II Peter 1:19-21 "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
My grace is sufficient...
- Thread starter Rockrz
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Like it or not you have to consider how., in light of this verse, why so many good., spirit led Bible believing Christians read and understand some Bible verses differently? I would say true believers DO agree on the major issues of Scripture but there are things that we can only be convinced in our own minds by the Holy Spirit., and allow others to do the same.
It does make me think about how much we all are missing due to our own limited understanding. And how we have a loooong way to go in order to move on in our faith. He gives us His Word and His Spirit. What we do with them is yet another question we each have to ask ourselves. And then be willing to make some changes in long held religious interpretations by considering the Lord may be trying to tell us something.
Study to show yourself approved unto God...a workman that need not be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth. 2 Tim.2:15 Hopefully with a joyous smile (unlike this emoticon...).
Like it or not you have to consider how., in light of this verse, why so many good., spirit led Bible believing Christians read and understand some Bible verses differently? I would say true believers DO agree on the major issues of Scripture but there are things that we can only be convinced in our own minds by the Holy Spirit., and allow others to do the same.
It does make me think about how much we all are missing due to our own limited understanding. And how we have a loooong way to go in order to move on in our faith. He gives us His Word and His Spirit. What we do with them is yet another question we each have to ask ourselves. And then be willing to make some changes in long held religious interpretations by considering the Lord may be trying to tell us something.
Study to show yourself approved unto God...a workman that need not be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth. 2 Tim.2:15 Hopefully with a joyous smile (unlike this emoticon...).
I remember being a new believer and would hear Bible scholars talk about what the Bible said and how to read it for all it worth and I taught, they've lost the fire for the Lord. Now I understand what they were saying, a person with a working knowledge of the Biblical languages has a better understanding of the Bible than I do. experience does not over ride the word of God. I was a KJV only person for the first 4 years of my walk with the Lord, I did use the pie symbols before verses that indicated the beginning of a paragraph, which help me start understanding the Bible in context, but I still had my doctrinal glasses on to interpret the word. Then I began using the NKJV (baby steps lol) that had it in paragraphs, then I got a parallel Bible, then started using the ESV and I'm happy with it. But always turning to other translation to clarify a misunderstanding.
Now I use stuff on the net and it is very helpful. God Bless.
2Cor 12:2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
A Thorn in the Flesh
7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I would suggest reading the Bible. It is so informative.
A Thorn in the Flesh
7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I would suggest reading the Bible. It is so informative.
T
2Cor 12:2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
A Thorn in the Flesh
7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I would suggest reading the Bible. It is so informative.
A Thorn in the Flesh
7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I would suggest reading the Bible. It is so informative.
Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall.
PROVERBS 29;23
A mans pride shall bring him low, but honor will uphold the humble in Spirit.
Brother I disagree with that particular translation. First of all, Satan would not try to stop Paul from falling into pride because Pride would have destroyed him. Pride is a tool of the devil and he would not send a demon to harass Paul to stop him from falling into pride, he would have encouraged him to fall into pride.
Lest I be exalted or lest the message I proclaim be exalted, is talking about the message he was proclaiming, not pride, sickness or disease.
T
Just a thought:
The King James still say least I be exalted. It does not say the messenger of satan was sent due to pride, it just says least I be exalted. I being the message I proclaim due to the abundance of Revelations he received starting in verse one.
Exalted is not referring to pride, it is referring to the message Paul preached being exalted
I find it very difficult to come to the conclusion that God used Satan as a tool to control Paul and his so called pride. The word tells us to humble ourselves before God, and in due time he will exalt us.
It does not make sense to me that Satan and God are in cahoots and are working together. Light and darkness cannot coexist. A house divided against itself will fall.
2 Corinthians 12:7
New International Version
or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
New Living Translation
even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
English Standard Version
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Berean Study Bible
or with these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Berean Literal Bible
and the surpassingness of the revelations. Therefore, that I should not become conceited, a thorn in my flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, so that I should not become conceited.
New American Standard Bible
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!
King James Bible
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.
International Standard Version
To keep me from becoming conceited because of the exceptional nature of these revelations, a thorn was given to me and placed in my body. It was Satan's messenger to keep on tormenting me so that I would not become conceited.
I'm afraid you're incorrect.
New International Version
or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
New Living Translation
even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
English Standard Version
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Berean Study Bible
or with these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Berean Literal Bible
and the surpassingness of the revelations. Therefore, that I should not become conceited, a thorn in my flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, so that I should not become conceited.
New American Standard Bible
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself!
King James Bible
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.
International Standard Version
To keep me from becoming conceited because of the exceptional nature of these revelations, a thorn was given to me and placed in my body. It was Satan's messenger to keep on tormenting me so that I would not become conceited.
I'm afraid you're incorrect.
Gal 4:13 You know that it was because I was ill that I brought you the gospel the first time.
Gal 4:14 Even though my condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. On the contrary, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, or as if I were the Messiah Jesus.
Gal 4:15 What, then, happened to your positive attitude? For I testify that if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
Pauls appearance had to have been altered from all the persecutions he suffered. Beatings, shipwrecks, once thought dead and maybe he was, raised to life.
That alone would cause anyone distress.
Gal 4:14 Even though my condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. On the contrary, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, or as if I were the Messiah Jesus.
Gal 4:15 What, then, happened to your positive attitude? For I testify that if it had been possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
Pauls appearance had to have been altered from all the persecutions he suffered. Beatings, shipwrecks, once thought dead and maybe he was, raised to life.
That alone would cause anyone distress.
I agree stonesoffire - although the word in Gal. 4:13 means "weakness" with further investigation it appears Paul was stoned before he went to Galatia to preach the gospel. Paul later says to the Galatians that you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. Being stoned would make a mess of one's face.
Here is a quote from an article that I found interesting.
So while preaching to the cities of Galiata, Paul is stoned and left for dead. What would you do at this point? Would you strongly consider leaving missionary work? I know that I would. Please notice how Paul responds to this stoning:
"While the disciples stood around him"--have you ever witnessed a violent act? It can be very disturbing. Imagine watching the man who led you to Christ and taught you the Word of God put to death by a mob right in front of you.
Paul Gets Stoned - Acts 14:19-28: Berean Bible Church
Here is a quote from an article that I found interesting.
So while preaching to the cities of Galiata, Paul is stoned and left for dead. What would you do at this point? Would you strongly consider leaving missionary work? I know that I would. Please notice how Paul responds to this stoning:
But while the disciples stood around him, he arose and entered the city. And the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:20-22 NASB)
Paul never misses a beat, he gets up and goes right on preaching! He even goes back to Lystra and encourages the believers to continue in the faith. Picture it! Paul must have been badly bruised and bloodied.
"While the disciples stood around him"--have you ever witnessed a violent act? It can be very disturbing. Imagine watching the man who led you to Christ and taught you the Word of God put to death by a mob right in front of you.
Paul Gets Stoned - Acts 14:19-28: Berean Bible Church
D
So your mum died because of her coping strategy?
I usually don't try to be that mean to someone, but what you are missing is you have just said the same thing to a woman of God on this site.
Rockr really is attacking a woman on this site, and those of us who are sure God probably won't take away her disease.
BUT Rockr had to post this "It's all about my brilliance" thread before finding out how her prayer request worked out. It's two days after her prayer request. Two days ago she had such a big flare up of her RA that her ligaments could no longer hold her joints together, and some of her joints, (most of them) became dislocated. God didn't heal her of her disease. However, with the help of people who would never tell her this crap Rockr is preaching (to prove how grand he is, without ever dealing with how harmful he is in the body), but, instead, prayed for her and gave her encouragement from God's word, the flare up has subsided so much so that her joints (all but one, but this is quite a bit after her praise report) have popped back into place, and she was able to praise God with her flute and her voice a mere day after the flare up made her so sore she couldn't stand it. (Dislocated joints. That hurts greatly.)
I know you didn't mean anything negative by what you wrote. I absolutely know you do not believe your mum wasn't healed because her health problems were how she coped. BUT you sure did post that in front of the very person who could take exception -- and rightfully so -- to what you did write.
I would never tell you that your mum's illness was her coping mechanism. It was an illness to death. It was hard on her, you and your whole family. BUT, in like kind, remember your words are reaching people that shouldn't be hearing it either.
Rockr posted this maliciously. You didn't. It hurts either way for those of us in pain. (And, no. I'm not that woman. I simply get to live life in pain in a different way, until/if God heals me.) Yours didn't hurt quite as much.
I usually don't try to be that mean to someone, but what you are missing is you have just said the same thing to a woman of God on this site.
Rockr really is attacking a woman on this site, and those of us who are sure God probably won't take away her disease.
BUT Rockr had to post this "It's all about my brilliance" thread before finding out how her prayer request worked out. It's two days after her prayer request. Two days ago she had such a big flare up of her RA that her ligaments could no longer hold her joints together, and some of her joints, (most of them) became dislocated. God didn't heal her of her disease. However, with the help of people who would never tell her this crap Rockr is preaching (to prove how grand he is, without ever dealing with how harmful he is in the body), but, instead, prayed for her and gave her encouragement from God's word, the flare up has subsided so much so that her joints (all but one, but this is quite a bit after her praise report) have popped back into place, and she was able to praise God with her flute and her voice a mere day after the flare up made her so sore she couldn't stand it. (Dislocated joints. That hurts greatly.)
I know you didn't mean anything negative by what you wrote. I absolutely know you do not believe your mum wasn't healed because her health problems were how she coped. BUT you sure did post that in front of the very person who could take exception -- and rightfully so -- to what you did write.
I would never tell you that your mum's illness was her coping mechanism. It was an illness to death. It was hard on her, you and your whole family. BUT, in like kind, remember your words are reaching people that shouldn't be hearing it either.
Rockr posted this maliciously. You didn't. It hurts either way for those of us in pain. (And, no. I'm not that woman. I simply get to live life in pain in a different way, until/if God heals me.) Yours didn't hurt quite as much.
D
Does that make you the devil? Because you sure seem bent on stealing and destroying "some Christians," "many Christians," youse guys, all of you, and anyone else who doesn't see "God heals everyone" in the Bible.
Maybe you and Rockr can start your own little club. (The proof of what you do is post 4, but it is clear that very few of us are up to your standards.)
Maybe you and Rockr can start your own little club. (The proof of what you do is post 4, but it is clear that very few of us are up to your standards.)
D
Okay, time for my fly swatter to return.
My old username on here was AtWhatCost. (No, I wasn't banned. I left, and I left because of this kind of mentality posing as Christian. I'm back because not everyone on this site has this pompousness to them and my hubby needed a lot of prayer. Prayer worked. God brought him back to fairly good health, when most of his doctors were telling me he was going to die in the next 24 hours -- and 24 hours was the long-term on what they were telling me -- and then telling us he would always be drastically disabled. They were wrong -- twice. He is merely not 100%, because what 70 year old is? lol)
Back then I wrote a blog about the thorn in Paul's side. Considering how often that is an excuse used to browbeat Christians who are sick and/or disabled that God has not chosen to heal, it's time to resurrect it.
My handy-dandy fly swatter --
http://christianchat.com/bible-disc...ealing-disability-illness-unbelief-posts.html
My old username on here was AtWhatCost. (No, I wasn't banned. I left, and I left because of this kind of mentality posing as Christian. I'm back because not everyone on this site has this pompousness to them and my hubby needed a lot of prayer. Prayer worked. God brought him back to fairly good health, when most of his doctors were telling me he was going to die in the next 24 hours -- and 24 hours was the long-term on what they were telling me -- and then telling us he would always be drastically disabled. They were wrong -- twice. He is merely not 100%, because what 70 year old is? lol)
Back then I wrote a blog about the thorn in Paul's side. Considering how often that is an excuse used to browbeat Christians who are sick and/or disabled that God has not chosen to heal, it's time to resurrect it.
My handy-dandy fly swatter --
http://christianchat.com/bible-disc...ealing-disability-illness-unbelief-posts.html
Acts 9.15-16 :
[SUP]15 [/SUP]But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; [SUP]16 [/SUP]for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
The thorn was not sent by God, but Jesus prophesied the thorn of Paul big time....The theology that says God won't let us suffer or experience hardship is false teaching at its greatest...
Even Jesus suffered:
Hebrews 5.7-8
[SUP]7 [/SUP]In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. [SUP]8 [/SUP]Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; [SUP]16 [/SUP]for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
The thorn was not sent by God, but Jesus prophesied the thorn of Paul big time....The theology that says God won't let us suffer or experience hardship is false teaching at its greatest...
Even Jesus suffered:
Hebrews 5.7-8
[SUP]7 [/SUP]In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. [SUP]8 [/SUP]Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
Funny thing about the Bible when we back up and look at preceding verses context is given to what he was talking about....
Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. [SUP]2 [/SUP]I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. [SUP]3 [/SUP]And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— [SUP]4 [/SUP]was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. [SUP]5 [/SUP]On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. [SUP]6 [/SUP]For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. [h=3]A Thorn in the Flesh[/h][SUP]7 [/SUP]Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! [SUP]8 [/SUP]Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. [SUP]9 [/SUP]And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. [SUP]10 [/SUP]Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. [SUP]2 [/SUP]I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. [SUP]3 [/SUP]And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— [SUP]4 [/SUP]was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. [SUP]5 [/SUP]On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. [SUP]6 [/SUP]For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. [h=3]A Thorn in the Flesh[/h][SUP]7 [/SUP]Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! [SUP]8 [/SUP]Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. [SUP]9 [/SUP]And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. [SUP]10 [/SUP]Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. It's a promise just like when Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will be in you forever. John 14:16
2 Timothy 3:11-12 (KJV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
The preaching of the true gospel of the grace of God in Christ will bring persecutions and it will be mostly from those that have their religion exposed for what it really is - trusting in oneself instead of Christ. Paul suffered mostly from his own Jewish, God-fearing, Law of Moses keeping countrymen that stirred up the people to try to kill him.
Paul says in Gal. chapter 4 that Ishmael who was of the flesh persecuted Isaac born according to the Spirit and it is to this day still.
Galatians 4:29 (NASB)
[SUP]29 [/SUP] But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.
Those in our midst that are trying to create and maintain their own self-righteousness by their own works and self-effort in the flesh and human will-power will be antagonistic against those that are living by the faith of Christ's finished work on the cross and resurrection.
2 Timothy 3:11-12 (KJV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
[SUP]12 [/SUP] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
The preaching of the true gospel of the grace of God in Christ will bring persecutions and it will be mostly from those that have their religion exposed for what it really is - trusting in oneself instead of Christ. Paul suffered mostly from his own Jewish, God-fearing, Law of Moses keeping countrymen that stirred up the people to try to kill him.
Paul says in Gal. chapter 4 that Ishmael who was of the flesh persecuted Isaac born according to the Spirit and it is to this day still.
Galatians 4:29 (NASB)
[SUP]29 [/SUP] But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.
Those in our midst that are trying to create and maintain their own self-righteousness by their own works and self-effort in the flesh and human will-power will be antagonistic against those that are living by the faith of Christ's finished work on the cross and resurrection.