but after we have been born again, we still carry the baggage of our sinful nature with us, and do oft times yield ourselves to the temptations of the things of this world, however, when we do, it nose not take away our eternal inheritance.

 

[tourist]

Fine, I'm insulting His finished work then. Have a blessed day.

I'm a forgiven sinner too.

 

[tourist]

For many years I heard the term “I am a forgiven sinner”, so that’s not poor grammar but poor beliefs on the part of many Christians.

Are you saying that Jesus did not die for our sins? Our sins are not forgiven?

 

[wattie]

OK. Explain to me how you accomplish union with Christ while being a "saved sinner? It is not I who needs to get real, but rather those who have cheapened Christianity to be what it is today, another religion. Ugh!

Union with Christ is not accomplished.. it is given.. a free gift of eternal life. It CANT be accomplished or earned.. that is not possible for mortal people. The perfect unity with Christ will be in heaven.. when we are not mortal.. with Him.. but it doesn't happen this side of eternity.

 

[MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE]

Union with Christ is not accomplished.. it is given.. a free gift of eternal life. It CANT be accomplished or earned.. that is not possible for mortal people. The perfect unity with Christ will be in heaven.. when we are not mortal.. with Him.. but it doesn't happen this side of eternity.

Obviously, you missed the discussion that I had with the previous poster. I was asking a question not to get information but to force an answer from him.

 

[MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE]

Previously I said: [For many years I heard the term “I am a forgiven sinner”, so that’s not poor grammar but poor beliefs on the part of many Christians.]

You said: Are you saying that Jesus did not die for our sins? Our sins are not forgiven?[/QUOTE]

Why are you twisting my words? Jesus did not die on the cross so that we could call ourselves "forgiven sinners". So, either we are adopted sons of God and heirs of the kingdom with Jesus Christ, or we are wallowing in our misery trying not to sin. Which one is it?

 

[MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE]

You'll have to find someone else to argue with, it's not my day to make you understand.

You are so lost.

 

[Snacks]

OK. Explain to me how you accomplish union with Christ while being a "saved sinner?

By being saved. 😉

 

[Cameron143]

Most Christians have not been taught to understand that salvation is far more than being forgiven. To be a forgiven sinner is an insult to God's grace and His eternal intention for His people that are called by His name. John 13-17 (see Jn 14:20 as a "teaser") reveals God's purpose for believers which we can participate in at all times. God's ultimate desire is to be one with Him in the beauty of holiness. Still, religion and legalism are making an indent that deceives and destroys God's intention for us to be one with Him through Yeshua, our Messiah by the agency of the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever tried to be silent before the Lord and learn by experience how much He loves you? I'm talking about Father's unconditional love that yearns to have fellowship with us through His Spirit. Rev. 3:20 still applies.

John 14:20 (LSV) "In that day you will know that I [am] in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you."

Do you know who you are?

View attachment 245011

The ultimate purpose of all God does is to glorify Himself. This line of discussion has focused attention on people, not God. That's a shame.

 

[MISSION-IMPOSSIBLE]

The ultimate purpose of all God does is to glorify Himself. This line of discussion has focused attention on people, not God. That's a shame.

No. God is agape love (1Jn 4:8, 16) which means He is forever giving Himself away to His creation. What you said sounds very narcissistic to me because God has always been for us and created us to have fellowship (being friends with Him) and be adopted as sons through God the Son, by the agency of His Spirit (the Spirit of God).

God began to reveal His purpose was giving the Son of His love as a propitiation for our sins IN ORDER that we might become one with Him through Jesus Christ. Just as the Son is one with the Father (Jn 10:30), so is His will for us to be one with Him,

John 14:20 (LSB) On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

John 14:23 (LSB) Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.

John 16:27 (LSB) For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

Romans 8:31-32 (LSB) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?

Can I say anymore? 😇

 

[Cameron143]

No. God is agape love (1Jn 4:8, 16) which means He is forever giving Himself away to His creation. What you said sounds very narcissistic to me because God has always been for us and created us to have fellowship (being friends with Him) and be adopted as sons through God the Son, by the agency of His Spirit (the Spirit of God).

God began to reveal His purpose was giving the Son of His love as a propitiation for our sins IN ORDER that we might become one with Him through Jesus Christ. Just as the Son is one with the Father (Jn 10:30), so is His will for us to be one with Him,

John 14:20 (LSB) On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.

John 14:23 (LSB) Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him.

John 16:27 (LSB) For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

Romans 8:31-32 (LSB) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?

Can I say anymore? 😇

You see God from a human perspective. God is the sum total of His attributes, not just one.
While it is true that when people promote themselves they do so generally to the detriment of others. But this is not true of God. Our highest estate and when we are most satisfied is when God is most glorified.
Was it narcissistic when God told Abraham that He would be his reward?

 

[loveme1]

Salvation.. then in the mean time, whilst we abide. Being in the world but not of it… look to the Good Shepherd, He leads us on the path of righteousness.. For His namesake.
Hehe.. we the speck exploring, adoring and striving each day in the Grace of GOD.

 

[ResidentAlien]

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:15

 

[oyster67]

a sinner saved by grace

...and now a new creature in Christ. Jesus' blood makes a difference. It changes us. I'm sure you agree. This change means that we no longer identify with the old way. It warrants a new title. We are not to be proud of ourselves, but we are to be appreciative of the new life that we have been given by Jesus.