Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

December 4 - The Kingdom of Heaven - Protestant Caucus/Devotional
Gracetoyou.org ^ | 2008 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

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.


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 141-160 next last
To: imardmd1

Thank you, Brother. see you in the clouds.


61 posted on 12/09/2022 12:03:48 PM PST by MHGinTN (A dispensation perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: SouthernClaire
it’s not sin that keeps a person out of Heaven. It is his rejection of the One God sent for his salvation that keeps him from it.

Interesting.....

62 posted on 12/09/2022 1:06:13 PM PST by ducttape45 (Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: MHGinTN
I hear Elsie asking 'what must I do to remain saved'.

You are exactly right here!

And the answer is:

Continue to BELIEVE!


63 posted on 12/09/2022 2:58:10 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Elsie
So Elsie's salvation is conditional, conditioned on Elsie never being manipulated by the most evil and guileful spirit int he Universe. So you are stronger than Satan! Wow, I didn't realize the level of your splendidness. Friend, YOU cannot maintain your position In Christ for it is God Who put you there knowing you could never achieve it by your work. So just keep believing your work is worth so much ... you will find out some where/when that ONLY God can save you and keep you via His Spirit in your spirit.

Frankly, I am seeing your position as unbelief that God saves to the uttermost, as you tout your inference that you can lose what only God can give and ONLY God can maintain.

64 posted on 12/09/2022 3:09:04 PM PST by MHGinTN (A dispensation perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 63 | View Replies]

To: SouthernClaire
...the sin that keeps one from eternal life with God Almigty: unbelief.

That's what I've been trying to get across throughout this whole discussion.

65 posted on 12/09/2022 10:00:31 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: aMorePerfectUnion

Then why all of the warning verses?


66 posted on 12/09/2022 10:01:05 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: imardmd1
Why is it so hard for some professor of "belief" accept the fact that he/she has never wholly abandoned their unbelief, but still is not convinced that Jesus does ALL the saving and never abandons the person who has placed themselvef totally in His care, knowing that any work they can do on earth will never, ever save them?

Yup, Jesus sure does all the saving, and the BELEIVER does all the BELIEVIN'!

67 posted on 12/09/2022 10:02:43 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: imardmd1
.... the Crown-Authorized Version of the true Majority/Byzantine Holy Scripture Translation.

OOoooh!

Appeal to authority!

68 posted on 12/09/2022 10:03:54 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

Wuh, all ya had to do was some hollerin’!


69 posted on 12/09/2022 10:04:23 PM PST by SouthernClaire (And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God ~ Job)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: MHGinTN
Frankly, I am seeing your position as unbelief that God saves to the uttermost, as you tout your inference that you can lose what only God can give and ONLY God can maintain.

True, GOD saves to the uttermost, but GOD does NOT force you to continue to believe against your will.

You wanna think you're changed into a religious robot when you get saved, go right ahead.

But I will not claim it will affect your salvation.

70 posted on 12/09/2022 10:07:37 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: MHGinTN
Friend, YOU cannot maintain your position In Christ for it is God Who put you there knowing you could never achieve it by your work. So just keep believing your work is worth so much ... you will find out some where/when that ONLY God can save you and keep you via His Spirit in your spirit.

I see that you have equated 'believing' as a type of work.

I do not.

I have always maintained that one is saved by grace and one is kept by grace as well.

71 posted on 12/09/2022 10:11:43 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: SouthernClaire

And drown out that still, small Voice?


72 posted on 12/09/2022 10:12:49 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]

To: imardmd1
Gen 15:6 (AV):
  6And heAbram believed in the LORD;  

 

Romans 4:3 (AV):
3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
73 posted on 12/09/2022 10:15:34 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

No, no, no, no, and nevah!


74 posted on 12/09/2022 10:15:44 PM PST by SouthernClaire (And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God ~ Job)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: imardmd1
By experience being born as the son of a Methodist Episcopal ordained elder, and nover really "hearing" what a complete total trust in the Savior Jesus as the Way to Heaven through the Truth in a faithfully preserved and accurately translated version of the Holy Scriptures, which in my opinion the NIV is not.

Interesting opinion you have.

Can you explain in a bit more detail as to what is WRONG with the NIV and how it may detract from a person's ability to believe in the Gospel presented on it's pages?

75 posted on 12/09/2022 10:17:49 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: MHGinTN; Elsie; metmom; SouthernClaire
>>. . . God saves to the uttermost . . .<<

Hebrews 7:25 (AV):
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 
. . . . . . .
2 Timothy 1:12 (AV):
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 
. . . . . . .
Heb 12:22 -24 (AV):
22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,  23To the general assemblypanegyria and churchekklesia of the firstborn, which are written* in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,  24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 
-----------
* where my name is written forever
. . . . . . . .

Col 3:3-4 (AV):
3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. ===============
The theologian who is not entirely convinced that when he/she agrees to accept The Father's gift of everlasting life which entails Jesus having with His Shed Blood purchased that person's body, soul, spirit, sins (past, present, and future), as well as everything one thinks that he/she owns, in which process he/she has irreversibly been judicially adopted as the child of God, and that the transaction of change of masters is never to be rescinded; and thinks he/she has the power to nullify this transaction; in fact has not fully exercised commitment of self to the Savior of everything one is or can be, wherefore no matter what one professes has not been redeemed as was Enoch and Noah and Abraham and Job and David and Elijah and John Baptist.

That person has not "lost' the salvation that he/she professes to have gotten; but rather lacks having given over that last teeny bit of TOTAL release of self into the Savior's comprehensive ownership and care, without which neither Jesus nor His Father moves forward, regardless of one's enthusiasm, and the Spirit takes not up residence to assure the conclusion of this induction into newness of life.

The Scriptures have convinced me that the person siding with Arminianism, and chides others who do not likewise affiliate with it, are like the Eliphaz the Temanite that took up the unauthorized role of scolding the Job who in the end pled for Jehovah's mercy on his own depraved, abhorrent self, and saw the LORD's righteousness and love for him prevail, as he had presupposed.

This is true:

Jesus Saves

No one or thing else other than Him, and His Perfect Salvation is instantaneously effective and irrevocable.

76 posted on 12/10/2022 1:48:38 AM PST by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux (Let There Be [God's] Light!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Elsie
Can you explain in a bit more detail as to what is WRONG with the NIV and how it may detract from a person's ability to believe in the Gospel presented on it's pages?

I can, but I won't in this devotional time of focus. No doubt you can investigate this for yourself. Perhaps a start would be with this inexpensive volume:

"If The Foundations Be Destroyed" by Chick Salliby (click here)

Reading the review on that page gives an indication.

77 posted on 12/10/2022 2:06:45 AM PST by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux (Let There Be [God's] Light!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: Elsie
>> Appeal to authority! <<

Sure, one of the best, recognized globally, and that for 400 years. It was the English translation authorized throughout the British Empire acceptable in pulpits and in courts throughout, recognized as THE authority for public service everywhere. Even now.

In defense of the KJV/AV (click here)

78 posted on 12/10/2022 2:28:52 AM PST by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux (Let There Be [God's] Light!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: Elsie
Yup, Jesus sure does all the saving, and the BELEIVER does all the BELIEVIN'!

In the last few years, I have skirted the use of the words "Christian" and "belief" or "faith" or "believer" or "saved" because they have come to mean different things to different people, and can result in a great deal of confusion.

To say that one believes does not indicate that the person is a child of God, or "saved," and the Bible says so:

James 2:19 (AV):

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 

What I have said before is that I do all the sinning, and Jesus does all the saving. When you used that pattern for the above quote from you, I just don't know what you mean by it. Certainly Satan and his minions have a much greater perception that the Godhead exists and have immesurable powers that most humans only take as partial or ineffective or even non-existent. Or only a figure of speech. Els, you've got to come to a little better definition to be taken seriously in this arena.

Here is a much better definition of sincere belief or a faith that one can depend on:

Rom 4:20-21 (AV' bolding added for emphasis):

20HeAbraham staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;  21And being fully persuaded that, what heJehovah had promised, heJehovah was able also to perform. 

Now, "complete trust" or "conviction" or "fully persuaded" or "completely confident" are better ways to convey the meaning of the nature of a "saving faith" used in a contextually proper way. Just telling me that someone is a "believer" says very little these days, of what the depth of commitment to Jesus really is.

I hope that you are getting the gist of this, without making some kind of witty remark about it for your own entertainment.

79 posted on 12/10/2022 3:11:34 AM PST by imardmd1 (Fiat Lux (Let There Be [God's] Light!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

Brother Elsie, you ask, “Why all the warning verses?”

Are they warning verses to the Body of Christ or to Israel?

Please remember that God is not done with Israel. Also, that the Church is a one-time, unique organism as the Body of Christ. When it is taken, so is salvation by grace in the way we know it. With that in mind, maybe some of the passages will become clearer to you.

Israel still has work to do and a role to fulfill in the future. They must endure to the end.


80 posted on 12/10/2022 3:27:53 AM PST by SouthernClaire (And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God ~ Job)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 141-160 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson