ANY DIRECTION THAT WE TAKE OTHER THAN THE CROSS OF CHRIST IS LAW!!!!!!

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Skyline said:
I think I figured this out, please disregard :)
Read verses following (context!) The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders were not sincere seekers of truth but appeared as such. Not about the bearing of fruit but the false appearance of having fruit. False, self promoted righteousness
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Hi Skyline, you may find this site useful (if you do not know about it already), as it's a great place to go (or perhaps to start) whenever you have questions about theology or the faith. This particular article, in fact, is concerned with the fig tree portions of Matthew and Mark that you had questions about.

https://www.gotquestions.org/curse-fig-tree.html

~Deut
 
MessageOfTheCross said:
The answer you seek, is found in the Cross. Jesus Christ is the solution for mankind - there is no other! It takes the Power of God to set the captive free. Many bypass the Cross for their solutions and Grace is cancelled. These problems we face are too severe to be talked out of anybody. Bondage (taskmasters are demon spirits that come to afflict - Exodus 1:11) can be broken only by the Power of God. This is why Jesus had to come from Heaven and die on the Cross in order that the power of sin may be broken. Sin has a power behind it and his name is Satan.

If a Christian will and their efforts to live for God is in anything except Christ and the Cross, i.e., Finished Work, The Blood of Jesus (Romans 8:2), Satan can override your will and force you to do things you don't want to do and trying not to do (Ephesians 6:12). Our willpower is routed in flesh. This is why Jesus said deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow me (Luke 9:23). In other words, receive my benefits daily I have provided for you.

The Christian is doomed to failure if he thinks he can face the sin business and simply say yes or no. That's not the way it works. Those who try that (and almost all have) will conclude by failing every time. You may win for awhile, but after awhile, you're going to fail.

Now, stop and think about this for a moment: If it were possible for us to defeat sin and the attacks of Satan by willpower, then Jesus would not have had to come down here and die on a Cross. He could have merely taught us how to function within our willpower, and that would have solved the problem.

However, He didn't do that, did He? The truth is, the problem of sin is so deadly that it took the Cross to defeat this monster, and even then, we have to have the help of the Holy Spirit to get this thing done. That's why Paul said, "But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (God the Father) who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom. 8:11).

This tells us that sin is so powerful that it takes the same power to overcome this thing as it did to raise Jesus from the dead, which, of course, is the power of the Holy Spirit. Understanding that, we should come to the conclusion that our personal willpower is totally inadequate.

However, most Christians little understand the victory of the Cross and try to do this thing on their own, which always results in failure.

The majority of Christians know nothing about the Cross of Christ for sanctification. Justification delivers us from the penalty of sin, while sanctification delivers us from the power of sin. The Cross of Christ is as necessary for sanctification as it is for salvation (1 Cor. 1:18).

Because we are in this body of flesh, as Paul said, "We have not been perfected yet (Philippians 3:12-13)," and because we have a enemy within and a enemy without (the world, the flesh, and the Devil), you can still get tired of trusting. This is why the scripture says:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1


JSM
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We cannot live such a perfect life as the life we have in Jesus, for Jesus paid for all our sins and we can then live free from the bondage of sin. However, there is a demon like way this is used to put us right back in bondage. It is the thought that because we are forgiven all sin we can willfully decide to go right back into the bondage of sin. We can reject the power that our accepting Christ in our life in Luke 7:23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.

Galatians 5:3 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
 
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Chester said:
On the other hand, Jesus is the way. The cross is not the way.
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Correct. The cross was the metaphorical altar upon which the Lamb of God was sacrificed as a metaphorical whole burnt offering, as well as the Passover Lamb, and all the other offerings which required the shedding of blood.

HEBREWS 13
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without [outside] the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Salvation is in the Person who died on that cross. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
 
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Chester said:
I agree completely on the necessity and importance of the cross.

On the other hand, Jesus is the way. The cross is not the way.
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Whoever believes and agrees what you have stated is a enemy of the Cross and not saved! (Jude 1:4 - For there are certain men crept in unawares....)

The Cross of Christ is as necessary for sanctification as it is for salvation (1 Cor. 1:18).

John 6:53 - "Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood (i.e., the Cross, i.e., The Finished Work), you have no life in you," (presents the demand that caused "many of His Disciples to go back, and walk no more with Him" (John 6:66). It does the same presently! This Verse tells us the degree of believing that is required; it refers to the Cross being the total Object of one's belief; failing that, there is no Life in you.)

John 6:66 - From that time many of His Disciples went back, and walk no more with Him.

Sanctifying peace allows the Holy Spirit to deliver the Believer into the death of Christ so Christ life is manifested through the Believer (2 Cor. 4:11, Gal. 2:20-21, Romans 8:2,13, John 14:21). I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me (Who Jesus Is), and gave Himself for me (What the Lamb of God Has Done on the Cross for us where the victory was won). Gal. 2:20

If The Believer doesn't enter into the LORD's rest, they die in the wilderness...only a few enter into His rest!



Philippians 3:17-21 King James Version (KJV)

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS DOCTRINE

17 Brethren, be followers together of me (be "Fellow-imitators"), and mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample (observe intently).

18 (For many walk (speaks of those attempting to live for God outside of the victory and rudiments of the Cross of Christ), of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping (this is a most serious matter), that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ (those who do not look exclusively to the Cross of Christ must be labeled "enemies"):

19 Whose end is destruction (if the Cross is ignored, and continues to be ignored, the loss of the soul is the only ultimate conclusion), whose God is their belly (refers to those who attempt to pervert the Gospel for their own personal gain), and whose glory is in their shame (the material things they seek, God labels as "shame"), who mind earthly things.) (This means they have no interest in Heavenly things, which signifies they are using the Lord for their own personal gain.)

20 For our conversation (citizenship) is in Heaven (meaning the other ways will have no place in Heaven); from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (the Rapture):

21 Who (the Lord) shall change our vile body (the Resurrection), that it may be fashioned like unto his Glorious body (every Saint will have a Glorified Body), according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. ("All things" are done through the Cross.)


Faith in the Cross creates humility - Faith in ourselves or other things creates self-righteousness.
All things" are done through the Cross. If you leave the Cross, you enter death (Romans 8:1-2, 6, 13)

JSM
 
Dino246 said:
Overemphasis on a couple of pieces of wood is a serious matter indeed. It may not be the pole with the bronze snake, but if you turn it into an object of worship, it is an idol you have devised yourself. Therefore, you cannot live a victorious life if you focus on the cross and forget Who died on it.
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I think the OP mentioned the MESSAGE OF CROSS, not a couple of pieces of wood. Big difference.
 
Chester said:
I agree completely on the necessity and importance of the cross.

On the other hand, Jesus is the way. The cross is not the way.
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1 Corinthians 2:14-15 says, "14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

Romans 4:5 teaches us that God only awards Righteousness only on the basis of Faith in Christ and His Finished Work. Our Faith must be placed exclusively in Jesus; the Son of God - and Jesus; the Lamb of God to be awarded Righteousness. If we preach Jesus alone and ignore the Cross (the Lamb of God), that is another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4). This is sin, a insult to God!

Every Word that God has ever spoken is “In Righteousness” (Proverbs 8:8), and therefore must be heard and received (Revelation 3:3) through Faith in the Cross of Jesus Christ, or we remain trapped in the Letter of the Law and forfeit the opportunity to walk in the newness of the Spirit. If this is not understood, there will only be a make believe spiritual walk and one might even have a name that they are alive, but Christ says they will be dead (Revelation 3:1). The Letter of the Law can only produce carnal Christians, and to be carnally minded is death (Romans 8:6). We must look to the Cross and live!

Proverbs 22:17 says, "Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge."

Bowing down one’s ear is to humble oneself and to hear the words of wisdom is to hear God’s Word as Truth (Proverbs 8:7), and “In Righteousness” (Proverbs 8:8), which results in a doing of the Word (James 1:22).

Those who don't build the Temple through Grace by Faith (Christ and Him Crucified) clearly shows they haven't totally surrendered their life over to Christ. Why? Because everything you do and everything you have will be that hinderance to you (Galatians 5:7 NKJV). They will not understand the Word of God or have the experience of God.

To have faith in anything other than Christ’s Work at the Cross for any provision from the Lord is to sow iniquity and to reap nothing but that which is vain (Proverbs 22:8).



Jesus says in Matthew 7:16-20 these words, "16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Ephesians 5:9 tells us the three areas where the fruit is; (For the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) is in all goodness and Righteousness and Truth.

Therefore we only judge by their fruits in these areas.
 
Chester said:
I agree completely on the necessity and importance of the cross.

On the other hand, Jesus is the way. The cross is not the way.
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Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen cannot be separated. That is His Person and work is inseparble. Even our 'personal relationship' which you seem to be alluding to, is based on His death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the Father's right hand where He ever liveth interceding for us.
 
Nehemiah6 said:
Correct. The cross was the metaphorical altar upon which the Lamb of God was sacrificed as a metaphorical whole burnt offering, as well as the Passover Lamb, and all the other offerings which required the shedding of blood.

HEBREWS 13
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. 11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without [outside] the gate. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Salvation is in the Person who died on that cross. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
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Actually the OT sacrifices were metaphors, types and shadows, if you will, of the true reality that happened at Calvary. His blood still cleanses consciences and sets the captives free.
 
crossnote said:
Actually the OT sacrifices were metaphors, types and shadows, if you will, of the true reality that happened at Calvary. His blood still cleanses consciences and sets the captives free.
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What I was saying is that the cross was not a literal altar ( as that in the temple or tabernacle). But the altar is used as a metaphor for the cross by Paul, and some churches have what they call "altar calls", meaning coming to the Savior who died on the cross.
 
crossnote said:
Jesus Christ and Him crucified and risen cannot be separated. That is His Person and work is inseparble. Even our 'personal relationship' which you seem to be alluding to, is based on His death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the Father's right hand where He ever liveth interceding for us.
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I agree that the Jesus and the cross cannot and should not be separated - exactly! I was just trying to point out that a worship of the cross that misses the person of Jesus is misguided.

I wasn't trying to say anything about "personal relationship" necessarily. But since you ask, I believe that we need to daily live the cross. We need to live in a daily neediness of the cleansing of the blood of Jesus (versus our own self effort).

Essentially I was just pointing out that Jesus said - "I am the way" - not "the cross is the way".
 
MessageOfTheCross said:
1 Corinthians 2:14-15 says, "14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

Romans 4:5 teaches us that God only awards Righteousness only on the basis of Faith in Christ and His Finished Work. Our Faith must be placed exclusively in Jesus; the Son of God - and Jesus; the Lamb of God to be awarded Righteousness. If we preach Jesus alone and ignore the Cross (the Lamb of God), that is another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4). This is sin, a insult to God!

Every Word that God has ever spoken is “In Righteousness” (Proverbs 8:8), and therefore must be heard and received (Revelation 3:3) through Faith in the Cross of Jesus Christ, or we remain trapped in the Letter of the Law and forfeit the opportunity to walk in the newness of the Spirit. If this is not understood, there will only be a make believe spiritual walk and one might even have a name that they are alive, but Christ says they will be dead (Revelation 3:1). The Letter of the Law can only produce carnal Christians, and to be carnally minded is death (Romans 8:6). We must look to the Cross and live!

Proverbs 22:17 says, "Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge."

Bowing down one’s ear is to humble oneself and to hear the words of wisdom is to hear God’s Word as Truth (Proverbs 8:7), and “In Righteousness” (Proverbs 8:8), which results in a doing of the Word (James 1:22).

Those who don't build the Temple through Grace by Faith (Christ and Him Crucified) clearly shows they haven't totally surrendered their life over to Christ. Why? Because everything you do and everything you have will be that hinderance to you (Galatians 5:7 NKJV). They will not understand the Word of God or have the experience of God.

To have faith in anything other than Christ’s Work at the Cross for any provision from the Lord is to sow iniquity and to reap nothing but that which is vain (Proverbs 22:8).



Jesus says in Matthew 7:16-20 these words, "16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Ephesians 5:9 tells us the three areas where the fruit is; (For the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) is in all goodness and Righteousness and Truth.

Therefore we only judge by their fruits in these areas.
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Nothing wrong with your Scriptures and emphasizing the cross - I agree completely.

But do not miss the person when speaking about what He did!

Jesus said - "I am the way"
 
Nehemiah6 said:
What I was saying is that the cross was not a literal altar
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When the Pastor tells you to come to the Altar he is telling you to come to the Cross!
Nehemiah6 said:
What I was saying is that the cross was not a literal altar ( as that in the temple or tabernacle).
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The FIRST thing you saw when you entered the Tabernacle was the Brazen Altar. The Brazen Altar of the Tabernacle is a Type of the Cross. If you bypass the Brazen Altar (The Cross) you entered death!

If you bypass the Cross (The Lamb of God-The Blood of Jesus) you enter death!

The Believer must understand that when God doesn't see the Believers heart exhibiting Faith in His beloved Son "The Lamb of God" in whom He is pleased, you have chosen another Jesus (2 Cor. 11:4) which produces strange fire and strange incenses.

When Aaron's sons Nadab & Abihu, Priests of God, ordained of God, called by God, and anointed by God - failed to take coals of fire from the Brazen Altar (A Type of Calvary), but from another source, and put those coals of fire on the Golden Altar, which sat immediately in front of the Veil, which hid the Holy of Holies, where God dwelt between the Mercy seat and the Cherubim. They were devoured by fire from the Holy of Holies. In other words, to do such was, in effect, to bypass Calvary, which God could not tolerate.

Man can come before God only on one premise, and that is by and through the shed Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. That and that alone, which the Brazen Altar and its Sacrifices typified, gains entrance to God in any Form. When Jesus said, “No man cometh to the Father but by Me,” He was speaking of what He would do at the Cross of Calvary, which would make all of this possible (John 14:6).

JSM
 
Chester said:
Nothing wrong with your Scriptures and emphasizing the cross - I agree completely.

But do not miss the person when speaking about what He did!

Jesus said - "I am the way"
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The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)...the only way to Jesus Christ is by the Means of the Cross (Luke 14:27). The only way to the Cross is a denial of self (Luke 9:23). If any person tries to come any other way, Jesus says, "they are a thief and a robber" (John 10:1).

1. Jesus Christ is the source of all blessings.
2. The Cross is the means by which all blessings are given.
3. The object of our faith must be Christ and the Cross.
4. That being done, the Holy Spirit will greatly help us.
 
Chester said:
Essentially I was just pointing out that Jesus said - "I am the way" - not "the cross is the way".
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Yes as long as we come to Him as sinners forgiven at the cross. Too many running around preaching 'another Jesus' who have never been to Calvary.
 
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MessageOfTheCross said:
The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6)...the only way to Jesus Christ is by the Means of the Cross (Luke 14:27). The only way to the Cross is a denial of self (Luke 9:23). If any person tries to come any other way, Jesus says, "they are a thief and a robber" (John 10:1).

1. Jesus Christ is the source of all blessings.
2. The Cross is the means by which all blessings are given.
3. The object of our faith must be Christ and the Cross.
4. That being done, the Holy Spirit will greatly help us.
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If you do not give credit for borrowed material that you post, you are committing plagiarism, a form of theft.
 
crossnote said:
I think the OP mentioned the MESSAGE OF CROSS, not a couple of pieces of wood. Big difference.
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I have read a fair bit of the material he posts, and I think that he is promoting idolatry. Look at his post #36; point #3 in his list. Do you put your faith in Jesus Who died on the cross, or in Jesus and the cross? He won't engage in conversation with me, but instead just implies that I'm not saved, as he did with Chester in posts 26 and 28.
 
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