Not sure what you are getting at in that ramble which I didn't post all of. Frankly, it doesn't matter what other people say or see, it is what God sees. He knows if you are a true believer by how you put your faith in action. Even good works done with bad motives will be noticed by God.
So the Spirit only takes up temporary residence in believers until He is kicked out and then invited back in again? Paul seemed to have another view:1 Cor. 3:16-17 (KJV):
You aren't reading the whole context of that Scripture. Paul is warning those divisive Corinthians to behave, otherwise, the Spirit will leave them.
"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God shall destroy that one" 1 Cor 3:17a
God destroys people by leaving them. He expects more from those who have the Spirit given to them. Thus, God doesn't automatically pull on puppet strings, but requires a response from man.
No, that [Some had professed to having faith, but did not really have it.] couldn't include me. God sent me a personal telegram with a confirmation number, the same as He did for you, I presume.
Of course not. False bravado and presumption are most certainly typical of a Christian charecter, at least what I am finding out by talking to you... Humility is not found anywhere in such attitude.
What do you think I mean by "false faith"? It is someone who claims to have faith but does not. But for you, there are no such people in the Bible, because all that is needed for faith is a claim of it.
Faith, in this case, is from God's point of view. You either have it or you don't. This "false faith" is for men. Men don't judge men for eternal salvation - which is what we are speaking of. Thus, there is no false faith in God's eyes. Either it is there (perhaps in insufficient qunatity, such as a workless faith), or it is not there at all. Phony faith is not faith.
Given this, then all Protestants have a clear way to heaven in Catholicism. I assume that you think that each of us was true in our initial professions of faith, but then many/most lost that faith when we failed to start practicing Catholicism (we didn't confess our mortal sins to a priest, etc.). So, all we have to do is keep re-claiming to have faith after each sin, and then we're covered.
So exactly how does a person claim to have faith in Jesus Christ but refuses to follow those He left behind? Ever heard of "He who rejects you rejects Me"? "If you love Me, you will obey my commandments"? Does Christ rule your life, or do you pick and choose which laws of Christ to follow?
About listening to me, I would have the same attitude with you that Paul had with the Bereans, which was, in effect: "DON'T listen to me at all until you know that what I say is consistent with scriptures". The Bereans did exactly that, and Paul loved them for it.
Paul loved the Bereans because, unlike the Thessolonians, who ALSO looked at Scriptures, agreed with Paul! And I am sure that Paul was really happy with the Bereans that they figured out how to celebrate the Eucharist from the OT Scriptures ALONE...Or baptize people from the OT Scriptures ALONE... Or to forget about Circumcision from the OT Scriptures ALONE...
Regards
Of course not. False bravado and presumption are most certainly typical of a Christian character, at least what I am finding out by talking to you... Humility is not found anywhere in such attitude.
I'm sorry you didn't get one. My confirmation number is much too long to print in its entirety, but here are the first several digits: 31610910131028151328
I.e., John 3:16, Rom. 10:9-10, 13, John 10:28, 1 John 5:13, Eph. 2:8, etc., etc.
Faith, in this case, is from God's point of view. You either have it or you don't. This "false faith" is for men. Men don't judge men for eternal salvation - which is what we are speaking of. Thus, there is no false faith in God's eyes. Either it is there (perhaps in insufficient qunatity, such as a workless faith), or it is not there at all. Phony faith is not faith.(emphasis added)
You are skirting the issue. There absolutely is false faith in God's eyes. He tells us about it in the "Lord, Lord" verse. You assume that everyone who CLAIMS to have faith, in fact, DOES actually have it. This is false. My point (including what you called my ramble) was that you must hold to this notion because otherwise, the idea of a lost true faith goes out the window. That is why I said that with Catholicism it is all talk on declaring faith.
On the one hand you say that no one can judge another's faith. BUT THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING, when you DECLARE that anyone who claims faith has it. You totally contradict yourself.
So exactly how does a person claim to have faith in Jesus Christ but refuses to follow those He left behind?
I have no problem following what the Apostles taught, they wrote down their most important teachings. After them, error crept in. But again you do not address what I am saying. Since for you only a claim of faith is needed to be actual faith, why can't anyone just keep reclaiming faith instead of going to confession, etc. You judge all claimers to be bona fide.
Ever heard of "He who rejects you rejects Me"? "If you love Me, you will obey my commandments"? Does Christ rule your life, or do you pick and choose which laws of Christ to follow?
Sure, I have heard of all of those, but I thought they were referring to Christ, not your men. Is your view that in these verses the Catholic hierarchy and Christ are equal in standing?
And I am sure that Paul was really happy with the Bereans that they figured out how to celebrate the Eucharist from the OT Scriptures ALONE...Or baptize people from the OT Scriptures ALONE... Or to forget about Circumcision from the OT Scriptures ALONE...
That is why I very carefully chose the phrase "consistent with scripture". Now, I don't for a second think that Paul taught about the Eucharist as it is practiced today, or that he taught infant Baptism with today's Catholic theological implications. Those are not consistent with scripture, so Paul could not have taught them. My wording was meant to leave room for extra-scriptural things which are consistent with scripture.