We get to heaven because we are Holy

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Nov 22, 2015
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#61
The only people going to heaven when they die are people that are from there to begin with.

Philippians 3:20 (NASB)
[SUP]20 [/SUP] For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

God Himself makes us holy. Holy means to "be set apart". Jesus is our sanctification which means set apart.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NASB)
[SUP]30 [/SUP] But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

[SUP]31 [/SUP] so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."

To the works-based D.I.Y self-righteousness/holiness humanistic mindsets they think that they themselves make themselves holy.

We are holy because of the grace of Christ alone and because He has made us holy - we are holy and when we understand that - His life will manifest in us to reflect the holiness that is in us in the new creation in Christ.

Get this wrong or backwards and we create a religion and call it Christianity.
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#62
FNC - God bless you. Thankyou for the complement and encouragement in the Lord.
I am really touched by knowing the Lord is leading me in His Spirit to discern His paths.
Guessing at what the truth might be is not being led by the Spirit.
 

Yahshua

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2013
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#63
This is an interesting insight and I agree there is a lot of wisdom in this.
A transformed life is based on knowing how we behave an why.

A counter argument could be because the law is written on our hearts,
studying the law is not necessary to know what is sinful etc.

I have been blessed though beginning to understand the detail to which
God went in the law, which is mind blowing for a 1400 BC culture. There is
nothing like it anywhere in the world. If you want testimony to Gods revelation
at a time from bronze age man becomes iron age man this is unbelievable except
revealed by the living God.
Yes you're exactly right regarding your counter argument. In fact many have shared that same counter argument with me. But at a time where there are many counterfeit "spirits" out in the world the only way confirm which "spirit" is speaking the truth is to weigh it against the words given, since we also know that God doesn't change and Christ is the same.

Christ said "my words are spirit and are life" so the Holy Spirit would never contradict the words Christ spoke because they're one and the same. They were even given to God's people on the same exact holiday; the same words of the law written on our hearts. The Tablets were given at Mt. Sinai at Pentecost, and the Holy Spirit as given to the disciples at Pentecost. So we can use the law like a certain litmus test confirming the truth until we learn to distinguish one spirit from another in what we're hearing while we grow in the image and likeness of Christ.

What's dangerous is to never have attempted to study the law at all (told from the beginning of our walk that it was done away with). When that happens there's no "elementary school teacher" (i.e. schoolmaster) to lead the untrained "babe" in Christ towards the true Spirit (Christ's Holy Spirit), causing them to listen to anything that sounds good but that not necessary from God.
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#64
Great question. That's what studying the law does. It's very function is to "reveal sin", which everyone agrees is its sole purpose. It's purpose is fulfilled when we study it, that's why we are told to study to show ourselves approved of God. It can't save us at all...not at all...but we will then know our sins once revealed and be able to repent from them.
Ummmmmm, no.
 

Yahshua

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2013
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#65
God is an active God, and we who are available to Him through faith in Jesus Christ will inevitably be actively expressing Christ's life through us.
Thank you for your answer. But what about what James specifically said about Abraham?
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#67
Thank you for your answer. But what about what James specifically said about Abraham?
What about what Paul specifically said about Abraham??
 
Nov 22, 2015
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#69
It is very interesting that in James's examples of faith "being made alive" by a work or a corresponding action. Both Rahab and Abraham each did a one time corresponding action to demonstrate their faith.

Abraham believed God and offered up Isaac on the alter. Rahab received the spies.
Both one time events in their life - God calls this faith in action.


James 2:20-25 (NASB)
[SUP]20 [/SUP] But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

[SUP]21 [/SUP] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

[SUP]22[/SUP]You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;

[SUP]23 [/SUP] and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

[SUP]24 [/SUP] You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

[SUP]25 [/SUP] In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

Paul and James completely go together and do not cancel each other out.


We do the very same thing when we hear the message of Christ and we believe and then God seals us with the Holy Spirit. This is our faith
with a corresponding action or a "work".

Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth,
the gospel of your salvationhaving also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Jesus said to do the work of God was to believe in the Son.

Romans 10:8-10 (NASB)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] But what does it say? "
THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

[SUP]9 [/SUP]
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

[SUP]10[/SUP]for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

This is faith with corresponding action - or a work. This is how we are saved by grace through faith just like Paul said.
So, James and Paul completely agree with one another.
 

Yahshua

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2013
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#70
The part that begins with great and ends with them.
You missed your teaching moment. This answer edified no one reading. Be aware what spirit you're of. Christ's spirit teaches. He doesn't deride. "and you shall show them by the fruit they bear."
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#72
You missed your teaching moment. This answer edified no one reading. Be aware what spirit you're of. Christ's spirit teaches. He doesn't deride. "and you shall show them by the fruit they bear."
Oh my. What spirit I am of?? Indeed we shall know them by their fruit. :rolleyes:
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#73
More avoidance...you told me what I interpreted regarding James is wrong. So will you address James?
How could I? Being of the spirit that I am and all.....:rolleyes:
 
Mar 21, 2017
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#74
If we let James complete his thought notice what he says...



(James' point is made; that one should always speak and act as someone who shall be judged by the royal law...James then explains his point...)




CONTEXT: The "works" are the things James just said in verse 12 above: to speak and do as someone who shall be judged by the royal law of liberty; what James calls the Perfect Law in James 1:25 ("But whoso studies the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.") James continues...





What James said in this chapter wasn't a suspension of the royal law as if to say no one could keep it. No, he was calling believers to perform the works of it all the time as if they'll be judged by it; having love for EVERY neighbor not just certain ones you like or want to be religious around, in order to PERFECT one's faith.

Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness...How...by doing what God told him to do. In doing ALL of the work he was told to do, Abraham's faith was MADE PERFECT in obedience to God.
Are you saying Abraham was righteous because he obeyed God's commands by faith?

If we remove the obedience is there still the righteousness? What if there was no faith?

Why does Paul say not by works in Romans? What are those works?

 

Yahshua

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2013
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#75
Oh my. What spirit I am of?? Indeed we shall know them by their fruit. :rolleyes:
Truly. Yes the Holy Spirit would never cause strife. Your words to me right now seem full of mockery and sarcasm. Peter says always be ready to give an answer for what you believe yet you haven't remained focused on the discussion but continue to mock. Being twice my age you should be ready to teach me as my elder especially if I never gave you just cause to deride. So the only thing I can compare this to is when Christ at 30 or so sought to speak and the pharisees (many of whom were most likely elders in their faith) mocked him the same way, many never addressing the subject matter.
 
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FreeNChrist

Guest
#76
Truly. Yes the Holy Spirit would never cause strife. You words to me right now seem full of mockery and sarcasm. Peter says always be ready to give an answer" for what you believe yet you haven't remained focused on the discussion but continue to mock. Being twice my age you should be ready to teach me as my elder especially if I never gave you just cause to deride. So the only thing I can compare this to is when Christ at 30 or so sought to speak and the pharisees (many of whom were most likely elders in their faith) mocked him the same way, many never addressing the subject matter.
And yet here you are causing strife. Go figure. :rolleyes:
 

Yahshua

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2013
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#77
And yet here you are causing strife. Go figure. :rolleyes:
Then are you willing to reason through the scripture? I'm ready to return to them if you are.
 
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Mar 21, 2017
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#80
And yet here you are causing strife. Go figure. :rolleyes:
I am interested in this discussion. I think it has potential for good.
FreeNChrist, what if you and Yahshua were to just stop, end with all charges against each other. Is that at all possible?
Yahshua, same thoughts and question to you also.
Hope so.