Blessed are those who seek him with whole heart (Psalm 119:2-3)
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We also read in Revelation...
Rev_22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Jesus stated...
Luk_11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Those whose houses stand are those...
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
As for seeking, there is due diligence involved...
Heb_11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ties "seeking diligently" together "faith and belief."
Genuine faith is an active principle and encompasses wholehearted seeking which brings us back to the title of this thread.
Rev_22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Jesus stated...
Luk_11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Those whose houses stand are those...
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
As for seeking, there is due diligence involved...
Heb_11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 ties "seeking diligently" together "faith and belief."
Genuine faith is an active principle and encompasses wholehearted seeking which brings us back to the title of this thread.
The message of "confess, trust and receive" which is predominantly preached today negates the necessity of one being "wholehearted" towards God.
Jesus made this pertinent statement...
Mat 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The "single eye" relates to being "wholehearted" towards God. An "evil eye" relates to being double minded. An "evil eye" is often perceived as light and due to this is actually a great darkness.
No individual can serve both worldly lusts (mammon) and God.
Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psa 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Psa 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Psa 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Psa 119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Of course under the New Covenant the law is the law of love. If we love God and love our neighbour with all our heart then we know we abide in Him.
1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1Jn 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
1Jn 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
1Jn 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1Jn 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1Jn 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
The modern doctrines of Penal Substitution, Original Sin, and the Imputed Righteousness of Christ all serve to negate "wholehearted yielding" or being "single eyed" and thus relegate salvation as a principle of abstraction as opposed to salvation being understood as a literal manifest state in which we have been truly redeemed from all iniquity, made pure, and are thus zealous for righteousness.
Jesus made this pertinent statement...
Mat 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The "single eye" relates to being "wholehearted" towards God. An "evil eye" relates to being double minded. An "evil eye" is often perceived as light and due to this is actually a great darkness.
No individual can serve both worldly lusts (mammon) and God.
Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psa 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
Psa 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Psa 119:6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Psa 119:7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Of course under the New Covenant the law is the law of love. If we love God and love our neighbour with all our heart then we know we abide in Him.
1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1Jn 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
1Jn 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
1Jn 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1Jn 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1Jn 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
The modern doctrines of Penal Substitution, Original Sin, and the Imputed Righteousness of Christ all serve to negate "wholehearted yielding" or being "single eyed" and thus relegate salvation as a principle of abstraction as opposed to salvation being understood as a literal manifest state in which we have been truly redeemed from all iniquity, made pure, and are thus zealous for righteousness.
Original Sin - This false doctrine implies "sin you will and sin you must" because the root of sinning is deemed to be an inherited defect passed down from parent to child. It negates "human ability" as it relates to being able to choose not to sin. Thus if one upholds Original Sin in the mind one will uphold a view that their own sin is ultimately not their own fault, rather it is the result of a birth defect. This mental notion then serves to inoculate from a genuine repentance experience, an experience where one takes full responsibility for "choosing" to sin previously and makes the decision to "choose not" to sin in the future. This is why Heb 10:26 warns against "willful sin" because "willful sin" is simply "choosing to sin."
Penal Substitution - This false doctrine piggy back onto "sin you will and sin you must" by providing a cloak for an ongoing wicked state. It teaches that Jesus was punished as a substitute for the sinner and thus bore the wrath of God in place of the sinner who actually deserves it. This wrath is thus satisfied via the substitute and therefore condemnation for sinning is removed. It is a very clever way to repackage Satan's first lie of "ye can sin and not surely die."
An individual who has had their sin "paid for in full" cannot be held to account for that which is "paid for." Thus any acts of sin indulged in the future are already "paid for" with death no more being due. Under this deception the Christian can sin and not surely die because Jesus supposedly already died for that particular sin as a substitute.
Imputed Righteousness of Christ - This silly and dangerous doctrine basically teaches that the obedient track record of Jesus is credited to the Christian. Thus even though the Christian is still evil within (Rom 7:14-29, 1Joh 1:8 are petitioned as proof texts), God views the Christian through a kind of "Jesus filter" where He pretends that the Christian is righteous.
This doctrine is so absurd and foolish that it is quite mind boggling as to how many people actually choose to believe it. It is simply amazing how many people will reject what the Bible actually teaches on righteousness and heart purity and firmly grip a lie which tells them that the virtue of another can be transferred to them. Thus they will uphold the notion that they are "saved positionally" but not "saved practically." This then allows them to argue in favour of an individual being saved whilst they are engaged in willful wickedness like child molestation, drunkenness, porn watching, or all manner of other evil deeds.
Penal Substitution - This false doctrine piggy back onto "sin you will and sin you must" by providing a cloak for an ongoing wicked state. It teaches that Jesus was punished as a substitute for the sinner and thus bore the wrath of God in place of the sinner who actually deserves it. This wrath is thus satisfied via the substitute and therefore condemnation for sinning is removed. It is a very clever way to repackage Satan's first lie of "ye can sin and not surely die."
An individual who has had their sin "paid for in full" cannot be held to account for that which is "paid for." Thus any acts of sin indulged in the future are already "paid for" with death no more being due. Under this deception the Christian can sin and not surely die because Jesus supposedly already died for that particular sin as a substitute.
Imputed Righteousness of Christ - This silly and dangerous doctrine basically teaches that the obedient track record of Jesus is credited to the Christian. Thus even though the Christian is still evil within (Rom 7:14-29, 1Joh 1:8 are petitioned as proof texts), God views the Christian through a kind of "Jesus filter" where He pretends that the Christian is righteous.
This doctrine is so absurd and foolish that it is quite mind boggling as to how many people actually choose to believe it. It is simply amazing how many people will reject what the Bible actually teaches on righteousness and heart purity and firmly grip a lie which tells them that the virtue of another can be transferred to them. Thus they will uphold the notion that they are "saved positionally" but not "saved practically." This then allows them to argue in favour of an individual being saved whilst they are engaged in willful wickedness like child molestation, drunkenness, porn watching, or all manner of other evil deeds.
when someone joins the US ARMY, they are ready to do everything they're told and even to die for their country.
when someone joins the US ARMY, they are ready to do everything they're told and even to die for their country.
they are , literally and legally , U>S>PROPERTY. and they are told this from the start in BOOTCAMP.
IF
if
IF IF
if if if they conspire with the enemy , and are caught serving nazi gestapo germany,
they may be arrested, imprisoned for life, executed, and court martialed.
and most all the us citizens think this is all fine and dandy. even dying (for the soldiers).(for 'freedom') )
how has the enemy blinded americans so much ? they don't know, and don't see anyone, living so completely like the disciples did in the NT, fully and completely and utterly sold out to GOD in JESUS.
willing to live every day, all the time, and to die for their faith as well, joyfully and eagerly and hopefully and excitedly and WILLINGLY with no regrets, no doubts and no hesitation.
when someone joins the US ARMY, they are ready to do everything they're told and even to die for their country.
they are , literally and legally , U>S>PROPERTY. and they are told this from the start in BOOTCAMP.
IF
if
IF IF
if if if they conspire with the enemy , and are caught serving nazi gestapo germany,
they may be arrested, imprisoned for life, executed, and court martialed.
and most all the us citizens think this is all fine and dandy. even dying (for the soldiers).(for 'freedom') )
how has the enemy blinded americans so much ? they don't know, and don't see anyone, living so completely like the disciples did in the NT, fully and completely and utterly sold out to GOD in JESUS.
willing to live every day, all the time, and to die for their faith as well, joyfully and eagerly and hopefully and excitedly and WILLINGLY with no regrets, no doubts and no hesitation.
It is essential that we all be diligent to be found of God in peace, without spot and blameless. For God is going to burn this world, along with all its vanity, with fire. God is not willing that anyone would perish but rather that all would come to repentance. Unfortunately all will not repent and therefore will not live their lives in all holy conduct and godliness.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Is this message being preached much today?
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Is this message being preached much today?
Look at these words of Polycarp...
Polycarp 2:2
Now He that raised Him from the dead will raise us also; if we
do His will and walk in His commandments and love the things which He
loved, abstaining from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of
money, evil speaking, false witness; not rendering evil for evil or
railing for railing or blow for blow or cursing for cursing;
Polycarp 3:3
which is the mother of us all, while hope followeth after and love
goeth before--love toward God and Christ and toward our neighbor. For
if any man be occupied with these, he hath fulfilled the commandment
of righteousness; for he that hath love is far from all sin.
Polycarp to the Philippians (Lightfoot translation)
That was the testimony and teaching of the early Christians.
There is not a single Christian writer, as far as I am aware, from the first few hundred years who would use Rom 7:14-18, 1Joh 1:8, Isa 64:6 as proof texts for ongoing wickedness in the Christian experience. Instead they preached...
A very different message is preached today by many sadly.
[video=youtube;XPuhbm74JRU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPuhbm74JRU[/video]
Polycarp 2:2
Now He that raised Him from the dead will raise us also; if we
do His will and walk in His commandments and love the things which He
loved, abstaining from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of
money, evil speaking, false witness; not rendering evil for evil or
railing for railing or blow for blow or cursing for cursing;
Polycarp 3:3
which is the mother of us all, while hope followeth after and love
goeth before--love toward God and Christ and toward our neighbor. For
if any man be occupied with these, he hath fulfilled the commandment
of righteousness; for he that hath love is far from all sin.
Polycarp to the Philippians (Lightfoot translation)
That was the testimony and teaching of the early Christians.
There is not a single Christian writer, as far as I am aware, from the first few hundred years who would use Rom 7:14-18, 1Joh 1:8, Isa 64:6 as proof texts for ongoing wickedness in the Christian experience. Instead they preached...
A very different message is preached today by many sadly.
[video=youtube;XPuhbm74JRU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPuhbm74JRU[/video]
I will sprinkle you with clean water and you will be clean. I will wash away all of your dirtiness. I will plant a new heart and new spirit inside of you. I will take out your stony heart and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put my Spirit inside of you and inspire you to live by my statutes. (Ezekiel)
And so he does! When we receive these words by faith! I don't work so much on my own righteousness - I look in the face of Christ and bow before His work.
I will put my Spirit inside of you and inspire you to live by my statutes. (Ezekiel)
And so he does! When we receive these words by faith! I don't work so much on my own righteousness - I look in the face of Christ and bow before His work.
then when he dies for you, cleanses you, sheds his blood for you,
him being jesus , yahshua hamashiach, eternally one with the father in heaven,
who humbled himself, through humiliation, to be born a man in the flesh, to be crucified, to
purchase his own with his blood,
then, do you obey him? or disobey him ?
(yahweh told his people to chose. all through scripture, he tells what happens and what is the difference in those who obey, and those who disobey. )
him being jesus , yahshua hamashiach, eternally one with the father in heaven,
who humbled himself, through humiliation, to be born a man in the flesh, to be crucified, to
purchase his own with his blood,
then, do you obey him? or disobey him ?
(yahweh told his people to chose. all through scripture, he tells what happens and what is the difference in those who obey, and those who disobey. )
I believe this doctrine implies that man has two natures - one born of the flesh and one born of the Spirit. Therefore we are partakers of a fallen nature and partakers of a divine nature. Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. [Rom. 5:14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. [Rom. 5:16] Throughout scripture we can see the names for this "old man" nature - the "carnal man", the "flesh", the "natural man", the "outward man" . . . We do not lose this fleshly nature when we are born again - we only partake of the divine nature - take part of . . . Although the sinner is justified in Christ, he still feels the working of the old nature, and experiences the conflict between that and the new nature. Are we inclined to sin? Yes. . .it comes naturally BUT MUST we sin? NOPE.
Isaiah 53:6,12b All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. . . . . because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
2 Cor. 5:21 - For he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Propitiation: the turning away of wrath by an offering - placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ . . . . 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 4:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
Romans 4:11 . . . that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: [v22] And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Saved "positionally" - Born again of the Spirit - partaker of the divine nature qualifies us as sons of God, placed in God's household - born again of incorruptible seed - sealed with holy Spirit until the day of redemption - that Spirit is born within us NOTHING, NADA can remove that INCORRUPTIBLE seed. Are we inclined to sin?
Still - It may be in our fallen nature that sin comes naturally - BUT MUST we sin?
Isaiah 53:6,12b All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. . . . . because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
2 Cor. 5:21 - For he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Propitiation: the turning away of wrath by an offering - placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ . . . . 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Romans 4:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
Romans 4:11 . . . that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: [v22] And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Saved "positionally" - Born again of the Spirit - partaker of the divine nature qualifies us as sons of God, placed in God's household - born again of incorruptible seed - sealed with holy Spirit until the day of redemption - that Spirit is born within us NOTHING, NADA can remove that INCORRUPTIBLE seed. Are we inclined to sin?
Still - It may be in our fallen nature that sin comes naturally - BUT MUST we sin?
Original Sin - This false doctrine implies "sin you will and sin you must" because the root of sinning is deemed to be an inherited defect passed down from parent to child. It negates "human ability" as it relates to being able to choose not to sin. Thus if one upholds Original Sin in the mind one will uphold a view that their own sin is ultimately not their own fault, rather it is the result of a birth defect. This mental notion then serves to inoculate from a genuine repentance experience, an experience where one takes full responsibility for "choosing" to sin previously and makes the decision to "choose not" to sin in the future. This is why Heb 10:26 warns against "willful sin" because "willful sin" is simply "choosing to sin."
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
1. Sin entered the world by one man.
2. That one man was Adam. Before Adam there was no sin in the world.
3. Death came also by sin.
Sin came into the world via...
Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
We see this in Genesis...
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
This is an example of the corruption that is in the world through lust which genuine Christians have escaped from...
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
John wrote...
1Jn_2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Read again Gen 3:6...
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Sin entered the world via the corruption that is through lust.
Human beings are not "born" with an inherited fallen nature. Human beings are born subject to the natural passions just like Adam and Eve were created subject to the natural passions.
Jesus was also born subject to the natural passions.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus came in the likeness of "sinful flesh," a figurative expression for the base passions of a human being.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Dual nature teaching is Gnostic in origin. It is not Christian at all. We have ONE nature and it can go either way depending on our choices. The word "nature" in the Bible is the Greek word "Phusis" and it implies "Growth." We see the term used to describe both a natural disposition to righteousness and a natural disposition to sin, in other words it can go either way.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
Eph_2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[STRONGS] G5449 - Nature - phusis
From G5453; growth (by germination or expansion), that is, (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension a genus or sort; figuratively native disposition, constitution or usage: - ([man-]) kind, nature ([-al]).
Original Sin teaches that when Adam sinned it lead to an "inherited corruption" passed down to his descendents. This is error and this error infiltrated Christianity in the Fourth Century. This error convinces people that the reason they sin is because they are "born" with a inbuilt defect of their nature. It is not true. The flesh is simply flesh and is simply a means of temptation, no more and no less. We inherit physical death due to being born mortal, we do not inherit sin as Original Sin teaches.
Romans 5:12-14 simply teaches that it was through Adam (the recognised head of Eve) that sin was first brought into the world and that this sin brought the spiritual death of Adam. Physical death was a result of being expelled from the garden and being denied access to the Tree of Life. We are all born spiritually alive and reap our own spiritual death when we choose to rebel against God for the first time. Original Sin teaches that we are "born dead" and thus it sets people up to believe that their sin is not truly their fault thus forcing a redefining of repentance.
Thus we will always be tempted in a human body but that temptation is simply a natural condition of being subject to the natural passions and desires which are not sinful. It is sinful when such desires are gratified in discordance with the will of God.
Penal Substitution teaches that Jesus literally substituted Himself as being guilty of sin before God whereby God punished Jesus as the substitute whereby the wrath of God was satisfied. Isaiah 53 teaches no such doctrine.
Jesus bore our sins in a figurative sense as the once and for all sin offering. In other words Jesus offered Himself up to God on our behalf in order to establish the means by which we could be returned to favour to God. This is described in the book of Hebrews with these words...
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Heb 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Heb 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
The reason Jesus had to die was in order to establish the New Covenant. His death had nothing to do with being a Penal Substitute and that is why there is no mention of Penal Substitution in the Bible. Reconciliation is achieved by approaching God via repentance and faith in order to enter into covenant via the blood. This is described in Hebrews chapter 10...
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Jesus consecrated the way that a sinner is to approach God seeking reconciliation. The result is a cleansing of all past sin and the granting of a fresh start. This is why the Bible warns...
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
To rebel again after seeking mercy for previous rebellion to treat the grace and mercy of God with utter contempt, it is to treat God's grace as "get out of condemnation" pass which can be used at any time. It is not so.
Penal Substitution is designed to destroy an understanding of the Gospel, and thus the true means of reconciliation, in the minds of those who fall prey to it.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The iniquity of all sin was laid on Jesus just like the iniquity was laid on the sin offering under the Old Covenant. This did not mean the animal became guilty and bore the wrath of God. No. The animal indeed suffered on bahalf of the sins of the people but it never was guilty of those sins. Guilt and Innocence are not transferable properties, this is a self evident truth. Jesus did not become guilty, He was offered WITHOUT SPOT to God, He was not offered with our spots. Jesus was offered on behalf of our spots and for our spots but He was never deemed guilty of our spots, such a view is akin to blasphemy. Jesus was pure at all times.
Peter wrote this...
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
The death of Christ on the cross is an example for us. Paul taught this fact in...
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
We are to die with Jesus in which we die to the service of sin. We crucify our old man whom is rebellious to God once and for all and henceforth are to live unto righteousness. That is what the cross is all about.
We enter into a covenant with God through repentance and faith whereby we now serve righteousness. It is a total transformation from base service (of sin) to spiritual service (of righteousness). With the root of iniquity purged from our hearts we are no longer separated from God and His full power emanates through our inner being whereby we are energised to love with pure hearts.
Penal Substitution destroys any understanding of this because it leads people to believe that salvation is purely forensic. Penal Substitution leads people to believe that a legal exchange took place on the cross and it is akin to a book keeping entry. Penal Substitution totally destroys any real conception of the New Birth and how it is connected to a genuine salvation experience.
Under Penal Substitution people "trust in the substitution" when NOTHING has really changed in their hearts. They think the "penalty for sin is paid for in full" when the Bible states no such thing anywhere. Thus their comfort is escaping judgement is premised on them thinking that the "fine" they owed is "paid in full." The Bible doesn't teach anything even remotely close to anything like that and that is why no individual can produce any Bible passages which actually teach Penal Substitution.
2Cor 5:21 is teaching TRANSFORMATION not Penal Substitution. That verse ought not be isolated from its context...
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Paul mirrors the words of Peter that I quoted above, "he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." The death of Christ was an EXAMPLE to follow.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Jesus being "made sin" is a figurative expression denoting that He was offered on our behalf because of our sin. An individual cannot literally be "made sin" for sin is not a substance but an action of thought and deed. Jesus was "made sin" that we might be "made the righteousness of God in Him." This is speaking of TRANSFORMATION and not a legal exchange. Here is a parallel passage...
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
We are made the righteousness of God in Him when we WALK according to the Spirit whereby the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us. This is why Paul would write...
2Co 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
The grace of God is received in vain if we don't abide in that grace via cooperating with God. We have to WALK in the Spirit whereby we are made righteousness via the fullness of God being manifest in us. This is what "saved by grace through faith" really means, it is the dynamic which brings transformation of the heart. God leads us and we yield and this follow, the result is purity of heart. Jesus gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and make us pure.
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Can you see how Penal Substitution totally perverts and destroys the Gospel message? I hope so.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
We are saved from wrath THROUGH Jesus because we ABIDE IN THE SPIRIT OF HIS LIFE. It is a MANIFEST STATE not a positional legal transaction. It is via the blood we enter into covenant with God and we are washed clean of our previous misconduct and we are kept from condemnation via an enduring walk in the Spirit of His life. This is why it is so important to CONTINUE IN THE FAITH for one can forsake this manifest state and return to rebellion.
Now we can turn to Romans chapter 3. The word propitiation means "Mercy Seat" and it is where sins are expiated. We present ourselves on the altar as living sacrifices and we are cleansed via the blood of Jesus. We are redeemed via life IN Jesus Christ, that is via the Spirit of His life which is an abiding state. This is why a real Christian is a light to the world, for the power of God is working through us. There is no serving Satan in this state, we serve God.
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Redemption is IN Christ Jesus. Redemption is IN the Spirit of His life. The Spirit of life IN Jesus Christ is the very opposite of sinning unto death. Being IN Jesus is a reference to an ABIDING state of walking with God wholeheartedly. The opposite of that is being in rebellion to God and walking our own way.
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
The righteousness of Jesus was declared before the whole world and He offered Himself as a sin offering to God on our behalf. The righteousness of God is declared because this Ministry of Reconciliation results in individuals who have been inwardly purified and thus no longer serve evil. Thus the grace of God is not a license to serve evil and get away with it.
Penal Substitution is a doctrine which serves to present a cloak for ongoing sin. Penal Substitution works in conjunction with the doctrine of Original Sin to present people with a perceived "cover for wickedness" because they think they are "saved positionally" due to Jesus performing a legal exchange on the cross on their behalf. It is a very diabolical doctrine and sadly so many people are in love with it.
Take note that Romans chapter 4 does not teach anywhere that the "righteousness of Christ" is credited to the believer.
Romans chapter 4 teaches...
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
God reckons genuine faith as righteousness. It is FAITH ITSELF which is counted for righteousness.
Why is faith counted for righteousness? Simple. Faith is an allusion to a pure heart yielded to God. So whilst an individual may ignorantly miss the mark the root of their being is pure and thus God holds their pure intention as righteousness, not any missteps taken due to ignorance.
We see Paul describe faith as...
1. Establishing the law.
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
2. Working by love.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
True righteousness is not via rote obedience to rules and regulations because rote obedience does not denote the heart. One can outwardly appear righteous, like the Pharisees, yet the heart actually be wicked.
A true faith that works by love fulfills the righteousness of the law.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
This is why Paul connects genuine faith to a walk.
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Rom 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
A genuine faith will ALWAYS have the associated walk of that faith. God does not reckon the walk as righteousness but the root of that walk which is faith, a faith that works by love. Again all this is speaking of a MANIFEST REALITY in the life of a true believer. One cannot have a faith that works by love and be sinning against God at the same time, such a thing is impossible. This is why those who teach that one can be "saved" and still "struggling with sin" do not really know what they are talking about, their version of faith is simply "mental assent" and is not faith at all.
The new birth involves loving one another with pure hearts.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
There are many people who view salvation as an abstraction. Somehow they have bought into the deception that they could engage in rebellion to God and remain in a justified state. In other words they reject any allusion that faith works by love, they think that one can have a faith where love is absent from time to time.
It is the heart without guile which is justified in the sight of God because God reckons faith as righteousness.
Many will use the term "imputed righteousness of Christ" but none of them can show any Bible verse or passage which teaches that. Faith itself is reckoned as righteousness, there is no moral transfer from one person to another.
Vice and virtue are not transferable properties. Vice and virtue are rooted in thoughts and actions. The very idea that the literal righteousness of Jesus can be positionally credited to anyone is very stupid indeed.
Romans chapter 4 teaches...
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
God reckons genuine faith as righteousness. It is FAITH ITSELF which is counted for righteousness.
Why is faith counted for righteousness? Simple. Faith is an allusion to a pure heart yielded to God. So whilst an individual may ignorantly miss the mark the root of their being is pure and thus God holds their pure intention as righteousness, not any missteps taken due to ignorance.
We see Paul describe faith as...
1. Establishing the law.
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
2. Working by love.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
True righteousness is not via rote obedience to rules and regulations because rote obedience does not denote the heart. One can outwardly appear righteous, like the Pharisees, yet the heart actually be wicked.
A true faith that works by love fulfills the righteousness of the law.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
This is why Paul connects genuine faith to a walk.
Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Rom 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
A genuine faith will ALWAYS have the associated walk of that faith. God does not reckon the walk as righteousness but the root of that walk which is faith, a faith that works by love. Again all this is speaking of a MANIFEST REALITY in the life of a true believer. One cannot have a faith that works by love and be sinning against God at the same time, such a thing is impossible. This is why those who teach that one can be "saved" and still "struggling with sin" do not really know what they are talking about, their version of faith is simply "mental assent" and is not faith at all.
The new birth involves loving one another with pure hearts.
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
There are many people who view salvation as an abstraction. Somehow they have bought into the deception that they could engage in rebellion to God and remain in a justified state. In other words they reject any allusion that faith works by love, they think that one can have a faith where love is absent from time to time.
It is the heart without guile which is justified in the sight of God because God reckons faith as righteousness.
Many will use the term "imputed righteousness of Christ" but none of them can show any Bible verse or passage which teaches that. Faith itself is reckoned as righteousness, there is no moral transfer from one person to another.
Vice and virtue are not transferable properties. Vice and virtue are rooted in thoughts and actions. The very idea that the literal righteousness of Jesus can be positionally credited to anyone is very stupid indeed.
Skinski, is this your fabricated definition or can you cite a respectable source.
No one in their right mind states that Jesus was being guilty of sin. He was sinless. He became sin and bore our guilt and God's wrath due us.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(2Co 5:21)
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
(1Pe 2:24)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
(1Pe 3:18)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"—
(Gal 3:13)
No one in their right mind states that Jesus was being guilty of sin. He was sinless. He became sin and bore our guilt and God's wrath due us.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
(2Co 5:21)
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
(1Pe 2:24)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
(1Pe 3:18)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"—
(Gal 3:13)
Human beings are not "born" with an inherited fallen nature. Human beings are born subject to the natural passions just like Adam and Eve were created subject to the natural passions.
Jesus was also born subject to the natural passions.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus came in the likeness of "sinful flesh," a figurative expression for the base passions of a human being.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Dual nature teaching is Gnostic in origin. It is not Christian at all. We have ONE nature and it can go either way depending on our choices. The word "nature" in the Bible is the Greek word "Phusis" and it implies "Growth." We see the term used to describe both a natural disposition to righteousness and a natural disposition to sin, in other words it can go either way.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
Eph_2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[STRONGS] G5449 - Nature - phusis
From G5453; growth (by germination or expansion), that is, (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension a genus or sort; figuratively native disposition, constitution or usage: - ([man-]) kind, nature ([-al]).
Original Sin teaches that when Adam sinned it lead to an "inherited corruption" passed down to his descendents. This is error and this error infiltrated Christianity in the Fourth Century. This error convinces people that the reason they sin is because they are "born" with a inbuilt defect of their nature. It is not true. The flesh is simply flesh and is simply a means of temptation, no more and no less. We inherit physical death due to being born mortal, we do not inherit sin as Original Sin teaches.
Romans 5:12-14 simply teaches that it was through Adam (the recognised head of Eve) that sin was first brought into the world and that this sin brought the spiritual death of Adam. Physical death was a result of being expelled from the garden and being denied access to the Tree of Life. We are all born spiritually alive and reap our own spiritual death when we choose to rebel against God for the first time. Original Sin teaches that we are "born dead" and thus it sets people up to believe that their sin is not truly their fault thus forcing a redefining of repentance.
Thus we will always be tempted in a human body but that temptation is simply a natural condition of being subject to the natural passions and desires which are not sinful. It is sinful when such desires are gratified in discordance with the will of God.
Jesus was also born subject to the natural passions.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus came in the likeness of "sinful flesh," a figurative expression for the base passions of a human being.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Dual nature teaching is Gnostic in origin. It is not Christian at all. We have ONE nature and it can go either way depending on our choices. The word "nature" in the Bible is the Greek word "Phusis" and it implies "Growth." We see the term used to describe both a natural disposition to righteousness and a natural disposition to sin, in other words it can go either way.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
Eph_2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[STRONGS] G5449 - Nature - phusis
From G5453; growth (by germination or expansion), that is, (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension a genus or sort; figuratively native disposition, constitution or usage: - ([man-]) kind, nature ([-al]).
Original Sin teaches that when Adam sinned it lead to an "inherited corruption" passed down to his descendents. This is error and this error infiltrated Christianity in the Fourth Century. This error convinces people that the reason they sin is because they are "born" with a inbuilt defect of their nature. It is not true. The flesh is simply flesh and is simply a means of temptation, no more and no less. We inherit physical death due to being born mortal, we do not inherit sin as Original Sin teaches.
Romans 5:12-14 simply teaches that it was through Adam (the recognised head of Eve) that sin was first brought into the world and that this sin brought the spiritual death of Adam. Physical death was a result of being expelled from the garden and being denied access to the Tree of Life. We are all born spiritually alive and reap our own spiritual death when we choose to rebel against God for the first time. Original Sin teaches that we are "born dead" and thus it sets people up to believe that their sin is not truly their fault thus forcing a redefining of repentance.
Thus we will always be tempted in a human body but that temptation is simply a natural condition of being subject to the natural passions and desires which are not sinful. It is sinful when such desires are gratified in discordance with the will of God.
Apparently sin and death go hand in hand - [v12] Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin . . Romans 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression.
Being born in the flesh we are born in the likeness, after the image of Adam and inherited HIS nature. Adam started out perfect but when he sinned, he brought sin and death into the world - man inherited sin and death. Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. [Rom. 5:14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. [Rom. 5:16]
We were born separated from God - We have reconciliation through Jesus Christ - God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself . . . One cannot be "spiritually alive" until they are born again - That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Why else: Ye must be born again.
By your definition scriptures must teach Gnosticism then for we are to put off the old man and put on the new man . . . "For I know in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing", "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God", "the flesh profiteth nothing" . . ."the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" . . . "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" . . . Does that mean that WE MUST SIN????? AGAIN . . . . NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
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Here we go again! There is no argument that true believers should and do live lifestyles of obedience.
The argument is: Is obedience somethings believers do and take credit for; or is it something done in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
I argue the second position! I am obedient because the holy Spirit within me gives me the desire and ability to obey.
When, on occasion, I cease to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit; I sin. When I sin the Holy Spirit within me prompts me to confess and repent.
1 Jn 2:1-2
2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
KJV
The argument is: Is obedience somethings believers do and take credit for; or is it something done in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
I argue the second position! I am obedient because the holy Spirit within me gives me the desire and ability to obey.
When, on occasion, I cease to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit; I sin. When I sin the Holy Spirit within me prompts me to confess and repent.
1 Jn 2:1-2
2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
KJV