Posted on 12/04/2022 1:16:23 PM PST by metmom
“‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 13:11).
In the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:10) we see two aspects of the kingdom of heaven. “On earth” refers to the present kingdom, mediated through God’s servants, and “in heaven” refers to God’s universal, direct reign.
Through the centuries the present kingdom has attracted both true and false citizens. Only God can infallibly distinguish true citizens (the redeemed) from false ones. Jesus shows that many branches that seem to belong to the vine actually do not. The spurious ones will be pruned away and thrown into the fire (John 15:2, 6). Such people only superficially identify with Christ but are never really citizens of the kingdom of heaven or part of the body of Christ. They appear to be true citizens only from an imperfect human perspective.
Paradoxically, Scripture uses terms such as Israel, God’s people, and disciples that can include both nominal and genuine believers. Paul does make it clear, however, that “he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart” (Rom. 2:29; cf. 9:6–7). Only at the very end of the age, when the eternal kingdom begins, will those who are true citizens of God’s kingdom be clear to everyone. (Even during the Millennium, when Christ directly rules on earth, there will be disloyal citizens; cf. Rev. 20:7–8.)
The only way now to ensure your kingdom citizenship is to repent, trust in Jesus Christ, and pursue the sanctification that new life in Him brings (cf. Mark 1:15).
Ask Yourself
What should churches do to discern and encourage those who are Christians in name only to put their faith in Christ wholeheartedly? Why do we tend to avoid dealing in touchy matters like these? And what is the result of our reticence?
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
I guess we could read all these guys and get some kind of consensus of what it ‘really’ means...
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/colossians/1-23.htm
Very beautiful post, Imardmd1!
‘But but but that doesn’t leave room for boasting!’
So Elsie’s salvation is dependent upon ELSIE never doubting, never in unbelief, by the power of ELSIE not the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit! I think I see where the problem is!
Of course, that is of a judgmental character. But it is not myself doing the judgment. The judgment and the sentence for it is found in the voice of the Spirit telling this of what "glasses" He wants us to put on. Either the instant permanence and graciousness and mercy and power is found in His salvation or it is not.
If it is Jesus that saves, and the regenerated child of God finds His ownership is quite satisfactory and unable to supersede, or somehow he has more power than God to overcome it. Or, as one would take from the view that my screed put forth, the person was not entirely convinced, and The Judge saw it, thus did not give the partially convinced but yet somewhat dubious, who thought that the salvation was not really a gift, but required the recipient to contribute to its cost, and thus was a cooperative effort, not really a gift at all.
BUT is absolutely clear that John MacArthur looked on this matter the same way that the Holy Scriptures have without a doubt convinced me to view the proposition. I did, as Adam's progeny, have done all the sinning, but in the shedding of His Blood to wash away all my sins, Jesus did ALL the saving of my person, upon whom He has showered all His sovereign preference for me and others like me, above His own self, and the remainder of His created world.
Either He did this, and the reward to me for a completely changed attitude is an everlasting life, one which any other fully persuaded human may have, or He failed.
That is, if a human thinks he/she "believes" but still can change one's mind back to the old way, then that person, like Agrippa, is just a hair's breadth away from placing complete trust in Jesus, but just as far away from a heavenly destination as the Devil himself. Paul challenged Agrippa, whom Paul (and the Spirit moving Paul) said was a "believer," and here is Agrippa's response:
Acts 26:27-29 (AV; quotes added)):Almost, Elsie, almost. What did Paul say about those professers who changed their minds, lapsing back into ways detrimental to the gospel?
"King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest."
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."
1 Timothy 1:5-7,18-20 (AV; bolding added for emphasis)It seems pretty clear that if these professers, although previously working as evangelical coworkers, were eventually seen by Paul to be regenerated believers, he would have turned them over to the Lord, not to Satan. That indicates that Paul saw from their actions that they were not saved, and thus counted them as having the Devil as their torturer.
5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
18This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
2 Timothy 2:17-19 (AV; bolding added for emphasis):
17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
If you would read through Dr. Wittman's paper on the KOH and the KOG, some of your reserve would be even more particularly addressed by a careful hermeneutic regarding who is truly Christ-servingand whose profession might be questioned.
But right now, it doesn't feel right to me to continue in this vein of making the devotional theme of metmom's intentions more of a debate and a controversy than she wanted. In my initial posting, it was an extension of my agreement with MacArthur's thesis, still of a devotional support of his theme and answers to his questions put to his readers. So let's allow it to stay in that mode, if we may.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body*.(That is, one not born of the spirit should not be participating in this Memorial Rite, for it will bring a remonstrance from God the Father for it.)
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* figuratively, the context this refers to the body of believers, the local church assembly, not His physical body in the plain-literal sense that some misinterpret it to be
This is consistent with MacArthur's meditation theme, carrying the devotional sense forward.
You may have a bit of confusion about doubt and belief.
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-s-the-difference-between-doubt-and-unbelief.html
Freewill?
Partial free will??
like a robot???
Which kind of life do I 'believe' GOD grants to each of us?
I know that thou believest., redeemedone, I know that thou believest.
The question still hangs - unanswered: Can GOD blot your name out of the Book of Life?
Even less help
; ^ )
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1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:5
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Thanks John. Got anything else to say about overcoming??
Rev 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Rev 2:11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev 2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Rev 2:26
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 3:5
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Rev 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Rev 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 21:7
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Do you have a clue as to what happens when God births someone in spirit from above? It appears you do not. Do you imagine that the newborn spirit can commit sin?
Do you believe a newborn spirit saved by the Grace of God can sin?
Yes.
Do you have proof that he can’t?
The Bible is clear that once God births someone from above (in spirit) He, God, then abides in that newborn spirit and will never leave them. Since you don't believe that from the Word of God, can we presume you do not believe Jesus can save to the uttermost? Can we presume you then are taking responsibility for maintaining your salvation, if indeed you are saved?
“Can we presume you then are taking responsibility for maintaining your salvation ...”
I blame the churches for this, MHG. I don’t know if they know the truth and are withholding it because they can then preach damnation of the saved and fill the offerings plate, OR if they themselves don’t know how salvation works.
Your take on the churches who preach such?
Sorry, Elsie! Forgot to plug in your name and ping ya to numero thirty-seven-o.
I wonder where I get those odd ideas from??
1 John 2:1 niv
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
No problem as I read most everything in a thread that is continuing.
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