There is a saying out there I would like to put to rest once and for all.Once saved always saved is just plain not true,for there are those who have come to know the Lord only to return to their sinful ways.This comes with a WARNING for the one who chooses to return to the old way of life!
Scripture actually tells us that to return to a life of sin thinking all will be well for their soul may want to read what the word has to say:
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again;and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire”.(2 Peter 2:20-22).
Also Jesus did many miracles of healing and had people not believe it to be a Blessing to them. “And he could there do no mighty work,save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching”.(Mark 6:5,6). I find this passage very sad,because it is so true we are told to go and lay hands on the sick and preach the word yet people refuse still today to accept the truth! “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues (word of God foreign to unbelievers); They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing,it shall not hurt them;(Eternal Holy Spirit dwells within the believer)they shall lay hands on the sick,and they shall recover”.(Mark 16:17,18).
The man at the pool of Bethesda who had a sickness thirty eight years was told this very thing,that it would be worse for him after being healed to go and sin no more or it would be worse for him! “For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool,and troubled the water; whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him. Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee”.(John 5:4,14).
When a person lives with sin in their life and then repents the unclean spirit of sin leaves and his soul (house) is then clean.There is a great example of this in scripture. “When the unclean Spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation”.
(Matthew 12:43-45).
Categories: Prophecy
Charlie Kirk, the Constitution, and Our Founding Fathers 
Our Youth Are Under A Great Spiritual Attack 
Look Beyond The Chaos 
UFOs, UAPs, Parallel Dimensions, Aliens, and the Church 
I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel Of Christ! 
Ayomi……………….Your searching of the scriptures has given much fruit to the believer…….This insight on your part shows the true meaning when God said I will be found of you,if you search for me with your whole heart and you have done just that Ayomi.Thank You for your enlightening comment.
God Bless You.
Julia
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CJ…………..Thank You for printing an e-mail you received for it explains the works of the law and being of the Holy Spirit correctly and am Thankful to see this message written!. “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them”.(Galatians 3:11,12)……This is why being born again of the Spirit the Believer then becomes an example and is no longer fleshly,but spirit born and understands the law was set as an example to bring them to Christ….Thank You for sharing CJ and God Bless You Sister and author of this explanation.
Julia
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Thank you sister, what stuck out to me in this email is the fact that if we follow the Holy Spirit there is no need to worry about following the law, as you pointed out. Paul was faced with Jews that couldn’t understand Christ’s sacrifice and the fact that He was the Law. When Christ died the veil of the Temple was torn in half. Christ became the ‘High Priest’ as Paul points out in Hebrews 7:11-15 ‘But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.’ Christ gave us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and He is to guide us to Himself and the truth. God Bless you sister, your ministry has been a great blessing to me.
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Ayomi………………I am so Thankful for your comment,you have said well with all you’ve written here.You are correct the chapter starts out speaking of false prophets and teachers and that’s great you have understood well,but the scripture given 2 Peter 2:20-22 does speak of the lusts of the flesh I guess I should of went a couple verses back… “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through lusts of the flesh,through much wantonness (Lewd,Lascivious),those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for od whom a man is overcome,of the same is he brought in bondage”.(2 Peter 2:18,19). So with that said verse 18 says “THEY” speak great words to deceive through lusts of the flesh and while the clean escaped them “THEY” verse 19 says “THEY”(The Escaped) are promised liberty(freedom) by the ones that are servants of corruption and while they escaped they gained knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,yet chose to return (ENTANGLED) again and was overcome and it would of been better if they escaped and had the knowledge of Christ and not turn from the holy commandment.
You are doing so good at studying and I am a Jewish person and it is written the word is not just for the Jews even though the message was delivered to the Jews it is for all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved! “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy;as it is written ,For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles,and sing unto thy name.And again he saith, Rejoice,ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord,all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.
Jesus is known as the root of Jesse and the following passage lets us know he will reign over the Gentiles and thr Gentiles will trust in him. “And again, E-sai-as (Elijah) saith,There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust”.
(Romans 15:9-12) Stay in the word and God Bless You.
Julia
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I really don’t like to type things because I don’t want it ever to come off different from what I’m trying to say but I wanted to see if it’s okay for us to reason together. I’m learning to study the Word according to the Word itself so I don’t jump in it and wrongly divide like I’ve done years before. I think that those who fear and love God definitely don’t want to EVER do that knowing the terror of the Lord. Once someone is saved, if that one was truly saved and is a follower of the person Jesus Christ, they cannot be unsaved. Why because God is able to keep His Word and His promises. When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17 it shows that Jesus was capable of keeping even Peter, because Jesus knew what He was teaching Peter (and us) when He told him that he would deny Him. Everything He said and did was for a purpose. When we read books like Mathew and Hebrews we forget to take it in the context it is written. Unless you are a Jew, the Book of Mathew is not talking to you. We should study it and apply the practical principles that Jesus shows us, but the book of Mathew is showing Jesus Christ to the Jews. So when a Jewish person with a Jewish background reads Mathew, that person will be able to understand according to the history, culture, promises, and scripture that the Jews keep. (That’s why it’s a good book to take a Muslim to when witnessing because they can see and understand the genealogy of Jesus starting at Abraham). In Mathew 24, when they asked about the end times, Jesus responded to a Jewish person according to what the end times will be for the Jewish people, NOT for the saved (Gentile) Christians who come in later (We will have been caught up with Jesus in the clouds by the time the end time have come) We are not on this earth in the end times, don’t put yourself there (Revelation 4). Look at the context of Mathew. John 5:4,14, Jesus it talking to a Jew, that was under the Law. That’s why He said that to him. The gospels are transitioning books, the death of the testator had not yet come. Not until Jesus dies, is buried, and has resurrected does grace come into effect. For example a will is not in action until the person who wrote the will is dead). Jesus is talking to the Jews not us. Jesus’ second coming and Jesus meeting those who are saved (us) in the sky are two different things, notice when we are caught up, Jesus’ feet never touch the earth. It’s only at His second coming that His feet touch the earth. The book of Hebrew is not talking directly to us either, it’s actually talking to the Hebrews. So we have to be careful how we take scripture out of it and apply it to those who are saved by grace (the saved Christian). Sometimes I forget that the Bible is not an English or American book. It’s translated into English, but it has certain guiding factors that need to be taken into account. We have to ask who is this book or chapter talking to and what is the book or chapter talking about. When I read 2 Peter Chapter 2 I asked what is this talking about and who is Peter referring to as “they”. 2 Peter Chapter 2 is talking about those people who have knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s talking about false prophets, false teacher who know the way of righteousness but after they know it turn from the holy commandment. It says so in the beginning of the Chapter who he’s talking about. I have to keep studying to be absolutely sure that it’s not talking about the saved person because I don’t want to get it wrong, but we can pray and study it more by comparing scripture with scripture we can start by comparing the word dogs. What are dogs a picture of in the bible? When I flipped over to the next page in my bible there is 1 John which talks about how a believer can KNOW that he is in Christ. It says in 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. If you look and underline all the IFs and the KNOWs in 1 John, this is one of the ways one can examine themselves to see whether they be in the faith as in 2 Corinthians 13:5. Once we are born again we are a new creature, 2 Corinth 5:17. Once we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of the Living God, He will not leave us or forsake us. We can’t live this life on our own, God doesn’t expect us to, only by submitting to and obeying the Word Jesus Christ and letting Him be LORD of our lives. He bought us paying for ALL of our sins, we are no longer our own. The Holy Spirit is capable of directing and keeping those who are His, we do fail sometimes, but He won’t fail to fulfill His promise. Jesus did not lose any disciples who belonged to Him before, except the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. He will not lose any who belong to Him now. I keep having to say to myself let God be true and every man a liar as I go back to the scripture and read it over again. Thank you for allowing dialogue and for all you all do, this site has helped me a lot.
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Ayomi, I do welcome the chance for discussion, because that is how we learn, I will however speak up if something does not follow scripture. I am so glad you found things here to help you. While one is saved, and yes no one can snatch them out of God’s hand, it is possible to make shipwreck of your faith, or as you put it become unsaved. But it is our choice, our choice if we turn to sin, if we continue to sin knowing that it’s wrong, yes we can become unsaved. There is not a money back eternity guarantee that comes with our salvation. In fact the Apostles spent most of their time warning us of the dangers of sin. This is the first time I have ever heard that the book of Matthew is for the jews and not for Christians. Matthew is full of Jesus’ teachings and doctrine, and it was not only for the Jews. Jesus witnessed to many Gentiles. I really don’t know how to respond to that. But I do know that it’s not true.
#2. In Mathew 24, when they asked about the end times, Jesus responded to a Jewish person according to what the end times will be for the Jewish people, NOT for the saved (Gentile) Christians who come in later (We will have been caught up with Jesus in the clouds by the time the end time have come) We are not on this earth in the end times, don’t put yourself there (Revelation 4).
Where did you hear this? What scripture say’s this? Revelation 4 does not give instruction about a rapture, it has the words come up here, but that was to John so he could be taken in the spirit and shown prophecy. I realize many believe the pre-tribulation theory brought about by John Darby, but this is a risky doctrine to believe. What would it hurt for you to prepare yourself for tribulation?
#3. Look at the context of Mathew. John 5:4,14, Jesus is talking to a Jew, that was under the Law. That’s why He said that to him. The gospels are transitioning books, the death of the testator had not yet come. Not until Jesus dies, is buried, and has resurrected does grace come into effect. For example a will is not in action until the person who wrote the will is dead). Jesus is talking to the Jews not us. Jesus’ second coming and Jesus meeting those who are saved (us) in the sky are two different things, notice when we are caught up, Jesus’ feet never touch the earth. It’s only at His second coming that His feet touch the earth. The book of Hebrew is not talking directly to us either, it’s actually talking to the Hebrews.
I again have to ask where did you get this, John 5: 4,14 Is about Jesus healing a man. The gospels are not and have never been ‘transitioning books’ show me a scripture that say’s this. Jesus’ testimony , life, gospel, teachings, death and resurrection were not for any specific people. He came for all, he taught his gospel, the words of the Father, and in no way are the gospels anything but the inspired word of God, for all. Jesus doesn’t come twice. There is only once he returns with the last trump and the voice of the archangel, immediately after the tribulation of those day’s we will see Him coming in all His Glory on the cloud of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:29-30
#4. Once we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of the Living God, He will not leave us or forsake us. We can’t live this life on our own, God doesn’t expect us to, only by submitting to and obeying the Word Jesus Christ and letting Him be LORD of our lives. He bought us paying for ALL of our sins, we are no longer our own. The Holy Spirit is capable of directing and keeping those who are His, we do fail sometimes, but He won’t fail to fulfill His promise. Jesus did not lose any disciples who belonged to Him before, except the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. He will not lose any who belong to Him now.
Ayomi this is so right! We have that blessed assurance that Jesus will never leave us! Keep your eyes focused on Jesus! Our Lord and Savior is returning. You got this so right, stay with the ship, keep your eyes on the Lord, and He will never leave you. God bless you Ayomi!
CJ
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Sorry CJ. What I was saying is to consider the context of the entire BOOK, CHAPTER. For example: James specifically says “to the twelve tribes”; (I am a Gentile, not a Jew) it’s still (FOR) me, (FOR) us all but first it has to be taken in the context which it is written. That way you will know how to apply it to your life in present day correctly. For example: Kings is from one perspective Chronicles is from another. It helps to consider that when we read those books. To whom is God speaking to? Is He speaking to (a Jew) to all the Jews in that statement? If so, then we know what is being said and why it’s being said. And is He speaking about something before or after the law? Is He speaking to a Gentile, or is He speaking to the Church? Every human being is one of these. Subject matter, matters. Ask yourself: To whom are the passages written to? That way we won’t take it out of context AS we read it and apply it to our life, today.
I said transitioning books meaning they are showing a transitioning period FROM the law (which Moses brought forth to Israel from the Lord) INTO grace by faith alone (in Jesus Christ alone). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. We know that books like Mathew, James, and Hebrew are for us all, but only first taken and applied in its context considering the time in history, understanding the divisions correctly. The Bible can be broken down into 3 time periods and there are 3 kinds of people. When was the book written, before, during, or after the law? Who was God speaking directly and literally to at that point in time? The Jews, Gentiles, or the Church. Keeping in mind we can’t operate under the same system God designed specifically for the Jews. Even a believing Jew is saved by faith in Jesus Christ. It’s only AFTER Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected did He conquer death and the law was then put away. For instance it was before grace was given and during the law when Jesus was speaking to the man He healed in John 5: 4, 14 He said …sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee. Jesus said that because that Jew was at that point in time still under the law, he (that Jewish man) could have lost the salvation he had in God (Jesus) if he sinned more after being made whole AND did not turn from his way and repent from his sins according to the Law which God gave. He was a Jew under the law.
What God wrote to the Jews is so deep and profound it can be applied to all people once we study and understand the background and context correctly. What God promised to Israel belongs to Israel and what God promised to the Church is applied to the Church. What God promised to both is for both and so on. We cannot take the things God spoke to Israel and apply it to (the Church). It’s absolutely for all of us and our understanding of who God is and why He did and is doing what He is doing. What is the context of the word, verse, scripture, chapter, what time, what was happening, what is God teaching, how do we apply it to our lives.
For example, before attempting to understand the books and apply each principle in it, consider:
1. Leviticus: written to Jews
2. Obadiah: written to Gentiles. Thus said the Lord God concerning Edom.
3. James: written to twelve tribes
4. Ephesians: written to the church
5. Mathew (Written by a Jew to Jews) Showing us all, presenting Christ as the promised Messiah to the Jews. Showing Jesus Christ is the King of the Jews.
6. Luke: (Showing us the Jewishness of the Savior)
7. We cannot apply Sermon on the Mount outside of a Jewish context
Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was not saying that Revelation 4 was giving instruction. I was trying to say that the Church is in Heaven during the end times as you read on starting at Rev 4 and so on as a reference. I really hope it’s a bit clearer what I was trying to say.
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Ayomi, thank you Sister! Yes, I think that is a good analogy too for those that still think the law applies. Paul spent a lot of time on this in his writings, Paul was well studied in the Torah and the law. So really he was a perfect choice to speak to the Jews. And I think we all forget that the Apostles didn’t have the New Testament to teach from, they taught from the scriptures in the old testament. I find myself reading the whole chapter at times to see who God was talking to and what He was referring to. That’s an excellent practice, you are very right. Thank you again, and God Bless you sister!
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This was sent to me in an email and it is so plain and true. It explains so much I wanted to share it. Thanks so much for sending this:
In Galatians 5:18 Paul (Saul, Sha’ul) wrote,
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
Does that mean if I am led by the Holy Spirit, I won’t keep the Law?
No, in fact it means the exact opposite. The Torah (Law, instruction) is a gift from God. It describes how to be a blessing to God and to one another. Take an example from our modern system: If I am allowing myself to be led by the Holy Spirit, I won’t drive recklessly and as a result I won’t be subject to the penalty of the traffic law.
Its the same with the Torah Law. If I’m not breaking the Law, I’m not under threat of the penalty of the Law.
The Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) will never lead me to break Torah. Verses 22-23 list the character traits and actions that are the Fruit of the Spirit. Verse 23 says, “Against such there is no Law.” So by definition, if I’m being led by the Spirit, I am not breaking the Torah.
Galatians 5:18 can best be understood as saying, But if you are being led by the Spirit, you are not under the penalty of the Law.
How can you be led by the Ruach Hakodesh? First ask to be given faith in Messiah Yeshua. When you have received that, ask for the Holy Spirit. Then you will begin to learn and to listen.
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nakedtruth2………..You have very contradictory comments here so it is hard to clarify.Your first comment said Peter returned to his sin and now with your second comment you said you previously wrote Peter returned to his denial……..Very contradictory.
First of all this post was from 2 Peter 2:20-22 and it speaks of a person who lived in sin then learned of Christ,yet decided to return to their sin and it says it is better that this kind of person is worse off to of learned of Christ only to choose to go back to their sin.
Not sure why you insist on adding words to scripture,but the passage you speak of when you ask the question is a person denied from salvation??? or denied privilege??? neither word is written in this passage it clearly states denied before his Father in heaven. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.But whosoever shall deny me before men,him will I also deny before my father which is in heaven”.(Matthew 10:32,33). THE DENIAL IS FROM THE FATHER IN HEAVEN the words salvation or privilege are not listed.
The passage you refer to of when there will be those told I NEVER KNEW YOU (Matthew 7:23)has the answer if you would read2 passages up in verse 21 that it is those who do the will of the Father! Which are those who are bringing forth good fruit.Thank You for your comment and God Bless You.
Julia
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From Julia:
colorstorm98………………..If one is going to quote the words of the bible they should be quoted as written.Revelation tells us it’s not good to add to or take away words from scripture.(Revelation 22:18,19).
When you say Peter and you even capitalized RETURNED to his sin……The passage given (2 Peter 2:20-22)says NOTHING about Peter returning to HIS SIN?……..IT SAYS THEY(I don’t see the name Peter there)it is a message to people in general,(they= No specific gender,but refers to a general group of people….As Used:THEY ran together in the same crowd.
.
As for the passage of Peter denying the Lord it still DOES NOT SAY Peter RETURNED to his sin,(if anything after the 3 denials he wept bitterly and was repentant for he had a repentant heart! “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, before the cock crow,thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out,and wept bitterly”.(Matthew 26:69-75).
To say that we are not suppose to judge between the chaff and the wheat that it is God’s JOB?…(PLEASE GIVE SCRIPTURE) this denies God calling his people to preach the word in season and out throughout the earth!
CHAFF AND THE WHEAT……………………………..
This would totally take out the scripture of the parable Jesus taught of the Sower and the Seed.(Matthew 13:24-30) The good seed are the people who take the word of God and brings forth fruit(WHEAT) and satan tries to desroy that good.(Not fruitful wheat is CHAFF)….Afterall it is written: satan came to kill steal and destroy….John 10:10).
We would have to also eliminate the scripture we are to pray that the Lord would send forth more labourers into his harvest.
“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great,but the laborers are few:pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest”.(Luke 10:2).
Thank You for your comment I appreciate it.God Bless You.
Julia
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Hi Julia-
I can’t change your mind, but i can open your eyes. The ‘denial’ of Peter was sinful to be sure. When I say he ‘returned,’ he most certainly returned to his denial. This period of time lasted a while, at least until the cock crowed. So yes, he returned. Yet, when we read that ‘he who denies me before men, I will deny before before the Father,’ one must be careful what this means.
Does it mean ‘I will deny you salvation, or entrance into heaven???’ or does it simply mean, ‘I will deny you privilege????’
Some help for you in this area is when the Lord says ‘depart from me, I NEVER knew you…’ you must admit these people were professors, and not possessors. NEVER means never, so you cannot force the group of ‘once saved always saved into this group,’ for God would then be a liar.
Justification by faith and justification through works are two different things, and seen from two points of view. To not understand is to put Pauls argument against James.
‘Let your light so shine so MEN MAY SEE….’ Get it?? God does not need to see anything, he knows what is in the heart, yet a good man will bring forth good things.
Grace is the greatest impetus for living a godly life, not entrance into heaven.
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I really don’t know what your getting at. There are no privileges associated with heaven, your either in or your not. Jesus will separate the ‘sheep from the goats’ sheep on his right, goats on his left. (Matthew 25:31-46) And He will say to those on His right, ‘Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ You will either be in heaven or not, there is not special privileges that will be afforded to some and not others. But everyone goes to heaven. That is not the gospel of Christ. That is universalism, and a dangerous doctrine. I’m sorry, but that’s what it sounds like you are saying. And there is nothing to discuss as far as justification by faith or justification through works. Paul is again very clear on this. By Grace we are saved, through faith. Not of works! lest anyone should boast. Works should not even be included in an opinion. And Paul’s argument? James argument? I don’t understand. They both teach the doctrine of Christ. In Paul’s letter to Timothy (1st Tim. 1:18-20) Paul is speaking of Hymenaeus and Alexander, he say’s ‘Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered ‘Shipwreck’. Whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.. So you see you can make shipwreck of your faith. And yes, when Jesus denies you before His Father, there will be no entrance into Heaven. Jesus said, ‘Pray that you will be able to stand before the son of Man when He returns.’ And back to Peter, Jesus led him back into repentance not privilege. I don’t wish to sound cruel, but we will just have to agree to disagree. I will continue to speak the truth of God, even if it offends.
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Hi Julia
I was pointing out to you that some have found contradiction between Paul and James, thereby confusing the doctrine of justification through works, and faith,
as both Paul and James spoke of; but Paul wrote of being justified BEFORE GOD. (Rom 4,2)
If you have carefully read anything I have written on the naked truth, I draw distinction between professors, (they who SAY Lord Lord,) with true believers who are as safe as the throne of God, heaven, and Christ himself.
You are confusing the judgement of the sheep and the goats with the judgement seat of Christ in which no unbelievers are present; this is God’s way, and it is easy to come to faulty opinions.
Christians are NOT judged for their sins, how could they be??? Christ took them away……….obviously, the judgement of believers must be for another purpose; and it is.
As far as your misunderstanding of my ‘universalism,’ I am here to tell you THAT is a doctrine of devils. There is an admonition to be ‘not many teachers,’ as there is an extra dose of accountability involved, but I will stand behind the very weakest christian being attached to the Head of the church as a member of His body, while agreeing with scripture which proves the imposter will have his place in the lake of fire.
God’s word is the issue, he is called Faithful and True, while I am called to BE faithful. There is a huge difference in interpretation because folks do not ‘rightly divide the word of truth.’ There are divisions, dispensations, and covenants worth knowing how to divide.
The problem has long been Calvin on the one hand, with
Armenianism on the other. Both have faults, and plenty of disciples, but as for me, I’m sticking with scripture.
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Well, thank you, although I’m not Julia, I’m CJ, I do thank you for taking the time to clarify. Thanks and may God keep you in His word until He returns. Many blessings to you and yours.
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In Response to thenakedtruth2:
Actually we have to go by the teachings of Jesus on this. Jesus said ‘If you deny me before men, I will deny you before my father.’ So if Peter had died before he turned back to God (Christ) then he most certainly would not have been welcomed. Jesus told Peter this, (so He knew that Peter would turn from Him) ‘Simon, Simon, Indeed Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail’ and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. ‘ Of course Peter denied this, and said he would die for Jesus, and Jesus told him that before the cock crows he would deny Jesus 3 times. Keeping in mind what Jesus taught in Matthew 10 about denying Him, Peter would not have made it. Jesus didn’t say, ‘But don’t worry about denying me, because it’s all good, you were baptized and you’ll go to heaven no matter what. He said, ‘I am praying for you, and when you return, strengthen your brethren.’ If your going to follow scripture, we have to follow all of it. Jesus’s teachings are very important. And you most certainly can make shipwreck of your faith, the Holy Spirit will attempt to call you back, but it’s up to you. Read about Paul’s journey to Rome on the ship. Read about the men who didn’t listen to Paul, when God told him, stay with the ship and you will be safe. Some left on their own, and they perished in the storm. This is the way it is with life and death and eternal life also. We must stay with the ship and keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
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Well, here is a topic that cannot be exhausted here. But question for you:
When Peter the apostle said ‘I know not the man,’ three times, as he RETURNED to his sinful ways………………’ was he fit for heaven at the moment?? yes or no?
There is no middle ground, and your answer will help you see clearly to this apparent discrepancy. Hint- Peter was not he who ‘returned to his own vomit,’ as unregenerate dogs do. Had Peter died while he said ‘I know him not,’ he would have been welcomed into heaven, for God knows the heart, and he knows who his own are.
‘I know them, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish,’ is a truth that hardly needs comment. A christians behaviour, good or bad, does not disqualify him from his being ‘unsealed.’ God knows who are his, you or I may not, but the judge of all the earth will do right, but he cannot go against his own word.
Imposters there are, and far too many, sadly, many are hiding in pews, but many a believer has a lousy testimony, (as did the sinning Peter) but do set it straight. It’s called life.
As I said, there is not time nor space to fully enter this topic, but I know this: I am told to ‘examine myself,’ and make sure of my calling and election. Usually, they with the biggest mouths have both nothing to say, and are the least spiritual, but many an unbeliever has found a good life using the ‘right words’ and appearing to justify themselves before men.
thankfully, God knows, and it is his business to sort the wheat from the chaff. It has been my experience that the scripturally aloof are wrong with just about everything, and could care less about godliness- while on the other hand, there are souls who have just not been taught correctly. This is a huge difference, but ‘babies’ in the word are as safe as those who eat strong meat; they have the same Father-
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