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To: Matchett-PI
What hope doesn't get is that unity within the visible church is most definitely not the will of God. The Lord brought a sword of division for the visible church. This is, as you have pointed out with the references to parables, only a foreshadowing of the separation which will take place when the Lord returns.

The pretenders will recive in their souls the wrath of God which already abides upon them (John 3:18, 3:36).

And we shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Him. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to us. Will we not be moved to a greater sense of awareness of just how wonderful the unmerited grace of God really is when we see this? Shall we not rejoice to know that we are not the objects of God fierce wrath? Shall we not fall down and give God glory through praise and worship? Shall we not feel awe and wonder to simply know that the only difference between us and the reprobate is the free grace of God that He has in His sovereignty bestowed?
2,565 posted on 10/23/2002 9:06:24 AM PDT by theAmbassador
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To: theAmbassador
What hope doesn't get is that unity within the visible church is most definitely not the will of God. The Lord brought a sword of division for the visible church. This is, as you have pointed out with the references to parables, only a foreshadowing of the separation which will take place when the Lord returns.

I am left with the distinct impression that like so many others, you simply refuse to address divisiveness as a sin. I don't think God sent Paul to denounce what God was doing.

2,570 posted on 10/23/2002 9:19:34 AM PDT by hopespringseternal
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To: theAmbassador
Your #2565 to M-PI: And we shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Him. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to us. Will we not be moved to a greater sense of awareness of just how wonderful the unmerited grace of God really is when we see this? Shall we not rejoice to know that we are not the objects of God fierce wrath? Shall we not fall down and give God glory through praise and worship? Shall we not feel awe and wonder to simply know that the only difference between us and the reprobate is the free grace of God that He has in His sovereignty bestowed?

But maybe your hope is tragically misplaced, maybe your conversion is spurious, as you guys love to claim regarding any who disagree with you. As you guys say, were that to be unhappily the case, you would only get what you deserve.

You guys take too many pages from the Pharisees' playbook:

Luke 18:11,13,14
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The difference between the faithful and the reprobate is that the faithful obey the Gospel -- faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, sincere repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, keeping the commandments, enduring in faith to the end, building Christlike character, living a life of service, doing what Jesus tells us to do, as the prophets teach us in the Scriptures.

Ephesians 2:8
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 10:16
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

2 Thessalonians 1:8
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4:17
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

The Lord gives us all the ability to repent, and offers His eternal opportunities to all, on condition of obedience to His Gospel: faith in Christ, repentance, etc.

God bless you!

2,695 posted on 10/24/2002 9:59:34 AM PDT by White Mountain
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