~This side of the 'glass'~
- Thread starter Bingo
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**Sanctification means being set apart by God for His holy purposes, a process of transformation into Christ's likeness,
achieved through the Holy Spirit and God's Word, moving believers from sin towards holiness and spiritual maturity.
It's both a one-time event (being set apart at conversion) and an ongoing journey (progressive sanctification)
where believers become more like Christ, reflecting His character in their daily lives.
**(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
Attachments
**-Those who are spiritually adrift (lost souls) must wonder why most proclaimed Christians
appear to have no testimony as to how God has influenced their lives and how their lives have been changed.
The Divine "readings" surely are spiritual testimony from different authors.
-Make no mistake, scripture interpretations and/or "opinions" shall not be considered personal testimony.
Not here to judge or offend, but observation can surely be witnessed by anyone who comes upon CC.
And "quoting scripture" is just that, quoting from different authors over historical time.
-The complexity of scripture requires spiritual discernment to grasp its full scope and intended messages
arising from diverse authors, leaving different paths for different personalities to seriously contemplate.
A great oversight surely shall be in the inability, or stubbornness, to fully grasp and understand, one must
earnestly practice the basic principles of life, and that starts with honesty and continues with John 14:16, 26.
-Rebellion against acting upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit, one shall surely be unable to experience
a meaningful God relationship, here in the now, and beyond the time that is now.
**(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
Attachments
You say don't think. Yet you seem to be doing just that here.
You haven't once come up with Paul's "looking as through glass darkly" in this thread yet. That should be your theme as that is the way we see things now. 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
I seen myself reflection in a dark mirror, I picked up the holy bible and seen
-Yet, some insist on inventing and/or twisting scripture to suit one's
own worldly ego.
-God's work has been done. All are left with instructions in the lessons,
to act upon and/or apply in one's own life, accordingly.
(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
Words often display one's true character.
Intellectualism often focuses on being "right" or knowledgeable, whereas spiritual discipline
focuses on knowing God and becoming more Christlike.
-True, effective communication, however, is best served when the goal is to connect with the audience
rather than perform for them as an all-knowing scripture encyclopedia without spiritual insight.
- Focusing on the Holy Spirit's meaning, transforming the heart rather than just satisfying mental curiosity.
It involves interpreting the Bible with "spiritual discernment," allowing the text to come to life through the Holy Spirit.
(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
When I seen myself in a dark mirror, I realise that I was far more filthy dirtier than I could ever imagine,
“Sin” is any thought, word, or action that is contrary to the character or law of God. We all sin (Romans 3:23), and even what we consider good deeds are often tainted by selfish motives or pride (Isaiah 64:6). Left to ourselves, it is impossible to please God or to be completely free from sin (Romans 3:10; Ecclesiastes 7:10).
When we come to Christ by faith and trust Him to forgive and cleanse us of all our sin, we are in that moment born again (John 3:3). That new birth of the spirit results in a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). God gives the repentant sinner a new heart that is now turned toward obeying and pleasing Him rather than self (2 Corinthians 5:9; Romans 8:5–6). Whereas we were formerly slaves to sin, we are now “slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:16). Sin’s control has been broken by the power of Jesus (Romans 6:6; Titus 2:14).
However, we still live in the flesh, and the flesh is prone to want what it wants. In Romans 7:21–23, Paul admits the battle between flesh and spirit in his own life: “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” Each battle with temptation is won or lost based upon how fully we are surrendered to the control of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16–17).
The book of 1 John was written to Christians. The apostle says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). It is clear from this passage that even those who have been born again and redeemed by the blood of Jesus will still sin. Through thought, attitude, or action, we will “grieve” (Ephesians 4:30) and “quench” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) the Holy Spirit at times. But this passage also reassures us that God offers continual, ongoing grace whenever we agree with Him about our sin and ask for His cleansing.
(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
**Ignoring the purpose of the Holy Spirit—often described in theological terms as "quenching" (1 Thessalonians 5:19) or "grieving" (Ephesians 4:30)—is the act of willfully rejecting, suppressing, or ignoring the divine guidance, conviction, and influence of God in a person's life. It involves prioritizing selfish desires, worldly pursuits, or personal comfort over the leading of the Spirit toward holiness, truth, and obedience to God.
And through the "lens of the world," the Holy Spirit surely shall be vacant.
**(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
-I believe above all else, until these truths are acknowledged and acted upon,
one shall be handicapped in the hope of achieving a Christ-like character, in this age.
-Nothing under the sun can change this truth. Prayers, worship, and the "inspired readings"
are of great value and surely enhanced when focused on spiritual discipline.
(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
-This surely is a typical description of many proclaimed Christians in today's
society, and it is only expected to be so. One's surroundings usually will portray
the outcome of continuing in line with one's Christian upbringing.
-Leaving the family"nest" does not mean one will continue how one was raised.
The "noise of the world" surely will bring great change and often lead to a departure from
the Christian life.
-Often, an emotional and/or traumatic life experience wakes up the sleeping God consciousness
and turns a life back to putting God in their lives for a reprieve, realizing the need for spiritual guidance.
-One should never doubt the love and wisdom of an unseen "Higher Power".
(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
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Spiritual cleansing in the Bible is the process of being purified from sin and moral impurity to restore a right
relationship with God, moving from outer ritual to inner transformation through faith in Jesus, confession, repentance,
and the work of the Holy Spirit, making believers holy and set apart for God. It starts at salvation (new birth) and continues
as ongoing sanctification, symbolizing internal purity through practices like confession (1 John 1:9) and walking in the light.
(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
**God promises to draw near, offer mercy, and provide deep soul restoration.
This comfort comes from forgiveness, healing, and the presence of Christ, offering hope beyond current suffering.
(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
• The fruit is described as the natural result of the Holy Spirit's presence within a person,
rather than through human effort alone.
• The Nine Attributes:
·Love: Unselfish concern for others.
·Joy: Stable, inner happiness that transcends circumstances.
·Peace: Inner tranquility.
·Patience (Forbearance/Longsuffering): Endurance and how one acts while waiting.
·Kindness: Benevolent disposition.
·Goodness: Moral excellence.
·Faithfulness: Reliability and trust.
·Gentleness: Meekness and humility.
·Self-Control: Mastery over desires and passions.
'Part of Paul's instructions to the Galatians was to live by the Spirit rather than under the bondage
of the law or fulfilling the desires of the flesh.
'Believers are encouraged to "keep in step with the Spirit" to see these qualities produced in their lives.
-Know this and know it well. Complicating simple things makes simple things complicated.
Attempting and/or hoping to practice the principles of these attributes is and will be the greatest challenge in the
life of a Christian, no more, no less.
-The entire nature of the "inspired teachings" of Christ encompasses these attributes, and until one can fully grasp
this truth and applies these principles in one's own life, there will remain the endless attempts to interpret scripture
through the "lens of the world".
-It is firmly believed that until one earnestly strives to practice these principles, great disturbances, separation
and discontent shall prevail. One's own reality of spiritual truth rests upon the one you see in the mirror.
In the "image of Christ," to be or not to be.
-In reality, pastors, evangelists, and all the "preachings" fail to emphasize that the very foundation of Christian
life must be built on these principles in the hope of eternal life with and in the Kingdom of God, here in the now.
And the spiritual hereafter.
-Scripture in the wrong hands leads the path to an unstable spiritual well-being, and away from the Kingdom of God.
(Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on. ®
Spiritual maturity and growth depend on the measure of one's intent.)
**"Born again" in Christian theology is a profound, Holy Spirit-driven transformation—or regeneration—of the inner self
through faith in Jesus Christ, shifting a person from spiritual death to a renewed life. It acts as a spiritual awakening
that brings enlightenment, granting new insights, altered perspectives, and a deep, conscious connection with God's will.
**("This content is for informational use and is not a substitute for 'Spiritual' advice. ®
Be sure to do your own careful 'inventory' before taking action based on anything
you find in this content.
Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on.")
Attachments
**A nominal Christian is a "Christian in name only" who identifies with the faith culturally or through family tradition but lacks a personal, transformative relationship with Jesus.
- In contrast, a spiritual (or genuine) Christian has experienced spiritual rebirth, yields to the Holy Spirit, and actively lives out their faith through obedience and bearing fruit.
**("This content is for informational use and is not a substitute for 'Spiritual' advice. ®
Be sure to do your own careful 'inventory' before taking action based on anything
you find in this content.
Intended solely as informative and subjects to reflect on.")