Not By Works

Hi Dan,

Lots of confusion occurs over where people are in their faith and their true foundations.
I met a pastor who thought by being good he got recognition from God, blessing and earnt salvation.

His language was about faith, yet he was part of a culture where behaviour was everything.
It was hard to convey knowing Jesus and being cleansed by Him is everything, and it all flows from this.

Another group claim the confession of faith or beliefs in Jesus's work without any response is also ok.
Some clearly hold this view and deny obedience or benefit or reason for obeying or listening to Jesus.

The holiness movement has always been about faith and the goal of walking like Jesus. The book
"Pilgrims progress" is a similar story, as well as C S Lewis and "the great divorce."

Now I say the above because for some they wish to hide their true stand and just slander and abuse others.
So it appears to me you express things in a similar manner to myself.

My concern today, is the number of christian brothers and sisters who feel they have arrived, yet clearly
they live isolated lives with little challenge or insight, and need to start to walk the walk. It makes me
wonder if we only know "life" in Him by taking the next step, and that we see change, by His hand.
So I desire to help my brothers start to share their hearts one with another, so the step of becoming a
body and knowing His love becomes real rather than just isolated aspirations.
God bless you

There is a sad reality, that some believe individuals represent issues in Christ.
Individuals represent a work of God only, and they can share as He has given them light.

If you disagree with their expression or theology then express this, otherwise it just becomes
unholy disputing and pointless attacks.

I do wish I could understand the pain and hurt your responses represent, because the few
words I write barely express the animosity being shown. God bless you, in whatever insight
the Lord has given you.

I agree, I just from time to time point out what he does , so any reading this, and his poetry and figurative language are convincing and pious enough, see what is underneath.

Is anything above something others are disputing?
Is there something wrong in the Nazarene statement of faith?

If there is nothing one can object to, then what is left is a personal feeling
from whatever past experience or memory one has. So are we in Christ governed
by the feelings we get or by His Spirit and the love Christ put in us?
I desire to know His love and turn my thoughts in submission to His will, Amen

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Cor 10:5

What is apparent is some project being a pharisee on hungering and thirsting after
righteousness. And there is some truth to this, because they did desire to obey the
law as closely as they could.

But they failed because their hearts were full of self indulgence and greed.
Jesus called us to have their desire but with cleansed hearts and with a pure spirit.

Their failure was in hypocrisy, not obeying what they taught.

2 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Matt 23:2-4

It is love in our hearts that sets us free and makes the fulfilment of the law possible.

This is what the Nazarene Church statements of faith make clear, though it may appear
some can neither read or understand simple english.

I would like to know what you see underneath?
This is an argument that goes like this, everything you say is fine, except for what its based on.
Or you are wrong, because of what you left out.
Or I proved you wrong last time.

These are pointers to something that does not exist, but appears to be meaningful, so is just
a joke ...... lol

My question remains, are we called to be like Jesus, and is this the doorway to heaven?

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus
Rom 15:5

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Cor 11:1

Clearly as I have to repeat the same point time and time again without agreement
from peoples hearts, the word of Paul, scripture and God is being rejected.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit
1 Thess 4:7-8

But if rejecting God has no fear for believers, then are they believers at all?
If one follows anything that challenges my heart is satan, then Gods word has now become the
enemy, which is unfortunately the wrong side of the fence, which needs repentance and faith
to be exercised with humbleness before Him, and not because I am saying it, but because He
is saying it. We are merely His servants who bring His truth to our hearts as redeemed sinners,
made saints by His grace, Amen.

If you cannot comprehend a troll, I see no need for me to explain. I leave all judgment to God

Grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Develop the "mind of Christ." The HS will help you. But first you must yield to Him.

This sounds remarkably like the correcting angel coming in to save the poor lost innocents from
the errors of these foul fiends.

Personally I like sharing Gods word and knowing it never returns to Him void because it is alive
and active to achieve His will. Thank you Jesus that you provide the victory of your word and
your truth and gospel of grace and salvation to bring your people into your likeness Amen

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified;
those he justified, he also glorified.
Rom 8:29-30

In my morning devotion today, Paul accounted nothing he had, would ever have as righteousness. The only "righteousness" he claimed was the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Paul's "faith" was what counted, not any works he may have or may do.

I see you.

To have the mind of Christ is to have an obedient mind. You go against being obedient to get saved.

You describe yourself.

Why don't you post how Jesus named off first all the things she did?

That is about Jesus cleaning us and not our having to clean ourselves with the purification works of the law.

That was said to righteous people who feared God.

If you say with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord, then you had better be obeying him.

We are to over come sin.

That scripture proves we have to obey.

Whoever believes that they have to obey Jesus.