Obedience The Test OF True Religion

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Nov 30, 2013
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#1


Every tree is known by his own fruit. For thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. Luke 6:44.


"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" (2 Cor. 13:5). Some conscientious souls, on reading this, immediately begin to criticize their every feeling and emotion. But this is not correct self examination. It is not the petty feelings and emotions that are to be examined. The life, the character, is to be measured by the only standard of character, God's holy law. The fruit testifies to the character of the tree. Our works, not our feelings, bear witness of us.

The feelings, whether encouraging or discouraging, should not be made the test of the spiritual condition. By God's Word we are to determine our true standing before Him. Many are bewildered on this point. When they are happy and joyous, they think that they are accepted of God. When a change comes, and they feel depressed, they think that God has forsaken them...God does not desire us to go through life with a distrust of Him...While we were yet sinners, God gave His Son to die for us. Can we doubt His goodness?

But a faithful performance of duty goes hand in hand with a right estimate of the character of God. There is earnest work to do for the Master. Christ came to preach the gospel to the poor, and He sent His disciples forth to do the same work He came to do. So He sends forth His workers today. Sheaves are to be gathered for Him from the highways and hedges.

The tremendous issues of eternity demand of us something besides an imaginary religion, a religion of words and forms, where the truth is kept in the outer court, to be admired as we admire a beautiful flower; they demand something more than a religion of feeling, which distrust God when trials and difficulties come. Holiness does not consist in profession, but in lifting the cross, doing the will of God..."He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected" (1 John 2:4, 5).
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
113
#2
Concerning "test yourselves to see if you are in the faith" I agree with MacArthur on this.

"2Co 13:5 2 Cor. 13:5–6 The Greek grammar places great emphasis on the pronouns "yourselves" and "you." Paul turned the tables on his accusers; instead of presuming to evaluate his apostleship, they needed to test the genuineness of their faith (cf. James 2:14–26). He pointed out the incongruity of the Corinthians' believing (as they did) that their faith was genuine and his apostleship false. Paul was their spiritual father (1 Cor. 4:15); if his apostleship was counterfeit, so was their faith. The genuineness of their salvation was proof of the genuineness of his apostleship."

So it is not an exercise in belly button introspection but a challenge to those who were questioning the authenticity of his apostleship. If Paul was not authentic then their faith is a sham having been brought up in the faith by Paul.

Ryrie seems to concur...
"2Co 13:5 13:5 yourselves is emphatic; i. e., it is yourselves, not I, whom you should examine. reprobates =disapproved. I. e., they failed to pass the test and were not members of the household of faith (also cf. v. 6)."

It's unfortunate today many use this verse to cast doubts on believers whose faith is a little wobbly. See how context makes a big difference.
 

wattie

Senior Member
Feb 24, 2009
2,987
1,014
113
New Zealand
#3
Of course, a person can't obey God rightly without first having been converted and the penalty of sin taken for them by Jesus. Otherwise it's like as someone said- 'putting perfume on a corpse'.

Made alive in Jesus- obeying Jesus because of that.
 

MarcR

Senior Member
Feb 12, 2015
5,486
183
63
#4
There are indeed two tests whereby we may determine whether OUR OWN walk with the Lord is as it should be:

Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
KJV


The ninefold fruit of the Spirit should be present and growing in the life of every true believer; but not at the same level of maturity.


1 Jn 4:21-5:2

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
KJV


While obedience to ordinances contributes nothing to faith or Salvation; true Salvation will produce in the believer a lifestyle of obedience; of which love of the brethren is a hallmark.
 
Sep 6, 2014
7,034
5,435
113
#5


Every tree is known by his own fruit. For thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. Luke 6:44.


"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" (2 Cor. 13:5). Some conscientious souls, on reading this, immediately begin to criticize their every feeling and emotion. But this is not correct self examination. It is not the petty feelings and emotions that are to be examined. The life, the character, is to be measured by the only standard of character, God's holy law. The fruit testifies to the character of the tree. Our works, not our feelings, bear witness of us.

The feelings, whether encouraging or discouraging, should not be made the test of the spiritual condition. By God's Word we are to determine our true standing before Him. Many are bewildered on this point. When they are happy and joyous, they think that they are accepted of God. When a change comes, and they feel depressed, they think that God has forsaken them...God does not desire us to go through life with a distrust of Him...While we were yet sinners, God gave His Son to die for us. Can we doubt His goodness?

But a faithful performance of duty goes hand in hand with a right estimate of the character of God. There is earnest work to do for the Master. Christ came to preach the gospel to the poor, and He sent His disciples forth to do the same work He came to do. So He sends forth His workers today. Sheaves are to be gathered for Him from the highways and hedges.

The tremendous issues of eternity demand of us something besides an imaginary religion, a religion of words and forms, where the truth is kept in the outer court, to be admired as we admire a beautiful flower; they demand something more than a religion of feeling, which distrust God when trials and difficulties come. Holiness does not consist in profession, but in lifting the cross, doing the will of God..."He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected" (1 John 2:4, 5).
Ellen White's in heavenly places page 131 is the source of your plagiarized cut and paste here.
SOURCE

If you have a legitimate question to ask here at cc that would be acceptable and welcomed but please try and refrain from spamming and plagiarizing here with E.G's writings and ramblings.
If you have need of help for a drug addiction or a mental health challenge please seek that help asap and please accept my sincere condolences.

On a different note, are you aware that the so called "second great awakening" where E.G. and other known and proven false prophets had their beginnings was nothing but a religious social agenda aimed at bringing the naive into mental subjection?

"Efforts to apply Christian teaching to the resolution of social problems presaged the Social Gospel of the late 19th century. Converts were taught that to achieve salvation they needed not just to repent personal sin but also work for the moral perfection of society, which meant eradicating sin in all its forms. Thus, evangelical converts were leading figures in a variety of 19th century reform movements.[SUP][19]"[/SUP]
Source

This is why the groups that formed then promote works and use brainwashing techniques to this day. They are like the RCC lite versions of trickery who use psychological warfare against the gullible in an attempt to bring them into chains of confinement mentally. Always promoting works=righteousness.

They came to beguile you and make merchandise of you. Will you awaken from the deep sleep of your mind and spiritually embrace the simplicity of Christ (faith working by love) or will you continue to slumber under their spell of trickery while thinking you have a private stairway to heaven?

Ephesians 5:1-2
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:6-21

6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
764
113
39
Australia
#6
I've been 'testing' myself as of late and have found myself to be a bit like this guy:

But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'

Probably better than being this guy:


The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector!
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,002
13,010
113
58
#7
James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,395
113
#8
I've been 'testing' myself as of late and have found myself to be a bit like this guy:

But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, 'O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.'

Probably better than being this guy:


The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: 'I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else. For I don't cheat, I don't sin, and I don't commit adultery. I'm certainly not like that tax collector!
Amen to that for sure..........!
 
Nov 30, 2013
682
10
0
#9
Ellen White's in heavenly places page 131 is the source of your plagiarized cut and paste here.
SOURCE

If you have a legitimate question to ask here at cc that would be acceptable and welcomed but please try and refrain from spamming and plagiarizing here with E.G's writings and ramblings.
If you have need of help for a drug addiction or a mental health challenge please seek that help asap and please accept my sincere condolences.

On a different note, are you aware that the so called "second great awakening" where E.G. and other known and proven false prophets had their beginnings was nothing but a religious social agenda aimed at bringing the naive into mental subjection?

"Efforts to apply Christian teaching to the resolution of social problems presaged the Social Gospel of the late 19th century. Converts were taught that to achieve salvation they needed not just to repent personal sin but also work for the moral perfection of society, which meant eradicating sin in all its forms. Thus, evangelical converts were leading figures in a variety of 19th century reform movements.[SUP][19]"[/SUP]
Source

This is why the groups that formed then promote works and use brainwashing techniques to this day. They are like the RCC lite versions of trickery who use psychological warfare against the gullible in an attempt to bring them into chains of confinement mentally. Always promoting works=righteousness.

They came to beguile you and make merchandise of you. Will you awaken from the deep sleep of your mind and spiritually embrace the simplicity of Christ (faith working by love) or will you continue to slumber under their spell of trickery while thinking you have a private stairway to heaven?

Ephesians 5:1-2
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:6-21

6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.




GracethroughfaithinChrist,




Have you ever heard of As The World Turns? It will continue to turn.
Test every spirit to c if these things are truth. What you have posted does not upset me not one bit. What is false here and what scriptures can you post that disagree with what has been said here? Test every spirit and don't just blow hot air. Remember God says, "If they speak not according to His word there is no light in them. Where is the darkness of what has been posted?
 
Sep 6, 2014
7,034
5,435
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#10
GracethroughfaithinChrist,
Have you ever heard of As The World Turns?
As the world turns? like the soap opera? that i have heard of :)
It will continue to turn.
i heard it got canceled in September of 2010 but perhaps there are some re-runs still playing on the Soap Opera Network :rolleyes:
Test every spirit to c if these things are truth.
"Test every spirit to c if these things are truth"... you say?
The bible words it differently then you did here, it says.......
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
It's a warning about false prophets like E.G. and all other liars who put on the label of Christian in pretense while also pretending to have the Spirit of truth... but they only speak lies (false words) and very often feign their words to exploit those who don't love the truth or those who will drink their cup of poison.
2 Peter 2:1-3
1But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
'
We are not to believe every spirit specifically because wolves like her have crept in unawares to take captive the gullible and simple minded in an attempt to make merchandise of them through exploiting them with false words like E.G.
She often plagiarized people in her day too btw. :(

What you have posted does not upset me not one bit.
Well your next sentence speaks differently (see quote below). Do you know the difference between the truth and a lie? :confused:
Test every spirit and don't just blow hot air
Got scriptural proof for the "don't just blow hot air? i know it says test the spirits to see whether they are from God but i saw nothing about "blowing hot air in 1 John 4:1. Perhaps you were offended by the truth after all.......?
What is false here and what scriptures can you post that disagree with what has been said here?
E.G. was a fraud who's many predictions (false prophesies) never came true and you stole her words and passed them off as your own once again here at cc without quoting your source. To answer your question you attempted to deceive those here like she did in her day and you stole her writings and passed them off as your own like she did in her day too. tssk tssk :rolleyes:
Remember God says, "If they speak not according to His word there is no light in them. Where is the darkness of what has been posted?
Well is there any light (truth) in a lie? or in theft? Kind of self explanatory, i'm sure you don't need a map to figure out your and her error but let me say one more thing in an attempt to open your slumbering eyes and mind.......
Notice how in her writings and other SDA writings the author gives their own private interpretation of scripture and then adds quotes of different pieces of scripture after offering their private interpretation as to make what they are saying appear legitimate? That's part of the brainwashing techniques they use to deceive but their private interpretation is worthless as the scriptures must be spiritually discerned. The Holy Spirit is truth and of no lie. Lies and theft come from the devil. Truth and the free gift comes from God. We are to be obedient to truth and faith in Christ that works by love.

2 Peter 1:20-21

20knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Btw, my brother Dave says something like.... when someone is easily offended it proves their spiritual immaturity. If you wish to discuss your understanding of scriptures without plagiarizing E.G. or slipping in a immature comment it would be very nice to have a discussion with you here but i have better things to do then read a false prophetesses writings and ramblings and respond to them or respond to immature comments. Others here who have not been hindered by SDA remnant teachings like i had been may give you their responses to her writings and your plagiarizing of them but i will only point out your error and eventually will shake the dust of your words off my shoes while i walk with the Lord Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit in me.
Tootles!
 
C

cmarieh

Guest
#11
"Obedience test true religion"

First, off I do not agree with this statement. I think it would sound so much better instead of saying religion it says faith. I don't like the idea of being religious as it does have negative connotations because religion is a set of boundaries and God definitely doesn't fall between a set of boundaries. I am more of a faith driven individual. I apologize if this upset anyone as that was not my intention.
 
Feb 5, 2015
1,852
13
0
#12


Every tree is known by his own fruit. For thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. Luke 6:44.


"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" (2 Cor. 13:5). Some conscientious souls, on reading this, immediately begin to criticize their every feeling and emotion. But this is not correct self examination. It is not the petty feelings and emotions that are to be examined. The life, the character, is to be measured by the only standard of character, God's holy law. The fruit testifies to the character of the tree. Our works, not our feelings, bear witness of us.

The feelings, whether encouraging or discouraging, should not be made the test of the spiritual condition. By God's Word we are to determine our true standing before Him. Many are bewildered on this point. When they are happy and joyous, they think that they are accepted of God. When a change comes, and they feel depressed, they think that God has forsaken them...God does not desire us to go through life with a distrust of Him...While we were yet sinners, God gave His Son to die for us. Can we doubt His goodness?

But a faithful performance of duty goes hand in hand with a right estimate of the character of God. There is earnest work to do for the Master. Christ came to preach the gospel to the poor, and He sent His disciples forth to do the same work He came to do. So He sends forth His workers today. Sheaves are to be gathered for Him from the highways and hedges.

The tremendous issues of eternity demand of us something besides an imaginary religion, a religion of words and forms, where the truth is kept in the outer court, to be admired as we admire a beautiful flower; they demand something more than a religion of feeling, which distrust God when trials and difficulties come. Holiness does not consist in profession, but in lifting the cross, doing the will of God..."He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected" (1 John 2:4, 5).
I have gone to church for over 35 years, you learn thinmgs along the way. I have found that those who most stress the literal letter is obeyed are those who find it hardest to clean the inside of the cup.
Indeed, I have this year met many people of a certain denomination who lay great stress on the ''Ten Commandments'' being obeyed, along with much else of the ''literal word'' Sadly, many of these people have proved the biblical truth, that the letter kils but the spiirt gives life to be the truth
It is a Christianity I do not recognise, for it is careful to clean the outside of the cup, but powerless to clean the inside. Many of these people laugh and mock at the true grace of the bible. They break comandments they insist must be obeyed without conscience, failing to understand they are doing so. Some have even laughed while doing so in their ignorance
As you say, by their (true) fruit ye shall know them
 
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